Did Aemond Try To Kill Aegon In The Books
Okay, so you know how in House of the Dragon, things get all kinds of messy and dramatic with the Targaryens? It's like a royal soap opera, but with way more dragons and, you know, incest. And one of the burning questions (pun intended, sorry not sorry) that pops up is about poor, one-eyed Aemond Targaryen and his… complicated relationship with his older brother, Aegon II. The big one, the one who's supposed to be king. So, let's dive in, shall we? Did Aemond try to straight-up off Aegon in the books? Grab your metaphorical popcorn, because this is a juicy one.
First off, let's set the scene. In the books, particularly in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, things are… well, they’re pretty brutal. It’s not exactly a feel-good fairytale, and a lot of the character motivations are a bit murkier than what we see on screen. The show simplifies some things for, you know, dramatic pacing and making us all gasp. But the books? Oh, the books are a whole different beast. Think of it as the director's cut, but with more beheadings and less sunshine.
Now, about Aegon. He’s… let’s just say he’s not exactly the ideal candidate for ruling. He’s more into partying, wenching, and generally being a bit of a disappointment to his parents, Viserys and Alicent. He’s not exactly a shining beacon of Targaryen leadership. And Aemond? Well, Aemond is Aemond. He’s the quiet, intense one, the one who lost an eye in a childish scuffle (thanks, Luke!), and who eventually bonded with Vhagar, the biggest, scariest dragon around. He’s also very devout in his belief that his side, the Greens, should be in power. And, according to him, Aegon is the rightful king.
The "Dance of the Dragons" - It's Not a Waltz, It's a Bloodbath
The entire saga we're talking about is known as the "Dance of the Dragons." And trust me, it’s more of a chaotic, fire-breathing brawl than a graceful twirl. After King Viserys dies, there's a huge power struggle. Alicent and her faction, the Greens, quickly crown Aegon. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra, Viserys's chosen heir (and his daughter, which was super controversial back then), and her supporters, the Blacks, say, "Uh, nope." This is where all the major drama kicks off, and where our Aemond-Aegon dynamic really comes into play.
So, did Aemond try to kill Aegon? The short answer is… it’s complicated, but not directly in the way you might be imagining. In the books, Aemond is fiercely loyal to the Greens and to Aegon's claim. He sees Aegon as the rightful ruler, even if Aegon himself is, shall we say, less than stellar. Aemond believes in order, in the established succession (as he sees it), and in crushing the Blacks. He's the muscle, the enforcer, the guy who’s going to make sure his family stays on the Iron Throne.
Aemond: The "Loyal" Brother?
Think of Aemond as the ultimate, albeit terrifying, little brother. He’s got that protective streak, but it’s twisted by his ambition and his fierce sense of duty. He genuinely believes that Aegon should be king, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. This includes fighting in battles, leading dragon attacks, and generally being a one-man wrecking crew against the Blacks.
There’s a pivotal moment during the Dance of the Dragons where Aemond is supposed to be fighting for Aegon. This is during the Battle of the Gullet. It's a naval battle, but of course, with dragons involved, it's way more intense. Dragons are swooping, ships are burning, and it’s pure chaos. Aemond is on Vhagar, a force of nature in the sky, absolutely demolishing the enemy. His goal here is to support Aegon's side, to win the battle for Aegon.
But here’s where it gets a little… blurry. During this chaotic battle, Aemond is on the hunt for Blacks. He’s looking for Rhaenyra’s sons, specifically Lucerys Velaryon (the kid who took his eye, remember? Ouch). And, well, things go spectacularly wrong. Aemond finds Luke and his dragon, Arrax, and in a moment of pure, unadulterated Targaryen fury (and probably grief and rage over his eye), he attacks. Vhagar, being the absolute monster she is, doesn’t hold back. And unfortunately, Luke and Arrax are killed. This is a major turning point, and it’s something Aemond deeply regrets, or at least, is haunted by.
Now, you might be thinking, "But wait, was Aegon even there during this specific incident?" Not directly involved in the Aemond-Luke confrontation, no. Aegon himself is… busy. He’s often off doing his own thing, which usually involves drinking and avoiding responsibility. He’s not exactly on the front lines of every single battle in the same way Aemond is.
