House of the Dragon art features Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys going into battle at Rook’s Rest. In the early part of the second season, the Blacks and Greens inched closer and closer to all-out war between their dragons, starting with Blood and Cheese and the duel of the Cargyll twins. House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 featured the first major fight between dragons at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, resulting in the death of Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys.
Now, gaiart237 on Instagram shared some House of the Dragon art that features Rhaenys and Meleys going into battle at Rook’s Rest.
A total of two slides, the art depicts an armored Rhaenys riding on Meleys, as well as her dragon’s magnificent wingspan and copper crest. The second slide shows a close-up of Rhaenys and her dragon’s eyes. The caption on Instagram includes a quote from the episode, “We’re off to battle again, old girl.”
House Of The Dragon Season Episode 4 Highlights The Bond Between Dragon & Rider
The House of the Dragon fan art, and the moment from season 2, episode 4 that it captures, highlights the strong bond shared between dragons and their riders. This is evident right before Rhaenys leaves for Rook’s Rest when she shares an intimate moment with Meleys, remarking “We’re off to battle again, old girl.” The moment highlights how, through the past battles they have fought together, Rhaenys and Meleys have formed a strong bond. This is also evident after Vhaghar fatally throttles Meleys, her look back at Rhaenys expressing disappointment for failing to protect her rider.
In season 2, episode 4, Aegon also shares an intimate moment with Sunfyre before leaving for the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Ignored by his small council and scorned by his mother, a drunken Aegon flies his dragon to Rook’s Rest in an attempt to feel empowered, but before he leaves, Sunfyre gives Aegon a playful nudge, showing him the love and affection he so desperately desires. The special bond that Rhaenys and Aegon share with their dragons makes their fates at Rook’s Rest all that much more impactful.
The strong bond shared between dragons and their riders will be important heading into House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6. As indicated by the episode 5 ending and the episode 6 trailer, Rhaenyra and Jace are going to try to find others with Valyrian blood to claim the riderless dragons on Dragonstone, including Vermithor and Silverwing. As Rhaenyra says, attempting to claim a dragon is a difficult feat that could result in death. However, if successful, the bond between a dragon and its rider can be strong and unbreakable.