Who was Daemon Targaryen’s mother, Alyssa Targaryen?

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As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s intricate world of Westeros and its complex characters, I was both intrigued and disturbed by the latest developments in House of the Dragon regarding Daemon Targaryen’s enigmatic encounters with his mother, Alyssa Targaryen. The image of Matt Smith portraying this unsettling scene left me feeling uneasy and questioning the motivations behind these dream sequences.

In the most recent installment of “House of the Dragon,” Daemon Targaryen (played by Matt Smith) experiences another dream, filled with unsettling imagery. This time, he finds himself making love to a woman with silver-blonde hair, reminiscent of the Targaryen lineage. The situation becomes disquieting as she refers to Daemon as her “beloved son.” This phrase leaves room for interpretation, potentially suggesting an inappropriate relationship between Daemon and his mother. To add to the unease, there’s a faint trace of blood on the back of her neck.

Once the disturbing Freudian dream has passed and Daemon regains consciousness, Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) shares her sympathy towards Daemon, expressing regretfully that he never had the chance to know his mother. But just who was Daemon’s mother?

Meet Alyssa Targaryen

Alyssa Targaryen was born as the fifth child of King Jaehaerys Targaryen and his wife-sister, Queen Alysanne. In total, this powerful duo welcomed 13 children into the world. Among all rulers in Westeros, Jaehaerys reigned for an unprecedented length of time. He is widely admired for his exceptional rule during which peace reigned supreme.

I, Alyssa, eventually became the wife of my elder brother Baelon, born from Jaehaerys and Alysanne. Despite the odd incestuous aspect, being a Targaryen tradition, our marriage appeared to be content. In the year 77 After the Conquest, I gave birth to Viserys, our first son, and later, in 81 AC, Daemon followed. Tragically, in 84 AC, I delivered another son, Aegon, but unfortunately, both he and I did not survive beyond a year.

If Daemon had grown up with Alyssa instead of losing her at a young age when she passed away in 101 AC, our beloved character might have discovered they shared many common interests and traits. I imagine myself being just as captivated by Alyssa’s adventurous spirit as Daemon would have been. She delighted in riding horses, scaling heights, and engaging in playful sword fights with wooden swords. Her boldness was renowned, earning her the title of “as bawdy a wench as any barmaid in King’s Landing.” Alyssa’s fierce nature and quick temper were evident when she poured a flagon of wine over her brother Vaegon’s head after his disrespectful remark about their sister Daella.

She and Daemon seemed to have a similar passionate nature. Just like Daemon, she was a dragon rider. Her dragon was Meleys, the very same dragon mounted by Rhaenys in “House of the Dragon.” Sadly, they are both deceased.

As a seasoned reader of intricate fantasy novels, I’ve come across many enigmatic plot twists that left me scratching my head, much like this one concerning Alyssa’s mysterious appearances in Daemon’s dreams or visions at Harrenhal. Frankly, I’m utterly baffled by it all!

In Alyssa’s dream, Daemon is informed by her that he was born to rule, which contributes to his resolve to form an army in preparation for a power grab from his nephew Aegon and wife Rhaenyra. The conflict within him about his family matters adds to the complexity, making it understandable that Daemon may have unresolved emotional issues as well. A mental health professional would likely find great success if they could engage Daemon in therapy sessions.

101 AC: Baelon dies of a burst belly (probably appendicitis) after coming home from a hunting trip

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2024-07-15 05:43