#NETTLES YOU WILL BE AVENGED

[malaiikka]

The news about Rhaena/Nettles legit managed to erode all the excitement I had about season two during the past few weeks in a matter of seconds.

Nettles is canonically the only non-Targ dragonrider, her story and arc is so important in challenging the beliefs about dragons and Targaryens and blood magic incest that exist in Westeros and among the Targaryens, why would the writers look at such a character and decided to mesh her storyline with Rhaena’s?? Are they just so uncreative they couldn’t figure out something for Rhaena to do in the Vale?? Or can this show only handle no more than three black characters, all the while they continue on cooking up new storylines and arcs for the white characters that don’t exist in the book??

[sillyzombiedelusion]

"A dragon will only accept a dragonlord as its rider- or so say the histories" "Valyrian histories written to gild us in glory"

Based Jace??

[witchlingcirce]

I saw this and I wanted to guess which dragons we would probably be seeing!!

- Sunfyre ✅ (Battle of Rooks nest)

- Baela ✅ (Saw her riding in the trailer

- Silverwing (where getting dragon seeds this season and Ulf the white is confirmed to be played by Tom Bennett)

- Cannibal / Greyghost (We could possibly see people trying to claim them)

- Sheepstealer (I don’t think Nettles is appearing in season two, since she’s the only dragon seed without a casting, so idk if we will see sheapstealer.)

- Dreamfyre? (While I don’t think we will see Helaena riding dreamfyre, I do think there’s a good chance she appears. Although we did kind of see her in season 1?? But idk if that really counts.)

- Tessarion?? (UNFORTUNATELY, I don’t think where seeing her 😭, same reason as Nettles. Daeron the daring you will be avenged 😞.)

There’s a chance we could see some of the smaller dragons as well, think Tyraxes, Stromcloud, morning being born.

Either way, I’m super excited to see a bunch of new dragons!!! Especially since we were going to see some (like one or two lol) dragon battles this season!!!!

[scotianostra]

On 14th January 2016, the Scottish screenwriter, television producer and journalist Robert Banks Stewart died.

Many Doctor Who fans will remember Robert fondly as the creator of the Zygons.

Edinburgh-born Robert Stewart left school at age fifteen and parlayed his skill into a series of newspaper jobs. His career was interrupted by his National Service, during which he was part of Field Marshal Montgomery's staff. Stewart also began writing plays, and worked for the BBC as a radio commentator for Scottish football matches. He finally left the newspaper industry to serve as a foreign correspondent for Illustrated magazine, prompting a move to London. Stewart was twice married and twice divorced; his first wife bore a daughter, while he had three sons with his second wife, Helen.

When his job with Illustrated came to an end in the late Fifties, Stewart joined the Rank Organisation, initially as a story editor on Interpol Calling. He was soon providing scripts for the programme as well, and he began writing prolifically on shows like Danger Man, Ghost Squad and The Saint, as well as several editions of The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre. Stewart's first commission for the BBC came on a 1962 episode of Dr Finlay's Casebook. It was at this stage that he adopted “Robert Banks Stewart” as his professional name, in order to distinguish him from similarly-named writers; Banks was his mother's maiden name. He was also approached to develop ideas for Doctor Who during its formative stages in 1963, though nothing came of this.

The latter part of the Sixties saw Stewart write for everything from The Avengers to Adam Adamant Lives! to Callan. He was a script editor on Armchair Theatre, and earned his first credit as a producer on Intrigue. At the end of the decade, he travelled to Australia to produce and write for Riptide, until issues with the local labour unions prompted him to return to the UK.

In the early Seventies, Stewart wrote for shows like Jason King, Arthur Of The Britons, The Legend Of Robin Hood and Sutherland's Law, while script editing Harriet's Back In Town and Van Der Valk. In the middle of the decade, he developed three serials for Doctor Who, all featuring Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor. Stewart invented the Zygons for Terror Of The Zygons- set in his native Scotland -- and then the Krynoids for The Seeds Of Doom. He had written most of the storyline for “The Foe From The Future” when Thames Television hired him to script edit Rooms and Armchair Thriller

The producer of Doctor Who during Stewart's time on the show was Philip Hinchcliffe, who subsequently moved to Target. When Hinchcliffe was preparing to leave the police drama, he suggested that Stewart take over, only for Target to be cancelled altogether. Instead, Stewart created two very popular series in a similar vein: first Shoestring, starring Trevor Eve, and then Bergerac with John Nettles. After an unhappy spell in the mid-Eighties as the executive producer of drama for London Weekend Television, Stewart returned to the BBC to produce Lovejoy and develop Call Me Mister. He rounded off the decade as the producer of Hannay and Storyboard.

The Nineties began with Stewart producing another hit, as he helped to launch Catherine Zeta-Jones' career with The Darling Buds Of May. He went on to produce another of his own creations, Moon And Son, before working on McCallum for Philip Hinchcliffe, who was now the Controller of Drama for Scottish Television. Stewart's final scriptwriting credit was for My Uncle Silas at the start of the new millennium. Although he was keen to continue working in television, Stewart was frustrated to find his age a barrier in securing work. Instead, he adapted an unsuccessful television pitch into a novel: The Hurricane's Tail was released by Kaleidoscope Publishing in 2012. Stewart followed it with his 2015 autobiography, To Put You In The Picture, from Miwk Publishing.

Robert Banks Stewart succumbed to cancer just three months later, on this day in 2016 hw was 84.

[bumblesimagines]

i think nettles is going to be replaced by rhaena, bc its gonna take a few seasons for her to have a significant role and they just want to give the poor girl a side plot for some time 😭😭

also ngl been kinda hating thia season, it has GOT s2 energy, it's kind of boring and it doesn't interest me as much

This season has been very drawn out and repetitive for sure which is disappointing cause we left S1 strongly and then after episode 1 of this season it's been the same thing over and over again.

Gonna do some spoilers real quick (including some book spoilers)

Rhaenyra left episode 1 of this season pissed off and wanting Aemond's death and then after her reunion with Jace all her anger?? evaporated?? Yes, she was exhausted and grieving in the last ep of S1 and first ep of S2 but?? It's like she just stopped grieving and being angry??

It feels like she's been reduced to one of the two types of Strong Female Lead written by a man. One of the types is the sexy cool girl who doesn't need no man but still gets saved by a man and has sassy one liners, the second type is the perfect rational woman who has no flaws or bad traits. Rhaenyra is currently the second type and it's annoying because it also fits the rest of the woman (apart from maybe Alys and Alicent).

The men thus far have been allowed to make mistakes, stick their foot in their mouths, be loud and angry and bitter, have complex personalities and arcs while the woman have been reduced to always rational and practical.

Helaena 'accepted' her son's death when she's supposed to be going mad with grief, Rhaenyra is no longer angry when her son was literally murdered, half of Alicent's scenes revolve around Cole, most of Rhaenys scenes pre-battle were just telling people to shut up, Baela and Rhaena are hardly on screen.

All Rhaenyras done these past eps have been dip out of Dragonstone and get dismissed by her council over and over and over again. Literally since she got back it's the same 'oh these men are sexist and won't listen to her' again and again. We could've been seeing her make rash decisions fueled by anger and then regretting them later. We could've seen her realize her anger needed simmering only for it to resurface after witnessing Ser Erryk's death by having Rhaenys fly out to meet Cole and avenge him as well as protecting Rooks Nest.

Just because Rhaenyra is the main protagonist doesn't mean she has to be absolutely perfect and reasonable. Character flaws and negative traits is what made GoT's characters and story compelling. It's what actually makes the Greens interesting. Ryan obviously considers them the big bad villains and as such they have noticeable flaws which makes them fun to watch. The Blacks are noticeably more boring because they lack those bigger flaws.

