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Rhaenyra X Harwin - Blog Posts
HotD episode 6 was astonishing, I had been unsure of the flow now that the first segment was over but I have been left completely satiated.
My mind was raging by the end of the episode and I couldn't help but awe at the subte portrayals the show holds mastery over.
Once again, the main theme of how a dragon can never be subdued is reflected so calmly yet powerfully.
The true power of House Targaryen over House Valerion.
We first see this in the conversation between Daemon and Leana at the table with the other lords. Laena's wish to decline the offer is ever so silently disregarded. The frame where Daemon's hand rests on top of Laena's, wearing a ring which symbolizes royalty.
We see this yet again, when Rhaenyra has been holding back her anger (even having tears in her eyes) and finally unleashes on Laenor and commands him to remain at her side.
The episode also reflected certain cruel ironies...
Alicent's children only wearing green, symbolizing their mother's banner of war still stands proud while Rhaenyra's children wear blue... the color of Ser Harwin's eyes.
Ser Harwin's created life due to his affliction with a dragon (targaryen), yet rather than being protected by it, he was killed by fire. (I really loved seeing him as a father and I wish we could've gotten more scenes of him with the boys).
Alicent trying to bring back Otto Hightower as the hand only gave light to one cruel fact...Even partiality is fair when it's in favor of our own.
Laena's death was by no means less than that of a dragon rider. While the battle she fought was different, I'm glad Vhagar honored her command. (Her death really brought me to tears) Nevertheless, I'm glad that Daemon refused to make a choice on her behalf. Atleast in that sense, he is better than his brother.
I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show.
Link to previous post:
https://at.tumblr.com/strollthroughstars29/coming-to-the-feast/hzcat81w8qxu
This episode, not only as the end of an era but the beginning of one, serves its purpose in being the most symbolic, yet breathtaking depiction of what growth feels like. As always, House of The Dragon, does not fail to properly enchant it’s viewers. I, for one, am extremely invested and interested in knowing if it maintains its magnificence.
Episode 5 of House of The Dragon marks the end of one phase and the beginning of another, not just a new chapter but a whole book.
Needless to say, the episode in itself was phenomenal and as always I've got quite a few things to say, or rather, point out.
A targaryen can never be nameless, ser Criston had already marked a path that Rhaenyra wouldn't walk upon. I see the origin of his fury. His proposal wasn't out of love, it originated out of regret and desperation to save his dignity.
We once again see the display of absolute dominance by the Targaryen's when Viserys stated that Rhaenyra's children may be born Valarion but they shall rule as Targaryens.
And again, when Viserys refuses to accept a chair in Corlys' throne room as no king, (especially not one residing on the iron throne) shall ever sit beneath another.
We finally see Otto sow the seed of Rhaenyra's betrayal in Alicent's mind which is further watered by ser Criston, (just because he wasn't patient enough to let Alicent complete her sentence).
I loved the subtle comparison of Alicent to the flowers which thrive where they aren't supposed to. She was expected to wither without her father by her side, but instead further solidifies herself as a formidable force by wearing her house's colors of war to Rhaenyra's betrothal celebration.
An enchanting parallel was drawn between the carriage ride in episode 3 and one in episode 5, both times Rhaenyra is treated as a commodity to benefit the realm. Earlier, she was expected to be a paragon of virtue and behave like an ideal sister (during Aegon's 2nd name day) and this time, she is expected to marry for the sake of an alliance between house Valarion and Targaryen.
We also see that Rhaenyra has completely forsaken the necklace gifted to her by Daemon as she attempts to erase him from both her subconscious and physical self.
I, for one, loved the phrase dining as we see fit because not only did Rhaenyra dine very well last episode, she wishes to continue to do so after, which again highlights how she loves to be in control.
Coming to the feast.
The entry of House Valarion gave me literal chills!! (I would be lying to say that I didn't start clapping tbh)
Daemon's entry was extremely symbolic of his mistakes. Last time, he entered with Rhaenyra walking by his side but now, he walks alone, TOWARDS Rhaenyra.
