House of the Dragon (2022) s01e03 Episode Script

1
House Velaryon is coming for you!
The Sea Snake will have
your poxy fucking head!
No, no, no. No, please!
Fuck you, Prince Drahar!
Fuck your whore mother
and bastard father!
Fuck!
No, no! No!
Dragon!
Hail Prince Daemon!
Burn the fucking Triarchy cunts alive!
Here, my Prince.
Save me!
To the caves! Now!
Retreat to the caves!
Where are you?
Come out and face me, Drahar!
Come out, Drahar!
Where are you?
I'm gonna feed you to your own crabs!
Where are you?
He has your hair, Your Grace.
He does have my hair.
- He has your eyes, Your Grace.
- Yes, he does.
And you have my nose, don't you?
Two years old and already our
boy has a kingly presence.
He may yet, brother,
but this morning he insisted on eating
porridge with his hands.
He will grow.
We're quite a party
assembled in his honor.
And surely by the end of this hunt,
we shall have more to celebrate.
And what is that, pray tell.
It is Aegon's second name day.
His infancy's behind him.
It only remains for Viserys to
name him heir to the throne.
I wouldn't be so sure.
He's the King's firstborn son.
I don't know that His Grace
sees it so clearly.
Then it lies with you
to make him see it
Lord Hand.
Your Grace
I bring urgent news
from the Stepstones.
The Crabfeeder has dug in
for siege on Bloodstone
while his men sabotage our fleet
under the cover of dark.
Not today, Tyland.
The matter of the Stepstones
is regrettably urgent.
It's been three years.
It can wait another three days.
Come, eat.
Fortify yourselves for the journey.
Please.
Is the baggage train ready?
It is presently massing
at the River Gate.
Lord Jason expects us
in the Kingswood before midday.
- Have you seen Rhaenyra?
- I have not, Your Grace.
With the Triarchy now sheltering
in Bloodstone's caves,
the threat of the dragons is blunted.
They don't have foot soldiers.
But their sellswords have been
withdrawing in droves, Your Grace.
Even the mercenaries can see
that it is a losing effort.
Where's Rhaenyra?
I cannot be sure
at present, Your Grace.
The Velaryon forces have suffered
heavy attrition, Your Grace.
The seeds of dissent are sown
amongst the rank and file.
Daemon has driven the men hard.
They have begun
to question his command.
If the crown were ever to intervene
- Tyland
- now is the time.
Daemon and The Sea Snake
started their war
without His Grace's leave.
Were he to intervene now after so long,
it would make the crown appear weak.
Can someone tell me
where in the Seven Hells
Rhaenyra might be?
Under the dragon's eye ♪
Under the dragon's eye ♪
Again.
Perhaps the Princess might
like to hear something else?
She would not. Play it again.
She fled with her ships ♪
And her people ♪
Her heart broken for those ♪
Your Grace.
Did I say to stop?
From the beginning.
She fled with her ships ♪
- Rhaenyra?
- Yes, my Queen?
Your presence is wanted
in the outer courtyard.
The royal hunt readies to depart.
I've decided to remain here
and read instead.
You may go, Samwell.
You are to stay
by order of the Princess.
The Queen commands you
to leave the Godswood at once.
Princess.
Your Grace.
The King wishes for you to join us.
The King has much to celebrate.
He does not need me.
He wants for us all to be together.
Perhaps the hunt
could be fun.
Is it the King's command?
- Yes, but it
- Then at once, Your Grace.
But it needn't be.
None of it needs be this way
in truth, Rhaenyra.
Well, isn't this splendid.
The whole of our family off to celebration
and adventure in the Kingswood.
Should you be traveling
in such condition?
The maester said that being
out in nature would do me well.
Well, you will be with your
own child sooner than late,
and make me a proud grandsire.
It's not so bad.
The days are long,
but Aegon came quickly and without fuss.
You should ride out with me today.
Join in the chase.
I'd rather not.
The boars squeal like children
when they're being slaughtered.
I find it discomforting.
It's a hunt, Rhaenyra.
How would you like to participate?