It's a frequent thing with men writing about women. It feels like they're so nervous and uncomfortable with potentially being called a misogynist that they unintentionally end up creating/using sexist tropes. It's fine for women to be rebellious and angry and bitter and resentful. It's fine for them to be submissive and gentle and motherly. It's fine for them to change over time and to appropriately react to certain things. This fandom also forgets that in their treatment of Rhaenyra and Alicent depending on which side they're on.

Anyways I'm actually annoyed about Nettles 😭 she was the ONLY woman of color in the book and her existence and closeness to Daemon pushed Rhaenyra further into her own downfall and now what? They're going to make her paranoid over an actual father-daughter duo?

I get Rhaena was underused and hardly involved in the battle (since she was more like young Sansa in the book. Not a bad thing at all tbh it might've even been nice if Team Black had a less 'i want to fight' character. You very rarely see poc characters in period era dramas be allowed to have those arcs/personalities without some sort of trauma or mistreatment) but if anything, they could've had her helping Nettles claim Sheepstealer. They could've had them becoming good friends and potentially even doing a call back to the og Rhaena Targ who had a female lover since they've already implied the eggs given to Rhaena are Danys eggs. There were a billion plots to go with and they went with the most simple generic one when there aren't supposed to be any dragons in the Vale. I see why George decided not to be involved anymore.

[top-vi]

Saw a confession speculating what will happen to Rhaenicent S2 onwards. Here was the take:

Alicent starts S2 slowly becoming disillusioned with Team Green, distancing herself from them.

This in turn triggers her redemption arc, leading to her reunion with Rhaenyra at Dragonstone.

Rhaenyra just lost Jace, she’s still raw from the pain and isn’t interested in making peace.

Alicent has to prove her loyalty and genuine remorse for what happened to Rhaenyra’s children.

She does this by helping Team Black seize Kingslanding.

Her only conditions are that Aegon is sent to the Wall and no harm comes to Helaena. She can’t ask for mercy for Aemond because of Luke, Rhaenyra will always choose her boys no matter what and she has to accept this.

As Nettles has been written out of the show, Alicent will be the cause for Daemyra’s marriage to start showing cracks. Daemon wants her dead but Rhaenyra refuses.

When Rhaenyra is killed by Aegon I it will be Alicent who witnesses instead of Aegon II.

Shell then avenge Rhaenyra by killing Aegon I herself.

Think it’s also better if she’s the one who proposes Aegon II and Jaehaera’s marriage instead of Corlys.

I can see this being Alicent’s storyline. What are your thoughts?

wow there's a lot here so i'm gonna go point by point

i don't think she's ever been fully illusioned by team green in the first place. i think she was scared and being pushed around and made a choice to crown aegon that she perhaps didn't even agree with while she was doing it

while i could see this being possible, i don't know. i think she's going to go to dragonstone to beg for peace, but i don't believe it is going to be a "redemption" arc in the usual sense

100% see this happening

no

no

though i like the idea of alicent waffling between both sides, i don't think she's going to go full team black like this. these terms may be a part of the original peace she attempts to broker, but i don't see her actively switching sides to help rhaenyra at the expense of her children

definitely see this happening. i think there are already a ton of cracks in the daemon/rhaenyra relationship just based on...everything about their relationship lmfao, but i do see alicent's life being a sticking point that perhaps sends daemon to harrenhall to hunt down aemond? juicy, unsure if it will happen, would find it hilarious if it did

i think you mean aegon 2 and 3 respectively, but i'm not sure. i think both of them can be there if the writers decide to have alicent present for rhaenyra's death

i honestly have no idea how they'll handle aegon 2's death. i could see alicent poisoning him for a number of reasons--from a mercy kill to resentment. i could also see someone else killing him (dyana perhaps?). despite it all, alicent does love her children, and i don't think she could bring herself to kill her first son in order to avenge rhaenyra, regardless of what he's done

could see this. don't think its that important tbh. all i know is that i'm waiting for the final line of the show to be alicent saying "i wish i were reading to rhaenyra under the weirwood like we did as girls"

i hope this made sense! i also hope i don't come off as dismissive or rude for some of these points, but i just genuinely don't see alicent as being able to plot against her own children entirely.

this is all speculation so take with a grain of salt haha

[mejcinta]

New Leaks dropped of Eye Witness account of a sequence of from Rook's Rest.

Apparently, the Green Troops will run when Rhaenys shows up to girl boss and Criston orders the Green's Archers to shoot the fleeing Green Soldiers, and then Aemond starts burning alive everyone Greens and Blacks alike.

It's the fucking worst. They're trying to make Criston and Aemond evil and ruthless and the Velaryons good and righteous. Apparently Rhaenys is going die saving everyone - both Greens and Blacks - from evil Aemond and Aegon who will just indiscriminately start killing everyone.

It's the fucking worst.

Apparently, they threw out the new treatments of Season 2 due to the strike and budget restraints and dug out Sapochnik's old treatment from the dumpster and told the new script Supervisor (The Showrunner of "The Crown") to basically use it as an outline and fill in the blanks as he sees fit. No GRRM and No Condal.

Those dumb fucking leaks that got panned in December that Sapochnik was gonna do, are now the new shooting outline for the entire season.

Can you believe that shit!

Months and months of delays, and they go right back to the dumb shit that they threw out in the first place. No Nettles and barely any Daeron.

The Greens are now the full on bad guys and it's about all of Westeros gathering together behind Rhaenyra to bring Peace and Justice back to the Realm, like a ASoIaF Avengers. I shit you not.

That's what HBO has decided to do now they're fully in control of HOTD.

I'm sorry, WHAT????????

Okay. I'm going to need a full recap on those Sapochnik treatments. I don't know all of it, only just a little. But, man, does this suck!!!!!!

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 40

Cw: mentions of family deaths, depression and a blood oath

Gif by @asongoficeandfiresource

Taglist @mercedesdecorazon @darylandbethfanforever9 @sweethoneyblossom1 @watercolorskyy @alexandria-millie @ewanmitchellcrumbs

Driftmark and Dragonstone had fallen once more and what was left of the loyalists scattered making the Battle of the Gullet a victory for them but comes at a great price.

Only a third of the fleet was able to survive and no one is surprised that it was Lys’ part that was left untouched.

The Lyseni Admiral brought gifts and two dragonseeds who turned cloaks seeing the battle lost.

Hugh Hammer and Ulf White would be given lands in the Reach if they managed to quell the rebellious lords.

Addam of Hull and Nettles had regrouped in Celtigar Isle before joining Daemon in the Riverlands, but not after ordering the dragons in the Dragonmont be unchained.

Perhaps having Silverwing here will aid Aemma’s spirits now that Jacaerys is dead.

Baela would likely escape and avenge her betrothed, but Dreamfyre would return to Helaena and provide some safety for the city when Aemond leaves it unguarded.

“Oh, good, I need your advice, little brother.” Aegon acts as if this were any nameday and not less than a day after his wife’s younger brothers were killed in his name.

“What do you think of this crown for Aemma. I know hers matches mine perfectly, but I want something she can wear with colors besides red.” Aegon shows him the gold diadem with seven jewels laid in seven-pointed stars and its matching jewelry.

It was a lovely thing; she’d like it well enough, and he says so.

Of course, material things don’t hold much meaning to her because when you grow with all the wealth and luxury at your fingertips it stops being special.

Fuck, Aemond’s lost count how many times mother has given him seven-pointed star pendants.

The way to Aemma’s heart was through meaningful gifts, something Aegon thought a waste of time because they weren’t spectacular enough for him.

“What did you get her?” his brother asked knowing he can mock it all he wants because it is always something simple and understated.

“A book of poetry.” With red carnations pressed on a poem about forbidden love.

Red carnations signified love and passion, and he was counting on Aemee knowing that.

She’d only see it in private where she’d be free to bite her lip at the romantic meaning of it.

