Who is Maelor Targaryen, the character omitted from ‘House of the Dragon’ and criticized by George R.R. Martin?

George R.R. Martin went on a rampage in a post on his official blog. The ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ author lashed out at the second season of ‘House of the Dragon’, causing a media tsunami on the Internet. HBO gave him a slap on the wrist and the article disappeared shortly thereafter, although his words were already everywhere. The author was angry about the changes that had been made to the novel, but most of all he was angry that Maelor Targaryen had been ignored.

Season 2 of this “Game of Thrones” spin-off features a dynastic conflict between the two Targaryens who aspire to rule. Although the king has named Rhaenyra as his heir, the court conspires to give the crown to the first-born male son, Aegon II Targaryen. Married to his sister Helena, the two conceive Maelor, their third child. One night, the queen tucks her three sons into bed, unaware that a terrible event is about to take place. The assassins Blood and Cheese infiltrate the castle and catch Helaena unawares. Then they present her with an impossible choice: which of her sons should they kill?

A tragic journey

In Blood and Fire, the queen weeps and murmurs Maelor’s name. But blood beheads Jaehaerys, the heir to the Iron Throne. George R.R. Martin has hinted that Maelor Targaryen will not be in the series, so he fears a butterfly effect of changes. The novel tells the story (spoilers ahead) that when Rhaenyra Targaryen’s dragons appeared in King’s Landing, Lord Larys Strong took the children out of the city through a secret passage. He then ordered Ser Rickard Thorne to take care of Maelor. The goal was to take him to his grandfather, the former Hand of the King, Otto Hightower.

The party never reached their destination as the mob found the prince’s dragon egg, leading to a scuffle and the death of Ser Rickard. Little Maelor was adopted by the washerwoman Willow of the Stones, but the boy did not survive. One version says he was crushed by his new mother’s embrace, another says he was torn to pieces by the butcher. Either way, Maelor’s head made it to King’s Landing.

‘House of the Dragon’ has been renewed for a third season, which will not air until 2025. The spin-off planned for next year is ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’.

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