House Targaryen is rendered vulnerable when King Viserys I succumbs to his ailment in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 "The Lord of the Tides." The late King had acted in vain to prevent a war of succession, and the unequal balance of power at his Small Council and the capital of King's Landing and numerous other measures foreshadowed the looming threat of a civil war. While Viserys' decreed his firstborn daughter from his first wife, late Aemma Arryn as heir; his second wife, Alicent Hightower's firstborn son, Aegon challenged this decree.
This rivalry and desire for the Iron Throne catapulted the entire realm into a civil war, unlike anything else seen before. The events that followed Viserys' death reeked of chaos, betrayal, and mass confusion. The Greens who had a grip over the capital of King's Landing declared war by having the High Septon crown Aegon in the Dragonpit before the masses. Alicent made preparations and came down on Viserys' loyalists who wanted to declare for Princess Rhaenyra.
The late King's cousin, Princess Rhaenys flew to Dragonstone and urgently requested an audience with Rhaenyra and her husband, Daemon at the beginning of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10, "The Black Queen." Rhaenys detailed King's Landing's happenings to the pair, including how she was imprisoned when she refused to declare for Aegon. Daemon reacted angrily, Rhaenyra felt betrayed, and Rhaenys made sense of the events. Knowing she had gained Rhaenys and her husband, the Sea Snake - Lord Corlys Velaryon as her ally, Rhaenyra was prompted to strike back. Her crowning on Dragonstone was an official signal that the Blacks had agreed to cast the kingdom into the war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Prelude To Battle
HBO's Dance of the Dragons season 1 concluded after Lord Borros Baratheon teased members of House Targaryen for not knowing who ruled over them and Westeros. He was right, as the factions had solidified by then, and Rhaenyra has sent her sons as envoys to secure their allies in Westeros. Aemond met her secondborn, Prince Lucerys Velaryon at Storm's End. Not only did the uncle beat the nephew to it, but he also chased him midair on his dragonback. This bullying sequence resulted in the deaths of Lucerys and Arrax. Judging from the menacing look that Rhaenyra gave after she heard this news, the Blacks are sure to strike hard.
The civil war, better known as the Dance of the Dragons consists of a series of battles that will result in the deaths of key characters and dragons. One such battle, fought at Rook's Rest, sees the end of the fearsome Meleys and her rider, Rhaenys. Rook's Rest, located in the Crownlands is the seat of House Staunton. It lies on the northern shore of Blackwater Bay, to the West of Crackclaw Point, and northwest of Driftmark. The Battle takes place after Aegon II, at the behest of his Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and new Hand, Ser Criston Cole (portrayed by Fabien Frankel on House of the Dragon) pursued a more aggressive war strategy after the Sack of Duskendale.
Under the command of Criston, the Greens laid a trap for the Blacks at Rook's Rest. Aegon II and his Lord Commander marched towards Rook's Rest with an army that consisted of hundred knights, five hundred men-at-arms, and about eighteen hundred sellswords and sought the subjugation of houses of Rosby and Stokeworth. As a result, Aegon II's host strengthened in numbers by the time they reached Duskendale. The Lord of Rook's Rest, and head, Staunton was inside his castle but Ser Criston Cole lay waste to his smallfolk, fields, and livestock. Lord Staunton sent a raven to Dragonstone, asking for the Blacks' assistance. The Blacks responded, and Princess Rhaenys flew on her dragonback, nine days after the Greens' siege.
The Fates Of Rhaenys And Meleys
One of the fiercest living dragons, Meleys, and her rider, Rhaenys (portrayed by Eve Best in House of the Dragon) flew atop Rook's Rest. Because it was a trap, the Commander, Ser Criston had his archers and Scorpions at the ready. Though Meleys was able to maneuver and burn Criston's soldiers, the Greens outnumbered her by one to two. Aerial combat ensued between her and Aegon II atop Sunfyre and Aemond atop Vhagar. In the end, Princess Rhaenys aka 'the Queen Who Never Was' and her mount went out in a blaze of glory. That being said, she inflicted maximum damage on the enemy, in that, Aegon II was grievously injured and the once beautiful, Sunfyre had a wing torn from his body.
Aegon II was taken to King's Landing to heal his broken ribs and hip and burns, while Sunfyre remained near Rook's Rest. Ser Criston's men guarded the dragon, and once the beast cleared the burned carcasses of dead soldiers, they brought him sheep and calves to eat. The Greens beheaded Lord Staunton, killed his garrison of hundred men, and conquered Rook's Rest. Meleys' head was drawn on a cart through the streets of King's Landing to serve as a warning against rebellion. The Blacks lost one of their key players and the Sea Snake blamed Rhaenys' death upon Rhaenyra. While both sides endured losses, 'The Queen Who Never Was' went out with a bang. The battle at Rook's Rest is likely to find a home in HBO's House of the Dragon season 2.