“You are so boring sometimes; I don’t see what she sees in you.” Aegon smiled with pride thinking he had the best gift.

“A functioning cock, perhaps.” The prince regent said with a casual shrug.

This brought out the darkness in Aegon. “How did you know?”

“Jena, she warned me that my services are far from over.” The One-Eye answered unafraid of the bitter edge in his words.

Gods, he hated serving as Aemma’s concubine.

He enjoyed being her lover, but utterly loathed he was must toil for another man to reap the rewards.

Vhagar’s eggs had been plenty, varying from Silverwing’s silver white to the Cannibal’s pitch black.

The greatest of these was the great black one with dark green webbing.

Balerion reborn.

Aegon will want it, Aemond will be forced to offer it to him.

But he wants it for his son.

He had hoped he’d been wed to Aemma by now and if that had occurred, the egg would he placed in the cradle with their son as is custom.

Perhaps he can offer the golden egg Vhagar got from coiling with Syrax, after all Sunfyre and Syrax had been clutchmates even if the latter had hatched four and ten years before the former.

Aemond knows which one Aemma would choose for Aenys: the blood red one that may be Meleys’.

“The Gods give, and the Gods take. If I had known this was going to happen, I would’ve taken Sunfyre and left instead of hiding in the Sept.” his brother spoke with regret and did his best to shove it away the moment his sunken eyes threatened to mist. “But mother and grandfather never cared to listen to us, so why mourn what could have been, eh?”

Aemma’s hair is arranged like a veil made of two braids divided in seven ways and the rest is gathered up in a bun, Aegon’s gift fits her perfectly and yet the seven gemstones are as lifeless as hers.

There had not been a peep about Luke, Arrax had been shot down, but its rider remained a mystery.

There was hope yet.

“You can’t let yourself leave like that again. Do you hear me? You. Cannot. Give. Up.” Baela shook her by the shoulders when the nagging pit in her stomach told her Luke was dead as well.

“If not for us, for your babe.” Baela held back her tears as bravely as she could, but in the end both girls stand there on her rug clutching to each other as the grief overtakes them. They sit in front of the fireplace where just seconds ago burned offerings to their dead.

Baela in her rage and grief had cut her hair up to her chin, burning her silver mane as they prayed in High Valyrian for a peaceful afterlife for their dead.

She loved Jace, they were set to wed on her six and tenth nameday because Jace wanted her to be sure and have the power to refuse if she didn’t wish to marry him.

Their dragons had chosen each other as mates and Vermax was supposed to bring forth a clutch of eggs on the next moon.

Now all those hopes and dreams Jace and Baela had for their future had died with him.

Eventually, Baela would be made to wed a man loyal to Aegon because she is a ward of the crown. Perhaps this husband will be a good man and deserving of her, but Aemma doesn’t think it likely.

All is bliss in the court of Aemma the Great, Alys Rivers’ words become more ironic and crueler with each passing day.

“I won’t, I promise.” The young queen nods in understanding and pulls herself together.

“Then prove it to me.” The girl said pulling out a hidden dagger and cutting her palm. “Let us swear a blood oath: we will avenge them, and we will take what they have stolen from us. With Fire and blood.”

Aemma takes the bloody knife and repeats the oath as she bites back the pain as they bind their hands with the ribbon Jace gave Baela, “We will avenge our dead and take what is ours with fire and blood.”

When Sharako Lohar enters the Throne Room as a hero, Aemma knows Baela’s knife won’t be the only thing to kill him the moment he is alone.

[noyoucannotpushthevoid]

Grendel's Mom

(A shitty Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne parody)

Grendel's mom wants to disrupt the calm (x4)

Beowulf, you thought Grendel was the end (was the end) His mom, on the other hand, will avenge (will avenge) Do you hear her slither up to the hall? (the hall) AEschere is snoozing, so deep he won't have time to call (time to call)

Beowulf, in your ivory tower you can't hear Hrothgar's man We go back to fear

Grendel's mom wants to disrupt the calm Shee's not stopping She is full of righteous rage Her only family Never will she be free Of her grief, Beowulf caused He goes to hunt Grendel's mom

Grendel's mom wants to disrupt the calm (x2)

Under the mere is her lair, a shining gilt bomb (gilt bomb) No man has escaped, salt and sea embalm (salt and sea embalm) Beowulf donned armor of every metal (of every metal) With hands on hips He surveyed water like nettle (like nettle)

Beowulf glowed with ego in the noonday light Hrothgar watched with great joy A Geat hero, now the Dane's might

Grendel's mom wants to disrupt the calm She's not stopping She is full of righteous rage Her only family Never will she be free Of her grief, Beowulf caused He goes to hunt Grendel's mom (x2)

[denimbex1986]

'Box office record breakers Barbie and Oppenheimer made a combined tally of just under £30 million in the UK and Ireland in their opening weekends, following months of lead-up and excitement—the effect of which can never be repeated, despite what studios will be hoping.

Arguably igniting a real return to form for cinema, ‘Barbenheimer’, as it has come to be known, fuelled the fourth biggest overall weekend in domestic box office history. It is beaten only by Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, all of which are part of major franchises. It’s fair to say that the Barbenheimer effect has been fantastic for the silver screen, especially after the last few turbulent years.

Though studios may try, however, it will be impossible to successfully replicate the phenomenon that was so instrumental in this success.

How Barbenheimer came to be

Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan had been distributing his films with WarnerMedia, the parent company of Warner Bros. Pictures, since 2002. However, in 2020, he found himself in a dispute with WarnerMedia when it made the decision to release all of its 2021 films on its streaming service, HBO Max. The plan went south when Warner Bros. distanced itself from this plan in March of that year, but by then the acclaimed director had made plans of his own. In September 2021, he announced that Oppenheimer would be distributed by Universal Pictures.

One of the conditions of this deal was the promise the film wouldn’t go to a streaming service straight away, and would have a 100-day theatrical window. Following this, the July 21, 2023 release date was announced. But in 2022, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. announced that Barbie would be releasing on that same date—with the Nolan disagreement being quoted as the cause.

The build up

Buzz around both films, and the behind-the-scenes drama between them, began very quickly and the anticipation only built as time went on. The first use of the term ‘Barbenheimer’ was in April last year but really took off earlier this year through memes on Twitter (now X). Before too long it was difficult to avoid Barbenheimer, as fan-made posters and merchandise began emerging everywhere.

Meanwhile, the official marketing for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was proving to be incredibly effective, with $150 million set aside for the project. A Barbie Dreamhouse was created in Malibu, bookable through Airbnb, a themed boat cruise was available in Boston, and everything you can think of was turned ‘Barbie pink’. Though the marketing team was pulling out all the stops, a large proportion of its promotion happened organically, Josh Goldstine, president of global marketing at Warner Bros., told Variety, with the popularity of the Barbenheimer concept across social media fuelling much of this.

Oppenheimer’s marketing budget could have been anywhere between $65 million and $100 million, according to Collider. It didn’t go to the lengths that Barbie did, arguably due to the fact that it’s a less fun and more dramatic film. You could contend that Oppenheimer got a free ride on the coat-tails of Barbie’s marketing successes—it wasn’t often there would be Barbie press without mention of Oppenheimer—but this was a two-way relationship, with Cillian Murphy stating in an interview with IGN that the Barbenheimer fascination was beneficial not only for the two films in question but for the cinema industry as a whole.

Barbenheimer’s success

This juggernaut inevitably came to full fruition when July 21 rolled around. With the promise of Barbenheimer came the challenge of watching both films on opening weekend, even on the same day.

With millions of people flocking to their local cinemas for the double feature, the trends continued and audiences showed up decked out in pink or black, or pink and black! The dichotomy and tonal juxtaposition between the two was enough to turn a simple joke into the colossus it became, inspiring some inventive costumes; some viewers even changed their outfits on the way from one film to the other.