I'm not sure why I must.
Because you are my daughter
The Princess.
And you have duties.
As I am ceaselessly reminded.
- I'm sorry?
- As I am ceaselessly reminded.
You wouldn't need to be reminded
if you ever attended to them.
No one's here for me.
Hail, hail Aegon, the Conqueror-Babe,
Second of His Name!
Here's to His Grace
on his second name day!
Lady Johanna was
reported to have been abducted
when one of Lord Swann's ships
sailed through the Stepstones.
What will happen to Lady Johanna?
She's to be sold to a pillow house
in the Free Cities
if you believe the rumors.
I fear the gods did not
make me for hunting.
Might I sit with you, my ladies?
But of course. Please join us.
Larys Strong, the youngest son of
our Master of Law, Lord Lyonel.
My Lord husband says that no King
has even been able to tame
the Stepstones for long.
It's an inhospitable place
suited only for savages.
Perhaps the Princess
can give us some insight.
Oh, I'm not sure how I could.
I've never been to the Stepstones.
Your dear uncle is the
great mind behind this war.
- Is he not?
- I wouldn't know.
I've not spoken to Daemon in years.
Since you supplanted him as heir.
Daemon made his choices, Lady Ceira.
The Princess was
more suited to the role.
He's made a mess
and the King must put an end to it.
Send fleets and men
and clear out the Triarchy for good.
But the crown is not at war.
The crown
is at war, Princess.
Though your father refuses to admit it,
we've been dragged into it by
your uncle and The Sea Snake.
And how have you served
the realm of late,
Lady Redwyne, by eating cake?
I wonder, Princess
was your own second name day
as grand as this?
I honestly don't recall
and neither will Aegon.
Lord Jason Lannister.
I gathered that from all the lions.
I don't think we've been
properly introduced.
Your twin serves
on my father's council.
Tyland is
frightfully dull, gods love him.
The finest honeyed wine
you'll ever taste.
- Made in Lannisport, of course.
- Of course.
Ah, the Kingswood,
it's fine hunting ground.
But the best sport is to be
found at Casterly Rock,
near my home.
Have you been?
Um, once on tour
with my mother when I was young,
and honestly can't recall
much of that either.
The Rock is thrice the height
of the Hightower in Oldtown,
taller still than
the Wall in the north.
It's been said that
if one were to stand in the tower
on a perfect day,
one could see clear
across the Sunset Sea.
It must be quite something.
Hm, I don't have a Dragonpit,
of course, but
I do have the means
and resources to build one.
Why would you need a Dragonpit?
To house dragons, of course.
I'd do anything for my Queen
or lady wife.
Thank you for the wine.
Is that what I am to you?
A prize to proffer about
to the great houses?
You're of age, Rhaenyra.
And Jason Lannister
is an excellent match.
He's arrogant and self-serious.
Well, I thought you might
have that in common.
Since you came of age,
I've been slowly drowning
in a lake of parchment
flung from every corner of the realm.
Marriage proposals, all.
And I have tried often
to discuss it with you,
but you've refused me at every turn.
That is because I do not
wish to get married.
Even I do not exist above tradition
and duty, Rhaenyra!
Excuse me, Your Grace.
You must marry.
- Yes?
- The royal huntsman have sent a report, Your Grace.
There's been a sighting
of a white hart.
The stag is "The King of the Kingswood,"
Your Grace.
A regal portent for
Prince Aegon's name day.
Princess.
Princess, wait!
Princess, slow down!
Hyah, hyah, hyah!
Princess!
No!
Whoa, whoa, now!
What happened back there?
My father
trying to sell me off
to Jason Lannister.
Was was I named heir
to the Iron Throne
so that I might only
further raise the standing
of a Lord of Casterly Rock?
Do you want me to kill him?
We should return to camp, Princess.
It's a beautiful day.
We should take in the Kingswood.
Were you ever betrothed, Ser Criston?
I had an adventurous
youth when my father
served at Blackhaven, to be sure.
But my station was never high enough
for a formal betrothal.
Before I spoke my vows as
a knight of the Kingsguard,
I could've married
a common-born girl had I wished.
