House of the Dragon addresses a longstanding mystery from Game of Thrones by explaining Dorne's successful resistance during Aegon the Conqueror's invasion of Westeros. Through the character Ormund Hightower, the show reveals that Princess Meria Martell—an elderly, blind woman—refused submission despite facing dragons and overwhelming military force. Instead of meeting the Targaryens in open battle, she implemented asymmetrical warfare strategies including sabotaging water supplies, concealing fighters in desert terrain, and strategically abandoning territory to lower her enemies' guard before striking at night.

Meria's campaign lasted 13 years and only concluded after her death initiated peace negotiations with Aegon. Within the current House of the Dragon storyline, this historical account carries contemporary significance as a tactical lesson for the ongoing Green-Black conflict. Characters reference Meria's approach as a blueprint for undermining opponents psychologically rather than through direct military engagement, demonstrating how the show weaves Westerosi history into its present-day political machinations.