Difference between revisions of "Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)"

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{{Infobox character
 
{{Infobox character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]] Aegon Targaryen [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
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| Character_name = [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|left]] Aegon Targaryen [[File:House Targaryen.svg|50px|right]]
| image          = [[File:Elias_last_moments.jpg|250px]]
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| image          = [[File:Enife young griffII.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption  = Prince Aegon in the arms of his mother, Princess [[Elia Martell]] - by Achen089 ©.
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| image_caption  =
| Alias          = Young Griff
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| Alias          = Young Griff<br>[[The prince that was promised]]{{Ref|aCoK|48}}
| Title          =
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| Title          = [[Prince]]<br>[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]] (claimant){{ref|aDwD|24}}<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]] (claimant){{ref|aDwD|24}}
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Targaryen]]
 
| Allegiance    = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race          =
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| Race          = [[Valyria]]n
| Culture        = [[Valyrian Freehold|Valyrian]]
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| Culture        = [[Crownlands]]
| Spouse        =  
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| Spouse        =
| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]]
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| Place_of_Birth = [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth  = {{Date|281}} or {{Date|282}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)]] calculation.''</ref>
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| Date_of_Birth  = late {{Date|281}} or early {{Date|282}}<ref>''See the [[Years after Aegon's Conquest/Calculations Ages#Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)]] calculation.''</ref>
| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]<ref>''Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince, backed up by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] former friend [[Jon Connington]].''</ref>
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| Place_of_Death = [[King's Landing]]<ref group="N">''Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince, backed up by Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] former friend [[Jon Connington]].''</ref>
 
| Date_of_Death  = {{Date|283}} (supposedly)
 
| Date_of_Death  = {{Date|283}} (supposedly)
| Books          =''[[The World of Ice and Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br> ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears)
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| Books          = ''[[The World of Ice & Fire]]'' (mentioned)<br> ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (appears)
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| coat-of-arms  =
 
| Played by      =
 
| Played by      =
| TV_series      =  
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| TV_series      =
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen}}
 
{{See homonyms | Aegon Targaryen}}
  
Prince '''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and [[Elia Martell]].  
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Prince '''Aegon Targaryen''' was the second child and only son of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] and Princess [[Elia Martell]].
  
==Appearance and Character==
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==Appearance==
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Images of Aegon Targaryen]]''
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{{See also|:Category:Images of Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|l1=Images of Aegon Targaryen}}
According to semi-canonical sources, Aegon looks like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]], taking after his father, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ A Number of Questions (August 26, 2000)]</ref>{{Ref|AWOIAF| Aegon Targaryen}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Elia Martell}} As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair".{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
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According to semi-canonical sources, Aegon looked like a [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]], taking after his father, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], while his sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], took after their [[Dornishmen|Dornish]] mother, [[Elia Martell]].<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/A_Number_of_Questions/ A Number of Questions (August 26, 2000)]</ref>{{Ref|AWOIAF| Aegon Targaryen}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Elia Martell}} The infant Aegon had fair hair.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
 
 
The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build.{{Ref|aDwD|8}} According to [[Haldon]], Aegon is as tall as [[Jon Connington]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}} That Aegon has a lanky build suggests that he has yet to reach his full height. In disguise, Aegon had his hair dyed blue, which also hid his true eye colour.{{ref|aDwD|18}} [[Tyrion Lannister]] noted that Aegon's eyes seem to be dark blue, but looked black by lamplight, and [[Purple eyes|purple]] in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine.{{Ref|aDwD|14}} He is exceptionally handsome and has the Valyrian features of silver hair and purple eyes, the known Targaryen features, both of which are also present in his aunt [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]]. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes are a lighter shade of purple than Rhaegar's eyes had been.{{ref|aDwD|18}}{{ref|aDwD|61}}
 
 
 
==Education==
 
Aegon is well educated and intelligent, speaking several languages, and is well versed in history. He speaks the [[Common Tongue]] as a native speaker. He is fluent in [[High Valyrian]], in the Bastard Valyrian dialects of [[Pentos]], [[Tyrosh]], [[Myr]], and [[Lys]], and in [[Trade Talk]]. He is a novice at speaking the dialect of [[Volantis]], only familiar with a few of its words. The dialect of [[Meereen]], whose terms derive from both Valyrian and [[Ghiscari Empire|Ghiscari]], gives him trouble.{{Ref|aDwD|14}} He has some training in mathematics, with a decent knowledge of [[w:Summation|sums]] and a limited understanding of [[w:Geometry|geometry]]. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in [[Westeros]]".{{Ref|aDwD|14}}
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
===Birth===
 
===Birth===
A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the ''[[prince that was promised]]''. The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. [[Maester Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them. Aemon would later came to doubt the wisdom of looking for a prince, rather than a princess. He realized there was a translation error, and that the term translated was fluid in terms of gender. This is connected to the term for [[dragon]]s, which are neither male nor female.{{ref|aFfC|35}} It should be noted that at this moment in time, Aemon believed Aegon to be dead.
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A comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] to believe that he was the "[[prince that was promised]]". The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them.{{ref|aFfC|35}}
  
 
===Sack of King's Landing===
 
===Sack of King's Landing===
Aegon was just an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]],{{ref|aGoT|20}}{{Ref|aGoT|30}} having been born just a few months before its onset. Prior to the [[Battle of the Trident]], Aegon's great-uncle, Prince [[Lewyn Martell]], was reminded gracelessly by King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] that Aegon, and his sister and mother, were in Aerys' hands. Lewyn was then ordered to take command of the ten thousand Dornishmen who were marching up the Kingsroad. During the [[Battle of the Trident]], Aegon's father [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] and great-uncle Lewyn died, amongst others, and King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] decided to send his wife, [[Rhaella Targaryen|Queen Rhaella]], and their last remaining son, [[Viserys Targaryen|Prince Viserys]], to [[Dragonstone]] for safety. The original plan had been for Elia to join them, but Aerys came to blame the loss of the battle on Prince [[Lewyn Martell]] of the Kingsguard, accusing him of having betrayed Rhaegar. He thus chose to keep Elia and her children by his side as hostages to ensure continued Dornish loyalty.{{Ref|aSoS|37}}
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Aegon was an infant during [[Robert's Rebellion]],{{ref|aGoT|20}}{{Ref|aGoT|30}} having been born a few months before its onset. In preparation of the [[Battle of the Trident]], Aegon's grandfather, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] used him, his mother [[Elia Martell|Elia]], and his sister [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] as voltages, gracelessly reminding Aegon's great-uncle, Prince [[Lewyn Martell]] of the [[Kingsguard]], that the three were in Aerys's hands. Lewyn took command of ten thousand Dornishmen, but died in the battle as did Aegon's father, [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. Aerys became convinced that the Dornishmen had betrayed him, and refused to allow Aegon and his family to flee to [[Dragonstone]] alongside Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen]] and Prince [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]. Aegon, his mother, and his sister were kept at King's Landing as hostages to ensure continued [[Dorne|Dornish]] loyalty.{{Ref|aSoS|37}}
 
 
With the death of Rhaegar, Grandmaester [[Pycelle]] was convinced that the war was effectively over, and that [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces, secretly hoping [[Tywin Lannister]] would rise to the throne.{{Ref|aCoK|25}}
 
[[File:Aegon Death.png|400px|thumb|Aegon is killed in front of his mother [[Elia Martell|Princess Elia]]]]
 
A fortnight after the royal forces had left for the Trident, the [[Sack of King's Landing]] occured. During the [[Sack of King's Landing|Sack]], [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. Jaime, though the only Kingsguard member left in the city, didn't think [[Tywin Lannister|his father]], whose troops were attacking the city, would harm little Aegon and his young sister. But while Jaime was standing over Aerys' corpse, [[Gregor Clegane]] and [[Amory Lorch]] were already scaling the walls of Maegor's Holdfast. Aegon, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|his sister]] and [[Elia Martell|his mother]] were brutally killed in the process. The deaths of Aegon and Rhaenys caused a fight between [[Eddard Stark]] and [[Robert Baratheon]], and also began the feud between [[House Martell]] and [[House Lannister]], as well as caused [[Dorne]] to remain loyal to the Iron Throne only by name, interacting with the other kingdoms as little as necessary.
 
