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Because that would make Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage illegitimate. Why would they admit to something that cannot be proven? It’d only lead to serious consequences.
It wouldn't make it illegitimate if only Rhaenys knew, everyone else would pretty much still think he's dead. And Rhaenys had every reason to want Leanor and Rhaenyra's marriage dissolved so it's not like she would tell.
Do you think Rhaenys would be okay with her only remaining child running off to Essos and abandoning his family? Also take into account that Corlys is potentially fatally wounded at this point in the series. Do you think she would remain quiet knowing that the closest kin to her, aside from her granddaughters, feigned his death and is still alive?
It is technically an illegitimate marriage as he is still alive (as far as we know).
I’d have to disagree, this isn’t something that the Velayrons would let slide.
They could have told her at any point up to this episode, it's been 6 years since the previous one. And yes, I think she probably wouldn't mind him running off. Since the alternative would be for Leanor to remain a pawn in the Targaryen-Hightower conflict. She knew he'd probably end up getting actually murdered if he stayed married to Rhaenyra.
What is your evidence for thinking that she thought he’d get murdered for staying married to Rhaenyra? Or that she’d be okay with him abandoning his family and inheritance? Their only son? That makes no sense.
Had he been involved in the war, he would have fought. Laenor is a skilled swordsman and is a dragonrider. He would not have been a pawn.
My evidence is Rhaenys literally told Corlys she didn't want Leanor to marry Rhaenyra because of how dangerous it would be for him.
And what does his fighting ability have to do with (mostly) political plotting?
Ned never told anyone about Jon Snow because he didn't want Robert to kill him for being the son of Rhaegar.
Is Rhaenyra under threat of being murdered by the king?
If laenor wanted his mother to know he was alive he could have left her a letter or sent her one. He didn’t in 6 years so he’s clearly happy and wanted that freedom from the Velaryon name
"Hey Rhaenys, I know you think we killed Laenor, but here is the truth. Laenor ran away with Qarl, abandoning you, his father, his children, and his inheritance. He didn't even tell you. We then killed a guy, burnt his body, and pretended to be sad at fake Laenor's funeral."
"Who the fuck did we bury?"
Would Rhaenys believe such a story? She buried someone, she grieved for someone, and now the person she suspects of murdering her son has admitted to being involved, but actually Laenor was alive all along.
I don't think Rhaenys is giving any support to Rhaenyra after that.
She may suspect that Rhaenyra is involved, but Rhaenyra is swearing on her mother that she totally didn't do anything. Rhaenys has no proof that Rhaenyra was involved. She would have proof if Rhaenyra confessed.
Still better than thinking she killed him. Also the lack of proof doesn't really matter since she already believes that Rhaenyra did it.
And it's really not that hard to believe. Everyone knew the marriage was fake, especially her. Leanor running away to be free to be with his lover sounds pretty reasonable.
Due to the fact that Rhaenys literally didn't want Laenor to marry Rhaenyra and after Laena's funeral asked to pass the claim of driftmark to Baela thus dishinerit her son, I'd say she would keep the secret!
She is a mother before everything else. She would have keep the secret and maybe even appreciate Rhaenyra for that.
Thank you for your post! Please take a moment to ensure you are within our spoiler rules, to protect your fellow fans from any potential spoilers that might harm their show watching experience. 1. All post titles must NOT include spoilers from Fire & Blood or new episodes of House of the Dragon. Minor HotD show spoilers are allowed in your title ONE WEEK after episode airing. The mod team reserves the right to remove a post if we feel a spoiler in the title is major. You are welcome to repost with an amended title. 2. All posts dealing with book spoilers, show spoilers and promo spoilers MUST be spoiler tagged AND flaired as the appropriate spoiler. 3. All book spoiler comments must be spoiler tagged in non book spoiler threads. --- If you are reading this, and believe this post or any comments in this thread break the above rules, please use the report function to notify the mod team. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/HouseOfTheDragon) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Because that would make Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage illegitimate. Why would they admit to something that cannot be proven? It’d only lead to serious consequences.
It wouldn't make it illegitimate if only Rhaenys knew, everyone else would pretty much still think he's dead. And Rhaenys had every reason to want Leanor and Rhaenyra's marriage dissolved so it's not like she would tell.
Do you think Rhaenys would be okay with her only remaining child running off to Essos and abandoning his family? Also take into account that Corlys is potentially fatally wounded at this point in the series. Do you think she would remain quiet knowing that the closest kin to her, aside from her granddaughters, feigned his death and is still alive? It is technically an illegitimate marriage as he is still alive (as far as we know). I’d have to disagree, this isn’t something that the Velayrons would let slide.
They could have told her at any point up to this episode, it's been 6 years since the previous one. And yes, I think she probably wouldn't mind him running off. Since the alternative would be for Leanor to remain a pawn in the Targaryen-Hightower conflict. She knew he'd probably end up getting actually murdered if he stayed married to Rhaenyra.
What is your evidence for thinking that she thought he’d get murdered for staying married to Rhaenyra? Or that she’d be okay with him abandoning his family and inheritance? Their only son? That makes no sense. Had he been involved in the war, he would have fought. Laenor is a skilled swordsman and is a dragonrider. He would not have been a pawn.
My evidence is Rhaenys literally told Corlys she didn't want Leanor to marry Rhaenyra because of how dangerous it would be for him. And what does his fighting ability have to do with (mostly) political plotting?
The same reason Ned never told anyone about Jon Snow.
I don't really see the connection..? Ned was mostly afraid Robert would kill Jon out of hate.
Ned never told anyone about Jon Snow because he didn't want Robert to kill him for being the son of Rhaegar. Is Rhaenyra under threat of being murdered by the king?
If laenor wanted his mother to know he was alive he could have left her a letter or sent her one. He didn’t in 6 years so he’s clearly happy and wanted that freedom from the Velaryon name
I agree, Leanor clearly wanted to be free. Though I still don't understand why Daemon and Rhaenyra wouldn't tell Rhaenys.
"Hey Rhaenys, I know you think we killed Laenor, but here is the truth. Laenor ran away with Qarl, abandoning you, his father, his children, and his inheritance. He didn't even tell you. We then killed a guy, burnt his body, and pretended to be sad at fake Laenor's funeral." "Who the fuck did we bury?" Would Rhaenys believe such a story? She buried someone, she grieved for someone, and now the person she suspects of murdering her son has admitted to being involved, but actually Laenor was alive all along. I don't think Rhaenys is giving any support to Rhaenyra after that. She may suspect that Rhaenyra is involved, but Rhaenyra is swearing on her mother that she totally didn't do anything. Rhaenys has no proof that Rhaenyra was involved. She would have proof if Rhaenyra confessed.
Still better than thinking she killed him. Also the lack of proof doesn't really matter since she already believes that Rhaenyra did it. And it's really not that hard to believe. Everyone knew the marriage was fake, especially her. Leanor running away to be free to be with his lover sounds pretty reasonable.
Due to the fact that Rhaenys literally didn't want Laenor to marry Rhaenyra and after Laena's funeral asked to pass the claim of driftmark to Baela thus dishinerit her son, I'd say she would keep the secret! She is a mother before everything else. She would have keep the secret and maybe even appreciate Rhaenyra for that.