Why Rhaenyra Wanted To Run Off With Daemon – But Not Criston Cole
Rhaenyra denies Criston Cole’s recommendation to run away together but still offers to flee with Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon episode 5, with the two men giving her very different futures and relationships. House of the Dragon episode 4 included main twists for Rhaenyra when she behaved on her sexual tensions with Daemon and Criston, as Rhaenyra slept with Criston after Daemon evacuated her to a pleasure house. Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding in House of the Dragon episode 5 led both Criston and Daemon to plead for the Princess to evacuate her future husband, but she was only truly able to run off with Daemon.
Plagued with guilt and remorse for breaking his Kingsguard vows, Criston implores Rhaenyra to run off with him to Essos, where they can live freely without titles. While first appearing fascinated by the proposition, Rhaenyra rejects Criston’s offer because of her duty as heir to the Iron Throne. However, at her wedding celebration with Laenor, Daemon pulls Rhaenyra away, asks her if this marriage is what she wants, and says the dragon-riding Laenor Velaryon will bore her too much. In reaction, Rhaenyra tells Daemon that his time is breaking out, so if he wants her, he needs to cut through Viserys’ Kingsguard, take her to Dragonstone, and make her his wife. However, the two are interrupted as Criston kills Ser Joffrey Monmouth, with their idea made difficult when Rhaenyra and Laenor marry that night.
Rhaenyra to be disinherited, with prior Targaryen rulers having perpetrated the same defiance before. Even the great King Jaehaerys I Targaryen defied his mother’s wishes to marry outside of House Targaryen by disappearing to Dragonstone and secretly wedding his sister Alysanne.
Although Rhaenyra and Laenor get married in House of the Dragon episode 5’s ending, her fantasy with Daemon is far from over. Following Laenor’s death in House of the Dragon season 1, Rhaenyra and Daemon will flee to Dragonstone and wed in private, just as she suggested in episode 5. While this further strains Daemon’s friendship with Viserys, the King doesn’t disinherit Rhaenyra, with her second marriage perhaps better following Viserys’ wishes by continuing the Targaryen line. Rhaenyra’s sons with Laenor take the Velaryon name (though they’re technically bastards of House Strong), whereas her sons with Daemon are full-blooded, trueborn Targaryens.