 
 
During the [[Sack of King's Landing|Sack]], [[Jaime Lannister]], unaware of what was occuring at the Holdfast, briefly toyed with the idea of proclaiming a new Targaryen king. [[Tywin Lannister]] would gain control as [[Hand of the King]], [[House Stark|the "wolves" of the North]] would howl in frustration and [[Robert Baratheon]] would choke with rage. For a moment, Jaime found this option tempting, until he recalled that both Aegon and Viserys had inherited the blood of Aerys and with it, the potential for madness. Jaime decided against supporting either one of them.{{Ref|aSoS|11}}
 
 
 
===Accounts and Motivations===
 
Viserys often told stories to his sister Daenerys. One of these stories involved the Sack of King's Landing by the "Usurper's dogs", [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Eddard Stark]]. In this story, Elia Martell was pleading for mercy as Aegon was ripped from her breast and murdered before her eyes. Aegon was "Rhaegar's heir".{{Ref|aGoT|3}} Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, that Aegon's head had been dashed against a wall.{{Ref|aGoT|64}} Eddard Stark recalls that "Lord Tywin's soldiers"  had torn Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. They were also said to have dragged [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that it was Gregor Clegane who dashed the skull of infant Aegon against a wall. It was whispered that afterward Gregor had raped [[Elia Martell]], and then put her to the sword. At the time Gregor was only seventeen. Nobody dared to repeat these rumors when Gregor himself could be listening.{{Ref|aGoT|30}}  According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], the responsibility of Gregor for the murders of Elia and Aegon was "common knowledge" in [[Casterly Rock]]. The tale went that while Gregor raped Elia, his hands were still covered in the blood and brains of Aegon.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} A wounded Gregor later narrated a brief account of the events to [[Oberyn Martell]], while killing him. He had first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp". Then came the rape of Elia; Clegane claimed to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method Gregor used to finish off Oberyn.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}
 
 
 
Tywin Lannister later narrated his view of the events to his son Tyrion. Rhaenys was hiding under Rhaegar's bed, while Elia and Aegon were in the nursery, just a floor below the location of Rhaenys. Tywin had kept [[the Westerlands]] from joining Robert's cause for most of the Rebellion. They had only joined said cause at the last stage of the war, and their loyalty would be suspected. He needed a way to demonstrate loyalty to Robert, a way to convince people that the Lannisters had severed all ties to House Targaryen. In addition, Eddard Stark was also heading toward King's Landing, leading Robert's army south from the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]]. Instead of the Lannister and Stark forces meeting as allies, there was still a chance for the two armies to clash. Tywin also feared that his elder son [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}
 
 
 
Tywin also narrated his reasons for the murders. By eliminating Rhaegar's children, an a single move the Lannisters would be proving their commitment to Baratheon's cause and secure the throne for Robert by eliminating rival claimants for the throne. Tywin himself was somewhat surprised by the result of his commands. The murders were performed "too brutally" for his needs; he insisted that Elia didn't have to die, it happened because he didn't specify she should be spared. He had not grasped yet that Gregor is bestial, not just "terrible in battle".{{Ref|aSoS|53}}
 
 
 
[[Oberyn Martell]] had another view on Tywin's motives. Elia was once supposed to marry Jaime Lannister, based on an agreement between her mother and [[Joanna Lannister]]. Following the death of Joanna, Tywin broke the agreement, though he offered Tyrion as a a prospective bridegroom instead of Jaime, taunting the Martells. He had also informed them that his own daughter, [[Cersei Lannister]], was meant for Rhaegar, not for Oberyn. When Elia married Rhaegar, the Martells had ruined Tywin's plans. Tywin was "not a man to forget such slights". Oberyn believed that the murder of Elia was decided by Tywin, to teach Elia the same lesson that Houses [[House Reyne|Reyne]] and [[House Tarbeck|Tarbeck]] had [[Reyne-Tarbeck Rebellion|learned]].{{Ref|aSoS|70}}
 
 
 
[[Eddard Stark]] recalled how Tywin Lannister presented [[Robert Baratheon]] with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys: his "token of fealty".{{ref|aGoT|12}} Tywin had laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his house guard - a clever choice, as the blood was less obvious against the red cloth. Rhaenys had been barefoot, dressed in a bed gown. The condition of the boy horrified Eddard.{{ref|aGoT|45}} The skull was a "red ruin", and even [[Robert Baratheon]] could not stand its sight.{{ref|aGoT|20}} [[Kevan Lannister]] was also present during this scene. He was able to recognize Rhaenys, but recalls that nobody could recognize Aegon. All that remained of the boy was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore with a few hanks of fair hair. Tywin stated that this was Aegon and everyone else took him at his word. Seventeen years later, however, Kevan expresses uncertainty about the identity of the babe.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
 
 
 
===Reactions to the death===
 
*[[Robert Baratheon]] was actually relieved and glad that [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] children were killed. Robert viewed himself as a hero, and was reluctant to kill children, but he knew Rhaegar's children had to die if his throne was ever to be secure. Tywin painted himself as the villain, allowing Robert to keep his hands clean, the reason Robert refused to punish any of the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] for the brutal act.{{Ref|aSoS|53}} Upon the protest of his friend [[Eddard Stark]] that the two children had been no more than babes, Robert had named Aegon and his sister "dragonspawn".{{Ref|aGoT|12}}
 
 
 
*[[Tywin Lannister]] knew that killing both children would prove to [[Robert Baratheon]] that [[House Lannister]] had forsaken the [[House Targaryen]] forever. Years later, Tyrion came to question the wisdom of the act. Robert Baratheon would have bloodied his own hands, soiling his own reputation, if he had done the deed himself. Instead, the Lannisters had damaged their own reputation, gaining long-term enemies in the process. Tywin Lannister expressed the act had been necessary, because [[House Lannister]] had come into the war only at the end.{{Ref|aSoS|53}}
 
 
 
*[[Eddard Stark]] called the act murder, Robert called it war. Eddard protested that Aegon and Rhaenys were "no more than babes", but Robert disagreed, calling the children "dragonspawn". The two men quarreled over the matter, and even [[Jon Arryn]] was unable to calm them. Eddard had ridden out of King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own. He and Robert would only be reconciled by their shared grief over the death of [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]].{{ref|aGoT|12}}
 
 
 
*[[Thoros of Myr]] claims to have personally seen the corpses of Aegon and Rhaenys, as they were placed before the Iron Throne. In his view, [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants".{{Ref|aSoS|34}}
 
 
 
*[[Arianne Martell]] calls [[Robert Baratheon]] a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children, directly connecting his rise to the murders of Aegon and Rhaenys. Robert is not held in high regard in [[Dorne]].{{ref|aFfC|13}}
 
 
 
*[[Viserys Targaryen]] was convinced that the [[Dornishmen]] were determined to avenge Elia and her children, and would thus rise to his cause.{{Ref|aGoT|3}}
 
 
 
*Years following the murders, [[Doran Martell]] still mourns for the victims. According to [[Varys]], Prince Doran's hatred for [[House Lannister]] is well known.{{Ref|aCoK|17}} Doran himself claims to have worked at the downfall of Tywin Lannister since they first brought him word of the fates of Elia and her children.{{ref|aFfC|40}}
 
 
 
*[[Oberyn Martell]], in his words, hungered for justice for sixteen years. He was certain that Gregor had been following orders rather than acting on his own,{{Ref|aCoK|38}} and wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed.{{Ref|aCoK|66}}
 
 
 
*[[Nymeria Sand]]  believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins". [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] and [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] would pay with their lives for the old murders.{{ref|aFfC|2}}
 
 
 
*[[Jacelyn Bywater]] stated to [[Tyrion Lannister]] there were still whispers in King's Landings that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" was one of the sins of [[House Lannister]] and that the [[Faith of the Seven|Seven]] would punish the entire city for the the act.{{Ref|aCoK|41}}
 
 
 
*[[Daenerys Targaryen]] is unable to see a difference between Houses [[House Lannister|Lannister]] and [[House Stark|Stark]]. She considers Eddard Stark also responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, arguing that "the Usurper's dogs" acted as a pack of hounds, hunting children. Which individual hound kills a child doesn't matter, all the dogs are equally guilty. [[Barristan Selmy]] disagrees with her, and has tried to explain the distinction between Eddard, who wasn't even present at King's Landing, and Tywin. Daenerys notices a "flicker of disapproval" in his face when she insists on her original opinion.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}
 
 
 
*[[Barristan Selmy]] himself has been haunted by the ''"bloody bodies"'' of Aegon and Rhaenys. His serious injuries following the [[Battle of the Trident]] prevented him from personally examining the corpses, but he wondered for years about whether Robert smiled at the bodies. Selmy concludes that such a smile would've led him to kill Robert, and that no army could have saved him.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}
 
 
 
*[[Yandel|Maestar Yandel]] when recording the history of Roberts Rebellion, not wishing to offend or anger either King [[Robert Baratheon]] or Lord Tywin, tries to paint the events of the murder in a way that did not cast a negative light on those who sided with King Robert. Yandel writes the following about the murder of Elia and her children...
 
  
{{Quote|It is tragic that the blood spilled in war may as readily be innocent as it is guilty, and those who ravished and murdered [[Elia Martell|Princess Elia]] escaped justice. It is not known who murdered Princess Rhaenys in her bed, or smashed the infant Prince Aegon's head against a wall. Some whisper it was done at Aery's own command when he learned Lord Lannister had taken up Robert's cause, while others suggest that Elia did it herself for fear of what would happen to her children in the hands of her dead husband's enemies. {{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}}}
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With Rhaegar's death, Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] became convinced that the war was effectively over, and that [[House Targaryen]] could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of [[King's Landing]] to the Lannister forces, secretly hoping Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] would rise to the [[Iron Throne]].{{Ref|aCoK|25}}
  
==Reported survival==
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[[File:Aegon Death.png|400px|thumb|Aegon is killed in front of his mother, [[Elia Martell]]]]
[[File:Young griff by Winona Nelson.jpg|Blue haired Young Griff aboard the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' - by © FFG|thumb|350px|right]]
 
Aboard the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' a young man claiming to be Aegon explains his apparent survival to [[Tyrion Lannister]].  According to his account, the infant killed during the Sack of King's Landing was [[pisswater prince|a tanner's infant son]] born at the Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. 
 
