The best heir of House Targaryen has perished! The Trial of the Seven leaves a chilling impression!

For those who have watched Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the image of House Targaryen is deeply ingrained. To preserve the pure silver-haired bloodline, close-kin marriages were common, resulting in many rulers being somewhat "mad." Each time a Targaryen is born, the gods seem to toss a coin into the air, and the entire world holds its breath to see how it lands! However, in the prequel The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there is an almost perfect Targaryen heir: Prince Baelor the Breaker of Spears! A champion of knightly virtues, humble, generous, kind, and wise—a prince widely respected. He seems unique across Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and this series, and the actor portrayed Baelor’s character flawlessly. Yet perhaps because of his black hair, under Martin’s pen, no black-haired Targaryen ever survives to the end!

This recalls the story of the previous generation’s Blood and Fire, where Rhaenys Targaryen’s eldest son, Jacaerys, also had black hair. During the Black and Green conflict, young Jace gained much support for his mother, mastering politics to protect his family. Unfortunately, the Targaryen dynasty never had a black-haired king; ultimately, he and his dragon were lost to the sea. The Black and Green struggle ended when House Stark of the North, led by Duke Craggen Stark, raised a northern army to march on King’s Landing, fulfilling a promise to the late Jacaerys—a testament to the respect held for him. Returning to the Trial of the Seven story!

In the storyline at the God's Eye’s Whispering Wood, Baelor respected every opponent, whether they were mercenaries or others. He remembered his adversaries and thus vouched for Duncan. He genuinely admired this tall, shy, and earnest knight and supported anyone who upheld the chivalric spirit. That’s why he was willing to fight for Duncan in the Trial of the Seven!

This ancient trial was not extensively shown in the TV series, with many details hidden in the shadows. The one-eyed knight Robin Rowe was the first to unhorse Daeron Targaryen, a prince fond of drinking who never wanted to be a knight and only participated to help Duncan score points. After falling, he pretended to be dead until the duel ended! Humphrey Beesbury (the Yellow Beard) was killed in the first round on horseback by Donal of the Kingsguard from Moat Cailin—showing the elite strength of the Kingsguard! Baelor Targaryen defeated Roland Crakehall, while Humphrey Hightower was severely wounded by another Kingsguard. The Laughing Storm, Lyonel Baratheon, badly injured Kingsguard William Wylde. Robin Rowe was defeated by Meleks Targaryen. Young Apple, Raymont Fossoway, was lightly wounded but defeated his cousin Rotten Apple, Stephen Fossoway. Tall Duncan fell but managed through sheer will and strength to defeat Elyon Targaryen!

This rare Trial of the Seven ended with Duncan’s victory. What seemed like a hopeful conclusion turned tragic with Baelor’s fall, causing House Targaryen to lose its finest heir. Baelor was struck on the back of the head by his brother Meleys’s hammer—an accident, but one that haunted him with the guilt of “kin-slaying” for life. From Meleys to Aegon V, then Jaehaerys II, and finally the infamous Mad King Aerys II—the decline of the Targaryens was truly a step-by-step march toward the end. House of the Dragon lost its dragons, and The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms lost its best heir! Baelor’s fate is truly regrettable!