-
♪ ♪
NARRATOR: As the first century
of the Targaryen dynasty
came to a close,
the health of the Old King,
Jaehaerys, was failing.
In those days, House Targaryen
stood at the height
of its strength
with 10 adult dragons
under its yoke.
No power in the world
could stand against it.
King Jaehaerys reigned
over nearly 60 years
of peace and prosperity.
But tragedy had
claimed both his sons,
leaving his succession in doubt.
So, in the year 101,
the Old King called
a Great Council
to choose an heir.
Over a thousand lords made
the journey to Harrenhal.
Fourteen succession
claims were heard
but only two were
truly considered:
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen,
the King’s eldest descendant,
and her younger cousin,
Prince Viserys Targaryen,
the King’s eldest
male descendant.
JAEHAERYS TARGARYEN: It is
declared by all lords paramount
and lords vassal
of the Seven Kingdoms…
that Prince Viserys Targaryen
be made Prince of Dragons tone.
NARRATOR: Rhaenys, a woman,
would not inherit
the Iron Throne.
The lords instead
chose Viserys…
my father.
Jaehaerys called
the Great Council
to prevent a war being
fought over his succession.
For he knew the cold truth.
The only thing
that could tear down
the House of the Dragon…
was itself.
(EPIC THEME PLAYING)
♪ ♪
(WIND BLOWING)
(DRAGON CALLS)
(GRAND MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ ♪
(ROARING)
♪ ♪
- (DRAGON ROARING)
- (BIRDS CAWING)
♪ ♪
(ROARS)
(SPEAKING HIGH VALYRIAN)
Dohaeras, Syrax!
(SYRAX RUMBLING)
Umbas.
Rybas!
(GRUNTS)
(SYRAX PURRING)
Ser Harrold We sterling:
Welcome back, Princess.
I trust your ride was pleasant.
Try not to look
too relieved, ser.
We sterling: I am relieved.
Every time that golden beast
brings you back unspoiled,
it saves my head from a spike.
Syrax is growing quickly.
She’ll soon be as
large as Caraxes.
That’s almost large
enough to saddle two.
I believe I’m quite content
as a spectator, thank you.
DRAGON KEEPER ELDER: (SPEAKING
HIGH VALYRIAN) Dohaeras.
(GRUMBLES, ROARS)
Naejot!
(ROARS)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
♪ ♪
(BIRDS CAWING)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Ah… Rhaenyra.
You know I don’t like
you to go flying
while I’m in this condition.
You don’t like me to go flying
while you’re in any condition.
- Your Grace.
- QUEEN AEMMA: Good morrow, Alicent.
RHAENYRA: Did you sleep?
- I slept.
- How long?
I don’t need mothering,
Rhaenyra.
Well, here you are,
surrounded by attendants,
all focused on the babe.
Someone has to attend to you.
You will lie in this bed
soon enough, Rhaenyra.
This discomfort is how
we serve the realm.
I’d rather serve as a knight
and ride to battle and glory.
(LAUGHS)
We have royal wombs, you and I.
The child bed is our battlefield.
We must learn to face it
with a stiff lip.
Now take a bath.
You stink of dragon.
So, I said to him, “Well, I believe
you might be looking up the wrong end.”
(ALL LAUGHING)
My lords.
The growing alliance
among the Free Cities
has taken to styling
itself “the Triarchy.”
They have massed on Bloodstone
and are presently
ridding the Step stones
of its pirate infestation.
KING VISERYS: Well,
that sounds suspiciously
like good news, Lord Corlys.
A man called Craghas Drahar
has styled himself the
prince-admiral of this Triarchy.
They call him “The Crabfeeder”
due to his inventive methods
of punishing his enemies.
KING VISERYS: And are we
meant to weep for dead pirates?
- LORD CORLYS: No, Your Grace.
- Rhaenyra, you’re late.
King’s cupbearer
must not be late.
- Leaves people wanting for cups.
- I was visiting Mother.