How lucky you are to have
a say in your own life.
Many in the realm would gladly
trade positions with you, Princess.
Only because none of them
has ever held my position.
I may be the Princess of Dragonstone,
but I am toothless.
One day
not so long ago,
you held enough power to write my name
into the White Book.
And when your father
named me to his Kingsguard,
it was the highest honor
any Cole have ever known.
All that I have, I owe to you.
Now I'd hardly call that
toothless, Princess.
- Your Grace.
- How far?
Her droppings were found
half a league to the east.
- Still fresh.
- Between two and three hours, Your Grace.
My best scouts spied him.
The beast is upward of 35 stone.
And we now have his trail.
- Aye.
- Before the dragons ruled over Westeros,
the white hart was a symbol
of royalty in these lands.
And on this day of all days.
I've never been one for signs
and portents, Your Grace,
but if the gods did wish
to show their favor.
Oh!
Your Grace
I had this forged in the Golden
Gallery in honor of Prince Aegon.
It's quite a thing.
I hope it might provide the killing
stroke against your white hart.
The King of the Kingswood.
It's as if the Seven themselves
have blessed this day.
Thank you
for your generosity.
I would be honored
to take the Princess Rhaenyra
to wife, Your Grace.
What I offer you,
the crown and your daughter,
is strength.
Do you think that House
Targaryen wants for strength?
If someone offered you more dragons,
would you not take them?
Do you have dragons to offer?
Casterly Rock is a splendid seat.
Rhaenyra may take her place
there by my side without shame,
and feel herself well-compensated
for her loss in station.
What loss of station?
If you were to name
young Aegon heir, Your Grace.
And when would I be doing that?
I had assumed
as he's your firstborn son
- Many of us had assumed
- Many of us, you say?
Have your bannermen
questioned my choice of heir?
Of course not, Your Grace.
It is your sworn duty
to report rebellion
- stirring in my kingdom.
- Rebellion?
There's been nothing of the
sort, Your Grace. I, I
I did not decide to name
Rhaenyra my heir on a whim.
All the lords of the kingdom
would do well to remember that.
Thank you for the gift.
Your Grace.
Wine.
The huntsman has the trail, Your Grace,
and has sent out the hounds.
It won't be long now until
the white hart is cornered.
Your prize is within reach.
What do you make of
Lord Jason's proposal?
That man's pride has pride.
You're not only Rhaenyra's
father, you're the King.
She'll do as you command.
It is not my wish to command her, Otto.
I want her to be happy.
There is another choice
beyond Casterly Rock.
One, perhaps,
you might be more comfortable with.
One closer to home.
Who do you have in mind?
Prince Aegon.
The boy just turned two, Otto.
Yes, but it would cease the endless
proposals for Rhaenyra's hand.
- Betroth them.
- I came here to hunt
not to be suffocated by
all this fucking politicking.
Let us speak no more of it.
We've sent out
riders to find Rhaenyra, Your Grace.
Ser Criston went after her,
so the hope is that they are together.
The girl is a heedless contrarian.
If I instead forbade her
to wed a Lannister,
she would've run off
with Lord Jason out of spite.
A truly great Targaryen King I am.
Powerless over mine own
daughter of seven-and-ten.
King Jaehaerys ruled over
half a century of peace
while his children drove him
to the edge of madness
his daughters, in particular.
It is tradition, Your Grace.
Do you wish to hear
my opinion on the matter?
Should I guess?
You believe that your son,
Ser Harwin "Breakbones,"
the strongest knight
in the Seven Kingdoms,
is the best match for Rhaenyra.
You flatter me, Your Grace, but no.
It would seem to me the best match for
Rhaenyra is the son of The Sea Snake,
Ser Laenor.
Some years ago, I counseled
you to take his sister to wife.
My reasoning remains the same.
Laenor is of pure Valyrian descent.
He shares blood with your
cousin, the Princess Rhaenys.
And he is the heir to the
wealthiest house in the realm.
The breach between your houses
has not narrowed since
I last spoke of it.