  
The child's mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[Arbor]] gold [[wine]], since he already had other sons, but had never tasted Arbor gold. Varys then arranged the swap between the two infants.  Elia received the tanner's son (whom Tyrion dubs the [[pisswater prince]]), while Varys took custody of the real Prince Aegon.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}  
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During the [[Sack of King's Landing]] a fortnight after the royal forces had left for the Trident, Ser [[Jaime Lannister]] killed Aerys in the throne room of the [[Red Keep]]. Jaime, though the only Kingsguard member left in the city, did not think his father Tywin, whose troops were attacking the city, would harm little Aegon and his young sister, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]]. While Jaime was standing over Aerys's corpse, Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] and Ser [[Amory Lorch]] scaled the walls of [[Maegor's Holdfast]] and then killed Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia. The deaths of the children caused a dispute between Lord [[Eddard Stark]] and the new king, [[Robert I Baratheon]],{{Ref|aDwD|11}} and also began the feud between [[House Martell]] and [[House Lannister]].{{Ref|aSoS|66}}{{Ref|aDwD|38}}
  
Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. Once the [[pisswater prince|impostor infant]] was "safely dead", Varys smuggled the genuine Aegon Targaryen across the [[narrow sea]]. Varys first entrusted the boy to [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and eventually found an adoptive father for Aegon in the person of exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]]. Aegon does not comment on Tyrion's deductions.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}
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===Death===
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According to Lord [[Eddard Stark]], [[Tywin Lannister]]'s soldiers tore Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall.{{ref|aGoT|12}} [[Viserys Targaryen]] told his sister [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] that Elia pleaded for mercy as Aegon was dashed against a wall.{{Ref|agot|3}}{{Ref|agot|64}} Eddard Stark had heard rumors that [[Gregor Clegane]] was Aegon's murderer, after which he had raped Elia, and next had put her to the sword.{{Ref|agot|30}} According to Eddard, these rumors were not repeated in Gregor's presence.{{Ref|aGoT|30}} According to [[Tyrion Lannister]], Gregor's role in the deaths of Aegon and his mother were common knowledge at [[Casterly Rock]]. He heard that Gregor's hands had still been covered with Aegon's blood when he raped Elia.{{Ref|acok|17}}
  
There is a hint that Tyrion may have harboured doubts as to whether or not Aegon is actually Aegon Targaryen. When Young Griff loses their game of cyvasse after being tricked by Tyrion he gets angry and kicks over the [[cyvasse]] board. He immediately commands Tyrion to pick up the pieces. As Tyrion is about to do so he thinks to himself:
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According to Tywin Lannister, he required a way to demonstrate his loyalty to the cause of [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]], after having remained neutral for the entire [[Robert's Rebellion|war]]. He claims that presenting the bodies of Aegon and his sister to the new king ensured that no one could doubt the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] had forsaken House Targaryen. He claims to his son Tyrion that the murders had been done "too brutally", and that Elia's death had not been intended.{{Ref|asos|53}} Aegon's uncle, [[Oberyn Martell]], however, believes that Tywin had Elia's killed as revenge for Elia having married Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], thereby disrupting Tywin's plans for marrying his [[Cersei Lannister|own daughter]] to Rhaegar.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}
{{Quote|He may well be a Targaryen after all''.}}
 
  
Once Aegon and his troops have landed in [[Westeros]], Aegon and his claim is discussed by the [[Small Council]] in [[King's Landing]]. Here, [[Kevan Lannister]] expresses doubts about whether or not Prince Aegon had actually died during the [[Sack of King's Landing]], remembering that no one had dared to look too long at the body of the small babe. When [[Tywin Lannister]] had said that the child was Aegon, Rhaegar's son, everyone took him for his word. Kevan doesn't express these doubts out loud to the council, however, keeping them to himself instead.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
+
Tywin Lannister presented King Robert I with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys as his "token of fealty".{{ref|aGoT|12}} He laid the bodies beneath the [[Iron Throne]] wrapped in the crimson cloaks of [[House Lannister guards|his household guards]], which helped to hide the blood. Aegon's skull was a "red ruin", which horrified Eddard Stark,{{ref|aGoT|45}} and was so terrible that not even Robert could not stand its sight.{{ref|aGoT|20}} According to [[Kevan Lannister]], Aegon had been unrecognizable, as all that remained of him was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore with a few hanks of fair hair.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}
  
==Line of succession to the Iron Throne==
+
The deaths of Aegon, his sister and his mother were met with mixed responses. Robert Baratheon was relieved that Rhaegar's children were dead, and that he did not have to be the one to give the order.{{Ref|aSoS|53}} Upon the protest of his friend Eddard Stark] that the two children had been no more than babes, Robert named Aegon and his sister "[[dragon]]spawn".{{Ref|aGoT|12}} Eddard called the act murder, and after a quarrel with Robert, Eddard rode out from [[King's Landing]] in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own.{{ref|aGoT|12}} Although he had not personally seen the corpses, [[Barristan Selmy]] has been haunted by the "bloody bodies" of Aegon and his sister.{{Ref|aDwD|67}} According to [[Thoros of Myr]], who did personally see the bodies of Aegon and Rhaenys, believes that [[House Clegane]] was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants".{{Ref|aSoS|34}}
After Rhaegar died on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]], Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]] was apparently named heir to the throne by King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], while Aegon was still alive.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} After [[Sack of King's Landing|Aerys's death]] Viserys was declared king on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaella Targaryen}} Viserys would later name his sister [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] his heir, by declaring her to be the [[Princess of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|AGOT|11}}
 
  
Aegon himself, as well as [[Tyrion Lannister]], believe Aegon's claim is stronger than Daenerys's claim.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}{{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws,
+
[[Viserys Targaryen]] is convinced that [[Dornishmen]] are determined to avenge Elia and her children, and would thus rise to his cause.{{Ref|aGoT|3}} Indeed, [[Doran Martell|Doran]] and Oberyn Martell, Elia's brothers, have plotted against House Lannister.{{Ref|affc|40}} According to [[Varys]], Doran's hatred for House Lannister is well known,{{Ref|aCoK|17}} and Oberyn, certain that Gregor had not acted on his own,{{Ref|aCoK|38}} wants vengeance both on Gregor and the man who gave the orders.{{Ref|asos|66}} Oberyn's daughter [[Nymeria Sand]] believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins".{{ref|aFfC|2}} Doran's daughter [[Arianne Martell|Arianne]], connecting the murders of Aegon and his sister to Robert Baratheon's rise to the throne, calls Robert a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children.{{ref|aFfC|13}}
  
{{Quote|The sons of the first son come before the second son.{{Ref|aCoK|35}}}}
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[[Daenerys Targaryen]] holds "the [[Usurper]]s'dogs" responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, and sees no difference between the responsibilities of [[House Lannister]] and [[House Stark]] in the events.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}
 
+
In his book ''[[The World of Ice and Fire (Yandel)|The World of Ice and Fire]]'', Maester [[Yandel]] describes the events of the Sack of King's Landing in a way that shifts the blame from [[House Baratheon]] and [[House Lannister]], by then allied with Robert through marriage, to other candidates, and cites supposed rumors that person responsible was King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], or that it had been Elia, to spare her children from a worse fate.{{ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}
Aegon is a son of [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], who was himself the eldest son of [[Aerys II Targaryen]], which would, under normal circumstances, place Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys II's second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys II).{{Ref|aCoK|35}} However, documents from the end of King Aerys II's reign give doubt to the fact that Aegon's claim is truly stronger.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}<ref>''[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/120966-errors-in-the-woiaf/&do=findComment&comment=6801531 "Maester Yandel is merely reporting based on historical records on events of the time"]''</ref>
 
 
 
In both {{Date|92}} and {{Date|101}}, the succession of House Targaryen was brought into question when the proclaimed heir of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] died. On both occasions, the male line through a younger son was chosen over the female line through the elder (but deceased) son, by first choosing the King's second son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], over the [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|elder son's]] heir, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], and by later chosing Baelon's [[Viserys I Targaryen|elder son]] over Rhaenys's [[Laenor Velaryon|son]], after Baelon's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}}  According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], in the eyes of many, the council of {{Date|101}} established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} King Viserys I wished to set a new precedent by naming his daughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] his heir, despite the fact that he had three sons,{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} an issue over which eventually a civil war called the [[Dance of the Dragons]] was fought.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} When King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] died without a son of his own, and without having proclaimed a specific heir, the claims of all three of Baelor's sisters, as well as the claim of Baelor's uncle (his closest living male relative) were discussed. The claims of his sisters were eventually dismissed.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Further, in the [[Great Council]] [[Great Council#Great Council of 233 AC|of 233 AC]], [[Aegon V Targaryen]] was crowned King despite the fact that [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|the infant son]] of [[Aerion Targaryen|his older brother]] was still alive.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
 
 
 
After her [[Viserys Targaryen|brother's]] death in [[Vaes Dothrak]], Daenerys names herself a queen.{{Ref|agot|54}} If Aegon’s claim is a rightful one then the people of [[Westeros]] might see his claim as stronger than Daenerys's claim. Nevertheless, Daenerys is Queen of [[Meereen]] in her own right, having conquered the city and installed herself as ruler.
 
