After previously revealing his intentions to take King’s Landing for himself, Daemon Targaryen backtracks and bends the knee to Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 8. Ever since House of the Dragon’s series premiere, Daemon has maintained the belief that it should be him, not Rhaenyra or Aegon, who succeeds Viserys on the Iron Throne. The Rogue Prince has always desired the acceptance, power, and admiration that comes with that rule, but Daemon’s visions at Harrenhal reminded himself that what he really wanted was to be deemed worthy by his brother.

After amassing a loyal, sizable army in the Riverlands in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, Daemon finally had all the tools he needed to take the Iron Throne as he had – consciously or not – set out to accomplish. However, now revealing Alys Rivers’ true intentions at Harrenhal, Daemon’s visions ultimately compel him to drop any striving he has for the crown and completely pledge himself to Rhaenyra as the rightful Queen. By House of the Dragon season 2’s ending, a changed Daemon is genuinely acting in the interests of the realm and his house rather than himself.

Daemon Bends The Knee To Rhaenyra Because Of His Visions

Daemon Sees The Future & How Desperately It Requires Rhaenyra On The Iron Throne

Daemon Targaryen came to Harrenhal with a mindset of still wanting the crown for himself, and he marches out of the castle with a huge army of loyal Rivermen, no self-interest in the Iron Throne, complete dedication to Rhaenyra’s cause, and a new understanding of his purpose in House Targaryen’s “story.” This is all due to his visions and, arguably, psychological torture induced by Alys Rivers, whose role in this story required making Daemon see the importance of putting Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne and putting an end to his selfish, power-hungry rebellion.

Daemon had already begun seeing the error of his ways when envisioning Viserys telling him about the crushing weight and burden of the crown. However, his decision to propel Rhaenyra’s cause was officially sealed by his visions in House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale. Fully realizing a story bigger than himself, Daemon saw that the only way to secure House Targaryen’s future, bring about the Three-Eyed Raven/Bloodraven and the Prince(ss) That Was Promised, and save humanity from the White Walkers is for Rhaenyra to unite the realm on the Iron Throne – just as Viserys had wished.

Both Bloodraven/Brynden Rivers and Daenerys Targaryen directly descend from Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen’s bloodline.

Daemon Needed To Support Rhaenyra For Their Book Story To Work

Daemon Helps Rhaenyra Take King’s Landing & Sit On The Iron Throne In Fire & Blood

When Daemon told Alys that he intended to take the Iron Throne for himself, it seemed as if House of the Dragon was setting up a massive departure from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book. The book didn’t have any record of Daemon betraying Rhaenyra and striving to take King’s Landing on his own. In fact, the book suggests that Daemon was always loyal to Rhaenyra’s cause throughout the Dance of the Dragons, and even joined her to take the Iron Throne from the Greens during the Fall of King’s Landing.

Regardless of how it’s accomplished, Daemon still raises a huge army, spends substantial time in the Riverlands, and upholds Rhaenyra’s claim before she takes King’s Landing.

As such, to follow the book’s record of Daemon helping Rhaenyra take King’s Landing, he had to not only come back to her side but also be a fervent supporter of her rule. Thankfully, the show finally merged with the book’s depiction of Daemon backing Rhaenyra during House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale. Ultimately, it also means that Daemon’s earlier betrayal technically isn’t a big change from Fire & Blood. Regardless of how it’s accomplished, Daemon still raises a huge army, spends substantial time in the Riverlands, and upholds Rhaenyra’s claim before she takes King’s Landing.