It would do much to assuage Lord Corlys
of any slights real
or imagined.
We must pray, of course,
that Laenor survives
the fighting in the Stepstones.
Princess, I must make a final
plea that we return to the camp.
I rather prefer it here.
His Grace is certain to be
worried by your absence.
His Grace can worry
himself to death if he so likes.
Tell me something, Ser Criston.
Do you think the realm will
ever accept me as their Queen?
They'll have no choice
but to, Princess.
Is everything all right, Your Grace?
You know, I
I named her
to protect the realm from Daemon.
She was my only child.
"The Realm's Delight."
I named her out of love
because I no longer believed
Believed what, my love?
Many in my line have been dragonriders.
Very few among us have been dreamers.
What is the power of a dragon
next to the power of prophecy.
The hour is too late, husband.
When Rhaenyra was a child
I saw it in a dream
as vivid as these flames, I saw it.
A male babe born to me
wearing the Conqueror's crown.
And I so wanted it to be true,
to be a dreamer myself.
I sought that vision again,
night after night
but it never came again.
I poured all my thought
and will into it.
And my obsession killed
Rhaenyra's mother.
Viserys.
I thought Rhaenyra was the way out
of my abyss of grief and regret.
And naming her heir would
begin to set things right.
- Oh, it did.
- I never imagined I would remarry
that I would have a son.
What if I was wrong?
Left.
He may not be white, Your Grace.
But he's a big lad.
Your Grace for the kill.
Right here, Your Grace.
One more time, Your Grace.
A little bit to your left.
No.
Come, sweet Prince.
Let's give Her Grace some peace.
Did you enjoy the hunt, Your Grace?
- Well enough.
- How fared my grandson?
The ladies Lannister and Redwyne
were quite taken with him.
As they should be.
He's the future of the realm.
Well, you yourself witnessed
the scale of the celebration,
how it's united the men.
When you bore the King a son,
you ended 15 years
of uncertainty and doubt.
Aegon, like his namesake,
was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
If Viserys were to name him heir,
the realm would fete him for it.
And does this not please you?
- Do you not want your son to be King?
- And what mother wouldn't?
You mustn't ignore the certain truth
that if Rhaenyra were to step
over Aegon to ascend the throne,
the realm would tear itself apart.
They all swore obeisance to her,
our house among them.
That was before Aegon.
Rhaenyra will be a good queen.
It wouldn't matter if she were
Jaehaerys himself born again.
- Rhaenyra is a woman.
- What of my son?
Would you have me raise a man to
steal his own sister's birthright?
It is Aegon that's being robbed.
He's the firstborn son of the King.
To deny that he is heir to the throne
is to assail the laws of gods and men.
The road ahead is uncertain,
but the end is clear.
Aegon will be king.
You must guide Viserys towards reason.
He'll never find it on his own.
How are you feeling, husband?
The gods have punished me
for my indulgences.
At least the wine was good.
Too good.
I was hoping we might
discuss something.
Rhaenyra?
I do not think she enjoyed
Jason Lannister's company.
She is cross.
I warned you that she would be.
Rhaenyra has come of age.
She must needs marry a high lord
who will honor her, defend her,
and serve her as king consort.
Her wishes in this matter
are irrelevant.
I do believe that Rhaenyra
will marry, Your Grace.
But she must believe
it is her choice to do so.
- What's this?
- A letter
from Vaemond Velaryon.
- The Sea Snake's brother.
- Yeah.
He's fighting in the Stepstones,
with all the rest of them.
May I?
Lord Corlys and Prince Daemon
are losing their war.
Badly, by all accounts.
This is a plea for aid.
Then why not send it?
Because it is a war
started by two malcontents,
unhappy with decisions I made.
If I now provide
Daemon and Corlys succor,
what will that say of their king?
Perhaps, that he is a good
man who loves his brother.
Well, if you truly
believe that, my dear
then you possess a generous spirit.
What do you believe, Viserys?
That I am forever doomed
to anger one person
in the pleasing of another.
Then I pose a simpler question.
Is it better for the realm
if the Crabfeeder thrives,
or is vanquished?