(SNIFFS) On dragon back?
LYMAN BEESBURY: Hey, Your
Grace, at Prince Daemon’s urging,
the crown has invested
significant capital
in the re-training and
re-equipping of his City Watch.
I thought you might
urge your brother
to fill his seat on the council
and provide an assessment
of his progress
as commander of the Watch.
Do you think Daemon is
distracted by his present tasks?
And that his thoughts
and energies are occupied?
Well, one would hope so,
considering the associated costs.
Then let us all consider your
gold well-invested, Lord Beesbury.
I would urge that you not allow
this Triarchy much latitude
in the Step stones, Your Grace.
If those shipping lanes
should fall,
it will beggar our ports.
The crown has heard
your report, Lord Corlys,
and takes it under advisement.
Shall we discuss the Heir’s
Tournament, Your Grace?
I would be delighted.
Will the maesters’ name day
prediction hold, Mellos?
You must understand
that these things
are mere estimations, my King,
but we have all been
poring over the moon charts,
and we feel that our forecast
is as accurate as it can be.
LYMAN: The cost of the
tournament is not negligible.
Perhaps we might delay
until the child is in hand?
Ugh, most of the lords
and knights
are certainly on their way to King’s
Landing already. To turn them back now…
KING VISERYS: The tourney will
take the better part of a week.
Before the games are over,
my son will be born,
and the whole realm
will celebrate.
GRAND MAESTER MELLOS:
We have no way of predicting
the sex of the child.
Of course, no maester’s capable
of rendering an opinion
free of conditions,
are they now?
There’s a boy
in the Queen’s belly.
I know it.
And my heir will soon
put all of this damnable
hand-wringing to rest himself.
He passed through the
Red Keep’s gates at first light.
Does my father know he’s here?
- No.
- Good.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Gods be good.
It’s all right, ser.
(SPEAKING HIGH VALYRIAN)
Aye…
Mm…
I bought you something.
Do you know what it is?
It’s Valyrian steel.
Like Dark Sister.
Turn around.
Now…
you and I both own a small piece
of our ancestry.
(SPEAKS HIGH VALYRIAN)
ALICENT: Did you read it?
RHAENYRA: Of course, I read it.
ALICENT: When Princess
Nymeria arrived in Dorne,
who did she take to husband?
RHAENYRA: A man.
ALICENT: What was his name?
RHAENYRA: Lord Something.
ALICENT: If you answer
with “Lord Something,”
Septa Marlow will be furious.
She’s funny when she’s furious.
You’re always like this
when you’re worried.
Like what?
Disagreeable.
You’re worried your father
is about to overshadow you
with a son.
I only worry for my mother.
I hope for my father
that he gets a son.
As long as I can recall,
it’s all he’s wanted.
You want him to have a son?
I want to fly with you
on dragon back,
see the great wonders across
the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake.
- I’m being serious.
- I never jest about cake.
You aren’t worried
about your position?
I like this position.
It’s quite comfortable.
- Where are you going?
- Home. The hour has grown late.
Princess Nymeria led her Rhoynar
across the Narrow Sea
on 10,000 ships
to flee their Valyrian pursuers.
She took Lord Mors Martell
of Dorne to husband
and burned her own
fleet off Sun spear
to show her people that
they were finished running.
- What are you doing?
- So you remember.
- If-if the Septa sees this book, then…
- Fuck the Septa.
ALICENT: Rhaenyra!
- (BOTH LAUGHING)
- (BELL TOLLING)
(BIRDS CAWING)
Is it healing?
MELLOS: It has grown
slightly, Your Grace.
OTTO HIGH TOWER:
Can you say yet what it is?
We’ve sent enquiries
to the Citadel.
They are searching
the texts for similar cases.
It’s a small cut
from sitting the throne.
It’s nothing.
The King has been
under heavy stresses
preparing for the birth.
Bad humors of the mind
can adversely affect the body.
Whatever it is, it
needs to be kept quiet.