Organic engagement

This cultural event is, at its very core, unique in its transcendence of the silver screen. Barbenheimer originated from a shared release date, but the films’ significance go deeper than that. They are two high quality films, directed by two well-known powerhouses in the industry, with two strong aesthetics. Not only this but they are new stories rather than reboots, remakes, spin-offs or the latest in a franchise (although we have since learnt more about Mattel’s plans going forward).

The worry now is about what lessons studio executives will take from these last few months. It’s no lie that we can already see it happening as it is factored into marketing, as Paramount Pictures tries to coin ‘Saw Patrol’, with Paw Patrol and Saw X releasing on September 29. The problem with studios trying to replicate this is it feels manufactured. The way Barbenheimer developed was completely up to fans and cinema-goers, with studios initially blindsided by the trend and only later jumping on the bandwagon—the vital part being they never had control of it in the first place. Also, while Barbie and Oppenheimer are very different films, there’s potential for them to appeal to similar demographics—something that can’t be said for a film aimed at children and a horror flick.

What these studios should realise sooner rather than later is that this sort of popularity can’t be corporate and forced. It has to feel authentic, or audiences will tune out. Attempting to replicate what happened with these two blockbusters cannot be done.

Barbenheimer isn’t the first to see this sort of unprecedented success thanks to audience-created trends. The ‘Gentleminions’ TikTok trend took over cinemas in July last year upon the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru, with hundreds of videos showing teens turning up to their local theatres in suits and formalwear. Although the rowdy behaviour of these audiences led to them being banned from screenings, the trend did bolster the film’s earnings for a while. TikTok also previously wreaked havoc on Morbius in 2022; Sony didn’t seem to understand that the film’s cult fanbase was ironic, and re-released the Jared Leto-fronted film to a second round of bad press and poor box office earnings.

Barbenheimer was a magical, once-in-a-lifetime event, and audiences are happy to keep it that way. For studio executives, it may take a little more convincing. Regardless of what the future holds, for two films to open to over £10 million each at the box office amid the cost of living crisis and the lasting effects of the pandemic signals that the revival of cinema is on its way. At its heart, this isn’t about any two films releasing on the same day. It’s about visionary directors striving to create daring, innovative films—something which should always be valued above a cheap marketing strategy.'

[talldarkandroguesome]

9th of Sun’s Height, Sundas

We arrived to the small town Tharn suggested we look for clues. You cannot imagine my relief to see Zamarak’s handsome face as he waved us over from underneath a shady awning. The heat was awful, but the shade still granted some relief. Heat back home is never like this. Never this hot, but even more so, never this dry!

He had us stop to get water and a light meal. I was mostly relieved to be out of the sun and off of my feet. The sharp rocks we have had to travel on have gone through one pair of my boots and have nearly made it through another. Finding a trader was easy and I was able to get footwear better suited to such terrain.

Zamarak was very generous and after we had exchanged the full details of our mission with him, he even collected more information while the rest of us recovered and gathered our strength.

It turns out that our little Captain S, is the same monster who had killed Queen Khamira’s family. Zamarak was incensed and pledged to get justice for the royal family. I was gentle with him, given how he had been with the rest of us, and he shared as we started to head towards the precarious ladder bridges of the Scar, the legends of how the place was named and why he was so determined to make things right by Khamira. 

Apparently the poor fellow was a guard the day the palace was attacked and had been taking Khamira on a tour of his Adeptorium, They returned to learn of the slaughter of the royal family and Zamarak had managed to keep Khamira safe. He still bore the guilt, however, of having sworn to protect the royals with his life and not been able to do anything to save or avenge them. Until now.

There was a rare fire in his eyes that was so intense, I could only be glad it was on our side.

He had found out from locals where this sanctuary was likely to be hidden and how someone in town had passed it along to people that fit the description of Captain Saulinia and her associates.

We spoke of a great many things on the way. Everything from how Tharn was really fighting for a say in things within the palace, or the best way to prepare a type of scorpion used in the local delicacy.

The dangers of the area were as he had warned us and we fought through harpies and terror birds to reach the cavern.

Our work was aided by the discovery of corpses. We had only to follow the blood and bodies to find where the entrance lay. And we found it, hidden from the main road by a winding set of rising stones.

We entered to find huge vaulted ceilings. Some may have been natural, others carved into the rock face. Everywhere, beautiful architecture and statues abounded. A mix of Imperial and Khajiiti. It was stunning.

At last we came to a great set of intricately carved doors with a pedestal, upon which was a dragon head. Zamarak admitted that it was beyond even his capabilities and asked that we try and see if the pedestal were still working. It was, but it emitted some sort of magickal aura, according to Zamarak, and thus impassible. So we had to head the long ways around. It took hours and hours to make our way around, through the creeping Euraxian soldiers. And every now and then, we would catch the arguing voices of the Captain and the Dragonguard we were sent to protect.

We had to hurry.

It was no easy task. There were traps everywhere. Some that hurled spears or arrows, others shot fired gouts of flame or rocks. The Houseguard had the biggest trouble, so we sent them last so that if they set off a trap, only they would be wounded.

The passages would open up, but leave a maze as narrow and winding as any of the corridors. It made avoiding traps far more difficult. Not to mention doing that while also fighting off other assassins. Nettle and I took the lead and would give evasive strategies for the others. It worked surprisingly well.

We also found passages that looked posted in reverence. Zamarak took note of them all, but also said he could not fully understand the lessons they were trying to impart. He says he will reflect on them and bring the information to Tharn when we return. I hope that he does, since I could not understand enough of the words to provide any clues.

At last we came to a large chamber as the Captain had finally tracked down the Dragonguard. They argued as we were approaching and then the assassin spotted us and cried out in joy at how many of us she got to kill. It was too late before we could intercede, the Dragonguard had a blade in the opening under the armpit of his armor. Nettle and I took the time she made her move to jump into the fray.

But one trained assassin is not an easy match for two well trained assassins.

We could teleport after her and counter her strikes. She was frustrated, clearly not prepared for such a challenge. She went down far easier than either of us expected for an assassin. I think we simply had her caught unawares and knew the tricks she might try and pull. Unluckily for her, she was not a shadow mage and we were. So it was far easier for us to maneuver around.

The Dragonguard pulled himself up and said he would not die near such scum and thanked us before leaving.

We searched Captain Saulinia for useful information but found very little.

Zamarak was feeling at peace for the vengeance he was able to help bring, but also was conflicted about having used violence after come to a place of accepting that violence had created all the problems in his life. He was clearly hurt by the idea of bringing others to harm. I told him that he should do what felt right and that if violence was not the solution for him, then he should stick to those teachings. He did what he needed to in order to survive and that was never a bad thing.

He agreed, somewhat disappointedly, then said we should follow the Dragonguard.

We found the poor fellow bleeding out. I tried to use potions and Zamarak his healing powers, but alas, it was too late. The dagger was made to prevent bleeding and we did not have enough time to get the bleeding to stop before it would be the man’s end. And so we asked him what we could before he crossed over.

In our conversation he mentioned there were other sanctuaries, but none had answered. We were starting to suspect that he truly may have been the last, but then he mentioned that there was one man who he knew would come as soon as he got word.

The Dragonguard lost his battle with mortality before we could get anything more from him, save a key to the sanctuary, a ring key. And so we took it and returned to the pedestal, Zamarak saying some kind words to send the departed Dragonguard onto his afterlife. 

As we approached the pedestal, Prefect Calo appeared. He was on his own. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Had he betrayed us? Had Khamira and the others come to harm? Was Tharn truly tricked to the point it had cost him his life?

The Prefect said that he and his Irregulars had been given a probationary assignment to help us secure the sanctuary and protect the Dragonguard. They were to assist us. I bitterly told them that the Dragonguard was dead.

