When we last saw the two, Daemon was banished from the realm for the second time in just four episodes. Otto Hightower had informed the King of Daemon and Rhaenyra's "coupling," as he nervously called it, even though she actually slept with Ser Criston Cole.
Rhaenyra and Daemon's Marriage Has Been Foreshadowed
When Viserys confronts Daemon the next morning, after learning from Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) that the two had sex in a brothel, Daemon doesn't correct his brother, but he asks for Rhaenyra's hand in marriage.
But, while time may heal all wounds, 10 years certainly wasn't enough time for Alicent's wounds to heal over being lied to by Rhaenyra. We last saw her find out the truth in "We Light the Way" that Rhaenyra lost her virginity to Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel).
The relationship between the two started in earnest in episode five, after Criston slept with Rhaenyra (played then by Milly Alcock). Alicent speaks to him to see if he knows anything about Rhaenyra sleeping with her uncle, Daemon (Matt Smith), but Criston confesses to their own liaison instead.
There are two elements that explain why Daemon doesn't sleep with Rhaenyra; that Daemon knew what he is doing is wrong, and that Daemon's affection for Rhaenyra kept him from taking it too far by sleeping with her - but he still takes advantage of the situation by trying to gain power and the Iron Throne through ...
Martin's Fire & Blood book are accurate, then Daemon will cheat on Rhaenyra with two significant characters in House of the Dragon.
Turns out, Rhaenyra and Daemon are endgame, meaning they have a sexually tense relationship, eventually hook up, and get married—which is pretty significant from a power play perspective considering (1) they both want the throne and (2) their Targaryen union is almost sure to guarantee that happens—even though Alicent ...
When she was around 14 or 15 years old, Rhaenyra attempted to seduce Criston based on teachings from her uncle Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith in the show.
In the books, Criston proposes to Rhaenyra before she leaves for Driftmark to negotiate her betrothal to Laenor Velaryon. When they break up, Rhaenyra leaves with her new lover and personal shield, Harwin Strong.
Daemon stops himself from taking her virginity, though, fleeing the scene conflicted while leaving Rhaenyra to make her way home alone.
Rhaenyra and Daemon's Marriage
Soon after being widowed, Daemon and Rhaenyra marry each other in secret when he is 39 years old, and she is 23. Their marriage causes a huge scandal at court and another rift between Daemon and Viserys, but it is eventually accepted. The couple has two sons together, Aegon and Viserys.
Daemon strangled Rhaenyra because he felt betrayed by Viserys. “It's a moment that I think is surprising and shocking for Daemon as a character, but I also think it's one of those things that's been set up over the course of the entire season.
Turns out, Rhaenyra and Daemon are endgame, meaning they have a sexually tense relationship, eventually hook up, and get married—which is pretty significant from a power play perspective considering (1) they both want the throne and (2) their Targaryen union is almost sure to guarantee that happens—even though Alicent ...
She told Variety that Alicent was actually in love with Criston Cole before Rhaenyra slept with him. Alicent's feeling of betrayal by Rhaenyra was a focal point of episode five.
She told Laenor that though they couldn't negate the wishes of their fathers, after marriage, they could continue with their respective affairs. But Criston Cole wanted more. He didn't want his relationship with Rhaenyra reduced to just an inconsequential affair.
And, in result, she asked Daemon to marry her—and to do away with her first husband. After Laenor was seemingly murdered by his lover, who was paid off by Daemon, the prince and princess wed in an intimate ceremony attended by their children. (For the record, Laenor is not dead, as he escaped with his lover.)
It is known that Rhaenyra's first husband is the dragonrider Laenor Velaryon, the oldest son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. She and Laenor get married in 114 AC when Rhaenyra is 17 years old after Viserys threatens to take away her status as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne if she does not marry.
By the time we reach episode six — which occurs more than 10 years later in the show's timeline — Harwin was revealed to be Rhaenyra's primary lover and the father to her three children.
In George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood, we are told of the incident where Rhaenyra Targaryen's husband Laenor Velaryon dies while attending a fair in Spicetown, on the island of Driftmark. We learn he was “stabbed to death” by a knight in his father's service, his paramour Ser Qarl Quarry.
Aegon III, aka Aegon the Younger: Rhaenyra and Daemon's first child together. Aegon Targaryen, aka Jon Snow: Yes, he comes much later, when a song of ice and fire plays out.
After the beginning of Daemon and Rhaenyra's marriage played offscreen, viewers were able to return to the story to see the pair after they'd established their life together. It's obvious that in that time, the two gained an awareness of both themselves and each other.
After a few kinds words about her cousin, she delivers further bad news — Aegon has been crowned as Viserys' successor. This news of betrayal, just when her relationship with Alicent was finally being repaired is heartbreaking for Rhaenyra who whimpers and clutches her pregnant belly.