House of the Dragon (2022) s01e08 Episode Script

It's been near six years
since I last saw
my lord husband, Maester.
I must know will he live?
He led his sailors into an ambush.
A ship made to look
as if it were abandoned.
In the fighting, his neck was
slashed by a corsair's dagger.
He fell overboard into the sea.
The wound was severe.
Much blood was lost.
But the greater concern
is the fever that followed.
The ship's maester said
he burns from within.
The ravens came in from?
Evenfall, Princess.
So they arrive in three days.
Let all be made ready
to receive him, Maester Kelvyn.
The Sea Snake is strong.
No doubt.
And yet, I have seen blood
fever overcome men half his age.
I will not suffer the talk of
crows in my house, Vaemond.
I love my brother
but we must be honest with ourselves.
We may greet his ship to find him gone.
And who will take the Driftwood Throne?
My grandmother seems
quite comfortable here.
She presides only in the
absence of her husband.
On his death, the seat passes.
To Lucerys Velaryon.
As is my lord husband's desire.
I am the Sea Snake's own blood,
the closest kin he has left.
Be careful, good-brother.
One could take your words for treason.
I speak the truth, Rhaenys.
And you know it.
The matter has been decided.
By a man whose ambition
has brought down on us
calamity after calamity.
My brother cares only
for the history books.
But what of the Velaryon line?
Is it to be snuffed out,
supplanted by the pups of House Strong?
Driftmark is mine by all rights.
And while I should like your support,
I do not need it.
The winds have shifted.
The crown has good reason
to take my side.
My cousin the King would
have your tongue for this.
But it's not a king who sits the
Iron Throne these days, good-sister.
It's a queen.
The Conqueror and his sisters
sailed with a great army.
Se Blakuata Rasho
dranot vilinio viartis.
And landed at the Blackwater Rush.
Dranot.
Dranot. Dranot.
Dranot. At the end?
The mouth.
Mouth! Ah, come on,
Jace, you knew that.
Dranot. Dranot.
- Dranot vilinio viartis.
- Dranot.
Dranot.
Come on, Jace.
Perhaps that's enough for this morning.
No, no. I-I want to keep going.
- Maester.
- Guesi misenakson Aegon undas.
Aegon ordered
that the trees should be
- killed.
- Felled.
It is a related word.
I don't expect you to learn
High Valyrian in a day, Jace.
A king should honor the
traditions of his forbears.
Well
unless you're planning
to depose your own mother,
you have plenty of time to study.
Leave us.
Joffrey come.
He means to call into
question Luke's legitimacy.
And by extension Jace,
and by extension
my own claim to the throne.
Vaemond cares only about Driftmark
and the Velaryon line.
Not about our politics.
Has he made common cause
with Otto Hightower yet?
Hm, this is what I fear.
Rhaenys has flown to court.
- Surely, she cannot be planning to back him.
- No.
Whatever disagreements we may have had,
she's not cruel
- or stupid enough to do that.
- Disagreements?
She believes we had her son
killed so that we might marry.
Yes and yet,
she's taken Baela to ward.
Yes. It is Laena's memory she honors.
She has no love for us.
Has the vipers' venom spread so far?
Those vipers rule in my father's name.
And my father--
What choice do I have?
To King's Landing, then.
All hail Rhaenyra of House Targaryen,
Princess of Dragonstone
and heir to the Iron Throne
and her royal consort,
Prince Daemon Targaryen.
Welcome back, Princess.
Lord Caswell.
I would say it's nice to be home,
- but I scarcely recognize it.
- Mm.
We have continued
to enjoy improved customs duties
since the settling of the Stepstones.
And the extent to
which we exploit those
is contingent on
the harbor master's receipts.
Of which, um, uh, the,
uh, septons have requested
half that again for a bronze bust
they wish to co-- to commission
for the, the Festival of the Mother,
which I would not recommend.
Thank you for that exhaustive
accounting, Lord Beesbury.
I remind you--
Your guests have arrived, Your Grace.
I trust they've been welcomed
as befits their station.
As you instructed, Lord Hand.
