Mysaria was Rhaenyra's prisoner at Dragonstone at the beginning of House of the Dragon - Season 2. She went from a prisoner who faced execution to Rhaenyra's closest aide and more within a couple of episodes. Mysaria carves her own path, as opposed to someone who follows the path already drawn.
Mysaria's proximity to Queen Rhaenyra is the talk of the House of the Dragon fandom. She is always at her Queen's side -- whispering things in her ear, arranging clandestine meetings, and sending food supplies in rowboats in her name. Mysaria is the master of psychological warfare, and she achieves war objectives that dragons alone cannot. Presently, she is emotionally available for Queen Rhaenyra, and there's more than just a spark between the two.
Mysaria's Story In House of the Dragon
Mysaria is first seen with Daemon Targaryen in the capacity of his paramour, cheering him when Viserys loses his infant son and the heir to the throne. Mysaria is joyful as Prince Baelon's death means Daemon is the uncontested heir to the throne. Daemon takes her to Dragonstone atop Caraxes when he squats on the island to spite his brother the King, who'd just declared Rhaenyra the heir.
Mysaria parts ways with Daemon soon after he steals a dragon egg and makes the false claim that she is pregnant and the two of them are to marry. Fearing that she is no more than a pawn to be moved about the board, Mysaria leaves Daemon's side and turns to intelligence gathering in the capital. Mysaria's agency comprises a network of spies spread in the nooks and crannies of King's Landing and within the Red Keep. She works under the alias of the White Worm and trades in the secrets of the Keep. Alicent Hightower's lady-in-waiting, Talya, is in Mysaria's employ, and she signals the King's death by lighting candles in a window.
In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9 "The Green Council," Mysaria, having taken advantage of Aegon's drunken stupor, secretes him to gain advantage. Prince Aegon is of the utmost importance to the Greens, as they plan to install him on the Iron Throne, so Mysaria arranges a deal with Otto Hightower. She sells Aegon's whereabouts to him in the presence of Ser Arryk and Erryk Cargyll in exchange for gold and the additional demand to end the trade of children being forced to fight in fighting pits for entertainment. Once again, Mysaria's stress is on the power of the citizenry and ordinary people in their Kingdom:
There is no power but what the people allow you to take.
Otto promises to keep his end of the deal, but Aegon's Lord Confessor, Larys Strong, has her establishment torched.
Mysaria's Presence At Dragonstone
Mysaria returns in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 "A Son for a Son," as the Blacks' prisoner, taken into custody by Ser Erryk Cargyll, who defects to work in Rhaenyra's Queensguard. Ser Erryk argues in her favor, vouching that she is no Hightower agent and that her arrangement with Otto was transactional. Sometime after, Daemon needs Mysaria's services because he is eager to act on Rhaenyra's command "I want Aemond Targaryen" for Luke's murder. Daemon promises to release her for any information on the spies or servants working within the Red Keep and Mysaria names her agent (Cheese), currently in Aegon II's employ, as the ratcatcher of the Red Keep.
Mysaria works her way up in the capital and goes from being a sex worker to a brothel proprietor to a sly information broker who trades in official secrets and critical information. She provides the missing pieces of the puzzle (her background information) to Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 "Smallfolk."
Mysaria And Rhaenyra Grow Closer In House of the Dragon
Rhaenyra brings Mysaria out of the prison cells in the wake of Prince Jaehaerys' murder and demands answers. Mysaria argues for her innocence and Rhaenyra clocks her in -- that she was Daemon's paramour when he previously occupied Dragonstone. Mysaria and Rhaenyra have similar experiences with Daemon, the treacherous Hightowers, They feel similarly about what it's like to hold occupations of greater authority and power. Rhaenyra spares her and asks Ser Erryk to ensure she's aboard a Velaryon ship bound for Myr.
Mysaria spots Ser Arryk (sent by Ser Criston Cole to assassinate Rhaenyra) and turns back to Dragonstone to alert the Blacks. She plays the biggest role, apart from Ser Erryk, in protecting Rhaenyra, and with this, gains the Queen's confidence. Mysaria moves onward and upward from here, listening to men who offer the Queen their counsel and offering a woman's perspective to make up for the absence of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Mysaria's story earns a greater degree of sympathy from Rhaenyra because, deep down, they have fought similar battles and faced the same challenges. The women know what it feels like to be singled out in rooms full of men. They know of the gender disparities and are aware of the things they can do to stack the odds in their favor. Mysaria and Rhaenyra are privy to the survival tactics needed to thrive in the dark underbelly of Westeros. Mysaria, determined to live again, wants a place at Rhaenyra's court, and she is granted one. Rhaenyra recognizes her as a valuable ally, and Mysaria, in return, demands that the Queen punish the Hightowers for what they did to her and those who worked under her.
What Does Mysaria And Rhaenyra's Kiss Mean?
Mysaria's comforting presence is more valuable to Rhaenyra than any lord at her court. They embrace each other in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 "Smallfolk." This turns into a spontaneous kiss, interrupted by one of the Queensguards alerting Rhaenyra about Seasmoke's new rider. Mysaria and Rhaenyra's kiss carries meaning and is a telling sign of their friendship, trust, and closeness. Rhaenyra's marriage is crumbling due to the petulance of her husband, Daemon, the same man who failed to protect Mysaria. Mysaria and Rhaenyra's forbidden romance will only take off from here and will work in their interest if kept a secret. With Mysaria, Rhaenyra has finally found the companionship she searched for in all sorts of men -- from Criston Cole to Daemon Targaryen.
House of the Dragon: The Fall Of King's Landing, Explained
Will Rhaenyra ever take King's Landing, and if so, when will it happen in House of the Dragon?
- Release Date
- August 21, 2022
- Network
- HBO
- Showrunner
- George R.R. Martin
Cast
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Matt SmithPrince Daemon Targaryen -
Fabien FrankelSer Criston Cole
WHERE TO WATCH
House of the Dragon is HBO's prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
