The fate of Aegon II in the house of the dragon
In House of the Dragon, King Aegon Ii Targaryen's fate is still unknown even with Aemond's merciless attack casting a bleak picture. Though he is bedridden right now, the story points to a convoluted and fascinating path for the young king. Drawing on both the HBO series and George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, upon which the show is based, this article investigates the events that follow Aegon's nearly fatal injuries.
Will Aegon Go Again?
Though Aegon's recovery in Season 2, Episode 6 is still unknown, Fire & Blood unequivocally states that Aegon will walk once more. Aegon will finally stand up, though with restrictions, while the healing process takes a major share of the early war. His injuries—broken hip, shattered ribs, severe burns—will leave long-lasting scars that affect his physical capacity and cause him to be "bent and twisted" for the rest of his life.
Aegon's comeback to walking marks a turning point in his path, expected toward the end of Season 2 or early in Season 3. This event will surely affect the dynamics of the continuous war and maybe provide Aegon some agency he does not now have.
Will Aemond try to kill Aegon once more?
A major departure from Fire & Blood is the disclosure that Aemond tried to kill Aegon during the Battle at Rook's Rest instead of attributing the injuries to Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys. The book notes no previous attempt by Aemond to claim Aegon's life. Although the canon of the show differs from the book, it is unknown if Aemond will try to complete the task.
The brother power dynamic is nuanced. Right now, Aemond is mostly focused on those in the Small Council who challenge his authority—especially Alicent Hightower. Aegon's recovery, though, could change the power distribution. Should Aegon come clean about Aemond's attack, Aemond's position would be under jeopardy and a lethal confrontation could follow.
Aegon II's Future Within House of the Dragon
Although Aegon's recovery is evidence of fortitude, his future during the Dance of the Dragons is still dangerous. Fire & Blood claims that while Aemond is in the Riverlands, Aegon is driven from King's Landing for Dragonstone with the aid of Larys Strong. Aegon stays in secret on Dragonstone until Helaena and Aemond pass death.
Aegon's fate turns dramatically in the last episodes of Season 2. After Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone, Aegon catches her and orders Sunfyre to burn and eat his sister, so concluding their conflict brutally. Though he makes sporadic trips back to King's Landing, his injuries keep him from playing his Iron Throne part completely.
Members of Team Green—including Corlys Velaryon, Larys Strong, and Ser Perkin the Flea—who poison Aegon's wine eventually coordinate his death. Marked by treachery and betrayal, his death opens the path for Aegon III, Rhaenyra's surviving son, to ascend the Iron Throne.
