Celebrating the women of House of the Dragon
Lady Laena Velaryon (played by Savannah Steyn)
Lady Laena Velaryon is a member of a powerful seafaring family. Daughter of Princess Rhaenys and Lord Corlys Velaryon, she is raised at Driftmark with her brother Laenor. Her heritage runs true: from her mother she inherits the ethereal beauty of the Targaryens as well as the ability to ride dragons. From her father, she gets strength of will. Laena is determined, free-spirited and fiery, as can be seen by her choice of mount; Laena claims the oldest and largest dragon alive, Vhagar, as her own, who had once belonged to Queen Visenya herself. Her maester wrote that as a teenager Laena showed far more interest in flying than boys.
Laena’s weaker claim to the Iron Throne is discarded by the Council at Harrenhal in 101 AC. Still, many lords of Westeros consider her a worthy bride for King Viserys, but that option too is discarded. Ultimately, Laena chooses to marry Prince Daemon Targaryen… after he kills her betrothed, the son of the Sealord of Braavos. Laena proves wise in her choice, for she is the perfect match for her rebellious husband. The two of them fly their dragons across the Narrow Sea to Essos and return to Driftmark after the birth of their twin daughters; there they become even closer to Princess Rhaenyra. According to some sources, Laena and her cousin the princess are lovers; according to others, the three of them are in a loving polyamorous relationship.
Whatever its exact nature, their genuine friendship cannot be denied. We’ll see which version of their relationship House of the Dragon chooses to represent.
Baela and Rhaena Targaryen (rumored to be played by Bethany Antonia, Shani Smethurst and Eva Ossei-Gerning)
Twins Baela and Rhaena are the daughters of Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon. The two are identical and inseparable as children.
As a teen, Baela — the more adventurous of the two — cuts her hair so it won’t fall in her face when she rides her dragon Moondancer. A bit of a mischievous tomboy and every inch her father’s daughter, Baela can often be found training, playing with squires or getting herself in trouble. She grows up at Driftmark, her grandfather’s seat. During the Dance, she splits her time between there, Dragonstone and King’s Landing. She loves her family dearly and is loyal to her stepmother Rhaenyra, her sister and her cousins, particularly Rhaenyra’s son Prince Jacaerys, to whom she is betrothed.
Rhaena is the more ladylike of the two. She prefers dancing to dragon-riding, although she adores her dragon. Her first hatchling dies and Rhaena prays for another one for years. She sleeps with her dragon egg every night until Morning is born.
Rhaena resembles her mother, although she is more placid. Like her sister, she dotes on her brothers and cousins, but she is sent away from them during the civil war for her protection, staying in the Vale. Despite their different nature, both girls love spending time at court and are considered the darlings of the realm.