I have to applaud Daemon for coming back to king's landing (while in exile), to attend a feast (he certainly wasn't invited to), and to try and tempt the bride (his literal neice) to chose him instead. He not only dances with said bride but also proceeds to (almost???) Kiss her in front of her father (his brother) AND GET AWAY WITH IT.
(Rhaenyra tempting him like this didn't help either, but I loved each second of it)
(Viserys' face here is so funny)
And finally...
Alicent's entry was breathtakingly powerful, I couldn't take my eyes off her. I even felt an urge to bow, I believe she brought a perfect end to the chapter of her trying to reconcile with Rhaenyra and finally having enough.
(My fav scene, undoubtedly!l)
I have not read the books and all my interpretations are solely based on the series.
“ And I lost you (choose you). The one I was dancin' with....
And how the blood rushed into my cheeks, so scarlet, it was (maroon)...
The lips I used to call home, so scarlet, it was (maroon).
And I wake with your memory over me. That's a real fucking legacy to leave.”
This song is SO Rhaenyra and Harwin.
OKAY HARWIN STRONG WOULD NEVER RAISE HIS HANDS ON RHAENYRA AND CHOKE HER
Fuck you, Daemon, honestly, FUCK YOU
I painted Rhaenyra Targaryen and Harwin Strong as Hellelil and Hildebrand from Frederic William Burton's The Meeting on the Turret Stairs. I struggled a bit with this painting, but it's my first master's study, so I'm actually proud of finishing it.
FYI this is available as a sticker on redbubble! Only a sticker because I made the original illustration in a weird size.
so wholesome 😌
Anyways, one of my favourite interactions in 1.06 is Lucerys asking ‘father’ to hold Joffrey and both Laenor & Harwin reacting without hesitation.
gif credit: @fireandbloodsource (x)
Male!Baratheon!OC x Male!Targaryen!OC (A/B/O AU)
Prince Aeganyx Targaryen, Son of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn, Younger Brother of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Rider of Sliverwing. (In this AU, Rhaenyra is the heir to the Iron Throne and everything happened like the original timeline and female alphas can get pregnant). Aeganyx was an Omega and pregnant and the only people who knew was Rhaenyra, Daemon, Robert, Laenor, Rhaenys, Corlys, Lucerys, Jacaerys, Rhaena, Baela and Harwin.
Robert Baratheon, Son of Lord Borros Baratheon and the only boy out of four sisters. He was an Alpha and the Secret Lover of Prince Aeganyx and the Father of his children.
(I might write a story about this and if I did they might be few changes to the original timeline and also they might be some gay and lesbian ships in the story 😓)
I miss them...
YEAH WITH ALL THE CHAOS AND DRAMA, MENTALLY IM HERE.
I love them and i love this.
The Weirwood Files: Rhaewin (Rhaenyra x Harwin)
Subject: A defense of Harwin Strong and an analysis of his relationship with Rhaenyra.
I want my first real post to be a deep dive into the beautiful relationship that is Rhaenyra x Harwin, a relationship that team green considers shameful, while team black (mostly staunch daemyras), finds it shallow and boring. I believe both interpretations are incorrect, as even with their limited screen time together, Emma and Ryan managed to tell a beautiful love story, even in just the way they looked at one another. With a single look, so much was said without a word being spoken.
One thing that Rhaewin has begun to get criticism for lately, is the idea that Harwin is no better than any other man in Rhaenyra’s life, that he too has groomed and taken advantage of her, that perhaps he is no “saint” as he seems to be treated by the fandom.
The truth is, there is nothing within the canon to suggest this. The first moment we get between them is when we see Harwin giving Rhaenyra an encouraging look after she returns from killing the boar. Nothing here implies he is lusting after her. Instead, Harwin merely just stands out as being the only one at the hunt to look at her with admiration while everyone stares in confusion or judgment.