We should leech it again,
maester.
It’s a wound that refuses
to heal, Grand Maester.
Might I suggest cauterization?
Cauterization would be a wise
course of treatment, Your Grace.
- It will be painful…
- KING VISERYS: Fine.
Fine.
(SEABIRDS CAWING)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
You spend more time in that bath
than I do on the throne.
(SIGHS) This is the only place
I can find comfort these days.
It’s tepid.
It’s as warm as
the maesters will allow.
- Don’t they know dragons prefer heat?
- Hm.
After this miserable
pregnancy…
I wouldn’t be surprised if
I hatched an actual dragon.
(LAUGHS) Then he will
be loved and cherished.
Rhaenyra has already declared
that she is to have a sister.
Really?
- She even named her.
- Dare I ask?
- Visenya.
- (CHUCKLES)
She chose a dragon’s egg
for the cradle
that she said reminded her
of Vhagar.
Gods be good.
This family already
has its Visenya.
Has there been any word
from your dear brother?
Not since I named him
Commander of the City Watch.
I’m sure he will reemerge
for the tourney.
He could never stay
away from the lists.
The tourney…
to celebrate the firstborn son
that we presently do not have.
You do understand
nothing will cause
the babe to grow a cock
if it does not
already possess one?
- This child is a boy, Aemma.
- (SCOFFS)
I’m certain of it.
I’ve never been more
certain of anything.
The dream.
It was clearer than a memory.
Our son was born wearing
Aegon’s iron crown.
And I heard the sound
of thundering hooves,
splintering shields,
and ringing swords,
and I placed our son
upon the Iron Throne…
as the bells of
the Grand Sept tolled
and all the dragons
roared as one.
Born wearing a crown?
Gods spare me…
birth is unpleasant
enough as it is.
This is the last time,
Viserys.
I’ve lost one babe
in the cradle,
had two stillbirths,
and two pregnancies
ended well before their term.
That’s five…
in twice as many years.
I know it is my duty
to provide you an heir,
and I’m sorry if I have
failed you in that. I am.
But I’ve mourned all
the dead children I can.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUFFLED THUMPING)
(THUMPING GROWS LOUDER)
CAPTAIN RANDYLL BARRET:
Commander on the floor!
When I took command of the
Watch, you were stray mongrels…
starving and undisciplined.
Now…
you’re a pack of hounds.
You’re sated and honed
for the hunt.
(ALL HOWLING)
My brother’s city
has fallen into squalor.
Crime of every breed
has been allowed to thrive.
No longer.
Beginning tonight,
King’s Landing will learn
to fear the color gold.
(WAR CRY ERUPTS)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
- (PUNCHES LANDING)
- (PEOPLE GRUNTING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
♪ ♪
CITY WATCHMAN: Get up!
- (GRUNTING)
- (SCREAMING)
♪ ♪
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMS)
Raper!
No! No! No! No! No!
- (SLASHING)
- (SCREAMING)
CAPTAIN BARRET: Thief!
No! (SCREAMING)
♪ ♪
Murderer!
(YELLING)
- (SCREAMS)
- (SLICES)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
OTTO: It was an unprecedented
roundup of criminals
of every ilk.
Your brother made
a public show of it,
meting out the summary
judgments himself.
I’m told they needed
a two-horse cart
to haul away the resulting
dismemberments
when it was done.
KING VISERYS: (SIGHS)
Gods be good.
The Prince cannot
be allowed to act
with this kind
of unchecked impunity.
- Brother.
- Daemon.
Carry on. You were saying
something about my impunity.
You are to explain your doings
with the City Watch.
Your new “gold cloaks” made quite
the impression last night, didn’t they?
PRINCE DAEMON TARGARYEN: Did they?
The City Watch is not a sword
to be wielded at your whim.
They’re an extension
of the crown.
The Watch was enforcing
the crown’s laws.
Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Strong?
- My Prince, I don’t think…
- Making a public spectacle of wanton brutality
is hardly in line with our laws.
