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==Identity==
 
==Identity==
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{{Main|Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)/Theories}}
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==

Revision as of 01:17, 20 November 2015

House Targaryen crest.PNG
Aegon Targaryen
House Targaryen crest.PNG
Elias last moments.jpg
Prince Aegon in the arms of his mother, Princess Elia Martell - by Achen089 ©.

Alias Young Griff
Allegiance House Targaryen
Culture Valyrian
Born 281 AC or 282 AC[1]
Dragonstone
Died 283 AC (Supposedly)
King's Landing [2]
Books

Prince Aegon Targaryen was the second child and only son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell. Had he ascended to the throne he would have ruled as Aegon VI Targaryen.

Appearance and Character

See also: Images of Aegon Targaryen

According to semi-canonical sources, Aegon looks like a Targaryen, taking after his father, Rhaegar.[3] As an infant, Aegon had "fair hair".[4]

The older Aegon is described as a lithe and well-made youth, with a lanky build.[5] According to Haldon, Aegon is as tall as Jon Connington.[5] 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.[6] Tyrion Lannister noted that Aegon's eyes seem to be dark blue, but looked black by lamplight, and purple in the light of dusk. His eyelashes are long, seemingly feminine.[7] 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. Jon Connington notes that Aegon's eyes are a lighter shade of purple than Rhaegar's eyes had been.[6][8]

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, gives him trouble.[7] He has some training in mathematics, with a decent knowledge of sums and a limited understanding of geometry. He also has been trained in songs. Tyrion notes that Aegon is more learned than "half the lords in Westeros".[7]

History

Birth

A comet was seen above King's Landing on the night Aegon was conceived - art by Rene Aigner ©

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 dragons, which are neither male nor female.[9] It should be noted that at this moment in time, Aemon believed Aegon to be dead.

Sack of King's Landing

Aegon was just an infant during Robert's Rebellion,[10][11] 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 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, Aegons father Rhaegar and great-uncle Lewyn died, amongst others, and King Aerys II decided to send his wife, Queen Rhaella, and their last remaining son, 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.[12]

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.[13]

Aegon is killed in front of his mother Princess Elia

A fortnight after the royal forces had left for the Trident, the Sack of King's Landing occured. During the 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 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, his sister and 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, 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, 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.[14]

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".[15] Daenerys later recalled an additional detail, that Aegons head had been dashed against a wall.[16] 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 from beneath her bed, putting her to the sword.[17] 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.[11] 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.[18] 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.[19]

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 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 might do something stupid or that Aerys would kill Jaime for no more reason than sheer spite.[20]

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".[20]

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 Reyne and Tarbeck had learned.[19]

Eddard Stark recalled how Tywin Lannister presented Robert Baratheon with the corpses of Elia, Aegon, and Rhaenys: his "token of fealty".[17] 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.[21] The skull was a "red ruin", and even Robert Baratheon could not stand its sight.[10] 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.[4]

Reactions to the death

  • Robert Baratheon was actually relieved and glad that 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 Lannisters for the brutal act.[20] 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".[17]
  • 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.[20]
  • 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.[17]
  • 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".[22]
  • 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.[23]
  • Years following the murders, Doran Martell still mourns for the victims. According to Varys, Prince Doran's hatred for House Lannister is well known.[18] 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.[24]
  • 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,[25] and wanted vengeance on the man who gave the orders, not just the man who performed the deed.[26]
  • 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 and Jaime would pay with their lives for the old murders.[27]
  • Daenerys Targaryen is unable to see a difference between Houses Lannister and 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.[29]
  • 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.[30]
  • 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...

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 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. [31]

Reported survival

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

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 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.[32]

Tyrion Lannister deduces the rest of the story. Once the 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.[32]

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:

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.[4]

Line of succession to the Iron Throne

If Aegon is who he and his supporters purport him to be, his claim to the Iron Throne is stronger than that of his aunt Daenerys Targaryen.[32][33] According to the relevant succession laws,

The sons of the first son come before the second son.[34]

Aegon is a son of Rhaegar, who was himself the first son of Aerys II, placing Aegon higher in the Targaryen succession line than both Viserys (Aerys II's second son) and Daenerys (the daughter of Aerys II). [34]

Since the Dance of the Dragons, House Targaryen has practiced a highly modified version of agnatic primogeniture, placing female claimants in the line of succession behind all possible male ones, even collateral relations. 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.[35]

