Was Alyssa Targaryen the Hidden Lannister Bastard in Game of Thrones?

The complex web of political intrigue and familial relationships in the Game of Thrones universe has kept fans guessing about the true identities and heritage of many characters. Among these riddles is the question of whether Alyssa Targaryen, a character mentioned in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, could have been a secret Lannister bastard from Queen Alysanne Targaryen.

Key Historical Context

Alysanne Targaryen was a queen consort of the Targaryen dynasty, wife of King Jaehaerys I. It is established in the text that she had significant personal connections to the Targaryen family, specifically her husband and her family through her sister, Rhaena. However, after reading Fire and Blood, some fans and scholars have proposed several theories pertaining to Alyssa Targaryen's true parentage, viz., that she might have been a Lannister bastard sired by Jaime Lannister (Alysanne's cousin) during her time at the Red Keep or Dragonstone.

Factional Relationships

It is notable that Alysanne Targaryen was deeply committed to the Targaryen lineage, using her birth as the year of the Great Spring Celebration and her death as a further rumination on the cycle of life. This dedication aligns with her alignment and character in Game of Thrones. In the text, it is mentioned that Queen Alysanne loved Jaehaerys and bore him approximately 13 children. Alyssa, born in the middle of this marriage, fits into this timeline. Given the Targaryen royal bond, there is significant doubt about why she would be fathered by someone outside the family.

Physical Description and Speculation

Alyssa Targaryen is described as blonde with mismatched eyes – one violet and one green. While this could potentially align with a Lannister heritage, her resemblance to the Targaryen eyes would suggest paternity within the Targaryen family.

It is often implied that Prince Aemon the Dragonknight was the true bastard of the Lannisters, but not Alysanne Targaryen. This consideration forces us to question whether the Lannisters, including Jaime, were privy to this family secret. Historical records during Alysanne's reign at the Red Keep and Dragonstone do not show a significant romantic entanglement with a Lannister. Alysanne's sister, Rhaena, is known to have spent considerable time at Casterly Rock but left due to her dislike of Lord Lannister, suggesting further estrangement.

Historical Records and Evidence

In the text of Fire and Blood, Alysanne was deeply involved in the affairs of the realm and would have spent considerable time at the Red Keep, the location of Alyssa's birth. While cold and hard winters might have resulted in Alysanne staying at the Red Keep or Dragonstone, there is no explicit mention of a significant Lannister presence that might have prompted a secret union.

Moreover, Alysanne's personality and actions are not that of someone who would be easily entangled in an affair. The single reference to her not being flirtatious with anyone supports the theory that her personal relationships were with the Targaryen family and not the Lannisters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the question of whether Alyssa Targaryen was a hidden Lannister bastard remains a subject of speculation and discussion among fans and scholars, the textual evidence and character portrayal in Fire and Blood do not strongly support this theory. The dedication of Alysanne to the Targaryen family, her physical resemblance to Targaryen eyes, and her documented interactions throughout her life provide compelling reasons to believe that Alyssa was a legitimate Targaryen child.

Regardless of the answer to this intriguing question, the complex tapestry of Game of Thrones continues to captivate and challenge fans with countless layers of mystery and intrigue.