Nobles from every
corner of the realm
are right now descending
upon King’s Landing
for my brother’s tourney.
Do you want them
mugged, raped, murdered?
You mightn’t know this unless
you left the safety of the Red Keep,
but much of King’s Landing
is seen by the smallfolk
as lawless and terrifying.
Our city should be safe
for all its people.
I agree.
I just hope you
don’t have to maim
half of my city to achieve this.
Time will tell.
We installed Prince Daemon as
commander to promote law and order.
The criminal element
should fear the City Watch.
Thank you for your support,
Lord Corlys.
If only the Prince would
show the same devotion
to his lady wife as he
does his work, Your Grace.
You’ve not been seen in the Vale
or at Runestone
for quite some time.
I think my bronze bitch
is happier for my absence.
OTTO: Lady Rhea is your wife,
a good and honorable
lady of the Vale.
In the Vale, men are said to
fuck sheep instead of women.
I can assure you,
the sheep are prettier.
Dear me.
You made a vow before the Seven
to honor your wife in marriage.
Well, I’d gladly give
Lady Rhea to you,
Lord High tower,
if you’re in want
of a woman to warm your bed.
Your own lady wife
passed recently.
Did she not?
Otto.
Perhaps you aren’t ready
to move on just yet.
You know how my brother
makes sport of provoking you.
Must you indulge him?
My apologies, Your Grace.
KING VISERYS: This council
has, at great expense,
bettered the City Watch
to your exacting standards.
Enforce my laws,
but understand…
any further performances
like last night’s
will be answered.
Understood, Your Grace.
King’s Landing has been in decline
since my grandmother passed.
- (DOOR CLOSES)
- In the end…
this new City Watch
might be a good thing.
- (MOANING)
- (PEOPLE LAUGHING)
♪ ♪
(MOANING CONTINUES)
(MOANING)
(DISTANT CHEERING)
- (HEAVY BREATHING)
- (PRINCE DAEMON GROANS)
♪ ♪
MYSARIA: What
troubles you, my Prince?
I could bring in another.
Perhaps a maiden.
I have several.
I could even arrange one
with silver hair.
(DRUMS, MUSIC PLAYING OUTSIDE)
You are Daemon Targaryen.
Rider of Caraxes.
Wielder of Dark Sister.
The King cannot replace you.
(DOG BARKING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
KING VISERYS: Be welcome!
I know many of you have
traveled long leagues
to be at these games.
But I promise, you will
not be disappointed.
When I look at the fine
knights in these lists,
I see a group without equal
in our histories.
And this great day
has been made more auspicious
by the news…
that I am happy to share:
Queen Aemma has
begun her labors!
(ALL CHEERING)
(APPLAUSE)
May the luck of the Seven
shine upon all combatants!
(CHEERING)
(HORSES NEIGHING, GALLOPING)
(NEIGHS)
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
(KNIGHT GRUNTS)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
RHAENYRA: A mystery knight?
No, a Cole, of the Storm lands.
I’ve never heard of House Cole.
LORD BOREMUND BARATHEON:
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen!
I would humbly ask for the favor
of “The Queen Who Never Was.”
(CROWD CHEERING)
Good fortune to you, cousin.
I would gladly take it
if I thought I needed it.
You could have
Baratheon’s tongue for that.
Tongues will not
change the succession.
Let them wag.
(DRUMMING)
Lord Stokeworth’s daughter
is promised to that
young Tarly squire.
- Lord Massey’s son?
- Mm-hm.
They’re to be married as
soon as he wins his knighthood.
- Best get on with it.
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
I heard that Lady Elinor is hiding
a swollen belly beneath her dress.
- (KNIGHT YELLS)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(LAUGHS)
(GROANING)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
What do you know about this
Ser Criston Cole, Ser Harrold?
SER HARROLD: I’m told Ser
Criston is common-born,
son of Lord Dondarrion’s
steward.
