It was true in the real world, too. Royal families often married within their own families. The ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, Japanese, Koreans, Hawaiians, Incas, Aztec, Africans, Thai, and European royal families all intermarried to maintain their royal bloodlines.
Possibly. There were some theories that Daemon slept with Alicent Hightower. Wouldn't be surprised if he screwed things up. Tbh Idk how it would have been if Rhaenyra married Aegon. Maybe it would've worked or prolonged the possible conflict.
It ends up a Tommen Margaery book situation. Aegon likely does eventually end up being the one to sit the throne, but after years of growing up heeding Rhaenyra’s advice, she would be the ruler in truth.
I don't think their marriage would be completely miserable, though definitely not the happiest. Rhaenyra's very beautiful, and Aegon respected and even supported his sister for a short time (until his mind was poisoned). I believe the EmpyreanSpeaks' theory that Aegon would crush on his sister similar to how she had a crush on their uncle. I honestly doubt he'd find it hard to give her a surprising number of heirs and be under her thumb. He still gets to drink and do absolutely nothing (which is what he ultimately wants). High Towers get what they want with their blood on the throne. And I also don't believe that the Velaryons would start the dance themselves. They're just not that evil enough to slay their own kin. (I mean it's not like they can't marry into the crown in the future). And Daemon truly respects his family, so he just may not revolt. This political move could've been the best thing for the realm/kingdom.
Always makes me laugh when Aemond says he’d marry Helaena if Alicent had betrothed them…to “keep our Velaryon blood pure.” I want to say to him, “Dude! You’re half Hightower; your ‘Velaryon blood’ is ALREADY TAINTED.”
They don't talk about blood purity in absolute terms because there aren't actual pure blood Valyrians in this generation. Aemond marrying Helaena would preserve the blood purity they currently have. That's what he means.
If Aegon II had married Rhaenyra and Viserys still kept Rhaenrya as the "Heir"... Otto would probably have Rhaenrya killed so Aegon could be the one to actually sit on the "throne" instead of being king consort and then you could say House Hightower would be ruling Westeros through Aegon.
What people miss about this concept is that Aegon could’ve actually grown up to be a good man if he’d been betrothed to Rhaenyra and she had actually made an effort to be in his life.
A few points...Harwin would still die he was ahead of Larys in Succession and larys wanted to be the head of his house. Two if Harwin wasn't and he was still with rhaenyra she would most likely be infertile. its implied that mood tea when used has a chance of causing long term pregnancy and fertile issues that heavy used would lead to her not being able to conceive. Which would make it even more easier for her to be usurped.
I don't see how the greens wouldn't have support of the lanisters because the Lannisterrs are still going to ve treated poorly by viserys at the hunt. why wouldn't aegon be able to make babies with rheanyra when, he is a literal horndog baby maker. and why would rheanyra have to make babies with strong and risk her kid's, her lives when she doesn't have to. even if she didn't like aegon she probably would and xan make babies with him. the greens would not sit back as aegon is getting cuked, and their influence stolen. lords like house baratheon, lanister and reach lords. would have some leway in allegence if they have a good enough pretext and something to gain from the usurpation.
Possibly a hot take, but I welcome the Dance and the Hightower's part in it. It's what Westeros needed to reclaim their lands from the Dragon Overlords. Have them kill off all their dragons themselves, and reclaim their lands with a non-Targaryen (albeit Robert does have some Targ lineage) on the throne.
I agree the Dance of the dragons still happens due to an assassination orchestrated by either Damon or the Greens but I think it's an overall happier timeline. With your timeline I think the strong bastards would be betrothed to Helena's kids to keep the Targaryen Genes in house and prevent future conflict.
I think Rhaenyra and Daemon will still have an affair.. Harwin had her because Daemon wasn't around.. As soon as Daemon is back I think he'd still be intimate with Rhaenyra
Rhaenyra may be queen in still storyline but Aegon is and will always be a predator/assault women especially with that temper. She would unfortunately have Aegons kids when they came of age
If Aegon II had married Rhaenyra, there would have been no Dance, no story! But then, Alicent Hightower wouldn't have agreed to such a marriage, even if Aegon was up for it!
If Aegon II had married Rhaenyra and Viserys still kept Rhaenrya as the "Heir"... Otto would probably have Rhaenrya killed so Aegon could be the one to actually sit on the "throne" instead of being king consort and then you could say House Hightower would be ruling Westeros through Aegon.
@@aaroncohen2700 I've read the book and didn't remember this! Thanks for reminding me.😀 TBH, Alicent's idea would have been perfect all round, had it been taken up. Both halves of the Targaryen would have been reunited in the marriage bed, the Targaryen tradition of wedding brother to sister would have been maintained, Rhaenyra would have been queen, and if the couple had been allowed to rule jointly, Alicent would have seen her son on the throne, whilst Aegon II himself could have sat back, so to speak, and let Rhaenyra do all the work of ruling. Those who swore fealty to Rhaenyra would have got their Queen, whilst those who felt a man should rule, would have Aegon II. Finally, the fact that Rhaenyra and Aegon II were half siblings might well have introduced fresh genes into the Targaryen line and staved off the effects of so much in-breeding for a little longer. But of course, as I said in my initial comment, such a solution would mean the Dance of the Dragons would never have happened, and the story, as we know it, wouldn't exist. Still, it's nice to speculate on what might have happened if Book-Alicent had got her way!
