The Fate Remains of Baela Targaryen Unclear in House of the Dragon
A seemingly straightforward line by Baela Targaryen foreshadows a mystery around her death, while House Of The Dragon season 2 concentrates on the complicated family relationships and political battles during the Dance of the Dragons. But this mystery is more than just a plot device for the show; it's a real riddle George R. R. Martin, author of the Fire & Blood book on which the series is based, still has to solve.
Appreciating Baela Targaryen's Death in Light of the Dragon Dance
One of the few House Targaryen members still alive following the terrible Dance Of The Dragons, Baela's fate is yet unknown. Fire & Blood covers the rise and fall of the Targaryens, but it does not specifically detail how Baela died. Baela's death is totally absent, while several other survivors of the Dance meet their ends in the book.
The book also makes no mention of whether she passes away from a fiery death, either like her grandmother Rhaenys or her mother Laena. Given Baela's declaration that she wants to die "the way they did," a death by dragonfire, this makes it especially interesting. But Baela's dragon, Moondancer, dies during the Dance Of The Dragons, so a dragon-related death seems improbable. The book also omits mentioning the year of Baela's death, so allowing the possibility of her passing long after the last Targaryen dragon passed.
Baela Targaryen's Part in the Dance's Aftermath
The book describes Baela's major involvement in the aftermath of the Dance, including her captivity under King Aegon II Targaryen and her later release by men of Larys Strong. During the Hour of the Wolf, Baela, Rhaena and Alysanne Blackwood also got Lord Corlys Velaryon a pardon.
As one of Aegon III Targaryen's heirs, Baela's position caused pressure for marriage; but, she finally chose to elope with her uncle, Alyn Velaryon, becoming the Lady of the Tides following Corlys's death.
Future Possibilities for Baela Targaryen
Although Baela's presence in Aegon III's rule is noted, the book ends five years after the Dance's end, so casting doubt on Baela's future.
Will George R. R. Martin ever explain the death of Baela Targaryen?
Fire & Blood will be published in two volumes, Martin has said. The first book ends about 150 years before Game of Thrones events. The second book should span the remainder of House Targaryen's rule and history in Westeros.
Although the second volume is much awaited by fans, a precise release date is not known. This leaves readers and viewers wondering about the death of Baela Targaryen since it remains unresolved. It remains to be seen whether Martin will offer an answer in the forthcoming volume or decide to keep this aspect of Baela's narrative vague.