But other than that, and the
fact that he’s just unhorsed
both of the Baratheon lads,
I really couldn’t say.
(DRUMMING)
(CHEERING)
(CHEERING INTENSIFIES)
MASTER OF REVELS: Prince
Daemon of House Targaryen,
Prince of the City,
will now choose
his first opponent!
(CHEERING)
(CHEERING INTENSIFIES)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
- For his first challenge,
Prince Daemon Targaryen chooses
Ser Gwayne High tower of Old town,
eldest son of
the Hand of the King.
(DRUMMING)
Five dragons on Daemon.
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(HORSE SNORTING)
- Ya!
- (HORSE SQUEALS)
(HORSE SHRIEKS)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS)
(HORSE SNORTING)
(SCATTERED CHEERS, APPLAUSE)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(CROWD CHEERING)
- Nicely done, Uncle.
- Thank you, Princess.
Now, I’m fairly certain I can
win these games, Lady Alicent.
Having your favor
would all but assure it.
Good luck, my Prince.
(WHISPERING)
- (CROWD CHEERING)
- (HORSE GALLOPING)
(QUEEN AEMMA SCREAMING)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(QUEEN AEMMA WAILING)
- What’s happening?
- The infant is in breech, Your Grace.
All attempts to turn
the babe have failed.
(SCREAMING)
- Do something for her!
- We’ve given her as much
milk of the poppy as we can
without risking the child.
Your Queen is a strong woman.
She’s fighting
with all her might,
but it may not be enough.
QUEEN AEMMA: No! (GRUNTING)
KING VISERYS: Aemma.
Aemma… I’m here.
- I’m here.
- (QUEEN AEMMA MUTTERING) Help me, please…
I’m here. It’s all right.
- It’s all right.
- I don’t wanna do this.
- (MUTTERING CONTINUES)
- You’re going to be all right.
You’re going to be all right.
- (WAILING)
- (HORSES GALLOPING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(GRUNTING)
- (YELLS)
- (HORSE NEIGHS)
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS)
- (STRIKES METAL)
- (SHOUTS)
Kill him!
And the day grows ugly.
I wonder if this
is how we should
celebrate the birth
of our future king.
- Hm.
- With wanton violence.
PRINCESS RHAENYS: It’s been 70
years since King Maegor’s end.
These knights are as green
as summer grass.
None have known real war.
Their lords sent them
to the tourney field
with fists full of steel
and balls full of seed,
and we expect them to act
with honor and grace.
It’s a marvel that war
didn’t break out at first blood.
(SCREAMS)
(ALL GASPING)
(RETCHING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(MELLOS MUTTERING)
Mellos.
Your Grace.
If you would.
During a difficult birth,
it sometimes becomes necessary
for the father…
to make an impossible choice.
Well, speak it.
To sacrifice one…
or to lose them both.
There is a chance that
we can save the child.
A technique is taught
at the Citadel,
which involves cutting
directly into the womb
to free the infant.
- But the resulting blood loss…
- Seven Hells, Mellos.
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
You can save the child?
We must either act now
or leave it with the gods.
(SIGHS)
♪ ♪
Ser Criston Cole
will now tilt against
Ser Daemon Targaryen,
Prince of the City!
(CHEERING)
♪ ♪
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ ♪
(HORSES NEIGHING)
♪ ♪
(GRUNTS)
(YELLING)
♪ ♪
- Viserys.
- Yes?
They’re going to bring
the babe out now.
Mm.
I love you.
Ooh.
- What is happening?
- No, it’s all right.
No… what is happening?
- Viserys, what…
- KING VISERYS: No, it’s all right.
- Wh-what are you doing?
- They’re going to bring the babe out.
How are they…
- It’s all right.
- Viserys, please.
- It’s all right.
- No, I’m scared. Not in…
- KING VISERYS: Don’t be scared.
- What is happening?
Don’t be scared. They’re
going to bring the babe out.
- QUEEN AEMMA: Oh no.
