"House of the Dragon [1]" is full of dangerous plots and political maneuvers, but there's also plenty of time for romantic entanglements, both happy and not so much. For Rhaenyra Targaryen, her love life is every bit as messy and difficult as the rest of her life, filled with forbidden affairs and high-profile marriages [2]. It's a part of her life where she tries to seize her own power but often with unexpected results.
While "House of the Dragon" has only just begun to tell Rhaenyra's story, George R.R. Martin's book "Fire and Blood [3]" covers her entire life, from start to finish, including all of her known romances. If you don't mind a few (or many!) spoilers for the book and what might be to come on "House of the Dragon," read on for a full account of Rhaenyra's relationships [4] and how they're remembered.
Ser Criston Cole
Rhaenyra's first notable relationship is with Ser Criston Cole, her sworn shield and a member of the Kingsguard, making any relationship between them utterly forbidden. In the book, the exact nature of Rhaenyra and Criston's relationship is unknown, and different sources report different rumours. The general gist seems to be that she had a crush on him for years. One source suggests she convinces Daemon to teach her how to seduce Criston but that Criston then rejects her. Another source suggests Criston asks her to elope with him, but she rejects him as unsuitable for a princess.
Whatever the reason, a rift between them develops, which is worsened when Criston kills the closest friend of Rhaenyra's new husband, Laenor, at their wedding tourney. During the Dance of the Dragons, Criston sides with Aegon and Alicent.
"House of the Dragon" offers more clarity on what really happened between Criston and Rhaenyra. After nearly hooking up with Daemon [5] at a brothel, Rhaenyra returns to the Red Keep and, instead, convinces Criston to sleep with her. She's disappointed when he returns the next day and tries to put the night behind them, crushing her romantic hopes and foreshadowing the rift that is fast approaching.
Ser Laenor Velaryon
Laenor, the son of Corlys and Rhaenys Velaryon (and a second cousin of Rhaenyra), becomes the princess's first husband as a strategic move to unite the two most powerful houses and end the question of Rhaenyra's marriage. In the book, Laenor is not a bad man but one completely disinterested in marriage — or women at all. His best friend and "favourite" is killed at the wedding tourney, and rumours spread that he spends his time grieving his favourite rather than consummating his marriage.
Rhaenyra and Laenor's marriage produces three sons: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. Because none of the sons resemble Laenor — and because of Laenor's rumoured sexuality — rumours abound that the children are actually the sons of Ser Harwin Strong, a knight who becomes Rhaenyra's sworn shield.
In the book, Laenor dies relatively young, following a fight with one of his rumoured lovers. All three of his and Rhaenyra's sons die during the Dance of the Dragons, although two illegitimate children later appear and claim that Laenor was their father.
Ser Harwin Strong
During her reportedly unfulfiling marriage to Laenor, Rhaenyra is rumoured to have taken Ser Harwin Strong as a long-term lover. Given that she is married and he is sworn to the Kingsguard, their relationship is certainly forbidden, but it reportedly lasts for several years. Rumours also spread that all three of Rhaenyra's sons, legally the products of her marriage with Laenor, are actually Harwin's children.
Like so many things in Rhaenyra's life, her relationship with Harwin also does not end happily, at least in the book. After a fight sparked by more accusations that Harwin fathered Rhaenyra's sons, he is removed as her sworn shield. He dies later that year, along with his father, in a terrible fire at Harrenhal. The fire is reported to be an accident and blamed on a curse, but some suspect more human (and vengeful) causes.
Prince Daemon Targaryen
Rhaenyra's longest-lasting relationship is with her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen. In addition to the age gap and the incest, their relationship starts off on an especially controversial foot, with rumours that he either seduced her or taught her to seduce Ser Criston Cole, resulting in his exile. In the book, Daemon was married twice before, first to Rhea Royce, then to Laena Velaryon, sister of Rhaenyra's husband, Laenor.
However, both Velaryon siblings die, leaving Rhaenyra and Daemon both widowed and with children. Months later, Rhaenyra and Daemon marry, causing scandal with the sudden nature of their marriage and with its secrecy, performed without King Viserys's knowledge or permission. Nevertheless, their marriage is ultimately accepted, and they have two sons, Aegon and Viserys.
Daemon and Rhaenyra's relationship lasts through the Dance of the Dragons, with Daemon as Rhaenyra's staunch supporter. Ultimately, neither survives the war, but their sons both become kings in time, and their descendants continue the Targaryen royal line until the end of the royal house centuries later.