House of the Dragon episode 5 saw the wedding festivities begin for Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon. This brought together the two great houses of Targaryens and Velaryons. The Velaryons made their grand entrance during the feast clad in beautiful garments with gold embroideries. We got to see a grown-up Lady Laena Velaryon, Laenor Velaryon, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and the rest of their family led by the Master of Driftmark, Lord Corlys Velaryon. The episode was also the last we will be seeing of Theo Nate as Laenor Velaryon. And the first and only time we will see Savannah Steyn as Laena Velaryon. During the celebration, there was a moment of playful flirtation between Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon.
While sitting at the main royal table during the feast right opposite each other, they both exchanged glances. They eventually even joined one another on the dance floor however briefly. Prince Daemon compliments Lady Laena in his typical charming fashion. Lady Laena on the other hand praises him for being a dashing prince, a knight and a dragon rider. She even claims that he’s every young maiden’s dream and suggests they get to know one another. The moment is certainly cut short as Daemon is once again drawn towards his niece Princess Rhaenyra. It seems like he cannot stay away from her even during her wedding. But it is interesting to see what lies ahead for Prince Daemon and Lady Laena.
The death of Lady Rhea Royce
House of the Dragon episode 5 begins with a woman clad in armor riding a horse through a field in the Vale. We quickly find out that this is Lady Rhea Royce, Daemon’s lady wife or rather the bronze bitch as he so eloquently puts it. She meets her cousin while returning from her hunt where she claimed a deer. However, on her journey back she is faced with an inconspicuous and shady man dressed in long grey robes that cover his identity. Its none other than Prince Daemon, her husband. She passes her snide remarks and rightfully so considering she heard about Daemon’s comment on how the even the sheep at Vale are prettier. Lady Rhea finally realizes Daemon’s true intentions of returning to the Vale. She reaches for her bow but Daemon manages to tip the horse and she falls off.
Daemon picks up a rock and though the scene cuts right there, refraining from showing his bloody actions, we know what came next. While visiting Lord Corlys at High Tide, the King learns of Lady Rhea’s passing. Her neck and skull had been crushed. The people concluded it to be a hunting accident.
What’s next for Prince Daemon
Immediately after his exchange with Lady Laena we see Daemon approach Rhaenyra. Its pretty clear that his action of murdering his wife, Lady Rhea was not just born out of hatred. He has a lot up his sleeve and that was a strategic play he made. He proudly claims to Rhaenyra that his marriage has recently dissolved. We also see him tell Lady Rhea’s cousin, that he’s planning on inheriting Runestone after his wife. Since they did not have any offspring of their own, her inheritance would pass on to her husband, Prince Daemon. He is clearly not done creating trouble and we reckon his brother King Viserys and Ser Lyonel Strong have an inkling that Daemon did something to Lady Rhea.
Daemon and Lady Laena
Those who have read the books, will know that Lady Laena is Daemon’s second wife. She even gives birth to two of his children, twin daughters Rhaena and Baela Targaryen. Last we heard about Laena and her marriage proposition was when she was betrothed to a son of the Sealord of Braavos. In the books, Daemon had challenged the son of the Sealord to a duel in which he defeated and then killed him. This way he won Lady Laena’s hand in marriage as a way to further his position and power. After today’s episode it seems like the show will be proceeding in a similar direction.