The next two scenes we are given of them also definitely don’t have any hint of predatory behavior from Harwin. He runs into her after she snuck out with Daemon and presumably decides to keep her secret, and the one after that he carries her away out of the chaos during her wedding after being given permission by his father, the hand.
There is no canon evidence to support Harwin groomed her. Grooming implies a pattern of behavior over time that we do not see from Harwin. He and Rhaenyra have no pre existing relationship before they conceive Jace, Harwin does not even put himself forward for her hand during her marriage tour. Harwin does not commit any predatory actions towards Rhaenyra.
This quote by Sara Hess is the closest we have to an official canonical description of Harwin, and while granted, Hess has said her fair share of questionable things in the past, there is nothing in the canon that disputes what she said.
“He’s one of the more unambiguous characters, he’s just a good dude. You don’t see him off doing morally questionable things, which almost everybody else is doing. They’re so flawed and human and messy. He was able to be a paragon of decency and generosity and handsome strength. He’s one of the guys you could just love and feel great about loving and then he’s ripped from you too soon, before he does anything that could fuck that up for you. He’s our perfect angel.”
With this settled, I want to move on to their actual love story. We know they did not have much time together before they conceived Jace, considering the timeline of events. What we can put together at least, is that Rhaenyra was in a vulnerable position with Laenor. After they tried several times to conceive and failed, she needed to secure her position quickly and found solace in Harwin, who proved himself to be one of the only trusted figures she had in court.
The next time we see Rhaewin is after the time jump. They have already had two beautiful sons together and another has just been born. Despite this implied intimacy, they have to hide their affections, only able to give each other coy smiles and a playful line here and there. Harwin holds their newborn son and Rhaenyra looks at the sight with adoration, yet also a hint of sadness, as if she is thinking of a world where they could be open about their love. In the night, they are in each other’s arms and make sons, princes of the realm. Yet in the day, these stolen moments are all they can afford.
The next time we see Harwin, he points out Criston Cole’s lack of care in his son’s training. He attempts to teach Jace as distantly as he can, and it is very clear he is increasingly frustrated with only being able to go so far in his son’s teachings. In the end, Cole still provokes him, and Harwin unleashes his anger on him. All the pain and frustration of only being able to love Rhaenyra and their children from afar is let out in the form of this beatdown on Cole.
It would not follow without consequence however. Harwin is ordered to leave his position as Commander of the City Watch and go back to Harrenhal, away from Rhaenyra, away from their sons. Ryan Corr does an amazing job in this scene and you can just feel his utter devotion when he says one of my favorite lines from the show “you have your honor, and I have mine”.
In a world where conceiving bastards is considered sinful and shameful, Harwin sees their union as one of love and honor. His sons are not treacherous reminders of sin and lust, but worthy princes born of love.
Rhaenyra and Harwin’s final scene together is one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the show. Rhaenyra is losing one of the only trusted figures she has in court, the man she sought comfort in and who fathered her three sons, and Harwin is losing everything that means the most to him. And once again, despite the privacy, despite the fact that this is their last moment together, they still cannot be open about their love. There is no final kiss goodbye, not even a hug. There is only a single look between them that says all we need to know, and a hopeful promise that Harwin will return.
One of the most tragic things about this scene is that Jacaerys picks up on everything between them. He sees the looks shared between them, the desire for a hug or a kiss, he sees it all and he knows what it means. His mother and father have a love story that they can never tell anyone about, not even their own son.
TL;DR: Rhaewin is a beautiful yet tragic twist on the knight and princess love story trope. Those that see this relationship as shameful have had their brains rotted by team discourse who buy into the “bastardphobia” present in universe (despite the fact that that is constantly criticized by the narrative itself), and wave it away as a “mistake”. There is nothing at all shameful about their relationship, and their sons were not made of sin, but of love. Rhaewin is also far from boring or shallow, to say this is to insult the work done by Emma and Ryan. There is a very beautiful, and rich love story between these two characters for those that have eyes to see it.