Zamarak was overly friendly with them, treating them like an equal. I also thought it was naive and left you ready to be murdered. I did not want to open the sanctuary with them there, but Zamarak just told the Prefect everything and invited them alone. I had no real choice and it was annoying to the max.

The one interesting thing, was the Prefect mentioned a Dragonhorn at the Star Haven Adeptorium. So clearly these were important and well known. We rushed into the sanctuary to find that most of it was just a huge library with barracks and crypt. 

Then in the backroom, a huge, and I mean ENORMOUS horn lay in wait. My guards carefully placed it into a traveling container and packed it well. Meanwhile, the Prefect and Zamarak decided that they wished to learn much, much more from the library. Zamarak said he would make sure that the Irregulars made it back to the palace.

I am weary of such promises. More so that poor Zamarak, as good a fighter as he is, he might be killed by such a large force.

I tried to tell him as much, but he would have none of it. And so I simply bid them luck and that then we all headed out bound back towards Rimmen.

I did not look forward to the return journey. And indeed, it has been unpleasant so far.

[rynnthefangirl]

Girlie no your original post was speaking facts💯 I had stuff to add but I didn’t want to reblog it with that weird reply arguing the semantics of pedophilia.

My issue with the whole situation is mainly the knowledge that TG stans are 100% going to use it to further demonize Rhaenyra and justify the violence that the Greens committed against her and her family. It’s like this weird victim blaming thing they do… Daemon is bad because he abuses Rhaenyra, and Rhaenyra is bad because she is with Daemon who is bad. Which sure there are certainly conversations to be had about Rhaenyra’s flaws and mistakes, including those regarding Daemon. However, a lot of the people criticizing her are not interested in that. They just want to paint her as a reckless spoiled dangerous villain so they can whitewash their faves (Alicent and Aemond especially) and see them as the poor innocent victims of the Dance who had no choice but to usurp Rhaenyra and kill her family. So Daemon’s evils will be discussed not with empathy for his victim, but as an excuse to direct even more of their hatred and blame towards her.

I also dislike it because I think the toxicity of their relationship is more compelling when it is subtle and insidious, rather than having Rhaenyra blatantly be a beaten wife. But you are right that people often do need stuff spoon fed to them, and while I am usually criticizing TG stans for their lack of nuance, that can absolutely be true of TB stans as well, and I think Daemon defenders are a great example.

All that is to say, I do actually really enjoy Daemon as a character, and I think he is a grey character rather than a 1D black villain like antis see him as. His relationship with Rhaenyra is so interesting, because it IS abusive and it IS grooming (I don’t get when ppl argue against this, to me it was so obvious the way the book described it). But because of the situation Rhaenyra was put into by her patriarchal society and by the Greens scheming against her, Daemon is able to position himself as her great defender and ally. And he IS, he is loyal to Rhaenyra, he accepts her as the rightful Queen, he destroys her enemies and helps her reclaim the throne, he works to avenge and protect her children against those who are seeking to kill them. But despite all that good done for her and her cause, the toxicity of their relationship also fuels her spiral into paranoia and her downfall. His grooming has made her so dependent on him as her great protector that when Mysaria tells her of his infidelity, she cannot accept it and instead convinces herself he must be under Nettles magical influence and orders the death of an innocent child and fellow victim. It’s all so tragic.

Wow, I really rambled there. Probably should have just made my own post, lol. Daemon as a character and his and Rhaenyra’s dynamic is just so fascinating, and I really hate when ppl try to put it into black and white boxes when the complexity and greyness is so much better. Anyway, not a fan of the physical domestic violence that it looks like S2 is doing for the reasons I said, but not for the reason in your original post OP because you were completely right.

had to delete my post about incest & grooming being inherently abusive because daemyra stans found it & genuinely were arguing that "uhhh actually daemon isn't technically a pedophile, he's an ephebophile, learn definitions of words 😕" and then another person reposted and said "and also, some incestuous relationships are consensual, that's not a fair thing to say"

i don't care too much for online arguments but if you have to get "technical" about someone's attraction to minors, or argue that incest is not harmful in all scenarios, you're most likely a weirdo & i will block u bc why are u interacting w me?

[horizon-verizon]

Have you met Daemon Targaryen ?? No seriously, what book did you read? For god’s sake, did you read the scene with Blood and Cheese? It’s unspeakably horrifying! We are supposed to come out of that room realizing that nothing is worth this, that a line has been crossed and innocent lives utterly destroyed, that the man who ordered this is not roguish, but GENUINELY EVIL AND MONSTROUS. Daemon is responsible for ordering his 6 year old great-nephew killed. That the Greens betrayed Rhaenyra does not mean they can be held to account for everything the Blacks did for the rest of the war. This is Morality 101, Daemon is a grown man who knew exactly what he was doing, if he wanted to avenge Lucerys death, why he didn’t murdered Aegon or Aemond?

Really, I know that the ASOIAF fandom is full of male obsessed pick me, but how is it that Daemon, sexual predator and child murderer, never lacks for defenders? Are people just confusing their archetypes and thinking of him as an appealingly roguish and dashing rulebreaker? Because, no, he’s just a blatantly and consistently terrible person. He’s a bland and deathly boring parody of Oberyn (and it’s highly offensive to Oberyn because he seeks vengeance for the violent death of his sister and her babies, while Daemon violently murder children and drive their mother to insanity and suicide).

*EDITED POST* (6/11/24)

A)

We are supposed to come out of that room realizing that nothing is worth this, that a line has been crossed and innocent lives utterly destroyed, that the man who ordered this is not roguish, but GENUINELY EVIL AND MONSTROUS.

Anon may be answering to this post or any of the last dozens of helaena posts.

So....apparently, you didn't think this way when Lucerys (13) died, who was the first child who was killed in cold blood by his older uncle, Aemond (19) after said dude rushed after him, incensed and eager to prove his masculinity after Maris Baratheon mocked him for not fighting this 13 year old. Who killed a child who was acting as an envoy, who was acting as an envoy because their side decided to takeover the Red Keep to hold a council to persuade/force them to crown Aegon and usurp Rhaenyra, thus pushing the blacks to search/survey those who would be at their side in case a war broke out?

Who drew first blood? Who was the first to kill a child? Who invited the inevitable anger and grief of the family of the murdered child? This isn't Romeo and Juliet where the origins of the rivalry are unknown, lost to time.

Who created the heft of the conditions that lead to Rhaenyra's usurpation?

And when did I say Daemon was just and deserved to wreak revenge through a another child's murder, anyway? IF HE ACTUALLY ARRANGED B&C. Show me where I say that, anon. There's such thing as "nuance",

(if Daemon actually did it, bc again link above where I note that GoTHistorian of TikTok explains how it may not have actually been Daemon bc it was just too strategically stupid and risky, and Daemon has shown enormous restraint during the black council--for him, or the expected/reputed version of him--it could have been a party who wanted to either push the sides to war or want to sow discord amongst the greens and withi the blacks as well) Daemon was wrong and responsible for his own response, yes...AND it wasn't an act he just decided to do willy-nilly, as if the other side hadn't done anything likewise.

Look, I'm sorry that not everyone is as sympathetic or as hateful towards Daemon AFTER said kid's adult relatives decided to begin the war in the first place and murder Rhaenyra-Daemon's child. When they were never in any actual danger from either person (you'd have to prove that Daemon was making plans to and under Rhaenyra's nose other than vibes, aside from his last act w/Nettles, he has performed no serious act of rebellion against Rhaenyra's authority/clearest orders). No, his laughing, making fun, and ignoring his own nephews in favor of Rhaenyra is not evidence of him actually plotting their deaths. Does that mean that every time someone you hate or hates you laughs at you, they have to be willing to murder you if they have the chance? The nephews didn't present any sort of active threat, but neither was Daemon really fond of them bc--as the text states--they made him more insignificant....or more likely, bc they happened to be the scions of his own rival, Otto/the Hightowers instead of someone like Aemma Arryn, who was both his first cousin (through his aunt Daella) and from a more dedicated house. We have never seen Daemon perform violence against a perceived enemy unless there are imminent or already-done attacks done against him and those close to him. The greens attacked, so he went after them.