It was my
understanding Lord Corlys wished
for his grandson Lucerys
to succeed him as Lord of the Tides.
The boy has been raised most of
his life away from Driftmark.
He can fly a dragon, yes,
but can he command a fleet?
Ability does not alter his claim.
The Sea Snake has never
formally named him as heir,
if it comes to that.
The crown must choose
what is best for the realm.
He is Laenor's son.
What grounds could there be--
What indeed, Lord Beesbury.
What indeed.
We shall hear
Princess Rhaenyra's petition,
along with those of the other
claimants on the morrow.
- But--
- I do beg your pardon, my lords.
I must greet our guests.
Shall we levy a tax
on the sale of new wool?
Your Grace
a matter has arisen that
requires your attention.
Whatever it is, Ser Arryk,
it'll need to wait.
- I'm Erryk, Your Grace.
- Of course. My apologies, ser.
It's about the Prince.
There's been a delicate
situation in his apartments.
Father?
- Who goes there?
- Father.
It's me, my King.
Rhaenyra.
Oh
Oh.
I'm here with Daemon.
Daemon?
Daemon?
Daemon.
Help me up.
Oh
It has been so long.
The Sea Snake has taken a grave
wound in battle in the Stepstones.
When?
We won that war years ago.
No.
The Triarchy is resurgent.
The fighting is anew.
And there is a p-- There is a petition to
decide upon the succession of Driftmark
and the heir to the Driftwood Throne.
Petitions?
Alicent and Otto
they see to all that business now.
No, brother, listen to me.
You are to affirm
your position for Lucerys
to be Corlys Velaryon's successor.
Has something happened to Lord Corlys?
Father
there's someone we wish
to introduce you to.
Daemon.
Brother.
Who is that?
Father
this is Aegon.
Aegon.
And this is Viserys.
Ah Viserys.
Oh.
Now that is a name fit for a king.
Oh
Oh, oh
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry.
I'm so--
Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sor--
Please.
- My tea My tea.
- What tea? This?
Yes. Yes.
Yes.
I brought her here immediately.
She's seen no one else, Your Grace.
Come here, sweetling.
Tell me your name.
It's Dyana, Your Grace.
If i-if it please you.
Dyana.
What a pretty name.
I understand you've found
yourself in some trouble.
I was fetching the Prince his wine,
and I put it on his table,
and when I turned--
I didn't see him.
I asked him to stop, Your Grace.
I did, truly
you must believe me.
Shh.
Thank you for telling me, Dyana.
- I know it wasn't your fault.
- Hm?
I believe you.
Y-You do?
I do.
But what I worry about
is what others might believe.
You were alone with the Prince,
were you not?
Yes, I--
And no one else saw what
happened between the two of you.
If anyone else were
to hear about this--
- I haven't told anyone.
- You told Ser Erryk and Talya and now me.
And though I believe
you are not to blame,
others might not be so trusting.
They might think you were trying
to besmirch the Prince, or worse
that you're the sort of girl that might
have enticed him in the first place.
And you know what happens
to girls like that.
I, I wouldn't dream of breathing
another word to anyone, Your Grace.
I, I swear it on my life.
I know you won't.
For your troubles.
The tea, Your Grace.
It's best to be certain.
Get up.
Aegon!
Get up!
Mother?
- What is it?
- "What is it? What is it?
What is it?"
That's all you can say for yourself?
Has something happened?
- Dyana.
- Mm?
The serving girl.
Oh, for the gods' sake.
The girl, Aegon. The one you
sent fleeing from your company.
Oh, it was just harmless fun.
She didn't need to go
and get upset about it.
Think of the shame on your wife, on me.
How can you keep carrying on like this,
especially on a day like today?
Why? What is it today?
You are no son of mine.
I did not ask for this.
I've done everything
you've asked me to,
and I try so
I try so hard, but it will never
be enough for you or father.
Have you seen Dyana?
She's supposed to dress the children.
He looks like a different person.
I believe we should also
consult Maester Gerardys.
Perhaps if he could see the
King, he'd suggest a different--
Princess Rhaenyra.
- And Prince Daemon.
- Hm.
It has been so long since we were
granted the joy of your presence.