- It’s all right.
They’re going
to bring the babe out.
(YELLS) No! No! No!
- I’m making the first incision.
- (SCREAMS) No, no, no!
Viserys, no! Please!
- No, no, no!
- Don’t be scared.
(SCREAMING)
(CHEERING)
(LANCES CRASHING)
(ARMOR SCRAPING)
(CHEERING)
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
PRINCE DAEMON: Sword!
MASTER OF REVELS: Prince Daemon Targaryen
wishes to continue
in a contest of arms!
(GRUNTING)
(BLOWS LANDING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUFFLED SCREAMING)
(CHEERING)
(GRUNTING)
♪ ♪
(GRUNTING)
♪ ♪
(PRINCE DAEMON SHOUTING)
(BABY CRYING)
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
♪ ♪
(GRUNTING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
SER CRISTON COLE: Yield.
Yield.
(PRINCE DAEMON CHUCKLES)
(CHEERING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
Gods. He’s Dornish.
I was hoping to ask
for the Princess’s favor.
I wish you luck, Ser Criston.
Princess.
♪ ♪
MELLOS: Congratulations, Your Grace.
You have a son.
- (BABY CRYING)
- It’s a boy?
MELLOS: A new heir, Your Grace.
Had you and the Queen
chosen a name?
Baelon.
♪ ♪
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ ♪
(WIND BLOWING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ ♪
(SOFTLY)
They’re waiting for you.
(WAVES CRASHING)
♪ ♪
(SPEAKING HIGH VALYRIAN)
♪ ♪
(SYRAX VOCALIZES)
D…
(LOW GROWL)
♪ ♪
(SPEAKING HIGH VALYRIAN)
Dracarys.
(VOCALIZES)
♪ ♪
(ROARS)
- (BELL TOLLING)
- (DOOR CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
- Where’s Rhaenyra?
- OTTO: Your Grace.
This is the last thing
any of us wish to discuss
at this dark hour,
but I consider
the matter urgent.
What matter?
That of your succession.
These recent tragedies have
left you without an obvious heir.
The King has an heir,
my Lord Hand.
OTTO: Despite how difficult
this time is, Your Grace,
I feel it important
the succession be
firmly in place
for the stability of the realm.
LYONEL STRONG: The
succession is already set…
by precedent and by law.
Shall we say his name?
Daemon Targaryen.
If Daemon were to remain
the uncontested heir,
it could destabilize the realm.
The realm? Or this council?
No one here can know what
Daemon would do were he king,
but no one can
doubt his ambition.
Look at what he did
with the gold cloaks.
The City Watch is
fiercely loyal to him.
- An army 2,000 strong.
- An army you gave him, Otto.
I named Daemon Master of Laws,
but you said he was a tyrant.
As Master of Coin,
you said he was a spendthrift
that would beggar the realm.
Putting Daemon in command
of the City Watch
was your solution!
A half-measure, Your Grace.
The truth is, Daemon should
be far away from this court.
Daemon is my brother.
My blood.
And he will have
his place at my court.
MELLOS: Let him keep his
place at court, Your Grace,
but if the gods should visit
some further tragedy on you,
- either by design or by accident…
- “Design”?
What are you saying?
My brother would murder me,
take my crown?
Are you?!
Please.
Daemon has ambition, yes,
- but not for the throne.
- (SOFT CHUCKLE)
He lacks the patience for it.
The gods have yet
to make a man who
lacks the patience for
absolute power, Your Grace.
MELLOS: Under such circumstances,
it would not be an aberration
for the King to name
a successor.
Well, who else
would have a claim?
The King’s firstborn child.
LYONEL: Rhaenyra? A girl?
No queen has ever
sat the Iron Throne.
That is only by tradition
and precedent, Lord Strong.
If order and stability
so concerns this council,
then perhaps we shouldn’t break
100 years of it by naming a girl heir.
Daemon would be a second Maegor,
or worse.
He is impulsive and violent.