Yes, it ruins Helaena and leads to her suicide. Yeah, murder is bad, and yes this was a tragedy...did you (Aemond) have to invite the anger of the other side without the assurance of meeting them in arms?

And once, more, if we trace the fault, who exactly taught Aemond to be so hostile and mocking of his own nephews? To see Rhaenrya as "stealing" his and Aegon's supposed "birthright"? Since you claim to have read F&B? To inspire him to stoking his rage and jealousy towards the ruin of these "bastards" who he feels has what he is owed--again, not just recourse for the idea, but actually the "birthright"?

I suppose the counterargument is that Jaehaerys' death was "more" tragic or horrific bc he was younger than Lucerys and he wasn't on a dragon or had anything substantial to protect himself. But Lucerys' dragon, Arrax, was way smaller and younger than Vhagar. He was lunchmeat. And Lucerys was still much younger than Aemond, his killer while also being a child himself as Jaehaerys' childness was to Daemon's adultness.

B)

how is it that Daemon, sexual predator and child murderer, never lacks for defenders? Are people just confusing their archetypes and thinking of him as an appealingly roguish and dashing rulebreaker? Because, no, he’s just a blatantly and consistently terrible person. He’s a bland and deathly boring parody of Oberyn (and it’s highly offensive to Oberyn because he seeks vengeance for the violent death of his sister and her babies, while Daemon violently murder children and drive their mother to insanity and suicide).

Well, do you know who Lestat the Vampire is? He's a sort of "rogue" figure in his own way--while being one of the most charismatic figures in literary and fiction history. Called the "Brat Prince", too. Also hates to be told what to do, but very loyal to those he loves. I imagine that some fans' love or awe for Daemon is similar. Lestat is also an objectively terrible person...doesn't stop people from loving and "loving" him for his unpredictability and ability to shake stuff up. People like devil-may-care attitudes with hearty hearts who nevertheless value loyalty, and Daemon's got it all that. So does Oberyn. Both are extremely loyal to their houses and families and indifferent to every one else.

Also part of it is that many of the stuff that people accuse Daemon of doing bc of HotD, he can't have done or he wouldn't have done not out of morality but because it'd bite him in the ass--therefore he's not as "crazed" or irrational as some make him out to be. What's offensive to some people is the disingenuous and/or misinformed indictment of a person--even when that person is evil OR morally ambiguous. Because that disingenuity is more often not about them but about stifling the roguish behavior, the disorder element or because they feel that this attitude reflects an event they experienced at the hands of someone like this character and perceive/relive--like the greens and Otto did--it is a way for people to resist or become some sort of threat to their own plans. Last one may be too personal & reaching, but I'm covering my bases here so I won't have to repeat myself.

C)

I also wouldn't say that Oberyn was a "good" person either. We should probs be careful: but one could say that there's an indication that the way he raised three of his eldest his daughters into them also not doing great things to kids--or planning to--in his name for revenge shows a lack of real care for altruistic morality on his part. Oberyn himself, yes targets the right person, but this doesn't mean he also wasn't doing crazy shit--Obara's mom? Alayaya, the 16 year old prostitute he has sex with while at KL?

And before we say Daemon and the maidens, IF Daemon did that in his youth...

and Oberyn did that to Obara's mother in his youth // Oberyn sleeping with 16 year old Alayaya in his adulthood (42-43)

VS

Daemon didn't continue to sleep with young girls into his 30s or by some evidence b-y-the-text like he did in his late teen-early 20s. There's more evidence from the respective texts to say Oberyn is still sleeping w/teenagers into his 30s and 40s while with Daemon it's much more up in the air officially. Me, I think he didn't--the greens/maesters/people around Dragonstone and Driftmark and KL would have talked of it either against Rhaenyra or just to gossip.

Well. Doesn't look good for your guy.

Look, I do like Oberyn, but I'm not going to say he was Mr. Angelman, that he was Daemon's moral superior either--esp to women, compare his morality to another person, or erase Daemon's decision to sublimate his own claims to support/protect his own family by the Gods Eye episode to do so.

Oberyn, Elia/her kids--Daemon, Rhaenyra/their kids.

It certainly doesn't help that Daemon is a character we have no PoVs for, and we see Oberyn through other characters' PoVs--namely Tyrion's. Or that we aren't in Oberyn's head. Much easier to paint Daemon as categorically worse if we just desire to without feeling the need to support our own thoughts with text-based evidence. But by text-based evidence, Oberyn is not at all a moral superior to Daemon.

I really hope to god you are not also a DaemonxNettles truther. Please. The "sexual predation" better be more about him and Rhaenyra, where it's much comparatively more plausible. The mentioned comparison to Oberyn is sending red flags.

[darklinaforever]

Daemon is responsible for the Dance. (Wrong. I named the Greens, Viserys, and the final highlight, Aemond !)

Daemon is a pedophile. (Wrong. Hello Aegon II !)

Daemon is a rapist. (Wrong. Aegon II and Aemond present !)

Daemon is a groomer. (False. Criston Cole on the other hand…)

Daemon hates women / and or is misogynistic. (False. The Greens are right there huh)

Daemon would kill everyone if he could. (Proof ? None ? So shut up !)

Daemon would kill the Green children. (False. He had no hatred towards them, and he was simply indifferent to them. Blood and Cheese cannot be taken as proof, because this event would never have happened if Lucerys had not been killed by Aemond)

Daemon hates / despises Green children because they are only half Targaryen ! (Wrong ! Daemon doesn't hate Green kids. He just doesn't care about them, not least because they're the brainchild of Otto and Alicent. By the way, for someone who apparently "despises Green kids specifically because they're not pure Targaryen", it's a bit stupid that in fact Daemon is : Ready to have a baby with a prostitute, Mysaria, so not a Targaryen, who would therefore be recognized as a bastard in society. Even want to give him an egg of dragon. Visibly devastated by the loss of this child. He betroths his daughters to the sons of Rhaenyra, while their biological father is probably Harwin Strong, therefore not a Targaryen. Defends the legitimacy of his stepsons who are not "pure blood" Targaryen. Avenges the death of his stepson Lucerys. Taking Nettles, presumed girl of nothing, under her wing, visibly adoring her, and teaching her everything she needs to know)

Daemon will kill the children of Rhaenyra. (Wrong. There is literally no proof of that ! The guy literally raised them for 10 years and they were engaged to his daughters)

Daemon would have killed Jace or tried to oppose him to put his own son, Aegon III, pure Targaryen and his blood, on the throne. (That's total bullshit. Daemon has already been proven to care about the purity of blood, especially through his baby with Mysaria, revenge in the name of Lucerys, and Nettles ! Even betrothing his daughters to boys Velaryon is proof of that. Besides, it's a detail that people often seem to forget ! Because yes, in any case, Daemon's blood was sure the throne through me through Baela ! had no reason to depose Jace to put his blood instead on the throne, since he would already be there And if you get me the bullshit of "But Baela is not a pure Targaryen" Well we already have proved that he didn't care about that. Daemon wasn't misogynist either, so no need to come out as a counterattack either that Baela is a girl, so that doesn't matter to Daemon. Daemon literally had relationships with tons of badass women, plus letting Baela do whatever she wants on her own, including fucking before marriage. Beyond that, no animosity or issues between Daemon and Jace is depicted. On the contrary, they even got along well with the little we have on them !)