Indeed, Your Grace.
Though not long enough to merit
a greeting upon our arrival.
I'm sure the Queen had
pressing business, my love.
What can either of us
know of ruling a kingdom?
I do not rule, as you well know.
My father and I are mere stewards
of the King's will and wisdom.
And how exactly is
that wisdom expressed
hm?
In blinks and wheezes?
I'd be surprised if he
could remember his own name.
- Or if you could.
- King Viserys's condition
- has worsened since you saw him last.
- Hah.
It subjects him to considerable pain.
- On the advice of the maesters--
- Ah, the maesters.
Of course.
It is they who keep him
addled on milk of the poppy
while the Hightowers warm his throne.
Rhaenyra, if you would
see him without it,
- almost blind with suffering.
- Oh, Alicent, I have no doubt
it was an act
of the purest mercy,
but tell me, for the King's suffering,
did the maesters also prescribe
the removal of Targaryen heraldry
and the installation in its stead
of various statues and stars?
The emblems of the Seven serve only
to guide us on an uncertain path.
- To remind us of a higher authority.
- And on the morrow,
which authority will sit in judgment of
my son's claim on his own inheritance?
- That would be mine and the Hand's.
- Ah.
But be assured,
the Father is just and commands me
to forget the accusations you
have hurled in this room today.
- Smaller than I remember.
- It looks exactly the same.
Ah, Luke, come on.
See? I told you this
would still be here.
And you thought you could
swing Criston's morningstar.
And you almost took your own head off.
- What's your problem?
- Everyone's staring at us.
Hyah!
No one would question me
being heir to Driftmark
if
if I looked more like Ser Laenor
Velaryon than Ser Harwin Strong.
It doesn't matter what they think.
Ooh.
Well done, my Prince.
You'll be winning tourneys in no time.
I don't give a shit about tourneys.
Nephews
have you come to train?
Open the gate!
Hold your nerve, my Queen.
What we do,
we do for the good of the realm.
I must confess a certain
uneasiness now this is at hand.
- He may yet live.
- But we must be prepared if he does not.
The realm has enjoyed a long peace,
a credit to the work of
both Jaehaerys and Viserys,
but the threat of war looms
and may arrive on our shores.
When it does,
will you want a child at the command
of the greatest fleet in Westeros?
We must, of course
act in the interest of our subjects.
The next Lord of the Tides will be
deeply in your debt, Your Grace.
As will Driftmark
in all its strength.
Grandmother?
Rhaena.
Baela said you might be here.
She's done well as your ward.
You've, um
raised her admirably.
You honor me, Princess.
Might I speak to the Princess
alone, Rhaena?
Princess.
I wondered for many an hour
what your purpose was in coming here.
Whether you'd speak for or against
the suit brought by Ser Vaemond.
But then, I realized
you intend to advocate for yourself.
This is no fair proceeding.
It is a trap
set by the Queen and the Hand,
I'd wager,
to proclaim my son illegitimate.
Yet you did worse
than that with Laenor.
Did you not?
I loved your son.
You may not believe it
to be true, but I did.
I did not order his death.
Nor was I complicit in it.
I swear this to you.
I'll make you an offer.
Back Luke's claim,
and let us betroth
Laena's children to mine.
Baela will be Queen
of the Seven Kingdoms
and her sons will be
heirs to the throne.
Rhaena will rule in Driftmark, and
the seat will pass to her and
Lucerys's children in time.
A generous offer.
- Or a desperate one.
- What does it matter?
You are right in this, at least.
It does not matter.
You can bargain with me all you like.
Bring my granddaughter
with you to soften my resolve.
But tomorrow,
the Hightowers land their first blow.
They force you to your knees
and I must stand alone.
Alicent?
Alicent
No, it's Rhaenyra, father.
Rhaenyra.
"The Song of Ice and Fire."
Do you believe it to be true?
Aegon's Dream.
You told me
it was our duty to hold the realm
united against a common foe.
By naming me heir,
you divided the realm.
I thought I wanted it.
But the burden is a heavy one.
It's too heavy.
My
My only child.
