Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5.

Summary

• Helaena’s cryptic question hints at her knowledge of Aemond’s betrayal against his brother Aegon II at Rook’s Rest.
• Alicent Hightower and Helaena seem to come to the same conclusion through different means, with Helaena’s intuition playing a crucial role.
• Phia Saban’s compelling performance as Helaena shines in episode 5 of House of the Dragon, showcasing the queen’s multi-layered character.

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, Helaena Targaryen asks Aemond a vague question that seems to imply she knows what happened. The previous episode saw the Greens and Black split come to its most deadly outcome yet, with dragons fighting dragons at the Battle of Rook’s Rest. There, Aemond betrayed his older brother Aegon II, lighting him ablaze and causing him and his dragon to fall to the ground. Episode 5 sees the aftermath of this decision, with Aemond growing more powerful while his brother is severely injured and bedridden.

The episode sees Alicent Hightower, Aemond and Aegon’s mother, put two and two together, realizing what happened at the battle. While she uses logic to deduce Aemond’s motives, Helaena Targaryen also seems to understand the situation. Helaena’s words are always multi-layered, often predicting possible outcomes. Phia Saban contributes an outstanding performance in the House of the Dragon cast as the wholesome, harmless queen and episode 5 continues to let her shine.

Helaena Asking “Was It Worth The Price?” Suggests She Knows Aemond Tried To Kill Aegon

Helaena Wasn’t There, But She Seems To Know

As usual, Helaena’s words are fairly indirect, but in this case, it seems that she at least knows what’s occurred between her two brothers. Of course, she wasn’t present at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, but many of her statements are produced from her intuitions and feelings, not by logic. She does not seem to feel sorry for her husband, who lays in bed burnt to a crisp but is curious about Aemond’s feelings for it.

How Helaena Could Know About Aemond & What It Would Mean

Helaena’s Dreams Could Have Warner Her, And The Price Could Refer To The Burden Of The Iron Throne

Helaena’s dreams are generally the main source of her information, and she could’ve seen the Battle of Rook’s Rest in some sort of obscure vision. Asking, “Was it worth the price?” Has added connotation, however, as it suggests that there is a price for what Aemond has done. The price could mean the potential loss of his life or the loss of his morality, but Aemond does not see himself in a position to die and doesn’t seem to concern himself much with the morality of his actions, especially in regard to Aegon.

There seems to be an implication throughout House of the Dragon season 2 that Helaena sees the crown as being a terrible burden. Some audiences theorized during Blood & Cheese that she gave up baby Jaehaerys because she couldn’t bear to see her boy sit the throne, seeing it as a terrible thing that she wouldn’t wish upon an innocent child. With Aemond now in power, the price could refer to him now having to carry the responsibility and burden of rule. It’s all speculative for now, and there’s never one right answer with Helaena’s words.