House of the Dragon Episode 14: The Red Dragon and the Gold

Rhaenyra Targaryen returns to Dragonstone after days away, confronting a fractious Black Council where her son Jacaerys Velaryon expresses frustration over her absence and the lords' bickering in her and Daemon's stead. She shares with Jace the prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror about a threat from beyond the Wall, urging him to unite the realm if she falls, then asserts her authority by steadying the council amid reports of Ser Criston Cole's army marching on Rook's Rest.

Meanwhile, in the Riverlands, Daemon Targaryen experiences haunting visions, including one where he imagines beheading young Alys Rivers after she challenges him, only to awaken with blood on his hands. The next morning at Harrenhal, he hosts Ser Simon Strong and Ser Willem Blackwood, who pledges House Blackwood's armies to Rhaenyra if House Bracken pays for their treachery; Daemon sees the likeness of his late wife Laena in a servant girl.

In King's Landing, a despondent King Aegon II Targaryen faces doubt from his Small Council and mother Alicent Hightower, who advises him sternly to do nothing as war looms. Defiant and seeking to prove himself, Aegon visits the Dragonpit, mounts his dragon Sunfyre, and flies toward Rook's Rest without informing anyone.

Rhaenys Targaryen volunteers to defend Rook's Rest on her dragon Meleys, departing Dragonstone with Lord Corlys Velaryon, who rebukes the squabbling lords. At the battle, Cole's Green army besieges the castle; Rhaenys arrives and burns many soldiers with Meleys' fire.

Aegon and Sunfyre join the fray, initially aiding the Greens by engaging Rhaenys and Meleys. Aemond Targaryen then ambushes from above on Vhagar, first blasting Aegon and Sunfyre, who crash wounded into the forest below, horrifying Criston who rides to the site.

Rhaenys circles back as Aemond pursues; Meleys and Vhagar clash mid-air, exchanging dragonfire and tumbling toward the ground, sowing panic among the fleeing Green army. Meleys breaks free just above the earth and flies away, while Vhagar crashes violently onto the battlefield, crushing numerous soldiers and knocking Criston unconscious.

Aemond lands near the wreckage of Aegon and Sunfyre, takes a Valyrian steel dagger, and departs, leaving Criston with his badly injured brother. Alicent, meanwhile, seeks "special tea" from the Grand Maester and pores over history books, grappling with Rhaenyra's earlier words.