If you wish me to bear it,
then defend me.
And my children.
It's
I want to have supper, Otto.
- It is the morning, Your Grace.
- Tonight.
The whole of my family
are gathered at the Red Keep.
I want us to dine together.
Bring milk of the poppy.
No.
Just arrange the supper.
Though it is the great
hope of this court
that Lord Corlys Velaryon
survive his wounds,
we gather here with the grim task
of dealing with
the succession of Driftmark.
As Hand, I speak with
the King's voice on this
and all other matters.
The crown will now hear the petitions.
Ser Vaemond of House Velaryon.
My Queen.
My Lord Hand.
The history of our noble houses
extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms
to the days of Old Valyria.
For as long as House
Targaryen has ruled the skies,
House Velaryon has ruled the seas.
When the Doom fell on Valyria,
our houses became
the last of their kind.
Our forebearers came to this new land,
knowing that were they to fail,
it would mean the end to their
bloodlines and their name.
I have spent my entire life on
Driftmark defending my brother's seat.
I am Lord Corlys's closest kin,
his own blood.
The true, unimpeachable blood of
House Velaryon runs through my veins.
As it does in my sons,
the offspring of Laenor Velaryon.
If you cared so much about your
house's blood, Ser Vaemond,
you would not be so bold as
to supplant its rightful heir.
No, you only speak for yourself
- and for your own ambition.
- You will have chance
to make your own petition,
Princess Rhaenyra.
Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy
of allowing his to be heard.
What do you know of Velaryon
blood, Princess?
I could cut my veins and show it to you
and you still wouldn't recognize it.
This is about the future and
survival of my house, not yours.
My Queen, my Lord Hand.
This is a matter of blood,
not ambition.
I place the continuation of the survival
of my house and my line above all.
I humbly put myself before you
as my brother's successor
the Lord of Driftmark
and Lord of the Tides.
Thank you, Ser Vaemond.
Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak
for your son, Lucerys Velaryon.
If I am to grace this farce
with some answer,
I will start by reminding the court
that nearly 20 years ago, in this very--
King Viserys of House Targaryen,
the First of His Name,
King of the Andals, and the Rhoynar,
and the First Men,
Lord of the Seven Kingdoms,
and Protector of the Realm.
I will sit the throne today.
Your Grace.
I will be fine.
I will be fine.
I said I'm fine.
- Ah
- Come on.
Steady.
I must admit my confusion.
I do not understand
why petitions are being heard
over a settled succession.
The only one present
who might offer keener insight
into Lord Corlys's wishes
is the Princess Rhaenys.
Indeed, Your Grace.
It was ever my husband's
will that Driftmark
pass through Ser Laenor
to his trueborn son
Lucerys Velaryon.
His mind never changed.
Nor did my support of him.
As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra
has just informed me of her desire
to marry her sons Jace and Luke
to Lord Corlys's granddaughters,
Baela and Rhaena.
A proposal to which I heartily agree.
Well the matter is settled.
Again.
I hereby reaffirm
Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon
as heir to Driftmark,
the Driftwood Throne,
and the next Lord of the Tides.
You break law
and centuries of tradition
to install your daughter as heir.
Yet you dare tell me
who deserves to inherit
the name Velaryon.
No.
I will not allow it.
"Allow it"?
Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.
That is no true Velaryon,
and certainly no nephew of mine.
Go to your chambers.
You have said enough.
Lucerys is my true-born grandson.
And you
are no more
than the second son of Driftmark.
You may run your house
as you see fit
but you will not decide
the future of mine.
My house survived the Doom
and a thousand tribulations besides.
And gods be damned
I will not see it ended
on the account of this--
Say it.
Her children
are bastards!
And she
is
a whore.
I
will have your tongue for that.
He can keep his tongue.
- Disarm him!
- No need.
- Call the maesters!
- Father?
Please, my love. You must
take something for the pain.
I will not cloud my mind.
I must put things right.
The body will be ready for its return
to Driftmark on the morrow, my lady.
You may wish to leave the
Silent Sisters to their work.
It is ill luck to look
upon the face of death.
The Stranger has visited me more
times than I can count, Grand Maester.