It is the duty of this council
to protect the King
and the realm from him.
I’m sorry, Your Grace, but
that is the truth as I see it,
and I know that
others here agree.
I will not be made to choose
between my brother
and my daughter.
LORD CORLYS: You wouldn’t
have to, Your Grace.
There are others
who would have a claim.
(LAUGHS) Such as your wife,
Lord Corlys?
- “The Queen Who Never Was”?
- Rhaenys was the only child
of Jaehaerys’ eldest son.
She had a strong claim
at the Great Council,
and she already has a male heir.
Just moments ago, you
announced your support for Daemon!
If we cannot agree on an heir,
then how can we expect…
(SHOUTS)
My wife and son are dead!
I will not sit here and suffer crows
that come to feast on their corpses!
(SIGHS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(BLOWS)
Send a raven to Old town.
Straight away.
My Lady.
My darling.
How’s Rhaenyra?
She lost her mother.
The Queen was well-loved by all.
I found myself thinking
of your own mother today.
- How is His Grace?
- Very low.
Which is why I sent for you.
I thought you might go to him…
offer him comfort.
In his chambers?
I wouldn’t know what to say.
Stop that.
He’ll be glad of a visitor.
You might wear one of
your mother’s dresses.
(SIGHS)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(DOOR OPENS)
The Lady Alicent High tower,
Your Grace.
KING VISERYS: What is it, Alicent?
I thought I might come
and look in on you, Your Grace.
I brought a book.
That’s very kind, thank you.
It’s a favorite of mine.
I do know how passionate
you are for the histories.
Yes… I am.
When my mother died…
people only ever spoke
to me in riddles.
All I wanted was for someone
to say that they were sorry
for what happened to me.
I’m very sorry, Your Grace.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUFFLED MOANING)
(MUFFLED LAUGHTER)
♪ ♪
(CHATTER, LAUGHTER CONTINUE)
♪ ♪
Thank you.
The King’s sole heir once again.
Might we drink to our future?
- (BANGS)
- (SHOUTS) Quiet!
Your Prince will speak!
Silence!
(MUSIC STOPS)
(SCATTERED SHOUTS)
OTTO: Before we begin, Your Grace,
I have a report I feel
compelled to share.
Last night…
Prince Daemon bought out
one of the pleasure houses
on the Street of Silk…
to entertain officers
of the City Watch
and other friends of his.
King and Council have
long rued my position
as next in line for the throne.
(SCATTERED JEERS)
But dream and pray
as they all might,
it seems I’m not
so easily replaced.
The gods give just
as the gods take away.
OTTO: He toasted Prince Baelon.
To the King’s son.
OTTO: Styling him…
“The Heir for a Day.”
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENS)
I corroborated this report
with three separate witnesses.
The evening was, by all
accounts a… celebration.
(DOOR CLOSES)
PRINCE DAEMON: You cut the
image of the conqueror, brother.
Did you say it?
I don’t know what you mean.
You will address me
as “Your Grace,”
or I will have my Kings guard
cut out your tongue.
“The Heir for a Day.”
Did you say it?
We must all mourn
in our own way, Your Grace.
My family has just
been destroyed.
But instead of being
by my side, or Rhaenyra’s,
(SHOUTING) you chose to
celebrate your own rise!
Laughing with your whores
and your lickspittles!
You have no allies
at court but me!
I have only ever defended you!
Yet everything I’ve given you,
you’ve thrown back in my face.
You’ve only ever
tried to send me away.
To the Vale, to the City Watch,
anywhere but by your side.
Ten years you’ve been king,
and yet not once have you
asked me to be your Hand!
- Why would I do that?
- Because I’m your brother.
And the blood of the dragon
runs thick.
Then why do you
cut me so deeply?
I’ve only ever spoken the truth.
I see Otto High tower
for what he is.
- An unwavering and loyal Hand?
- A cunt.
A second son who stands
to inherit nothing
he doesn’t seize for himself.