Make haste to Dwarfstone, Ser Addam.
Hand-deliver this
to Prince Daemon yourself.
At once, Your Grace.
- Dwarfstone?
- I'm sending word to Daemon.
Aid is sailing to the Stepstones.
- Did he make call for help?
- He would sooner die.
But his king does not
mean to allow that.
Do you not think my decision correct?
It is no consequence to what I think
as I'm often reminded.
Daemon is thorn enough in my flesh.
Will you insist on taking after him?
Must everything be a battle?
If you refer to your attempt to
marry me off to Casterly Rock.
I am sorry, Rhaenyra.
I was trying to help you.
Will you not be helped?
Why must every effort
on your behalf be resisted
- as if to the death?
- Because you mean to replace me
with Alicent Hightower's son,
the boy you always wanted.
You have him in hands now.
Y-You have no further use for me.
You might as well peddle me
for what you can.
A mountain stronghold
or a fleet of ships.
You have misjudged me, Rhaenyra.
All know it.
Jason Lannister knows it.
You said it yourself,
the lords of the realm gather
like vultures to a carcass,
hoping to feast on my bones.
It is true that as rulers
we must marry for advantage
to forge alliances
and bolster our strength.
You have always understood this.
I myself was promised
to your mother when I was
Ten-and-seven years of age.
The Vale had an army
to rival the North.
I've heard that story
since I've had ears to.
I loved her.
She made a man of me.
I do not seek to replace you, child.
You've been much alone
these last few years.
Alone and angry.
I will not live forever.
I wish to see you contented,
happy even.
You think a man will do it?
- A family.
- I had a family.
What would you have me do?!
If it was for advantage,
you would've wed Laena Velaryon!
That is true enough.
You must marry,
strengthen your own claim,
shore up your succession,
multiply.
As to your match
make it yourself.
Search him out.
Find one that pleases you,
as I did.
Rhaenyra
I did waver
at one time.
But I swear to you now,
on your mother's memory,
you will not be supplanted.
We have 16,
perhaps 18, seaworthy ships.
Seven hundred foot, some 60 knights.
Our food quickly dwindles,
save for what we can fish from the sea.
I would say we have a fortnight,
mayhaps a bit longer
with strict rationing.
I've made call for Driftmark
to send more ships,
but they will be weeks away.
We are faltering
and the Triarchy knows it.
We must press the attack,
continue sending the dragons.
It's pointless, father.
The Crabfeeder has
created a chokepoint here,
beyond these dunes.
Archers hold the high positions,
foot soldiers hold the ground.
We've strafed them on
dragonback again and again,
but they just retreat within the caves.
Dragons can circle Bloodstone
until they fall out of the sky.
The Crabfeeder and his men
have no reason to leave those caves.
We must give them one,
an offering of flesh to bait the crab.
Who?
Dragon returning!
Yes. Who?
Which man here will
happily go to his death?
Show me the knight who
will march into that hell pit,
nephew, and I will show you a madman.
- Daemon.
- Daemon is why we are losing!
He at least is fighting this war.
What role have you played
in his council, uncle,
- other than Master of Complaints?
- Enough, Laenor.
If King's Landing
will not support Daemon,
why should any of us?!
Blood or no, Vaemond,
I will not have you stoke mutiny.
If you do not seize control
of this war, my lord,
the crabs will soon dine on all of us.
Prince Daemon.
I bring word from His Grace,
Viserys Targaryen,
first of his name, King of the Andals,
the Rhoynar, and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,
and Protector of the Realm.
That's enough! Stop!
Brother
I have ordered 10 ships
and 2,000 men to set sail
from King's Landing
to join the effort in the Stepstones.
Though time and circumstance
have seen us estranged,
know that it is not my desire
to see you fail in your cause.
It is instead my hope
that this aid will deliver
the victory that has
thus far evaded us.
I shall pray nightly to
the gods for your safe return.
Nock.
Draw.
Loose!
Loose!
Loose!
Loose!
Dracarys!
Nock!
Dragon!
Whoo!
Dracarys!