Quick Links
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4 “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” Aemond unleashes his dragon, Vhagar, on Princess Rhaenys. But before eliminating his aunt, he takes care of his brother, Aegon, who he considers ill-suited to rule. That part is true, considering Aegon spends his time with lickspittles and knows little about the ground war or the aerial battle debates. Aegon’s focus is on his terms of address, and winning the affections of the Smallfolk by providing free drinks and making false promises.
Aegon is motivated to act inHouse of the Dragon- Episode 4 after an argument with his mother, the Dowager Queen Alicent, and especially after learning his Lord Commander and Hand, Ser Criston Cole, keeps Aemond and not him, abreast of their wartime measures. Heflies to Rook’s Rest on Sunfyreto earn a name for himself, without prior experience or training in aerial warfare. Since he flies into battle just like that, Aemond finds the perfect opportunity to take him out.
Aegon II Is Carted To King’s Landing
At Rook’s Rest, Aemond commands Vhagar to breathe fire at Rhaenys and Aegon, and only the former maneuvers skillfully. Aegon II is directly in the line of fire, andHelaena’s"Was it worth the price?“leaves no doubt that Aemond burned his brother for the throne. Criston Cole, meanwhile, paraded Meleys' head through the streets of King’s Landing, and his men carted Aegon’s severely burned body into the Red Keep. Vhagar’s fire had melted Aegon’s Valyrian steel armor into his flesh. He had facial burns and the crash left him with broken bones and injuries that could not be ascertained at the moment. While all of this was happening, Aemond’s only concern was who would rule the Kingdoms. Aemond wasn’t being evasive when he pointed out,“Someone will have to rule in his stead,“whileAlicent, somewhat worried about Aegon’s life, was taken aback that the Small Council would pass her over for him.
Aemond Targaryen Is Chosen As Regent To Take Aegon’s Place
“A king cannot rule in his sleep, the realm will have noticed his absence… we must name a Regent to take his place until he recovers… or does not,“says Alicent while presenting herself as the suitable candidate for Regency. The men at the council, who’d supported Aegon over Rhaenyra, chose another man to lead them this time again.Lord Larys Strong’s,“What would it say if, in response to Rhaenyra’s crowning, we raised up a woman of our own?“is a return to the older (to patriarchal) way of men choosing men over women, and finding it perfectly acceptable to favor male gender, never mind the inexperience and incompetence that could come with it.
Alicent maintains that while Aemond is the next in line, he is also young and has no capacity for restraint:
Aemond is a fearsome dragonrider. His skill is best employed in the field, but my experience is needed here, at this table.
The lords exceptGrand Maester Orwylechose Aemond in unison, whose first order of business was to gauge their standing in the Riverlands. He also orders the closing of the city gates to prevent the Smallfolk from leaving and entering and thus from relaying instability, fear, and unrest in the realm.
Thenletthe gatesbeclosed.No oneis toleaveorenter,savewithour consent.Merchants,so forth.
Aemond’s abrasiveness, brutality, and lack of foresight came as a shock to Alicent, but in all honesty, she enabled his son and paved the way for it.
Aemond Targaryen Is The Prince Regent And Protector Of The Realm
Aemond now rules in Aegon’s stead, but he’s called the shots before. He plunged the realm into war when hechased his half-nephew, Lucerys above the Shipbreaker Bayand enabled Vhagar to chomp him and his younger dragon, Arrax. His lack of restraint cost the Greens and because of him, Rhaenyra decided to wage a full-scale war against King’s Landing.
InHouse of the Dragon- Season 2, Aemond and Cole drafted and approved military actions and Rook’s Rest went as he had imagined. Cole led the van and Aemond charged from the skies. Aemond didn’t need Aegon’s approval for anything or even felt the need to keep him abreast of the latest developments. Cole conversed with Aemond, and Aegon’s realization that his opinion wasn’t even required, had him flying hisdragon to the seaside keep of Rook’s Rest.
Aemond Targaryen Will Press His Advantage
House of the Dragonchanged the Rook’s Rest plot from Aemond and Aegon’s dual strike ambush against Rhaenys to Aemond using Vhagar to wipe out his brother and aunt from the board. In the source material,Aemond rules as Prince Regent for a yearin Aegon’s stead, and marches to Harrenhal to bring the Riverlands to heal. He orders the execution of Harrenhal’s castellan, Ser Simon, and the rest of the Strongs, but spares Alys Rivers, who eventually becomes his lover in the Dance. Aemond leads a terror campaign against the Blacks' loyalists in the Riverlands and finally meetsDaemon above the Gods Eye lake.
Aemond’s end game inHouse of the Dragonis to achieve Rhaenyra’s subjugation and have everyone at King’s Landing bow down to him. He doesn’t care for morals or decency, nor is he half the ruler his father was. Alicent will face a tough time with him ruling the council, and he will not wait to use Rhaenyra’s weak position to his advantage.Aemond thinks he is invincible with Vhagar at his side, and the Targaryen heraldry -the Valyrian steel dagger, that he stole from Aegon in the aftermath of Rook’s Rest.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is HBO’s prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.