Otto High tower is
a more honorable man
- than you could ever be.
- He doesn’t protect you.
- I would.
- From what?
Yourself.
You’re weak… Viserys.
And that council
of leeches knows it.
They all prey on you
for their own ends.
I have decided
to name a new heir.
- I’m your heir.
- Not anymore.
You are to return to Runestone
and your lady wife at once,
and you are to do so
without quarrel
by order of your King.
- (SWORDS UNSHEATHING)
- (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
Your Grace.
♪ ♪
(DOOR OPENS)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
RHAENYRA: Father.
Balerion was the last living creature to
have seen Old Valyria before the Doom.
Its greatness and its flaws.
When you look at the dragons,
what do you see?
What?
You haven’t spoken
a word to me since
mother’s funeral,
- and now you send your Kings guard down…
- Answer me.
It’s important.
What do you see?
- I suppose I see us.
- Tell me.
Everyone says Targaryens
are closer to gods than to men,
but they say that
because of our dragons.
Without them, we’re
just like everyone else.
The idea that we
control the dragons…
is an illusion.
They’re a power man should
never have trifled with.
One that brought
Valyria its doom.
If we don’t mind our own
histories, it will do the same to us.
Targaryen must understand
this to be King…
or Queen.
(LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING)
I’m sorry, Rhaenyra.
I have wasted the years
since you were born…
wanting for a son.
♪ ♪
You are the very best
of your mother.
And I believe it,
I know she did,
that you could be
a great ruling queen.
Daemon is your heir.
KING VISERYS: Daemon was
not made to wear the crown.
But I believe that you were.
MELLOS: Corlys of House Velaryon,
Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark.
I, Corlys Velaryon,
Lord of the Tides
and Master of Driftmark,
promise to be faithful
to King Viserys
and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.
I pledge fealty to them
and shall defend them
against all enemies
in good faith
and without deceit.
♪ ♪
I swear this by the old gods
and the new.
KING VISERYS: This is no
trivial gesture, Rhaenyra.
A dragon’s saddle is one thing,
but the Iron Throne is the most
dangerous seat in the realm.
I, Lord Hobert High tower,
Beacon of the South,
Defender of the Citadel,
and Voice of Old town,
promise to be faithful
to King Viserys
and his named heir,
the Princess Rhaenyra.
I pledge fealty to them
and shall defend them
against all enemies
in good faith
and without deceit.
I swear this by the old gods
and the new.
(CARAXES GRUMBLES)
Give me your hand.
(GRUMBLING)
♪ ♪
I, Boremund Baratheon…
promise to be faithful
to King Viserys…
KING VISERYS: There’s something
else that I need to tell you.
It might be difficult
for you to understand,
but you must hear it.
Our histories…
they tell us that
Aegon looked across
the Blackwater
from Dragons tone,
and saw a rich land
ripe for the capture.
But ambition alone is not
what drove him to conquest.
It was a dream.
And just as Daenys foresaw
the end of Valyria,
Aegon foresaw the end
of the world of men.
(SIGHS) ‘Tis to begin
with a terrible winter
gusting out
of the distant north.
I, Rick on Stark,
Lord of Winter fell…
KING VISERYS: Aegon saw absolute darkness
riding on those winds.
And whatever dwells within
will destroy the world
of the living.
When this Great Winter
comes, Rhaenyra…
all of Westeros must
stand against it.
And if the world
of men is to survive,
a Targaryen must be seated
on the Iron Throne.
A king or queen,
strong enough to unite the realm
against the cold and the dark.
Aegon called his dream
“The Song of Ice and Fire.”
This secret…
it’s been passed from king
to heir since Aegon’s time.
Now you must promise
to carry it…
and protect it.
Promise me this, Rhaenyra.
Promise me.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
I, Viserys Targaryen,
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,
do hereby name…
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess of Dragons tone
and heir to the Iron Throne.
♪ ♪
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(DRAGON ROARS)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