 
 
However, in contrast to the alleged Aegon Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen's lineage is not under suspicion.  During a small council meeting in the [[Red Keep]]'s throne room concerning the [[Young Griff|Targaryen pretender]], [[Kevan Lannister]] says as much, stating that there is
 
 
 
{{Quote|A second Targaryen, and one whose blood no man can question. [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys Stormborn]].{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}}
 
 
 
During the [[Golden Company]]'s rendezvous with [[Jon Connington]] in [[Volantis]], leader [[Harry Strickland]] points out that Aegon's lineage can be questioned and Aegon’s marriage to his aunt would quell any doubts,
 
 
 
{{Quote|Has the sun curdled your brains, [[Franklyn Flowers|Flowers]]? We need [[Daenerys Targaryen|the girl]]. We need the marriage. If Daenerys accepts our princeling and takes him for her consort, the Seven Kingdoms will do the same. Without her, the lords will only mock his claim and brand him a fraud and a pretender.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
 
 
 
==Identity==
 
{{Main|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)/Theories}}
 
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
 
===''A Clash of Kings''===
One of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees in the [[House of the Undying]] involves Rhaegar, Elia, and Aegon. In this vision, a newborn Aegon nurses from the breast of Elia. The woman is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar decides on the name "Aegon" for his newborn son, as he thinks the name fit for a king. Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son. He replies that Aegon already has a song, "[[the song of ice and fire]]". Part of his role as "the prince that was promised".  
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According to [[Jacelyn Bywater]], there are still whispers in [[King's Landing]] that "the butchery of [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] children" is one of the sins of [[House Lannister]] and that the [[Faith of the Seven|gods]] are punishing the entire city for the act.{{Ref|aCoK|41}}
  
However, Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads". Rhaegar moves to a seat near the window, and picks up a harp. Daenerys listens to the "sweet sadness" of his music as the vision fades away.{{Ref|aCoK|48}}  
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In one of the visions [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has in the [[House of the Undying]], Daenerys sees a newborn Aegon nursing from the breast of [[Elia Martell]] , who is seated in a great wooden bed. [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]] name the child "Aegon", stating the name is fit for a king. When Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son, he replies that Aegon, [[the prince that was promised]], already has [[the song of ice and fire]]. Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads".{{Ref|aCoK|48}} Afterwards, Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] confirms their identities but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. Neither have heard of "the song of ice and fire".{{Ref|aCoK|63}}
  
Daenerys later describes this vision to [[Jorah Mormont]]. Jorah helps her confirm the identities of the people in this vision but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death.{{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daenerys notices a pattern in the names Rhaegar chose for his children. They were named after [[Aegon I Targaryen]] and his sisters. There was a daughter named after the original [[Rhaenys Targaryen]], but none named after [[Visenya Targaryen|Visenya]]. She wonders if that was the missing third head of the dragon. Neither Daenerys nor Jorah have heard of the term "song of ice and fire". They are unable to determine its meaning.{{Ref|aCoK|63}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
 +
During [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s [[trial by combat]], a wounded [[Gregor Clegane]] narrates a brief account of Aegon's death to [[Oberyn Martell]]. He first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp", and then raped Elia. Gregor claims to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method the Mountain then uses to finish off Oberyn.{{Ref|aSoS|70}}
  
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
 
===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File: Pojypojy_Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
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[[File:Pojypojy Griff&YoungGriff.jpg‎|[[Griff]] and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©|thumb|300px|right]]
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has muses about Aegon who would have been the sixth of his name to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She is yet unaware that he is alive.{{Ref|aDwD|2}} She believes that, had Aegon lived, she might have married him, as he would have been closer to her in age than Viserys.{{Ref|aDwD|2}}
 
 
 
In {{Date|300}}, [[Illyrio Mopatis]] and [[Tyrion Lannister]] jointly depart [[Pentos]], heading towards the river Rhoyne. On the journey Illyrio explains the purpose of Tyrion's mission. Tyrion and "Griff" ([[Jon Connington]] in disguise) are to head towards [[Volantis]] and wait for the expected arrival of [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in that city, with fresh forces and more ships for her cause. Based on Illyrio's information, Daenerys has conquered [[Astapor]], made [[Yunkai]] bend the knee and sacked [[Meereen]]. He estimates that Daenerys is heading westwards, either by land to [[Mantarys]] or by sea to Volantis.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}
 
 
 
Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most [[Mercenary|sellswords]], Griff is a doting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegon's secret identity) is a noble lad.{{Ref|aDwD|5}} Once aboard ''the Shy Maid'', Tyrion is introduced to "Young Griff", a young man who dyes his hair blue in memory of his late mother, who was from [[Tyrosh]].{{Ref|aDwD|8}}
 
 
 
During his time on the boat, Tyrion manages to extract information from [[Haldon]], while playing a game of [[cyvasse]], by convincing the half-maester to play for secrets. [[Haldon]] loses, and upon coming back on deck three hours after their game began, Tyrion witnesses the boat colliding with a turtle, who is dubbed by the crew to have been the [[Old Man of the River]]. Tyrion, amused and with the newly learned secrets fresh in his mind, then thinks to himself:
 
 
 
{{Quote|Why not? Gods and wonders always appear, to attend the birth of kings.{{Ref|aDwD|14}}}}
 
 
 
Though Tyrion keeps his knowledge on Aegon's identity to himself for a while, he later reveals to Aegon that he knows who he is. Tyrion states that dying his hair blue had served well to make Aegon's [[violet eyes]] appear blue, and that that was a good thing, but that the entire story was enough to make a curious man wonder.{{ref|aDwD|18}}
 
  
During their journey further down the Rhoyne on the [[Shy Maid]], Tyrion and Aegon play a game of [[cyvasse]]. During the game, Tyrion fishes for information as to Connington and Illyrio's plan, namely that Aegon will be married to his aunt Daenerys. Tyrion warns the prince that Daenerys might not be accommodating, shocking Aegon. Tyrion points out that Daenerys is a proud, strong, and fierce young woman who will not appreciate a relative coming to her with a begging bowl, certainly not one with a stronger claim to the [[Iron Throne]] than her own. Aegon angrily denies being a beggar, pointing at his own army: the [[Golden Company]]. Tyrion points out that Daenerys has a larger army than his own and owes nothing to Aegon. Aegon protests, trusting in Lord Connington to win her over. Tyrion calls him a fool, warning him:
+
While in [[Meereen]], [[Daenerys Targaryen]] muses about Aegon, who would have been the sixth of his name to sit on the [[Iron Throne]]. She believes that, had Aegon lived, she might have married him, as he would have been closer to her in age than [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]].{{Ref|aDwD|2}}
  
{{Quote|Trust no one, my prince.{{ref|aDwD|22}} }}
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[[Tyrion Lannister]] meets "Young Griff", a young man who is introduced to Tyrion as the son of the sellsword "Griff", aboard the ''[[Shy Maid]]''. The company is headed for [[Volantis]], to await the expected arrival of Daenerys together with the [[Golden Company]] and more ships for her cause.{{Ref|aDwD|5}}{{Ref|aDwD|8}} After some time on the ''Shy Maid'', Tyrion concludes that "Griff" is Lord [[Jon Connington]], and that "Young Griff" is not his son, but instead Aegon Targaryen. "Young Griff" explains his apparent survival to Tyrion while they play ''[[cyvasse]]''. According to his account, the infant killed during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] was a tanner's infant son born at Pisswater Bend, a street of [[King's Landing]]. The child's mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to [[Varys]] for a jug of [[wine]], since he already had other sons, but had never tasted Arbor gold. Varys arranged the swap between the two infants. Elia received the tanner's son, whom Tyrion dubs the [[pisswater prince]], while Varys took custody of the real Prince Aegon.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}
  
Tyrion plants the seeds of doubt in the young prince, pointing that Haldon, Jon Connington, [[Rolly Duckfield]], Lemore and every one of the friends who raised him could also betray him, and that Illyrio Mopatis, Varys, and Daenerys are even less trustworthy.{{ref|aDwD|22}} He then suggests a different course of action to Aegon: heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]]. Tyrion points that [[the North]] is in a chaotic condition, the [[Riverlands]] are devastated, while [[Stannis Baratheon]] holds [[Storm's End]] and [[Dragonstone]]. The coming winter will starve out the realm. He then paints the opposition as particularly weak. He points that King [[Tommen Baratheon]] is just a boy, and all his potential regents come with their own problems. [[Cersei Lannister]] will alienate her own allies, [[Jaime Lannister]] actively avoids the responsibility of ruling, and [[Kevan Lannister]] is a born follower. [[Mace Tyrell]] will have to fight the Lannisters to become regent, and Stannis' unpopularity makes him an unlikely choice. Only a victorious Aegon can hope to meet Daenerys as her equal.  The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon.{{ref|aDwD|22}}
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[[File:Young griff by Winona Nelson.jpg|Blue-haired Young Griff aboard the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' - by © FFG|thumb|350px|right]]
  
