WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
A powerful line from Baela Targaryen inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5 sets up a mystery about her death that author George R.R. Martin has yet to solve. Given the often unreliable nature of the narrators ofGRRM’sFire & Bloodbook, the ultimatefates of severalHouse of the Dragoncharacters are left somewhat ambiguous. Additionally, the 2018 book ends early in the reign of King Aegon III Targaryen, which doesn’t give a full explanation of what happens to everyone who survives the Dance of the Dragons.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5, Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) delivers the message that Rhaenyra wishes for Corlys Velaryon to be Hand of the Queen, leading the grandfather and granddaughter to discuss their departed family members. After she explains that both her mother, Laena, and grandmother, Rhaenys, chose true Targaryen dragonrider fates whendying by dragonfire or on dragonback, Baela declares that she wants to die the same way. However, while mostHouse of the Dragoncharacters’ deaths are revealed in the book, Baela’s happens to be a big mystery.
House Of The Dragon’s Book Doesn’t Reveal How Baela Targaryen Dies
Fire & Blood Ends Before It Reaches The Timeline Of Baela’s Death
Baela is one of the few members of House Targaryen to survive the Danceof the Dragons, but the very end of her life after the war isn’t explained. Even after theDance of the Dragons ends, a few characters die soon after, such as Corlys dying of old age the following year, Alicent Hightower and Tyland Lannister dying from winter fever two years later, and Aegon and Helaena’s daughter Jaehaera dying by suicide shortly after Alicent’s death However, figures like Baela Targaryen, Rhaena Targaryen, Aegon III Targaryen, Alyn Velaryon, and Viserys II Targaryen survive long after the Dance.
How Every Main Character In House Of The Dragon Dies In The Books
Fire & Blood explores the rise and fall of the Targaryen. Here is how every main House of the Dragon character dies according to Westerosi history.
While Baela’s role in her brother King Aegon III Targaryen’s regency and her marriage is explored,Fire & Blooddoesn’t reveal how she dies. Consequently, there’s no indication of whether she dies in the same vein as her mother and grandmother by dragonfire. Considering her dragon Moondancer dies during the Dance of the Dragons when facing Aegon and Sunfyre, Baela won’t die on dragonback. Furthermore, sinceFire & Blooddoesn’t reveal what year Baela Targaryen dies, it’s unclear whether there will be any remaining dragons to burn her, as thelast of the Targaryen dragons die outapproximately 20 years after the Dance.
What Happens To Baela Targaryen After The Dance Of The Dragons
Baela Targaryen Survives The Aftermath Of The Dance Of The Dragons
After the death of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Baela is kept hostage by King Aegon II Targaryen on Dragonstone before being moved to confinement in King’s Landing. However, while Aegon is being fatally poisoned soon after, Baela is freed by men hired by Larys Strong. During the subsequentHour of the Wolf, at which time Cregan Stark acts as Hand of the King to Aegon III Targaryen and passes judgment on those he deems traitors to both Rhaenyra and Aegon II,Baela – alongside Rhaena and Alysanne Blackwood – secures a pardon for Lord Corlys Velaryonfollowing the war.
The book’s timeline only extends until five years after the Dance’s conclusion, so it’s unknown what happens to Baela after planning to attend the royal progress for Aegon’s sixteenth nameday.
Since Prince Viserys Targaryen is presumed dead until a few years into Aegon’s regency,Baela and Rhaena are thought to be the only other living Targaryens in the aftermath of the Dance. Consequently, they’re given important roles as hosts in King’s Landing as they meet with lords in Aegon’s stead, withFire & Bloodrevealing that Baela and Rhaena are adored by the city. Baela, in particular, is noted for going to the streets of King’s Landing for fun, which includes drunken escapades with Gold Cloaks and betting in the rat pits.
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As one of Aegon’s heirs, Baela is forced by his regents to marry, with the council discussing beneficial political matches. Baela ends up ignoring their suggestions andescapes to Driftmark to marry her uncle Alyn Velaryon, who becomes theLord of the Tides after Corlys’ death. While still integral to Aegon III’s reign,Fire & Bloodreveals that Baela Targaryen is largely in Driftmark as she has two children with Alyn. The book’s timeline only extends until five years after the Dance’s conclusion, so it’s unknown what happens to Baela after planning to attend the royal progress for Aegon’s sixteenth nameday.
Will George R.R. Martin Ever Answer How Baela Targaryen Dies?
Baela’s Death Should Be Revealed In Fire & Blood 2
Martin confirmed in 2018 via hisblogthatFire & Bloodis being published in two volumes, with the first volume concluding about 150 years beforeGame of Thrones’ timeline begins. Consequently,Fire & Blood Volume 2is intended to extend through the remainder of House Targaryen’s reign and history in Westeros, which would finally expand on Aegon III Targaryen’s rule and the fates of the remaining Targaryens from the Dance. Therefore,Baela Targaryen’s death is expected to be explained inFire & Blood Volume 2, though it’s unclear whether the book will be published beforeHouse of the Dragonends on HBO.
George R.R. Martin has yet to reveal a release date for Fire & Blood Volume 2.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