Daemon killed his first wife Rhea Royce. (False. She died of a simple accident while Daemon was at war)

Daemon is a bad parent. (Wrong. From the little material we have on this subject, Daemon was a good father)

Daemon is ready to do anything to see his blood rise to the Iron Throne. (No evidence of that. On the other hand, his blood would have ended up on the throne anyway through Baela)

Daemon never loved Rhaenyra. (lol…)

Daemon killed Harwin. (No proof. More likely Larys and the Greens)

Daemon killed Laenor. (No proof. May be sponsored by Daemon, or just Ser Qarl on his own)

Daemon tricked Rhaenyra with Mysaria and Nettles. (No proof, and probably wrong if you analyze it enough, especially the story with Nettles)

It's crazy how every week I come across this kind of bullshit… It always makes me mad.

[captainswanapproved]

A Son For A Son

An alternate end to the Dance of The Dragons: After the death of Prince Lucerys, Daemon promises Rhaeynra that he will avenge their son. Demon and Aemond duel on dragonback. Daemon is victorious and returns to Dragonstone in time to save Rhaenyra from being burned alive by King Aegon II

Queen Rhaenyra was losing the war against the Greens. No matter what her advisors declared, she knew it to be true.

She had been betrayed by the dragonseeds. She was losing her allies left and right. She had not seen her beloved Daemon in weeks. Dedicated as he was to her cause, he was fighting their enemies in the Riverlands.

Mysaria had come to her with a sordid tale of the dragonseed Nettles, claiming that the girl had seduced Daemon and become his lover. Rhaenyra knew better. Daemon had been her loyal husband for years, and no Targaryen bastard would take Rhaenyra’s place in his heart. Still, she had ordered Nettles to prove her loyalty to the Blacks, to find Aemond Targaryen and slay him. It was a death wish, but Rhaenyra would not strike against the girl outright. Not when Daemon had begged for mercy, having developed a fatherly bond with the girl.

When she received news that Nettles had joined forces with Lucerys at Storm’s End, Rhaenyra felt certain that the two dragon riders could outmaneuver Aemond and Vhagar. Instead, she had received her son’s eyes on a bed of seaweed along with news that Nettles had perished in the struggle.

Rhaenyra held Daemon’s scroll in her hand. It bore only a few words. “A son for a son, my love. Lucerys will be avenged.”

With the message in hand, she called upon her guard. She would return to Dragonstone with Aegon and Viserys and await Daemon’s return. She did not doubt that he would kill the Kinslayer. In the years since they had wed, Daemon had never failed her.

***

A son for a son, my love. Lucerys will be avenged.

Daemon Targaryen had challenged Aemond Targaryen, and now there was nothing left to do but wait for him to appear.

Harrenhal was a miserable place. For too long Daemon has been separated from his beloved. He was painfully aware of the fact that this duel with Aemond may end in his death. If this came to pass, at least Rhaenyra would know that he died fighting for her cause.

If he survived, he would bring Rhaenyra Aemond’s head and then he would dispose of Mysaria. He would not allow the unofficial Mistress of Whisperers to go unpunished, even though her deception had proved unsuccessful.

The days passed in agonizing slowness, but on the thirteenth day after Daemon had issued his challenge, Vhagar was spotted approaching the burned fortress of Harrenhal.

Daemon, with Caraxes beside him, watched their approach, his jaw set with grim determination.

Vhagar landed in a field with a great thud. Aemond dismounted. Every movement was show of arrogance and conceit. “If it is not the so called ‘Protector of the Realm’. What good are you if you cannot protect your own sons?” Aemond taunted.

Daemon’s fingers curled around the hilt of Dark Sister. “I did not call you here to trade barbs, Kinslayer. On my honor you will die screaming. Vhagar will be free of you at last.”

“My dragon is loyal to me,” Aemond said. “Your pitiful wyrm is no match to her power.”

“We shall see,” Daemon said, mounting Caraxes.

The dragons took to the skies. Aemond was quick to yell “Dracarys”. Vhagar attacked with a great blast of fire, but Caraxes dodged the attack with his greater agility.

Aemond screamed insults into the wind, but Daemon ignored the slander against his wife and children. It was meant to distract him. The arrogant little popinjay would not outmaneuver him on this day. Daemon urged Caraxes to attack, again and again. Vhagar was too large and ungainly. Aemond was too confident.

At long last, Caraxes struck a hard hitting blow, scratching Vhagar’s eyes with his claws. Daemon leapt from his saddle, Dark Sister in hand. He fell through the air and landed upon Vhagar’s scaly back.

Aemond had chained himself to his mount, no doubt terrified of falling from his mount. The boy was a coward. Chained as he was, he could not evade Daemon’s advance.

“Do it and be named a traitor. I am the King Regent,” Aemond screamed, making a pitiful attempt to delay the inevitable.

“I do not serve a king,” Daemon said. “In the name of Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, I sentence you to death.”

He swung Dark Sister and landed true, the tip of the blade thrusting through Aemond’s remaining eye.

As though sensing the death of her rider, Vhagar returned to the ground.

Daemon removed the head of the Kinslayer, placing it carelessly in a burlap sack. He did not clean Dark Sister. Rhaenyra would see for herself the blood of one of her greatest enemies.

Caraxes trilled his approval as Daemon mounted him. The assemblage of smallfolk gazed up in wonder that the Kinslayer had met his end. Daemon idly wondered what songs would be written of his victory, but that did not matter. All he needed now was to return to his beloved.

***

Another betrayal. Ser Alfred Broome and his men had slaughtered her Queensguard and locked her and her remaining children away in the bowels of Dragonstone.

Rhaenyra knew that her vile half-brother was coming to slaughter her. In a strange way, she almost wished he would act sooner. The civil war had stolen so much from Rhaenyra. It may as well have her life as well.

“Mother,” Aegon said, “Father will return and free us.”

Rhaenyra almost laughed. Her son was meant to be king. He was the very best of her and Daemon, and now that his brothers had died, all they needed to do was slay Alicent’s wretched children. Aegon’s way to the throne would be clear.

This would not come to pass though. Being held prisoner in her own home had drastically altered her prospective on the outcome of the war.

“Keep praying for that, my son,” Rhaenyra said, holding him and Viserys close to her.

She knew the end was near.

Sunfyre and her half-brother appeared three days later. The so-called king looked haggard and weak. Rhaenyra longed for a blade so she could cut him down.

“Leave me with my dear sister,” Aegon II commanded, dismissing his Kingsguard. The knights left after some hesitation.

“Rhaenyra, you have lost. Surrender now and I may spare the lives of my nephews. They should not be made to suffer for the crimes of their mother.”

“You are no king,” Rhaenyra spat. “The Iron Throne belongs to a true dragon.”

Aegon II laughed. “It belongs to me, sister. I can see that your pride is more important to you than the lives of your children. Sunfyre will eat well tonight.”

Sunfyre rumbled his approval.

But before the Aegon II could utter a single command, the roar of another dragon echoed on the walls of the caverns beneath Dragonstone.

Caraxes!

Daemon appeared at the mouth of the cave like an avenging angel. Dark Sister’s hilt gleamed in the torchlight.

Aegon II grinned. “Prince Daemon, I was not expecting you. I thought you were in the Riverlands. Your arrival is fortuitous. You will get to see your wife and sons burn.”

Daemon opened a sack and dumped the contents at Aegon’s feet. “A gift for the false king,” he snarled.

Aegon II paled. “This is treason. You will burn as well.”

Daemon drew his sword. “I am the Protector of the Realm. It is my duty to cut down usurpers in the name of the Queen.”

Aegon II opened his mouth to call for his Kingsguard, knowing well that he would be unable to best Daemon. His cries were silenced as his head fell to the ground beside his brothers. Sunfyre roared only to be silenced by Caraxes.

Daemon turned to Rhaenyra. “I have avenged our family, my Queen. I only hope this is enough to earn your favor.”

