House of the Dragon episode 8 had seen the death of King Viserys in its final moments. Previously, Queen Alicent had misunderstood King Viserys’ final words. While Viserys thought he was talking to his daughter and heir Princess Rhaenyra, he was actually talking to his wife, the Queen. She thinks Viserys is talking of their son Aegon II when he was actually telling Rhaenyra that she is the promised prince mentioned in Aegon the Conqueror’s prophecy. Naturally, House of the Dragon episode 9 sees the Green Council convene to conspire and scheme. They put Aegon on the throne and imprison or kill every supporter of Rhaenyra. In fact, they also treat Princess Rhaenys the same way. They even go to the extent of keeping her dragon Meleys captive. This led to the fruition of Helaena’s Prophecy from the previous episode.

Helaena’s Prophecy

Princess Helaena Targaryen made a prophecy during the feast in House of the Dragon episode 8. She cryptically said, “Beware the beast beneath the boards.” In fact, even during House of the Dragon episode 9, Helaena repeats the prophecy with more force this time. When Queen Alicent goes to Helaena to break the news of the death of the King, Helaena seems to be put off. She simply repeats the prophecy and pushes her mother away. This clearly means that Helaena is aware of her prophecies. While she may not realize what they mean, she surely feels the threat that some of her dragon dreams pose. As a result, Princess Helaena wants herself to be taken seriously.

House of the Dragon episode 9 ending 

The final minutes of House of the Dragon episode 9 saw the coronation of Prince Aegon II Targaryen as the King. The entirety of King’s Landing was gathered at the Red Keep to witness Aegon’s ascension to the throne. Meanwhile, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen too was present amidst the crowd. She had been separated from Ser Erryk Cargyll who was helping her escape to Dragonstone. However, dressed in common clothes and stealthy attire, Princess Rhaenys decided to take her escape into her own hands.

In the final moments of House of the Dragon episode 9, we see Rhaenys aboard her dragon Meleys, emerge from underneath the Hall of the Red Keep. She had previously sneaked down to the Dragonpit to save Meleys. Consequently, she disrupts the coronation proceedings and comes face to face with the Hightowers and their Green Council. This is clearly Helaena’s prophecy coming true. The beast was referring to Rhaenys’ dragon, Meleys who would emerge from underneath the Hall. Although Princess Rhaenys had the opportunity and reason enough to burn the Hightowers alive, she refrained. Instead, she and Meleys gave one last warning cry before they flew off.

In hindsight it would have probably been better if Princess Rhaenys had finished the job then and there. Killing them would not only have stopped the Targaryen Civil War that decimated the Kingdom. But it would have also prevented her own death. After all, in Fire and Blood, both Princess Rhaenys and her Dragon Meleys die at the hands of the brothers, Aegon and Aemond.