An important line in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 undermines the relatively happy ending of Baela Targaryen, whose book story concludes more favorably than other Targaryen characters. Very few major characters make it out of the Dance of the Dragons alive, and even fewer have what could be considered “happy” endings thereafter. After all, the ultimately winner-less Dance of the Dragons ends with the deaths of the majority of House Targaryen, the demise of nearly all dragons, and a significant loss of power in the family’s future.
While Laenor Velaryon’s survival twist gives him an arguably happy ending by fleeing to Essos and living an anonymous life, Baela Targaryen has among the most prosperous fates of House of the Dragon’s characters after the war. However, this now doesn’t seem to be the case after a conversation between Baela and Corlys in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5. By rejecting Corlys’ proposal for her to be his heir to Driftmark and stating it’s not what she wants, Baela’s future in George R.R. Maritn’s Fire & Blood book appears much more disappointing than before.
Why Baela Rejects Corlys’ Wish To Make Her Heir To Driftmark In House Of The Dragon
Baela’s Targaryen Blood Runs Stronger
As Baela states in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, “I am blood and fire. Driftmark must pass to salt and sea.” Baela’s heart and passions lie in dragonriding, the skies, and a fiery disposition, not at the sea on a boat. Baela knows little about the sea and would rather spend her future patrolling the skies and flying on Moondancer, living in the style of a Targaryen dragonrider. In this way, Baela takes after her both her mother, Laena, and father, Daemon, whose lives are spent on dragonback as Targaryen royalty rather than as sailors of Driftmark.
Baela doesn’t loathe her grandfather’s passions or reject her Velaryon heritage, but she turns down Corlys’ offer because she knows she’s not the right person to be the Lady of the Tides. Had she grown up preferring to sail than fly, then Baela would have been the perfect choice to succeed Corlys at Driftmark. Not to mention that she’s betrothed to the heir to the Iron Throne, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Baela’s sight is set on carrying on the legacy of House Targaryen and the customs of those with fire and blood flowing through their veins.
Baela Targaryen Still Ends Up Being The Wife Of The Lord Of The Tides After Corlys’ Death (Despite Not Wanting It)
Baela Marries Alyn Velaryon & Largely Remains At Driftmark
Sadly, Fire & Blood reveals that this optimistic ending isn’t exactly what happens to Baela. Instead, she does end up spending her future at Driftmark, but perhaps worse, as the wife of the Lord of the Tides rather than the ruling Lady of the Tides. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon dies in the Dance of the Dragons during the Battle of the Gullet, with Baela soon being held captive by King Aegon II Targaryen at Dragonstone. After the war, Rhaenyra’s young son Aegon III Targaryen ascends the Iron Throne instead, with Baela also being without a dragon due to Moondancer’s death.
Though she didn’t want a life at Driftmark in House of the Dragon, this somewhat tragically becomes her reality.
When Aegon III’s regents decide that Baela needs to marry a politically beneficial suitor, she flees from King’s Landing to Driftmark and marries her uncle Alyn Velaryon, who becomes the Lord of the Tides after Corlys’ death. While Fire & Blood only extends to the first five years after the Dance of the Dragons, Baela largely remains at Driftmark and has two children with Alyn. As such, though she didn’t want a life at Driftmark in House of the Dragon, this somewhat tragically becomes her reality.
New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.