Their journey brings them to [[Volon Therys]], where Jon Connington and Aegon depart the ship, heading towards the camp of the [[Golden Company]]. Connington introduces "Young Griff" as Aegon VI, King of the [[Andal]]s, [[Rhoynar]], and the [[First Men]]. This introduction is met with silence by the officers. Connington realizes that all of them were aware of Aegon's identity for some time.{{ref|aDwD|24}}
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Tyrion deduces that once the impostor infant was dead at [[Gregor Clegane]]'s hands, Varys smuggled the genuine Aegon across the [[narrow sea]], where he was first entrusted to Illyrio Mopatis and later to the exiled Lord [[Jon Connington]], a friend of Aegon's late father, Rhaegar.{{Ref|aDwD|22}} Tyrion is skeptical about the plot to marry Aegon to his aunt Daenerys, as Aegon's claim to the throne would be stronger than Daenerys's. Tyrion suggests heading to [[Westeros]] instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the [[War of the Five Kings]] and that King [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen I Baratheon]] has a weak [[small council]]. The game of ''cyvasse'' ends with a loss for Aegon.{{ref|aDwD|22}}
  
Connington and the the officers briefly discuss Daenerys' lingering presence in Meereen, and whether they should join the ongoing conflict in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Several of them are already disillusioned with Daenerys. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the throne in his own name. Strickland tries to point out the risk of this plan, but most of the officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that his aunt is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before the Lannisters can react. This would certainly gain them some new allies. Connington is impressed, thinking that this is a new side of Aegon. All officers swear allegiance to Aegon. They agree, however, to keep his identity secret from the soldiers at least until they actually land in Westeros.{{ref|aDwD|24}}
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Aegon's company travels to [[Volon Therys]], where he and Jon Connington head toward the camp of the Golden Company. Wearing the colors of [[House Targaryen]], Aegon is introduced by Jon as Aegon VI, [[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]. They discuss Daenerys's lingering presence in Meereen, and whether they should join the [[Targaryen campaign in Slaver's Bay|ongoing conflict]] in [[Slaver's Bay]]. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the Iron Throne in his own name. [[Harry Strickland]] tries to point out the risks, but most officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that Daenerys is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before [[House Lannister]] can react. The Golden Company swear allegiances to Aegon, but the officers agree to keep his identity a secret from the soldiers until they land in Westeros.{{ref|aDwD|24}}
  
A little while later in [[Volantis]] and now Ser [[Jorah Mormont]]’s captive, Tyrion is informed by him that "some exiled lord" has hired the Golden Company to win back his lands for him.  Tyrion, knowing about Aegon, almost chokes on the locust he is eating.  He wonders if it is true,
+
They soon depart Volantis, but the [[landing of the Golden Company]] is disrupted by storms and less than half arrive in the [[stormlands]] on schedule. Aegon remains in the camp during the [[taking of Griffin's Roost]], and arrives four days later.{{ref|aDwD|61}} He has named Ser [[Rolly Duckfield]] as the first knight of his [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|aDwD|61}} Aegon is in favor of Jon's plan to take [[Storm's End]], but announces his intent to personally lead the attack.{{ref|aDwD|61}}
{{Quote|Could the pretty princeling have swallowed the bait?  Turned west instead of east, abandoning his hopes of wedding Queen Daenerys? '''Abandoning the dragons''' ...would Griff allow that?}}
 
The entire Golden Company's 10,000 men soon depart Volantis. Not quite half of them make it to Westeros, [[Landing of the Golden Company|landing]] at [[Cape Wrath]] and [[Greenstone]]. Connington leads 1/4 of the forces in seizing [[Griffin's Roost]]. Simultaneously [[Tristan Rivers]] besieges [[Crows Nest]], and [[Laswell Peake]] besieges [[Rain House]]. Aegon remains in their camp, guarded by the remaining 1/4 of the Company under [[Gorys Edoryen]]. Haldon collects information about the military and diplomatic situation across Westeros. He already considers marital alliances for King Aegon and his [[Hand of the King]], Jon Connington. The latter is against both such plans.{{ref|aDwD|61}}
 
  
Connington receives news that part of the missing four ships landed in [[Estermont]]. [[Marq Mandrake]] has led the men there in capturing [[Greenstone]]. The rest of the ships are still missing. Franklyn Flowers suggests that the missing men are scattered across the [[Stepstones]]. Connington decides to bring Aegon to Griffin's Roost for increased safety. Franklyn points out, however, that Aegon would like to be in the thick of things.{{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington has a plan to capture [[Storm's End]], last foothold of Stannis in the [[Stormlands]].{{ref|aDwD|61}}
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When news of Aegon's survival reaches [[King's Landing]], the small council of King Tommen declare him to be a pretender. Ser [[Kevan Lannister]], however, recalls Jon from his time at [[Aerys II Targaryen]]'s court, and wonders whether Aegon could have survived, recalling how the babe killed by Gregor had been unrecognizable.{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}
[[File:Aegon Targaryen Diego Gisbert LlorensIIII.png|400px|thumb|Prince Aegon Targaryen - by Diego Gisbert ©]]
 
Four days later, Aegon arrives at Griffin's Roost. He rides at the head of a column including a hundred [[horse]]s with their riders, and three [[elephant]]s.  He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the [[Kingsguard]].{{ref|aDwD|61}} Connington remembers arguing with Aegon over the appointment of Rolly.  Connington had pointed out that positions in the Kingsguard should be reserved for warriors of great renown and/or sons of great lords.  Aegon pointed out that [[Jaime Lannister]] fit that description perfectly, and was currently known as the Kingslayer.  He would rather have men personally loyal to himself, ready to die for his safety.{{ref|aDwD|61}}
 
 
 
Connington asks to have the Prince escorted to his [[solar]], but soon realizes that Prince Aegon is less pliant than Young Griff. Aegon leaves him waiting for "the better half of a hour", bringing Duck with him instead of coming alone. Connington tries to dismiss the bodyguard, but Aegon insists on having Rolly by his side. Aegon mentions discussing the plan to take Storm's End with Strickland and Flowers. Strickland even tried to persuade him to delay the plan. Aegon, however, feels Strickland is a bit of "an old maid" and is in favour of the plan, with one significant change: he intends to personally lead the attack.{{ref|aDwD|61}}
 
 
 
In the interim Tyrion Lannister has escaped slavery and joined the [[Second Sons]] encamped outside the walls of [[Meereen]].  Thus far he has kept his sojourn on the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' and the knowledge of Prince Aegon's survival to himself.
 
 
 
When news of Aegon's survival reaches [[King's Landing]], the small council of King Tommen I Baratheon declare him to be a pretender. [[Kevan Lannister]], on the other hand, recalls Jon Connington from his time at Aerys II's court, and silently wonders whether Aegon could truly have survived, recalling how the babe killed by Gregor Clegane had been unrecognizable.
 
 
 
{{Quote|Kevan Lannister had been here, in this very hall when Tywin had laid the bodies of Prince Rhaegar’s children at the foot of the Iron Throne, wrapped up in crimson cloaks. The girl had been recognizably the Princess Rhaenys, but the boy … ''a faceless horror of bone and brain and gore, a few hanks of fair hair. None of us looked long. Tywin said that it was Prince Aegon, and we took him at his word''.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}}}
 
  
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
 
===''The Winds of Winter''===
[[Arianne Martell]] has departed [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her [[Doran Martell|father]] to discover the truth about Aegon Targaryen. On the castle battlements of [[Ghost Hill]] she asks Ser [[Daemon Sand]] if it could truly be Prince Aegon. Daemon does not believe it, stating.
+
{{Warning/twow}}
+
[[Arianne Martell]] departs [[Sunspear]] on a mission from her father, [[Doran Martell]], to discover the truth about Aegon. At [[Ghost Hill]], Ser [[Daemon Sand]] expresses his skepticism of Aegon's claim to Arianne.<ref name=arianneI>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne I]]</ref> When Arianne arrives at Griffin's Roost, Haldon informs her that the Golden Company has taken Storm's End and that Aegon intends to meet Lord [[Mace Tyrell]]'s men in battle.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Arianne II (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne II]]</ref>
{{Quote|If Lord Connington’s prince has a crushed skull, I will believe that Aegon Targaryen has returned from the grave.  Elsewise, no.  This is some feigned boy, no more.  A sellsword’s ploy to win support.<ref>[[The Winds of Winter]], [[Arianne I (The Winds of Winter)|Arianne]]</ref>}}
 
  
 