I assure you
he cares little whether my
eyes are open or closed.
How good it is
to see you all tonight
together.
- Prayer before we begin?
- Yes.
May the Mother smile down
on this gathering with love.
May the Smith mend the bonds that
have been broken for far too long.
And to Vaemond Velaryon,
may the gods give him rest.
This is an occasion
for celebration, it seems.
My grandsons, Jace and Luke,
will marry their cousins,
Baela and Rhaena,
further strengthening the bond
between our houses.
A toast to the young Princes
- and their betrothed.
- Hear, hear!
Well done, Jace.
You'll finally get to lie with a woman.
Let us toast as well Prince Lucerys
the future Lord of the Tides.
Hear, hear.
You'll be great.
You do know how the act
is done, I assume?
At least in principle?
Where to put your cock and all that.
Let it be, cousin.
You can play the jester if you wish,
- but hold your tongue before my betrothed.
- Mm-hm.
It both gladdens my heart
and fills me with sorrow
to see these faces around the table.
The faces most dear
to me in all the world
yet grown so distant from each other
in the years past.
My own face
is no longer a handsome one
if indeed it ever was.
But tonight
I wish you to see me
as I am.
Not just a king
but your father.
Your brother.
Your husband
and your grandsire.
Who may not, it seems
walk for much longer among you.
Let us no longer hold
ill feelings in our hearts.
The crown cannot stand strong
if the House of the Dragon
remains divided.
But set aside your grievances.
If not for the sake of the crown
then for the sake of this old man
who loves you all
so dearly.
I wish to raise my cup
to Her Grace, the Queen.
I love my father.
But I must admit
that no one has stood
more loyally by his side
than his good wife.
She has tended to him with
unfailing devotion,
love, and honor.
And for that, she has my gratitude
and my apology.
Your graciousness moves me
deeply, Princess.
We are both mothers
and we love our children.
We have more in common
than we sometimes allow.
I raise my cup to you
and to your house.
You will make a fine queen.
I, um
I regret the disappointment
you are soon to suffer.
But if you ever wish to know
what it is to be well satisfied,
all you have to do is ask.
Jace.
To Prince Aegon and
Prince Aemond.
We have not seen each other in years,
but I have fond memories
of our shared youth.
And as men, I hope we may
yet be friends and allies.
To you and your family's
good health, dear uncles.
To you as well.
Beware the beast beneath the boards.
Well done, my boy.
I would like to toast
to Baela and Rhaena.
They'll be married soon.
It isn't so bad.
Mostly he just ignores you
except sometimes when he's drunk.
- Good.
- Let us have some music.
Excuse me.
Guards.
Please, sit down.
Final tribute.
To the health of my nephews:
Jace
Luke
and Joffrey.
Each of them handsome, wise
hm
- strong.
- Aemond.
Come
let us drain our cups to these three
- Strong boys.
- I dare you to say that again.
Why? 'Twas only a compliment.
Do you not think yourself Strong?
- Jace!
- That is enough!
Why would you say such a
thing before these people?
I was merely expressing how
proud I am of my family, Mother.
Mm, though it seems my nephews
aren't quite as proud of theirs.
Wait, wait!
Go to your quarters.
All of you go, now.
Mm.
Rhaenyra.
It's best, I think, if we
go back to Dragonstone.
You've only just arrived.
Let me see the children home.
I'll, um
return on dragonback.
The King and I would both like that.
It's been quite a night
at the castle, it seems.
Yes, my lady.
Come on, come on.
That's it.
Oh
Well done.
- I'm sorry.
- Shh.
- I'm sorry.
- Shh, shh, shh.
But you wanted to know
if I believe it to be true.
Believe what to be true, my King?
Don't you remember?
Aegon
Our son?
His Dream.
The Song of Ice
and Fi--
It is true.
What he saw in the North.
The Prince That Was Promised.
I don't understand, Viserys.
The Prince.
Prince Aegon?
To unite the realm
against the cold
and the dark.
It is you.
You are the one.
You must do this.
You must do this.
Shh, shh.
I understand, my King.
No more.
No more.
My love.