Daemon fell to his knees and presented his sword, stained with the blood of the false king and his regent.

Rhaenyra did not hesitate to knock the blade aside. She threw herself into her beloved’s arms, sobbing in earnest. Daemon’s lips met hers in a fierce caress.

“I accept your act of service, my lord husband. You have my forgiveness and my heart.”

Daemon kissed his wife again and welcomed his sons into their shared embrace. At last, Daemon was home again.

***

One month later.

The Greens and all their supporters foolish enough to refuse to bend the knee were slaughtered in turn.

Rhaenyra and Daemon committed the executions themselves, as Lord Stark had urged them to. After all, the Northern lord believed that the one who passed the sentence should swing the sword.

When this grave task was done, Rhaenyra called a council meeting and announced her intent to forfeit her crown. The burden of the war that had nearly destroyed her house was too much to bear. Her son Aegon III would take his place on the Iron Throne when he came of age, with Jaehaera Targaryen as his queen.

A council of regents was assembled. Lords from all the great houses of Westeros were named to rule until Aegon III came of age.

Rhaenyra and Daemon were allowed to return to Dragonstone. It would no longer serve as the seat of the heir to the throne. Had some of the lords not protested, they would have remained on Aegon III’s council, but many of the lords believed the former Queen should not be rewarded with such an honor. Aegon III agreed to make peace in war-torn Westeros.

In truth, Rhaenyra and Daemon were glad to return. Viserys elected to stay in King’s Landing with his brother. One day, he would serve as Hand of the King.

The family said their goodbyes on a cloudy day following the declaration that Aegon III would one day sit the iron throne.

“My son, do not hesitate to write. Your father and I may no longer be welcome in King’s Landing, but you will always have our support.”

Aegon embraced his mother and father. “Live in peace and joy, Mother, Father. No one is more deserving of such things.”

“You will be a magnificent king, my son,” Daemon said. “And a king is in need of a Valyrian steel blade.” Daemon removed his scabbard and presented Dark Sister to his beloved son. “Use it well.”

After one final embrace, Daemon and Rhaenyra mounted Caraxes and returned to Dragonstone, leaving the horrors of the past years behind them.

***

“My love,” Daemon said, one early morning three months after their removal to Dragonstone. “I discovered a clutch of eggs. Syrax left you one last gift.” Daemon presented a trio of eggs, one gold, one silver, and one amethyst.

Rhaenyra felt tears gather in the corners of her eyes. Rhaenyra had felt certain that she would never mount a dragon of her own again. While she loved Caraxes, riding him was not the same.

“Thank you, my love,  but I hardly need three dragons.”

Daemon smiled. “Perhaps not, but you have not bled since we returned to Dragonstone. I believe the gods have chosen to bless us once more.”

Rhaenyra’s hand moved to her abdomen. She had simply believed it was the stress of the last three months. True, she had been happy in a sense, but she longed for the company of her children. “How can you be certain?”

Daemon took her in his arms. “Because I know without a shadow of a doubt that you deserve to be a mother again. We have lost much since the war began, but the gods allowed us to survive. And I believe there is another little dragon in your womb, perhaps two.” Daemon knelt down to kiss the swell of his wife’s belly.

His words were proven correct six months later.

In the middle of a stormy night, two healthy girls were delivered. They were named Visenya and Rhaenys.

Rhaenyra may have surrendered her claim to the Iron Throne, but the House of The Dragon’s legacy would continue through her beloved sons and daughters.

 The proud parents held their new children close to their hearts, filled with hope for a brighter future.

[nightsister-juisid]

HBO, Don’t mess this up

I have the feeling HBO tried to sell us this problematic ship by playing the “soulmates” card. And it did work. As much as Lannister incest made me sick, I’m actually in love with Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship and how they developed it through the chapters. But, as they presented both characters as “meant to be together” while they chased after the other and always gravitated back to them, I believe Daemon and his “affair issues” during the war would be anti climatic and leave a bad taste in the audience. Which, except for some groups, are really invested in this couple. Even if they are fans of GOT or just casual spectators.

For that reason, I believe the best way to achieve the eventual rupture of Daemon’s and Rhae’s relationship is not the typical and boring cheating way, but the lack of trust and communication from both of them. (Which would further explain how the house of the dragon cannot be defeated but can fall if their own people tear it down)

As the book is based on rumors, and is stated on the series already that Daemon and Rhaenyra were a powerful match the greens needed to dissipate somehow, I think Mysaria and the greens creating rumors about Daemon having another lover, to abuse and improve Rhae’s fall into insanity, would be a smart move in the series (for the greens) and for HBO to start this couple downfall without breaking the “true love” narrative.

I can imagine Rhaenyra completely paranoid, wiping out her last dragonriders, vital to the war, out of her fear of more traitors and fear that Nettles was her husband's lover. She was already broken with the lost of her children and mentally unstable with her gain of weight, the war, the poverty, etc. So, her being completely afraid of losing her best warrior and love of her life is pretty understandable from a human perspective (who wants to be left alone in such critic moments?). But instead of talking about it, or search for another way for them both to understand the situation, she forces her husband to kill Nettles which would offend Daemon to the core that she just thinks somehow he isn’t loyal to her, and prefers to trust Mysaria rather than him. And as he appreciated Nettles as his own daughter (as stated in the books in which narrators keeps open the question if Daemon fucked or only appreciated Nettles as a daughter), he would let the young girl go out in spite. Because the girl never did anything wrong as to deserve that.

But he wouldn’t disobey and wouldn’t be mad because he doesn’t love Rhae. He would be mad because he does love her and she doesn’t trust him. As much as Viserys never trusted him. After all he did for her (being the one who faced most of the battles to give her the victory). He killed many for her, he avenged her son, he even let go Nettles and most of their dragonriders for her and she doesn’t trusts him. So, Daemon, being the toxic shit he is, would not go back and instead wait for Aemond to kill him and end that nonsense soon. Because that will prove to Rhae his loyalty to her.

And If he died, what else he had to lose? He lost Laena, Viserys, his warriors, his step sons, his wife’s mind. If he died fighting against Aemond, it didn’t mattered. At least he would have taken with him, one of the most feared warriors AND the biggest dragon the greens had.

However, this word never reaches Rhae and she stays depressed thinking her husband betrayed her with another woman. Having no prove of his body, as a way to torment her and think he fleed away (But instead Daemon DOES die epically against Aemond because DAMN THAT BATTLE IS SUCH A HONORING WAY TO DIE. Like, damn, Daemon killing Aemond and dying aten/cremated by Aemond’s dragon or crashed by Aemond is just tragic medieval stuff and a warrior’s death).

So 1. That would prove NO MATTER HOW MUCH SOMEONE LOVES A PERSON, and if you die for that person. IT WOULD NEVER WORK IF ONE DOESN’T COMMUNICATE (And please, we know Rhae and Daemon are more actions than stopping to think first).

2. House Targaryen can not be defeated unless they defeat themselves.

3. It would be really angsty and depressing having the two lovers dying thinking the other didn’t loved them anymore. But Rhae did love Daemon and Daemon died sacrificing himself in a crazy way to regain her love.

I just think it being a plot of the greens and Mysaria, and Daemon dying gloriously in the middle of battle against Aemond, is thousands times better than the lazy storyline of him, giving up Rhae for other women, and then running away with Nettles as a coward. Having him after all the propaganda of their love and relationship, being infidel because he can, sounds like the crappy end GOT gave us with season 8.

No way. Daemon deserves a warrior’s death to Aemond.

Also, I really want to believe their lack of communication being the reason that tore their relationship apart. I can picture Rhae becoming way more shy about having sex with Daemon because everyone points out her gain of weight and mocks her, and she’s afraid of him not wanting her anymore, while he just keeps thinking she’s the most beautiful woman he has seen in his whole life.