Laenor Velaryon/Qarl Correy
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Laenor Velaryon/Qarl Correy |
| Alternative name(s): | |
| Gender category: | slash |
| Fandom: | A Song of Ice and Fire, House of the Dragon |
| Canonical?: | Yes |
| Prevalence: | Used often, but mostly as background |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Laenor Velaryon/Qarl Correy - is Slash pairing from Fire & Blood chronicle by George Martin and from its TV adaptation, House of the Dragon.
Canon
Laenor is first husband of Rhaenyra Targaryen, Crown Princess of Westeros, whom he married because of political reasons. Qarl Correy is lowborn knight who becomes his lover.
Book
Qarl was second known partner of Laenor Velaryon, husband of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. One chronicler claims that trio was engaging in intimate triangles, other that at nights Laenor was spending with Qarl, Princess was sleeping with her sworn-shield, Harwin Strong. Arrangment lasted around 5 years, until Laenor was reportedly killed by Qarl at fair on eyes of many people. Their fight was allegedly caused by Qarl being jealous about Laenor, but there was speculation Qarl might be paid to do it by Daemon Targaryen, widower after Laenor's sister, to left Rhaenyra free to remary - indeed she and Daemon married half year later. Qarl fled scene and his fate afterwards is unknown.
Show
Laenor and Rhaenyra's marriage lasts 10 years and by the 10th year Qarl is Laenor's lover. Correy is telling Prince consort about his fights in Stepstones and adventures Laenor wishes to go himself - but Rhaenyra opposes this, as his presence ensures that none openly questions paternity of her children, who are result of her affair but were claimed by Laenor as his. When Rhaenyra decides relocate her family to her seat of Crown Princess at Dragonstone, she encourages Laenor to take Qarl, as official reason citing they need every sword on their cite in case Greens plan to revolt.
Qarl is shown to wear clothes that are "of lord's taste", which he confirms were given - or sponsored - to him by Laenor (he says: "Ser Laenor has been kind to me").
After Rhaenyra proposes to Daemon, Prince points out they cannot wed unless her current husband is dead to which she replies she knows this. Daemon is then seen ordering Qarl "quick death" with "witnesses", offering him enough money to go into places across the Narrow Sea. One night Qarl challenges Laenor on sword duel in presence of servant, who immiediately goes to alert Laenor's parents. Turns out all of this was staged - Laenor, Qarl and Daemon leave in fireplace body of unknown man with the same brown skin as Leanor's, but with face burned beyond recognition, led everyone to believe Prince consort was killed by his partner. In the morning afterwards Daemon marries Rhaenyra, while Laenor and Qarl sail away from Westeros, presumably to "places across the Narrow Sea". What happens to them later on is unknown.
Fandom
Despite being one of two canonical gay pairings in season 1 (the other being Laenor Velaryon/Joffrey Lonmouth), Laenor/Qarl are rarely subject of fanworks. Their relationship is mostly reduced to them being plot device so Rhaenyra and Daemon's marriage could happen with Laenor either being killed/believd to be killed or eloping with Qarl.
Some fans liked idea of subverting Bury Your Gays trope and allowing Laenor to survive and to live Happily Ever After with Qarl.
Fanworks
"Do not taste the tears of Lys" [1] by Sandy Sin (2022-). Rare example of fic that gives Qarl/Laenor major role. In this story teenage Prince Aegon Targaryen (Laenor's half-brother-in-law) flees Westeros and meets Laenor and Qarl who take him home and help to adjust to new not-so-royal life, as well heal traumas of his childhood by being father figures he needed in his life.