He Doomed Harrenhal Forever — And Erased His Own Bloodline: What Really Happened to Larys Strong in 'House of the Dragon'

In House of the Dragon, Larys Strong doesn't swing a sword or tame dragons. He whispers. And that's enough to keep everyone at court, from the king to the dowager queen, in constant suspense. A master of whisperers, a cripple with someone else's legs, a manipulator without friends, Larys seems to have combined the traits of two of the most insidious characters in Game of Thrones: Varys and Littlefinger. And for at least two seasons, it seemed like he would outlive everyone. It didn't work out. Be careful, spoilers ahead!

He pitted everyone against everyone — and almost won

First, he subtly gained Alicent's trust, then became King Aegon's indispensable adviser. He persuaded her to spare him, only to set her up later. He said one thing, but hinted at another. The same person considered him an ally and an enemy. He wove a web where all the threads converged on him - but it was this web that tightened around his neck.

When the "greens" were losing, he decided to change sides

After Rhaenyra's death, her sons still had a chance at the throne, and the "greens" had fewer and fewer allies. Larys, a natural politician, understood: he had to prepare for a change of course. He and Corlys Velaryon began to persuade King Aegon II to capitulate and go to the Wall. He refused. And soon he was found dead. Rumors? Poisoning? Conspiracy? What do you think?

Larys was offered the Wall - he chose the sword

When Cregan Stark entered the capital at the head of the "black" army, the purge began. But they were not tried for their side. They were tried for treason. For poisoning the king.

Corlys Velaryon miraculously received a pardon. The rest were exiled to the Wall. Larys — refused. He understood that for a cripple, the Night's Watch was not life, but agony. He chose death.

A final request - for a symbol of his weakness

Before his execution, Larys asked to be rid of his clubfoot. He wanted his body to be straight, at least in death, as it had not been in life. Cregan Stark, in the spirit of the North, personally chopped off his head. And then — a leg. It was thrown away as a symbol of his deformity. And as a symbol of his power, which rested on deformity and fear.

With him, the entire Strong family disappeared

Even before his death, Harrenhal, the Strong's domain, was destroyed. Aemond Targaryen, suspecting treason, burned everything - both people and walls. The house, once strong and cunning, disappeared. And hardly anyone shed a tear.

Larys Strong himself became a figure that was sacrificed. He wanted to be the director of history, but found himself the screenwriter of his own tragedy.