One House of the Dragon season 2 reveal adds more weight to a theory about Rhaenyra Targaryen that makes a change to the book. Rhaenyra will once again be at the heart of the story in House of the Dragon season 2, with the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons set to truly begin.

House of the Dragon season 2’s trailer has already confirmed Rhaenyra will leave Dragonstone during the coming episodes, as she goes off in search of Lucerys Velaryon’s body. That itself is a change to Fire & Blood, which suggests a more active role than the book (where she resides on Dragonstone for the parts of the story season 2 will cover). That, in turn, led to theories that she may indeed fully take part in the wars to come, especially thanks to several shots of her riding her dragon, Syrax. Now, there’s fresh evidence to support the idea.

Rhaenyra Is Shown Wielding A Sword In New House Of The Dragon Season 2 Footage

Rhaenyra Taking A More Active Fighting Role Is More Plausible Now

One intriguing new scene from a House of the Dragon season 2 behind-the-scenes trailer [via Max on YouTube] sees Rhaenyra wielding a sword, seemingly on Dragonstone, in a departure from what has been seen of her so far. In the book, Rhaenyra isn’t someone who is actively involved in fighting during the Dance of the Dragons, but could this signal a change to that?

It is, of course, only one brief shot, but it suggests Rhaenyra being put in a position where she’ll have to use the sword. It may simply be a case of being prepared. However, how she’s pointing it, and that it looks like an older sword, suggests she’s picked it up to defend herself or warn someone. Notice she wields it similarly to Daemon, hinting he’s at least taught her the basics.

In the book, Arryk Cargyll goes to Dragonstone, to kill either Rhaenyra or her kids (or both), and ends up in a fight to the death with his twin brother, Erryk. That fight has been glimpsed in the trailers, but it’s possible there’s a prelude where Rhaenyra faces off with him before Erryk steps in. Even if not, it shows that dangers can reach her upon Dragonstone. It’s even possible that Alicent Hightower herself goes to Dragonstone to meet with Rhaenyra, like her father did in House of the Dragon season 1’s ending, and this is the reception she gets.

This isn’t to say that Rhaenyra will suddenly become a great warrior who is skilled with a sword, but that she may still have to fight or protect herself nonetheless. And if that’s the case, then it’s possible it’s part of a bigger, deliberate shift to make her less of a passive character.

Could Rhaenyra Be Fighting At House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Biggest Battle?

It’s Possible Rhaenyra Will Be Involved In The Battle At Rook’s Rest

If House of the Dragon season 2 is indeed giving Rhaenyra a bigger, more direct role in the Dance of the Dragons, then it’s worth extrapolating on that idea and seeing where it might lead. If the show wants more opportunities to take Rhaenyra off Dragonstone – which makes sense, as it means greater involvement for the show’s main character – and to have her actually partake in battles, then there’s one obvious season 2 contender: the Battle at Rook’s Rest.

This is a fight that takes place at the eponymous location, which is ruled by House Staunton (supporters of Team Black) in the crownlands. While it begins as a land battle, it quickly becomes about a fight in the skies: Rhaenys arrives on Meleys, where she’s confronted by Aemond on Vhagar and Aegon on Sunfyre. House of the Dragon season 2 set photos have revealed some of the aftermath, confirming Meleys’ death (in the book, Rhaenys also dies here, which seems certain to happen in the show as well).

House of the Dragon season 2’s trailers have teased potential changes to the battle: a shot of Baela Targaryen on her dragon, Moondancer, may well be taken from this sequence, which would be a notable difference. Having Rhaenyra there would be an even bigger one, but it would have some logic. After all, Rhaenys’ death will have a major impact on everything, but on four characters in particular: her husband, Corlys; her granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena; and her cousin, Rhaenyra.

Since Baela and Rhaenyra are both dragonriders, then they’re the two that could most realistically arrive at the battle, if not to fully partake, then at least to witness Rhaenys’ death. The trailers have shown Rhaenyra and Rhaenys together multiple times, teasing they will be even closer this year, and so having Rhaenyra watch as Rhaenys dies could be a brutal, powerful twist that further fuels her desire for vengeance.

Why Rhaenyra Being More Involved In The Civil War Is Good For House Of The Dragon

Season 2 Can Make Emma D’Arcy’s Character Even Better

Rhaenyra doesn’t need to suddenly become a fierce warrior like Rhaenys to be a great or strong character, because she is already that in season 1. But that wouldn’t necessarily be the point of these changes. Instead, it would be to make more use of her; to have her be a Queen who is prepared to step into a battlefield. She has long been a character who is restrained and, in the book, because of how history tells it, a little more one-dimensional.

House of the Dragon season 2 can add more layers to the character, making her one who is prepared to take decisive action when necessary. One who has suffered so much loss that she will respond in kind. This can be important not only in season 2, but for the show’s future as well, including when Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing from Aegon. It’s another story where she could have a more active role (in the book, events unfold while she is on her dragon, again more passive), and this can help to set that up.

All this is doing, really, is building on the foundations of Rhaenyra’s character from House of the Dragon season 1, giving her even more to do, where she can show her strategic smarts, her bravery, and her rage. It may change the book, but it’s earned and set up after all she’s been through.

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  Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

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  Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.

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