==Quotes by Aegon==
 
==Quotes by Aegon==
{{Quote|Why should I go running to [[Daenerys Targaryen|my aunt]] as if I were a beggar? My claim is better than her own. Let her come to me in [[Westeros]].{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
+
{{Quote|'''Aegon''': [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] is Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] sister, but I am Rhaegar's son. I am the only dragon you need.<br>
 +
'''Jon''': Spoken boldly, but think what you are saying.<br>
 +
'''Aegon''': I have. Why should I go running to my aunt as if I were a beggar? My claim is better than her own. Let her come to me ... in [[Westeros]].{{Ref|aDwD|24}}|Aegon and [[Jon Connington]]}}
  
 +
==Quotes about Aegon==
 +
{{Quote|It is tragic that the blood spilled in war may as readily be innocent as it is guilty, and those who ravished and murdered Princess [[Elia Martell|Elia]] escaped justice. It is not known who murdered Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]] in her bed, or smashed the infant Prince Aegon's head against a wall. Some whisper it was done at Aerys's own command when he learned [[Tywin Lannister|Lord Lannister]] had taken up Robert's cause, while others suggest that Elia did it herself for fear of what would happen to her children in the hands of her dead husband's enemies.{{Ref|twoiaf| The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion}}|writings of [[Yandel]]}}
  
{{Quote|I am the only dragon that you need.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
+
{{Quote|This beardless boy could have any maiden in the [[Seven Kingdoms]], blue hair or no. Those eyes of his would melt them.{{Ref|ADWD|18}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}
  
==Quotes about Aegon==
+
{{Quote|The perfect prince but still half a boy for all that, with little and less experience of the world and all its woes.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts}}
{{Quote|Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen I|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} – [[Varys]], to [[Kevan Lannister]]
 
  
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{{Quote|Trust no one, my prince. Not your [[Haldon|chainless maester]], not your [[Jon Connington|false father]], not the gallant [[Rolly Duckfield|Duck]] nor the lovely [[Lemore]] nor these other fine friends who grew you from a bean. Above all, trust not [[Illyrio Mopatis|the cheesemonger]], nor [[Varys|the Spider]], nor this little [[Daenerys Targaryen|dragon queen]] you mean to marry. All that mistrust will sour your stomach and keep you awake by night, 'tis true, but better that than the long sleep that does not end.{{Ref|ADWD|22}}|[[Tyrion Lannister]], to Aegon}}
  
{{Quote|The perfect prince but still half a boy for all that, with little and less experience of the world and all its woes.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]'s thoughts
+
{{Quote|Sail west, not east. Leave the [[Daenerys Targaryen|little queen]] to her olives and seat Prince Aegon upon the [[Iron Throne]]. The boy has stones, give him that.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}|[[Franklyn Flowers]] to the [[Golden Company]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|Kevan Lannister had been here, in this very hall when [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] had laid the bodies of Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar's]] children at the foot of the [[Iron Throne]], wrapped up in [[House Lannister guards|crimson cloaks]]. The girl had been recognizably the Princess [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|Rhaenys]], but the boy ... a faceless horror of bone and brain and gore, a few hanks of fair hair. None of us looked long. Tywin said that it was Prince Aegon, and we took him at his word.{{Ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}|[[Kevan Lannister]]'s thoughts}}
  
{{Quote|My [[Tywin Lannister|lord father]] wrapped your corpse in a crimson cloak and laid you down beside [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Rhaegar)|your sister]] at the foot of the [[Iron Throne]], his gift to the [[Robert Baratheon|new king]]. Those who had the stomach to lift the cloak said that half your head was gone.{{Ref|aDwD|18}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]], to Aegon
+
{{Quote|Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a [[knight]] to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. [[Lemore|A septa]] has instructed him in the mysteries of the [[Faith of the Seven|Faith]] since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}|[[Varys]], to [[Kevan Lannister]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|'''Arianne''': Could this truly be Prince Aegon?<br>
 +
'''Daemon''': If [[Jon Connington|Lord Connington's]] prince has a crushed skull, I will believe that Aegon Targaryen has returned from the grave. Elsewise, no. This is some feigned boy, no more. A [[sellsword]]'s ploy to win support.<ref name=arianneI/>|[[Arianne Martell]] and [[Daemon Sand]]}}
  
{{Quote|How do you suppose this [[Daenerys Targaryen|queen]] will react when you turn up with your begging bowl in hand and say 'Good morrow to you, Auntie. I'm your nephew Aegon, returned from the dead. I've been hiding on a [[Shy Maid|poleboat]] all my life, but now I've washed the blue dye from my hair and I'd like a [[dragon]] please... and oh, did I mention that my claim to the [[Iron Throne]] is stronger than yours?{{Ref|aDwD|22}}}} [[Tyrion Lannister]], to Aegon
+
==Line of succession to the Iron Throne==
+
After Rhaegar died on the [[Battle of the Trident|Trident]], Prince [[Viserys Targaryen]] was named heir to the throne by King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], while Aegon was still alive.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}} After [[Sack of King's Landing|Aerys's death]], Viserys was declared king on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AWOIAF| Rhaella Targaryen}} Viserys would later name his sister [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] his heir, by declaring her to be the [[Princess of Dragonstone]].{{Ref|AGOT|3}}{{Ref|AGOT|11}} Aegon himself, as well as [[Tyrion Lannister]], believe Aegon's claim is stronger than Daenerys's claim.{{Ref|aDwD|22}}{{Ref|aDwD|24}} According to the relevant succession laws, ''"the sons of the first son come before the second son"''.{Ref|aCoK|35}} As Aegon is the son of the eldest son of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], he would under normal circumstances be higher in the Targaryen succession line than both [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] (Aerys II's second son) and [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] (the daughter of Aerys II).{{Ref|aCoK|35}} However, documents from the end of King Aerys II's reign give doubt to the fact that Aegon's claim is truly stronger, due to Aerys's appointment of Viserys.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Fall of the Dragons: The End}}<ref>A Forum of Ice and Fire:[http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php?/topic/120966-errors-in-the-woiaf/&do=findComment&comment=6801531 Errors in the WOIAF (March 10, 2015)] ''"Maester Yandel is merely reporting based on historical records on events of the time"''</ref>
  
{{Quote|A faceless horror of bone and brain and gore. None of us looked long. Tywin said that it was Prince Aegon and we took him at his word.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}}} [[Kevan Lannister]]'s thoughts
+
In both {{Date|92}} and {{Date|101}}, the succession of House Targaryen was brought into question when the proclaimed heir of King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]] died. On both occasions, the male line through a younger son was chosen over the female line through the elder (but deceased) son, by first choosing the King's second son, [[Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Baelon]], over the [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|elder son's]] heir, [[Rhaenys Targaryen (daughter of Aemon)|Rhaenys]], and by later choosing Baelon's [[Viserys I Targaryen|elder son]] over Rhaenys's [[Laenor Velaryon|son]], after Baelon's death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} According to Archmaester [[Gyldayn]], in the eyes of many, the council of {{Date|101}} established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I}} King Viserys I wished to set a new precedent by naming his daughter [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] his heir, and kept her as his heir after fathering three sons,{{Ref|TRP}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}} an issue over which eventually a [[Dance of the Dragons|civil war]] was fought.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}} When King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] died without a son of his own, and without having proclaimed an heir, the claims of his three sisters were discussed, but dismissed in favor of the claim of Baelor's uncle, his closest living male relative.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II}} Further, in the [[Great Council]] [[Great Council#Great Council of 233 AC|of 233 AC]], [[Aegon V Targaryen]] was crowned King despite the fact that [[Maegor Targaryen (son of Aerion)|the infant son]] of [[Aerion Targaryen|his older brother]] was still alive.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I}}
  
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In contrast to Aegon, who due to his supposed death is considered an imposter by the [[small council]] at King's Landing,  Daenerys Targaryen's lineage is not under suspicion.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}} According to [[Harry Strickland]], that Aegon's lineage can be questioned, but a marriage of Aegon to his aunt would quell any doubts.{{Ref|aDwD|24}}
  
 
==Family==
 
==Family==
 
{{Targaryen tree now}}
 
{{Targaryen tree now}}
  
==References and Notes==
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==Theories==
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{{Main|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)/Theories}}
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Even before the release of ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', the fandom had speculated about whether or not Aegon had survived the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. With the revelation from ''A Dance With Dragons'' about Aegon's survival and his fake identity of "Young Griff", some members of the fandom have speculated about the character's true identity.
 +
 
 +
==Notes==
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{{Notes}}
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==References==
 
{{references|2}}
 
{{references|2}}
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Revision as of 20:49, 8 June 2019

House Targaryen.svg
Aegon Targaryen
House Targaryen.svg
Enife young griffII.jpg

Aliases
Titles
Allegiance House Targaryen
Race Valyrian
Culture Crownlands
Born late 281 AC or early 282 AC[3]
Dragonstone
Died 283 AC (supposedly)
King's Landing[N 1]
Books

Prince Aegon Targaryen was the second child and only son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Princess Elia Martell.

