Is Aegon Dead in House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 Ending?
King Aegon II was not part of Criston Cole and Aemond's plan to ambush the Blacks at Rook's Rest, but he arrived at the battle on his own initiative. Aegon rides Sunfyre, considered the most beautiful among the dragons in House Of The Dragon for its vibrant golden scales. Unfortunately for the king, he's torn apart fairly quickly by Rhaenys and Meleys, and Aemond's arrival only seals the deal, as the younger prince betrays his older brother with dragonfire, sending him to the ground.
The episode leaves Aegon's fate a mystery, but it would be surprising if he was actually dead. In Fire & Blood, he's wounded heavily in the Battle of Rook's Rest but not killed. It would be an enormous deviation from the story if Aegon were to be killed off so early, and not likely a choice the show would make. House Of The Dragon has made many book changes, but in terms of key events, it has consistently followed the blueprint laid out in George R.R. Martin's book.
Why Did Aemond Try To Kill Aegon (Twice)?
Like many of the brothers in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, there's no love between Aemond and Aegon. Aemond considers his older brother to be a fool who's unworthy of the crown, while he's worked tirelessly, made sacrifices, and taken enormous risks to mold himself into a weapon for his faction. It's not dissimilar to the relationship between Daemon and Viserys, though Daemon deeply admired his older brother.
Aemond despises Aegon, and he sees the Battle of Rook's Rest as an opportunity to kill his older brother and lay the blame on Rhaenys. Following the conflict, he approaches Aegon after his fall to seal the deal with his sword if he isn't already dead. If Aegon dies, Aemond would become king, as it's too late now for the Greens to backtrack and give Rhaenyra the throne. At this moment, Aemond has everything to gain and nothing to lose from taking out his brother.
Rhaenys Death Explained & What It Means for Rhaenyra
Rhaenys Targaryen enters the battle for the Blacks and does a terrific job in dealing a blow to the Greens, eliminating hundreds of armed forces and sending King Aegon to the ground. She could've left matters like that, making it an astounding victory for the Blacks despite the loss of Rook's Rest, but she decides to turn around and hold her ground, taking on the far bigger Vhagar. It's a massive risk, but Rhaenys seems resigned to her fate and decides to go down fighting.
Rhaenys' death is confirmed, and it has bigger implications for Rhaenyra going forward. Rhaenys is the wife of Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenyra's most powerful ally, and he'll be quite upset by her death, creating discourse among the Blacks. After all, he's already distrustful of Rhaenyra and Daemon, and it was Rhaenys who brought their house over to the Blacks in the first place. Not to mention, their side has lost one of its most powerful dragonriders, weakening their position going forward.
Why Rhaenyra Tells Jacaerys About Aegon's Dream
As the Battle of Rook's Rest begins, it's spliced with a scene of Rhaenyra telling Jacaerys of the Aegon's Dream prophecy, which was passed down to her by Viserys in season 1. Jacaerys is Rhaenyra's heir, and she was likely to tell him at some point, but this is a pivotal moment for her to do so. She's sending a dragonrider out to war, elevating the stakes and danger of the Dance of the Dragons, and she wants to ensure that Aegon's Dream is secured as best as possible.
With the war truly beginning and chaos erupting, Jacaerys has to know the larger stakes at risk. He needs to understand the weight of his family's legacy and the importance of their fight. Telling Jacaerys about Aegon's Dream is a way for Rhaenyra to prepare him for the challenges that lie ahead and to instill in him a sense of purpose and responsibility.
How House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4's Ending Changes The Book
In Fire & Blood, Aegon is complicit in Cole and Aemond's plan to ambush the Blacks at Rook's Rest, and he rides with his brother to attack Rhaenys. While fighting both brothers, Rhaenys and Meleys still manage to deal a near-fatal blow to King Aegon but eventually fall to Aemond. The biggest change in the episode is that Aemond betrays his brother, hoping to seize the crown for himself. Rhaenys is also never described as having the opportunity to escape after bringing down Aegon.
The show's decision to portray Aemond as the aggressor in Aegon's downfall adds another layer of complexity to their already strained relationship. It highlights Aemond's ambition and his willingness to betray even his own family to achieve his goals. This change also underscores the escalating brutality of the Dance of the Dragons, showcasing how the conflict is becoming increasingly personal and driven by individual desires for power.
The Dance Of The Dragons Has Begun - What Happens Next
With the Battle of Rook's Rest, the Dance of the Dragons has officially begun, setting even more events into motion. On both sides, there will be political discourse following the event. With Aegon severely injured, Aemond rules King's Landing in his stead, bringing the Greens more competence and making them more dangerous. For the Blacks, Corlys Velaryon will be quite unhappy with the loss of his wife, likely leading to tension between him and Rhaenyra.
There will be more battles to come, but Rook's Rest is likely the main stage for season 2, and the rest of the season should be spent with the Blacks trying to replenish their dragon rider force. There are many untamed dragons roaming Dragonstone and Driftmark, and the Blacks have already mentioned welcoming potential riders to try and claim them. Many of House Of The Dragon Season 2's new characters will attempt to mount dragons, immediately making them crucial players in the war. There's a lot to be excited about with the rest of House of the Dragon's sophomore season.
