A detail left out from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book makes the death of Rhaenys Targaryen all the more tragic in House of the Dragon season 2. Arguably the biggest death of House of the Dragon season 2 so far, Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys meet their demise at the Battle at Rook’s Rest. The combat marks the first real dragon-on-dragon battle in the eponymous Dance of the Dragons, and is the most substantial blow to Team Black and House Targaryen’s dragonpower yet.

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4’s ending, Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys are killed by Vhagar and Aemond Targaryen while fighting in the skies. Rhaenys volunteered to fly on dragonback to take down Criston Cole’s forces, but was ambushed when Aegon unexpectedly appeared on his dragon Sunfyre before Aemond subsequently revealed himself on Vhagar. While Rhaenys and Meleys could have escaped death by fleeing to Dragonstone, they turned back to face Vhagar, culminating in Meleys’ neck being fatally crushed by Vhagar and Rhaenys tragically falling to her death. Coincidentally or not, the episode’s airdate adds another tragic layer to Rhaenys’ fate.

That Big Rhaenys House Of The Dragon Twist Explained: The Decision & What It Will MeanRhaenys Died On Her Birthday In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4

Rhaenys was born on the 7th day of the 7th moon

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” aired on July 7, or 7/7. While this detail isn’t expressed in the TV show, George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book reveals that Rhaenys Targaryen was born on the “7th day of the 7th moon.” It’s unclear exactly how the Westerosi calendar lines up with that of the real world, but that description means the closest estimate to Rhaenys’ birthday is July 7. Therefore, Rhaenys Targaryen tragically died on her birthday in the real world.

Perhaps Rhaenys dying on her birthday is poetic – her final breath was spent being as badass as she had been since taking her first.

While Rhaenys died on her birthday for the calendar followed by viewers at home, it’s unlikely that it was actually the “7th day of the 7th moon” in House of the Dragon’s timeline during the Battle at Rook’s Rest. If it had been Rhaenys’ nameday during the battle in the show’s continuity, then it seems likely that Baela or Corlys would have said something about her volunteering to fight during the episode. Perhaps Rhaenys dying on her birthday is poetic – her final breath was spent being as badass as she had been since taking her first.

What The Hell, Aemond?! Why He Did THAT In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4

Aemond Targaryen makes a big, surprising decision in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, which will have a major impact on the show’s future.

Rhaenys’ Death In House Of The Dragon Explained

Rhaenys chooses to sacrifice herself instead of returning to Dragonstone

It’s difficult to believe that Rhaenys didn’t know her death was coming when volunteering to go to Rook’s Rest. She couldn’t risk Rhaenyra or Jace’s lives, and she was already battle-hardened, strategic, and willing to make a sacrifice to save House Targaryen and her granddaughters. Rhaenys decided to spare Aegon and the Greens at his coronation, but now she had made the decision to fight this war for Rhaenyra while also agreeing to attack House Targaryen’s sacred dragons and her own kin.

After fighting in the battle, Rhaenys sacrifices herself in the fashion of a Targaryen warrior, as she can’t live with abandoning her morals, engaging in a nuclear battle between dragons, contributing to the destruction of her own house, and ending the peace her grandfather had long maintained.

Regardless of how dangerous and vile Aemond and Aegon may be, House of the Dragon actress Eve Best explained that they’re still her family and she can’t live with being a kinslayer. When Rhaenys has the option to flee, she turns back around in a “kamikaze mission” to damage Team Green and help Rhaenyra as much as she can. After fighting in the battle, Rhaenys sacrifices herself in the fashion of a Targaryen warrior, as she can’t live with abandoning her morals, engaging in a nuclear battle between dragons, contributing to the destruction of her own house, and ending the peace her grandfather had long maintained.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.