Appearance

According to semi-canonical sources, Aegon looked like a Targaryen, taking after his father, Rhaegar, while his sister, Rhaenys, took after their Dornish mother, Elia Martell.[4][5][6] The infant Aegon had fair hair.[7]

History

Birth

A comet was seen above King's Landing on the night Aegon was conceived, which led his father Rhaegar Targaryen to believe that he was the "prince that was promised". The comet was seen as "the bleeding star" of the prophecy. Maester Aemon was aware of Rhaegar's beliefs, though it is unclear if he shared them.[8]

Sack of King's Landing

Aegon was an infant during Robert's Rebellion,[9][10] having been born a few months before its onset. In preparation of the Battle of the Trident, Aegon's grandfather, King Aerys II Targaryen used him, his mother Elia, and his sister Rhaenys as voltages, gracelessly reminding Aegon's great-uncle, Prince Lewyn Martell of the Kingsguard, that the three were in Aerys's hands. Lewyn took command of ten thousand Dornishmen, but died in the battle as did Aegon's father, Rhaegar. Aerys became convinced that the Dornishmen had betrayed him, and refused to allow Aegon and his family to flee to Dragonstone alongside Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Prince Viserys. Aegon, his mother, and his sister were kept at King's Landing as hostages to ensure continued Dornish loyalty.[11]

With Rhaegar's death, Grand Maester Pycelle became convinced that the war was effectively over, and that House Targaryen could no longer offer a proper king to the realm. Pycelle worked to convince Aerys II to open the gates of King's Landing to the Lannister forces, secretly hoping Lord Tywin Lannister would rise to the Iron Throne.[12]

Aegon is killed in front of his mother, Elia Martell

During the Sack of King's Landing a fortnight after the royal forces had left for the Trident, Ser Jaime Lannister killed Aerys in the throne room of the Red Keep. Jaime, though the only Kingsguard member left in the city, did not think his father Tywin, whose troops were attacking the city, would harm little Aegon and his young sister, Rhaenys. While Jaime was standing over Aerys's corpse, Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch scaled the walls of Maegor's Holdfast and then killed Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia. The deaths of the children caused a dispute between Lord Eddard Stark and the new king, Robert I Baratheon,[13] and also began the feud between House Martell and House Lannister.[14][15]

Death

According to Lord Eddard Stark, Tywin Lannister's soldiers tore Aegon from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall.[16] Viserys Targaryen told his sister Daenerys that Elia pleaded for mercy as Aegon was dashed against a wall.[17][18] Eddard Stark had heard rumors that Gregor Clegane was Aegon's murderer, after which he had raped Elia, and next had put her to the sword.[10] According to Eddard, these rumors were not repeated in Gregor's presence.[10] According to Tyrion Lannister, Gregor's role in the deaths of Aegon and his mother were common knowledge at Casterly Rock. He heard that Gregor's hands had still been covered with Aegon's blood when he raped Elia.[19]

According to Tywin Lannister, he required a way to demonstrate his loyalty to the cause of Robert Baratheon, after having remained neutral for the entire war. He claims that presenting the bodies of Aegon and his sister to the new king ensured that no one could doubt the Lannisters had forsaken House Targaryen. He claims to his son Tyrion that the murders had been done "too brutally", and that Elia's death had not been intended.[20] Aegon's uncle, Oberyn Martell, however, believes that Tywin had Elia's killed as revenge for Elia having married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, thereby disrupting Tywin's plans for marrying his own daughter to Rhaegar.[21]

Tywin Lannister presented King Robert I with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys as his "token of fealty".[16] He laid the bodies beneath the Iron Throne wrapped in the crimson cloaks of his household guards, which helped to hide the blood. Aegon's skull was a "red ruin", which horrified Eddard Stark,[22] and was so terrible that not even Robert could not stand its sight.[9] According to Kevan Lannister, Aegon had been unrecognizable, as all that remained of him was a faceless horror of bone, brain, and gore with a few hanks of fair hair.[7]

The deaths of Aegon, his sister and his mother were met with mixed responses. Robert Baratheon was relieved that Rhaegar's children were dead, and that he did not have to be the one to give the order.[20] Upon the protest of his friend Eddard Stark] that the two children had been no more than babes, Robert named Aegon and his sister "dragonspawn".[16] Eddard called the act murder, and after a quarrel with Robert, Eddard rode out from King's Landing in a cold rage, heading south to fight the last battles of the war on his own.[16] Although he had not personally seen the corpses, Barristan Selmy has been haunted by the "bloody bodies" of Aegon and his sister.[23] According to Thoros of Myr, who did personally see the bodies of Aegon and Rhaenys, believes that House Clegane was "built upon dead children" and their arms should display "two bloody infants".[24]

Viserys Targaryen is convinced that Dornishmen are determined to avenge Elia and her children, and would thus rise to his cause.[17] Indeed, Doran and Oberyn Martell, Elia's brothers, have plotted against House Lannister.[25] According to Varys, Doran's hatred for House Lannister is well known,[19] and Oberyn, certain that Gregor had not acted on his own,[26] wants vengeance both on Gregor and the man who gave the orders.[14] Oberyn's daughter Nymeria Sand believes that the only fitting payment for the death of Elia's children would be the death of "Lord Tywin's golden twins".[27] Doran's daughter Arianne, connecting the murders of Aegon and his sister to Robert Baratheon's rise to the throne, calls Robert a monster who climbed onto his throne over the corpses of children.[28]

Daenerys Targaryen holds "the Usurpers'dogs" responsible for the murders of Rhaenys and Aegon, and sees no difference between the responsibilities of House Lannister and House Stark in the events.[13] In his book The World of Ice and Fire, Maester Yandel describes the events of the Sack of King's Landing in a way that shifts the blame from House Baratheon and House Lannister, by then allied with Robert through marriage, to other candidates, and cites supposed rumors that person responsible was King Aerys II Targaryen, or that it had been Elia, to spare her children from a worse fate.[29]

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

According to Jacelyn Bywater, there are still whispers in King's Landing that "the butchery of Rhaegar's children" is one of the sins of House Lannister and that the gods are punishing the entire city for the act.[30]

In one of the visions Daenerys Targaryen has in the House of the Undying, Daenerys sees a newborn Aegon nursing from the breast of Elia Martell , who is seated in a great wooden bed. Rhaegar name the child "Aegon", stating the name is fit for a king. When Elia asks whether Rhaegar will make a song for their son, he replies that Aegon, the prince that was promised, already has the song of ice and fire. Rhaegar then claims that there must be "one more", since "the dragon has three heads".[1] Afterwards, Ser Jorah Mormont confirms their identities but points out that if Aegon was the promised prince, the promise was broken with his death. Neither have heard of "the song of ice and fire".[31]

A Storm of Swords

During Tyrion Lannister's trial by combat, a wounded Gregor Clegane narrates a brief account of Aegon's death to Oberyn Martell. He first killed Aegon, the "screaming whelp", and then raped Elia. Gregor claims to have smashed her head with his bare hands, the same method the Mountain then uses to finish off Oberyn.[21]

A Dance with Dragons

Griff and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©

While in Meereen, Daenerys Targaryen muses about Aegon, who would have been the sixth of his name to sit on the Iron Throne. She believes that, had Aegon lived, she might have married him, as he would have been closer to her in age than Viserys.[32]

Tyrion Lannister meets "Young Griff", a young man who is introduced to Tyrion as the son of the sellsword "Griff", aboard the Shy Maid. The company is headed for Volantis, to await the expected arrival of Daenerys together with the Golden Company and more ships for her cause.[33][34] After some time on the Shy Maid, Tyrion concludes that "Griff" is Lord Jon Connington, and that "Young Griff" is not his son, but instead Aegon Targaryen. "Young Griff" explains his apparent survival to Tyrion while they play cyvasse. According to his account, the infant killed during the Sack of King's Landing was a tanner's infant son born at Pisswater Bend, a street of King's Landing. The child's mother had died at birth. The tanner sold his boy to Varys for a jug of wine, since he already had other sons, but had never tasted Arbor gold. Varys arranged the swap between the two infants. Elia received the tanner's son, whom Tyrion dubs the pisswater prince, while Varys took custody of the real Prince Aegon.[35]

Blue-haired Young Griff aboard the Shy Maid - by © FFG

Tyrion deduces that once the impostor infant was dead at Gregor Clegane's hands, Varys smuggled the genuine Aegon across the narrow sea, where he was first entrusted to Illyrio Mopatis and later to the exiled Lord Jon Connington, a friend of Aegon's late father, Rhaegar.[35] Tyrion is skeptical about the plot to marry Aegon to his aunt Daenerys, as Aegon's claim to the throne would be stronger than Daenerys's. Tyrion suggests heading to Westeros instead of going east, taking advantage of all the problems caused by the War of the Five Kings and that King Tommen I Baratheon has a weak small council. The game of cyvasse ends with a loss for Aegon.[35]

Aegon's company travels to Volon Therys, where he and Jon Connington head toward the camp of the Golden Company. Wearing the colors of House Targaryen, Aegon is introduced by Jon as Aegon VI, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. They discuss Daenerys's lingering presence in Meereen, and whether they should join the ongoing conflict in Slaver's Bay. Aegon sees the opportunity to introduce his own plan of going to Westeros and claiming the Iron Throne in his own name. Harry Strickland tries to point out the risks, but most officers are eager to support this course of action. Aegon further explains that Daenerys is welcome to keep Meereen. His plan is to move fast and strike hard, gaining a foothold before House Lannister can react. The Golden Company swear allegiances to Aegon, but the officers agree to keep his identity a secret from the soldiers until they land in Westeros.[2]

They soon depart Volantis, but the landing of the Golden Company is disrupted by storms and less than half arrive in the stormlands on schedule. Aegon remains in the camp during the taking of Griffin's Roost, and arrives four days later.[36] He has named Ser Rolly Duckfield as the first knight of his Kingsguard.[36] Aegon is in favor of Jon's plan to take Storm's End, but announces his intent to personally lead the attack.[36]

When news of Aegon's survival reaches King's Landing, the small council of King Tommen declare him to be a pretender. Ser Kevan Lannister, however, recalls Jon from his time at Aerys II Targaryen's court, and wonders whether Aegon could have survived, recalling how the babe killed by Gregor had been unrecognizable.[7]

The Winds of Winter

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Warning
This information has thus far been released in a sample chapter for The Winds of Winter, and might therefore not be in finalized form. Keep in mind that the content as described below is still subject to change.

