House of the Dragon

Ser Ryam was a strong Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

But he was ill for some time.

He passed in peace, I hope.

Yes, Your Grace.

He was found to have passed gently in his sleep.

His remains are being prepared by the Silent Sisters.

The succeeding Lord Commander, Ser Harrold

would like to make haste

in finding Ser Ryam's replacement on the Kingsguard.

Your Grace. My lords.

The Kingsguard must soon be restored to its full complement of seven.

With the help of the Hand

I've invited a number of fine candidates to court.

All have passed fair trials.

Four ships have now been lost.

The last one was flying my banner.

The Stepstones have now grown into a conflagration

yet you sit here and dither about court business.

If you've something to discuss, Lord Corlys...

I want to know what is to be done about my ships and my men.

The crown will compensate you for your ship and crew

and make an offering

- to the men's families. - I don't want compensation.

I want to seize the Stepstones by force

and burn out this Crabfeeder.

I am not prepared to start a war with the Free Cities.

These pirates are not the Free Cities.

Who do you think provides them with their ships and tender?

In all of its history, my lord

the Seven Kingdoms have never entered open war with the Free Cities.

Were that to happen

the losses would be incalculable.

What reason does the Crabfeeder have to fear us?

The King's own brother has been allowed to seize Dragonstone

and fortify it with an army of his Gold Cloaks.

Daemon has squatted there for over half a year

without even a protest from the crown.

I'll caution you, Lord Corlys.

A seat at the King's table does not make you his equal.

I have acted, Corlys.

I've sent envoys to Pentos and Volantis

to see if we might find common cause.

Ships and men are at the ready.

The Stepstones will be settled in time.

You have dragonriders, Father.

Send us.

It isn't that simple, Rhaenyra.

It would be a show of force.

At least the Princess has a plan.

I only meant that we should at least...

Perhaps there's some better use

for the Princess's talents, Your Grace.

Why don't you take the Princess

to see about the new Kingsguard posting

Lord Commander?

A fine idea, Your Grace.

This knight will protect you as well.

You should choose.

Ser Desmond Caron.

A fine knight, Princess.

Step forward, Ser Desmond.

Son of Ser Royce Caron

Ser Desmond has proved strong and steady

in both the tourney lists and without.

While traveling through the Kingswood on his way to King's Landing

Ser Desmond recently brought a would-be poacher to justice.

You might thank him for his leal service, Princess.

We thank you for your loyal service to the crown, ser.

Ser Rymun Mallister.

Son of Lord Lymond Mallister of Seagard.

Winner of the melee at Cider Hall.

He was the last mounted of three-and-twenty knights.

Ser Rymun was knighted at eight-and-ten.

Do any of these knights have combat experience?

Beyond capturing poachers.

Ser Criston Cole.

Son of the steward of the Lord of Blackhaven.

Be welcome, Ser Criston.

You saw combat in the Stormlands.

Dornish marches, Princess.

I fought for a year as a foot solider against the Dornish incursions.

Ser Arlan Dondarrion knighted me

after we razed two of the watchtowers along the Boneway.

I choose Ser Criston Cole.

Let's not be too hasty, Princess.

There's no doubt Ser Criston is a fine warrior

but houses such as Crakehall and Mallister

are important allies of the crown.

Seagard, for instance, is the realm's prime defense

against reavers from the Iron Islands.

Those men are tourney knights.

My father should be defended by a man who's known real combat.

Should he not?

Of course, Princess.

Well, let us plan Ser Criston's investiture then.

The Valyrian capital was built into a volcano

much like Dragonstone.

And the dragonlords, the highest of the nobility

lived here, at the volcanic face

closest to the source of their magic and power.

And this was the Anogrion.

Where the bloodmages worked their craft.

It is truly wondrous, what you've built.

Oh, no.

I only pore over the histories and provide the plans.

The stonemasons built the structures.

Do you believe that Westeros can be another Valyria, Your Grace?

That depends

whether you speak of the Freehold at its height or at its fall.

Over a thousand dragons...

a navy large enough to span the seas of the world.

The glory of Old Valyria will never be seen again.

Seven Hells.

Tell me, how is Rhaenyra?

What do you mean?

Well, these days, she doesn't say more than a few words to me.

I think she might find it difficult

to discuss personal matters.

It will take time.

It did when I lost mine own mother.

I wish she would approach me.

What if you went to her?

There are times when I would rather face the Black Dread himself

than mine own daughter of fifteen.

I think she would open herself to you if invited.

You do have such an easy way about you, Your Grace.

You do not mention our talks to Rhaenyra, do you?

I just...

I fear that she wouldn't understand them.

No, Your Grace.

It's only been half a year since my mother died

and already they tried to marry my father off

and replace me as heir.

I know those men

and how they plot in their secret councils

when I've been sent away.

You cannot worry at the matters of lords and kings, Rhaenyra.

What if your father were to remarry?

Your father loves you.

He chose you for his heir.

He didn't choose me. He spurned Daemon.

Kneel with me.

I find this is a way to be with my mother.

Here in the quiet of the Sept...

I feel close to her.

- I know it sounds foolish. - I don't think it's foolish.

- I don't. - Good.

Because I thought you might try.

Aye.

If not for me, then perhaps for them.

What do I say?

Whatever you wish.

It's only for you and the gods to know.

I want him to see me as more than his little girl.

Mine own father does not know the language of girls either.

When I wish to talk with him

I know that I must make the effort.

Thank you.

Your Grace.

I'm glad we could meet.

I know tempers ran hot today

and I wanted to assure you

how much I value the bond between our houses.

Rhaenys is my favorite cousin after all.

I wish to apologize

for the tenor at the small council today, Your Grace.

It was not my intent to make offense.

Your fleet is one of the realm's most important assets, Lord Corlys.

But you must understand...

as King, it is my obligation to avoid war

until such time it is unavoidable.

None among us desire open war.

Might I speak plainly, Your Grace?

I always welcome

the unfettered thoughts of my council.

I fear that the eyes of our enemies are presently fixed on the Red Keep.

The Queen has passed.

A girl has been named heir to the Iron Throne...

the first in its history.

The King's brother, so disinherited

has claimed the Targaryen seat on Dragonstone

without challenge.

And now, a foreign power has established a colony

in our most critical shipping lane.

You paint such an aspirant portrait of my reign, Lord Corlys.

It is an honest one, Cousin.

At the moment, the crown is perceived as being vulnerable.

And a blind incursion in the Stepstones

is the only way to demonstrate that we are not?

To elude a storm

you can either sail into it or around it.

But you must never await its coming.

Do you have a specific course of action to propose...

my lord?

Join our families.

Wed our daughter, Laena.

Unite the two great surviving Valyrian houses.

With the Targaryen dragons and the Velaryon fleet bound in blood

you can show the realm

that the crown's strongest days are ahead, not behind.