The Red Queen and Her Rider
Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon, Meleys, are a legendary duo in the history of House Targaryen, with a bond that lasted for decades before the events of House Of The Dragon. This article dives into their history, their significant moments, and ultimately their tragic demise.
A Dragon Rider's Heritage
Meleys, also known as the Red Queen, is a formidable dragon, though not as massive as Vhagar or as experienced in battle as Caraxes. She was hatched around 75 AC, making her one of the younger dragons during the Dance Of The Dragons. Initially, Meleys' rider was Alyssa Targaryen, the mother of Viserys I and Daemon Targaryen. Alyssa tragically died giving birth to her third son, Aegon, who also died shortly after. This left Meleys without a rider.
Three years later, Rhaenys Targaryen, still a young woman at the time, claimed Meleys as her own. This marked the beginning of their long and inseparable bond. They would ride together for decades, witnessing pivotal moments in the Targaryen dynasty.
From Royal Progress to Marriage
One of the earliest documented events involving Rhaenys and Meleys was their participation in King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's royal progress. Jaehaerys, known for his long reign and peaceful rule, would often conduct royal progresses, traveling across the Seven Kingdoms to meet his subjects.
Rhaenys and Meleys joined Jaehaerys on his final progress in the Reach in 89 AC, decades before the Dance of Dragons. They flew together around the Shield Islands, demonstrating their close bond and Rhaenys' skill as a rider. Shortly after, Rhaenys married Lord Corlys Velaryon, arriving at the ceremony riding Meleys, signifying the importance of the dragon in her life.
Meleys' Battle Experience
Though Jaehaerys' reign was marked by peace, Fire & Blood, the source material for House Of The Dragon, claims that Meleys was "old, cunning, and no stranger to battle." This suggests that Meleys participated in battles before the Dance Of The Dragons. While the specific battles she fought in are not explicitly detailed, her impressive performance against Sunfyre and Vhagar in "The Red Dragon and the Gold" highlights her battle prowess.
While some believe she may have participated in the War of the Stepstones alongside Daemon and Corlys, Caraxes and Seasmoke are primarily credited with aiding the Velaryon forces in that conflict. It's also possible that Rhaenys and Meleys participated in minor conflicts during Corlys' voyages, protecting his fleet or engaging in skirmishes against Essos groups.
The Sacrifice at Rook's Rest
The Battle of Rook's Rest, in House of the Dragon Season 2, marks the tragic end of Rhaenys and Meleys' story. Rhaenyra and the Blacks were on the verge of a decisive victory, with Aegon II's forces facing defeat. However, after seeing Sunfyre fall, Rhaenys, despite knowing the risk, decided to engage Vhagar, a move that ultimately led to her own demise.
Actress Eve Best, who portrays Rhaenys, explained the decision in an interview with Variety, drawing a comparison between dragons and nuclear weapons: "She's starting a nuclear war, and she has been the one character throughout who's done everything she can to stop them. She and Corlys are really the only adults left in the room who know, who’ve been there and seen it — what they’re facing." Rhaenys, understanding the consequences, chose to take on the burden of unleashing the full power of the dragons, knowing that it could mean her death. Her decision was a tragic act of self-sacrifice, a desperate attempt to end a war that threatened to destroy everything.
The story of Rhaenys and Meleys serves as a reminder of the power and danger of dragons. They were magnificent creatures, but their presence always brought with it the potential for destruction. Their tragic end at Rook's Rest stands as a testament to the destructive forces unleashed by the Dance Of The Dragons, a war that would forever change the course of Westeros.
