Everything we know about Meleys “The Red Queen” from House of the Dragon

Season 2 of House of the Dragon will show us some huge battles early on in the season. One of the first conflicts where Team Green’s dragons will clash with Team Black’s is Rook’s Rest. During this battle, we will see Aegon and Aemond team up to fight Princess Rhaenys.

This means we will also see Rhaenys fight alongside her dragon, Meleys, for the first time. Meleys caused quite a stir among fans during Season 1 of House of the Dragon. Rhaenys, astride her dragon, attacked Aegon during his coronation in a scene created especially for the series. Both Rhaenys and Meleys are set to be a huge part of Season 2, and that Season 1 scene will come full circle. Here’s everything we know about Meleys, the Red Queen.

Read More: Eve Best (Rhaenys) talks about her audition process for House of The Dragon

Who is Meleys, The Red Queen?

Credits: Samuel Cuadrado

Meleys was a she-dragon ridden by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons. The dragon was named “The Red Queen” because of her brilliant red scales.

Meleys also had a crest, horns, and claws, which were bright red as copper. Westerosi historians described Meleys as a “splendid” and “magnificent” dragon.

Meleys was among the most agile dragons in Westeros. However, during the Dance of the Dragons, she had grown lazy, as she had not seen battle for a long time. Even so, she was still formidable when roused.

Before Princess Rhaenys, another dragonrider rode atop The Red Queen. This was Princess Alyssa Targaryen, who was the aunt of Rhaenys.

Meleys originally lived in the Dragonpit and had never been ridden during King Jaehaerys I’s reign. That was until Jahaerys’ daughter, Princess Alyssa Targaryen, became a dragonrider.

Alyssa initially wanted to ride Balerion, the Black Dread. The dragon keepers told her that Balerion was too old and slow and convinced her that a much swifter mount would suit her.

Therefore, Alyssa ended up claiming Meleys. After this, she frequently traveled to the Dragonpit to visit her dragon. Alyssa and Meleys were incredibly agile and swift in the air.

She outpaced both Vhagar and Caraxes, the mounts of Alyssa’s brothers, Baelon and Aemon. When Alyssa had her sons Viserys and Daemon, she took them flying on Meleys as babies. After Princess Alyssa died, Meleys remained riderless for a long time.

Read More: Getting Ready for House of The Dragon : Meet The Dragons – Part 1

During the Dance of the Dragons

Princess Rhaenys claimed Meleys in 87 AC. In 89 AC, she accompanied her grandfather, King Jaehaerys, on his royal progress to the Shield Islands. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon in 90 AC and arrived at her wedding riding Meleys.

During the Dance of the Dragons, Princess Rhaenys sided with the Blacks and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. In the House of the Dragon TV series, Princess Rhaenys was at King’s Landing during the coronation of King Aegon II.

She managed to reach Meleys, who was in the Dragonpit. Riding Meleys, she burst from the bottom of the royal courtroom where Aegon’s coronation occurred. At that point, Meleys faced King Aegon and the entire Green faction.

She could have killed them all in one fell swoop, preventing the whole war. However, Rhaenys decided not to take any action and flew away on Meleys’ back to warn Rhaenyra and the Blacks.

In Fire and Blood, Lord Corlys and the Velaryon fleet closed off the stretch of water known as the Gullet between Dragonstone and King’s Landing. They sailed between Dragonstone and Driftmark, blocking all shipping for the Blackwater Bay.

The Blacks planned to have Rhaenys fly overhead on Meleys to keep the Greens from attacking the ships with their dragons.

During the Battle of Rook’s Rest, the army of the Greens, led by Ser Criston Cole, laid siege to the castle. At this time, Princess Rhaenys and Meleys flew to lend aid in the fight.

Cole’s archers attacked Meleys, and the troops fired iron bolts at her using giant scorpion artillery. In response, Meleys shot flames at the soldiers in a rage.

Read More: House of The Dragon wows viewers with a brief look at Vhagar at the European Premiere

The Death and Legacy of Meleys

The siege at Rook’s Rest turned out to be a ploy by the Greens to lure Rhaenys into battle. As Meleys was breathing fire at the assembled army, both Prince Aemond and King Aegon arrived at the battle astride Vhagar and Sunfyre.

Meleys may have stood a chance against Vhagar alone but would not have any chance of winning against Sunfyre and Vhagar combined. The three dragons clashed in a violent tussle thousands of feet in the air, and the fireballs they breathed were as bright as the very sun.

During the fight, Meleys managed to bite down on Sunfyre’s neck just as Vhagar crashed into the two of them. The three dragons then crashed into the ground. The impact caused shockwaves that led to stones from the battlements of Rook’s Rest crashing down on the ground half a league away.

The only unharmed survivors of this battle were Aemond and Vhagar. Sunfyre suffered grievous injuries as Meleys managed to rip half his wing off. King Aegon, on the other hand, had broken ribs, a broken hip, and major burns all over his body.

Meleys herself did not survive the battle. When she hit the ground, her body was torn to pieces. Rhaenys Targaryen’s body was also found next to the carcass of Meleys. The body was said to be burnt so black that it could scarcely be identified as Rhaenys.

King Aegon’s forces brought back the severed head of Meleys to King’s Landing. They transported it through the city on a cart, a spectacle that caused the small city to be awed into silence.

Read More: Getting Ready For House of The Dragon : Meet The Dragons – Part 2

 

If you have any important filming news about House of the Dragon, or if you want to collaborate with us or want to write for us, please drop us a message here.

 

Official House of the Dragon Merchandise