After her brother's death in Vaes Dothrak Daenerys is referred to as queen - there are no male Targaryen heirs and she is the very last of her line[36] - but if Aegon’s claim is a rightful one then according to the relevant succession laws she is a princess of Westeros, not a queen. She is queen of Meereen in her own right nevertheless, 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 Targaryen pretender, Kevan Lannister says as much, stating that there is

A second Targaryen, and one whose blood no man can question. Daenerys Stormborn.[4]

During the Golden Company’s rendezvous with Jon Connington in Volantis Homeless Harry Strickland points out that Aegon's lineage can be questioned and Aegon’s marriage to his aunt would quell any doubts,

Has the sun curdled your brains, Flowers? We need 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.[33]

Nevertheless the men of the Golden Company are sick of waiting for Daenerys, who is ensconced in Meereen and female besides, whom they refer to as “a child queen” a “girl” and a “little queen”. They decide to take their chances on Aegon.

Identity

Recent Events

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".

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.[37]

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.[38] 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. 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.[38]

A Dance with Dragons

Griff and Young Griff - by Pojypojy ©

While in Meereen, Daenerys has mused about Aegon who would have been the sixth to sit on the Iron Throne. She is yet unaware that he is alive.[39] She thought to herself:

If he had lived, I might have married him. Aegon would have been closer to my age than Viserys.[39]

In 300 AC, 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.[40]

Tyrion wants more information on Griff, who Illyrio supposedly trusts as a brother. Illyrio simply points that unlike most sellswords, Griff is a doting father. He also mentions that his boy, "Young Griff" (Aegons secret identity) is a noble lad.[40] 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.[5]

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:

Why not? Gods and wonders always appear, to attend the birth of kings.[7]

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 Aegons violet eyes appear blue, and that that was a good thing, but that the entire story was enough to make a curious man wonder.[6]

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:

Trust no one, my prince.[32]

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.[32] 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.[32]

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 Andals, 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.[33]

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.[33]

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,

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 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.[8]

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.[8] Connington has a plan to capture Storm's End, last foothold of Stannis in the Stormlands.[8]

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 horses with their riders, and three elephants. He is accompanied by Lemore and Rolly Duckfield, the first person in his version of the Kingsguard.[8] 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.[8]

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.[8]

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.

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.[4]

The Winds of Winter

Arianne Martell has departed Sunspear on a mission from her 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

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.[41]

Quotes by Aegon

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.[33]


I am the only dragon that you need.[33]

Quotes about Aegon

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.[4]

Varys, to Kevan Lannister


The perfect prince but still half a boy for all that, with little and less experience of the world and all its woes.[32]

Tyrion Lannister's thoughts


My lord father wrapped your corpse in a crimson cloak and laid you down beside your sister at the foot of the Iron Throne, his gift to the new king. Those who had the stomach to lift the cloak said that half your head was gone.[6]

Tyrion Lannister, to Aegon


How do you suppose this 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 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?[32]

Tyrion Lannister, to Aegon


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.[4]

Kevan Lannister's thoughts


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
 

References and Notes

  1. See the Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar) calculation.
  2. 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.
  3. So Spake Martin Westeros. "A Number of Questions." (August 26, 2000)
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 8, Tyrion III.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 18, Tyrion V.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.
  9. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 35, Samwell IV.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 20, Eddard IV.
  11. 11.0 11.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 30, Eddard VII.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 37, Jaime V.
  13. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 25, Tyrion VI.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 11, Jaime II.
  15. 15.0 15.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  16. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 12, Eddard II.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 17, Tyrion IV.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 70, Tyrion X.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 53, Tyrion VI.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 45, Eddard XII.
  22. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 34, Arya VI.
  23. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  24. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 40, Princess In The Tower.
  25. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 38, Arya VIII.
  26. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 66, Theon VI.
  27. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
  28. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 41, Tyrion IX.
  29. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 67, The Kingbreaker.
  31. The World of Ice & Fire, Robert's Rebellion.
  32. 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 35, Bran V.
  35. The World of Ice & Fire, Jaehaerys I.
  36. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 54, Daenerys VI.
  37. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  38. 38.0 38.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
  39. 39.0 39.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
  40. 40.0 40.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 5, Tyrion II.
  41. The Winds of Winter, Arianne