So, Did Aemond Want Aegon Dead? The Conspiracy Theories (and Lack Thereof)
Let’s be clear: the books do not show Aemond plotting to kill Aegon. In fact, it's the opposite. Aemond sees himself as Aegon's protector, his strongest champion. He’s the one who keeps Aegon’s claim alive through sheer dragon power and ruthless efficiency. If anything, Aemond is the one doing all the heavy lifting to secure Aegon's throne.
There are moments where Aemond is undoubtedly frustrated with Aegon. Aegon’s lack of leadership, his self-destructive tendencies, his general uselessness… these things would drive anyone mad. Aemond is a man of action, a warrior. He’s focused on the war, on winning. Aegon, on the other hand, often seems more interested in surviving the day without too much effort. Imagine trying to run a kingdom when your heir apparent is more concerned with finding the next tavern.
But frustration is a long way from assassination. Aemond’s ambition is tied to the Greens succeeding, and Aegon is the figurehead of that success. Killing Aegon would be like shooting himself in the foot, or, you know, in the face. It would undermine everything he’s fighting for. It would plunge the Greens into immediate chaos, and potentially hand victory to the Blacks.
The Dragon's Bite: A Mistake, Not a Murder Plot
The death of Lucerys Velaryon is a tragic accident in the heat of battle, fueled by years of simmering resentment and dragon-fueled aggression. It's a horrific event, but it wasn't a pre-meditated plan to harm Aegon. It was a catastrophic miscalculation of power and emotion. And it’s something that Aemond carries with him, the weight of that decision, the guilt of the unintended consequences.
Some might argue that Aemond’s unwavering loyalty to Aegon is so intense that it becomes something else. That perhaps, deep down, he sees Aegon as a weakness, a liability. And maybe, just maybe, if Aegon became a true hindrance to their cause, Aemond might… well, you know. But the books don't give us any evidence of that. Aemond is presented as a man of grim determination, not a backstabbing plotter. He’s more likely to face you head-on, with Vhagar at his side, than to creep around in the shadows.
Think about it: Aemond is the one who flies into dangerous territory, the one who confronts the enemy. He’s the one who’s actively fighting for Aegon’s right to rule. If he wanted Aegon gone, he would have had ample opportunity to do so, especially given his dragon's power. But he didn't. He fought for Aegon, even when Aegon was off being… well, Aegon.
It’s important to remember that the "Dance of the Dragons" is a complex tapestry of ambition, betrayal, and family feuds. Everyone has their own agenda, and sometimes those agendas clash spectacularly. Aemond’s agenda is the victory of the Greens, and he believes Aegon is the key to that victory. His actions, however brutal and devastating, are all aimed at achieving that goal.
The Enduring Power of Loyalty (Even When It's Scary)
So, to definitively answer the question: In the books, Aemond Targaryen did not try to kill his brother Aegon II. He was, in fact, Aegon's most fervent and fearsome supporter. Their relationship was undoubtedly strained by Aegon's character and the pressures of the war, but Aemond's actions were always in service of Aegon's claim. He was the shield, the sword, and the dragon, all for his brother's crown.
It's easy to look at Aemond and see only the darkness, the intensity, the loss of his eye, and the terrifying power of Vhagar. And yes, he does some truly horrific things during the Dance. But at the core of it, his motivations, at least concerning Aegon, are about upholding what he believes is right. It's a dark and twisted form of loyalty, perhaps, but loyalty nonetheless.
And isn't that kind of fascinating? Even in the midst of all the fire and fury, there’s this thread of… commitment. It’s a testament to how complex human (and Targaryen!) relationships can be. Even when things are at their absolute worst, there can still be a sense of purpose, a drive to protect what you believe in, even if it’s a flawed king on a shaky throne.
So, the next time you’re watching House of the Dragon or diving into Fire & Blood, remember that. Aemond might be one of the most formidable figures in Westerosi history, but his fight for Aegon wasn't a plot for his brother's demise. It was a dangerous dance for a crown, and he was determined to lead his side to victory, no matter the cost. And in a world as wild as Westeros, that kind of fierce, albeit terrifying, dedication is something truly remarkable. Now go forth and ponder the complexities of dragon siblings – it’s way more fun than doing your taxes, right?