Arianne Martell departs Sunspear on a mission from her father, Doran Martell, to discover the truth about Aegon. At Ghost Hill, Ser Daemon Sand expresses his skepticism of Aegon's claim to Arianne.[37] When Arianne arrives at Griffin's Roost, Haldon informs her that the Golden Company has taken Storm's End and that Aegon intends to meet Lord Mace Tyrell's men in battle.[38]

Quotes by Aegon

Aegon: Daenerys is Prince Rhaegar's sister, but I am Rhaegar's son. I am the only dragon you need.

Jon: Spoken boldly, but think what you are saying.

Aegon: I have. Why should I go running to my aunt as if I were a beggar? My claim is better than her own. Let her come to me ... in Westeros.[2]

—Aegon and Jon Connington

Quotes about Aegon

It is tragic that the blood spilled in war may as readily be innocent as it is guilty, and those who ravished and murdered Princess Elia escaped justice. It is not known who murdered Princess Rhaenys in her bed, or smashed the infant Prince Aegon's head against a wall. Some whisper it was done at Aerys's own command when he learned Lord Lannister had taken up Robert's cause, while others suggest that Elia did it herself for fear of what would happen to her children in the hands of her dead husband's enemies.[29]

—writings of Yandel

This beardless boy could have any maiden in the Seven Kingdoms, blue hair or no. Those eyes of his would melt them.[39]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts

The perfect prince but still half a boy for all that, with little and less experience of the world and all its woes.[35]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts

Trust no one, my prince. Not your chainless maester, not your false father, not the gallant Duck nor the lovely Lemore nor these other fine friends who grew you from a bean. Above all, trust not the cheesemonger, nor the Spider, nor this little dragon queen you mean to marry. All that mistrust will sour your stomach and keep you awake by night, 'tis true, but better that than the long sleep that does not end.[35]

Tyrion Lannister, to Aegon

Sail west, not east. Leave the little queen to her olives and seat Prince Aegon upon the Iron Throne. The boy has stones, give him that.[2]

Kevan Lannister had been here, in this very hall when Tywin had laid the bodies of Prince Rhaegar's children at the foot of the Iron Throne, wrapped up in crimson cloaks. The girl had been recognizably the Princess Rhaenys, but the boy ... a faceless horror of bone and brain and gore, a few hanks of fair hair. None of us looked long. Tywin said that it was Prince Aegon, and we took him at his word.[7]

Kevan Lannister's thoughts

Aegon has been shaped for rule before he could walk. He has been trained in arms, as befits a knight to be, but that was not the end of his education. He reads and writes, he speaks several tongues, he has studied history and law and poetry. A septa has instructed him in the mysteries of the Faith since he was old enough to understand them. He has lived with fisherfolk, worked with his hands, swum in rivers and mended nets and learned to wash his own clothes at need. He can fish and cook and bind up a wound, he knows what it is like to be hungry, to be hunted, to be afraid. Tommen has been taught that kingship is his right. Aegon knows kingship is his duty, that a king must put his people first, and live and rule for them.[7]

Arianne: Could this truly be Prince Aegon?
Daemon: If Lord Connington's prince has a crushed skull, I will believe that Aegon Targaryen has returned from the grave. Elsewise, no. This is some feigned boy, no more. A sellsword's ploy to win support.[37]

Line of succession to the Iron Throne

After Rhaegar died on the Trident, Prince Viserys Targaryen was named heir to the throne by King Aerys II Targaryen, while Aegon was still alive.[40] After Aerys's death, Viserys was declared king on Dragonstone.[41] Viserys would later name his sister Daenerys his heir, by declaring her to be the Princess of Dragonstone.[17][42] Aegon himself, as well as Tyrion Lannister, believe Aegon's claim is stronger than Daenerys's claim.[35][2] According to the relevant succession laws, "the sons of the first son come before the second son".{Ref|aCoK|35}} As Aegon is the son of the eldest son of King Aerys II Targaryen, he would under normal circumstances be higher in the Targaryen succession line than both Viserys (Aerys II's second son) and Daenerys (the daughter of Aerys II).[43] However, documents from the end of King Aerys II's reign give doubt to the fact that Aegon's claim is truly stronger, due to Aerys's appointment of Viserys.[40][44]

In both 92 AC and 101 AC, the succession of House Targaryen was brought into question when the proclaimed heir of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen died. On both occasions, the male line through a younger son was chosen over the female line through the elder (but deceased) son, by first choosing the King's second son, Baelon, over the elder son's heir, Rhaenys, and by later choosing Baelon's elder son over Rhaenys's son, after Baelon's death.[45] According to Archmaester Gyldayn, in the eyes of many, the council of 101 AC established an iron precedent on matters of succession: that the Iron Throne could not pass to a woman, or to a male descendant of a woman.[45] King Viserys I wished to set a new precedent by naming his daughter Rhaenyra his heir, and kept her as his heir after fathering three sons,[46][47] an issue over which eventually a civil war was fought.[48][49] When King Baelor I Targaryen died without a son of his own, and without having proclaimed an heir, the claims of his three sisters were discussed, but dismissed in favor of the claim of Baelor's uncle, his closest living male relative.[50] Further, in the Great Council of 233 AC, Aegon V Targaryen was crowned King despite the fact that the infant son of his older brother was still alive.[51]

In contrast to Aegon, who due to his supposed death is considered an imposter by the small council at King's Landing, Daenerys Targaryen's lineage is not under suspicion.[7] According to Harry Strickland, that Aegon's lineage can be questioned, but a marriage of Aegon to his aunt would quell any doubts.[2]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aegon V
 
Betha
Blackwood
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duncan
 
Jenny
of Oldstones
 
Jaehaerys II
 
Shaera
 
Daeron
 
Rhaelle
 
Ormund
Baratheon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aerys II
 
Rhaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House Baratheon.svg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaegar
 
Elia
Martell
 
Shaena
 
 
Stillborn
child
 
 
Jaehaerys
 
 
Drogo
 
Daenerys
 
Hizdahr
zo Loraq
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhaenys
 
Aegon
 
 
 
Daeron
 
Aegon
 
Viserys
 
Rhaego
 

Theories

Even before the release of A Dance with Dragons, the fandom had speculated about whether or not Aegon had survived the Sack of King's Landing. With the revelation from A Dance With Dragons about Aegon's survival and his fake identity of "Young Griff", some members of the fandom have speculated about the character's true identity.

Notes

  1. Put into question by the appearance of a youth claimed to be the survived prince, backed up by Prince Rhaegar's former friend Jon Connington.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  3. See the Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar) calculation.
  4. So Spake Martin: A Number of Questions (August 26, 2000)
  5. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Aegon Targaryen.
  6. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Elia Martell.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  8. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  11. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  14. 14.0 14.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 66, Tyrion IX.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  18. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  20. 20.0 20.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  21. 21.0 21.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  22. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  23. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  24. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 34, Arya VI.
  25. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.
  26. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 38, Arya VIII.
  27. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  28. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  29. 29.0 29.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: Robert's Rebellion.
  30. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
  32. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
  33. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  34. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
  35. 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  37. 37.0 37.1 The Winds of Winter, Arianne I
  38. The Winds of Winter, Arianne II
  39. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 18, Tyrion V.
  40. 40.0 40.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Fall of the Dragons: The End.
  41. George R. R. Martin's A World of Ice and Fire, Rhaella Targaryen.
  42. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  43. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  44. A Forum of Ice and Fire:Errors in the WOIAF (March 10, 2015) "Maester Yandel is merely reporting based on historical records on events of the time"
  45. 45.0 45.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Jaehaerys I.
  46. The Rogue Prince.
  47. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  48. The Princess and the Queen.
  49. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  50. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys II.
  51. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Maekar I.