Rhaenyra Targaryen, one of the key figures in the HBO hit series House of The Dragon season 2, is currently enforcing her army with Dragonseeds, as the final battle has almost arrived.
Her storyline in both George R R. Martin's book and the TV series plays a crucial part in advancing major twists and events in Westeros. She's the only surviving daughter of King Viserys I with his first wife, Queen Aemma.
After the demise of Queen Aemma, the King married Alicent Hightower, and they had Rhaenrya's half-siblings, including her biggest rival, Aegon II, as seen in the ongoing season of House of The Dragon.
Rhaenyra Targaryen first married Laenor Velaryon and had three sons with him. However, their parentage was widely controversial in Westeros, causing Laenor to threaten everyone who questioned their sons.
Following Laenor Velaryon's death, Rhaenyra Targaryen tied the knot with her uncle Daemon Targaryen and gave birth to her two sons and one stillborn daughter.
In House of The Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen has six children: Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velayron, Joffrey Velaryon, Aegon III Targaryen, Viserys II Targaryen, and Visenya Targaryen (stillborn), each with different fates.
1) Jacaerys Velaryon
As seen in House of The Dragon season one, Jacaerys Velaryon (played by Harry Collett) is the first and eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon. The young lad is Rhaenyra's first child who made it to the Dance of the Dragons and will be seen battling in the finale of House of The Dragon season 2.
Jacaerys 'Jace' Velaryon has a dragon named Vermax and will be eligible to claim the Iron Throne after his mother, Rhaenyra Targaryen. While Jace is believed to be Laenor Velaryon's son, many doubted his parentage as there were rumors surrounding the relationship between Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin Strong.
However, these rumors were shut down as Laenor ordered to burn the tongues of those who stretched the rumors and doubted Jacaerys Velaryon's parentage.
2) Lucerys Velayron
Following the birth of her first child, Rhaenyra Targaryen delivered Laenor Velaryon's second child, Lucerys Velayron. Unlike his elder brother Jace, Lucerys' fate in House of The Dragon was tragic, as he died early.
In House of The Dragon, Lucerys 'Luke' Velaryon is portrayed by Elliot Grihault and claims Arrax as his dragon companion. In the series, fans saw the heated confrontation between Luke and his uncle, Aemond Targaryen, which resulted in Aemond losing one of his eyes. This happens when Aaemond attacks Luke out of rage and enmity and loses one eye after the young lad scratches his uncle's eye with a sharp tool.
Following their fight, Aemond plans to settle the score with his nephew when the time comes. In the series, Lucerys Velaryon is instructed to win Borros Baratheon's loyalty, but before Luke succeeds in his mission, Aemond Targaryen shows up unexpectedly.
After Aemond's arrival, Borros decides to join forces with him, failing Luke in his task. As Luke and his dragon Arrax make their way back, a storm hits them, and Aemond Targaryen utilizes this opportunity.
While Luke and Arrax were trying to survive the storm, Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar, brutally killed them. This incident intensified Rhaenyra Targaryen's rage against her half-brother, further escalating the conflict between the Targaryens.
3) Joffrey Velaryon
The third son of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Prince Joffrey Velaryon, was portrayed by Oscar Eskinkanzi in House of The Dragon. Like his elder brothers, Prince Joffrey's birth was also questioned. Rumors also suggested that he was the bastard son of Ser Harwin Strong, but Rhaenyra discarded the rumors.
Since Joffrey Velaryon was also given a dragon egg at birth, he had Tyraxes as his companion. However, his fate in George R. R. Martin's book was short-lived, as Prince Joffrey died while trying to ride his mother's dragon, Syrax.
Joffrey Velaryon was eager to prove his worth during the ongoing battle, but little did he know that Syrax wouldn't recognize him and would ultimately cause his death.
4) Aegon III Targaryen
Joffrey Velaryon was Rhaenyra Targaryen's last son with Laenor Velaryon, as the King died. Following Laenor's demise, Rhaenyra married her uncle Daemon Targaryen (played by Matt Smith) and the couple gave birth to Aegon III Targaryen.
Aegon III is Rhaenyra's fourth son and first child with Daemon Targaryen. He was born when Dance of the Dragons began and is too young to contribute to the fight.
The character is reportedly played by two twin child actors, Jake and Rory Heard. Aegon III doesn't have many scenes in House of The Dragon season 2, as he's still young.
However, in Martin's book, Aegon III becomes the seventh King of Westeros after witnessing his mother and other Targaryen family members die. Despite significant success, Aegon III is left traumatized and starts hating dragons. He was then called 'Aegon the Dragonbane' following his trauma and pain.
5) Viserys II Targaryen
Viserys II Targaryen is Rhaenyra and Daemon's second child, believed to have been born after 18 months of Aegon III Targaryen's birth. In House of the Dragon, Viserys II is seen as a baby and doesn't get much screen time.
However, in Martin's book, Viserys II Targaryen becomes the tenth King of Westeros for a year.
6) Visenya Targaryen (stillborn)
Visenya Targaryen was the only and first daughter ever born to Rhaenyra Targaryen and her current husband, Daemon Targaryen, in the HBO series. Rhaenyra got into labor before time, as she was enduring the pain of losing her father and discovering the betrayals among the Targaryens.
As a result, Visenya Targaryen was stillborn, intensifying Rhaenyra Targaryen's pain and trauma of losing a child.
As the final battle in House of The Dragon is about to start, you can watch previous episodes of season 2 on HBO.
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