Aerion Targaryen

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For the Lord of Dragonstone, and the father of King Aegon I Targaryen, see Aerion Targaryen (son of Daemion).
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Aerion Targaryen
MiniTargaryen Aerion.png
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Aerion targaryen by arkoniel.jpg
Aerion Targaryen by Mathia Arkoniel©

Aliases
  • Brightflame
  • Aerion the Monstrous
  • The Bright Prince
  • The Prince Who Thought He Was a Dragon
Title Prince
Allegiances
Culture Valyrian
Born or between 191 AC and 194 AC[1]
Died 232 AC
Spouse Daenora Targaryen
Books

Prince Aerion Targaryen, also known as Aerion the Monstrous or Aerion Brightflame as he liked to call himself, was the second son of Maekar I Targaryen. He is one of the most outstanding examples of the latent folly that can hit the members of House Targaryen. Cruel and arrogant, he thought he was a dragon in human form.

Appearance

See also: Images of Aerion Targaryen

In his youth, Aerion was slim and of average height. He had curly silver-hair, a statuesque face of sharp cheekbones, straight nose and pale skin. His eyes were violet.[2]

History

Aerion drinks wildfire.
Art by Roman Papsuev

Background

Aerion was despised by his brother Aegon. Aerion had thrown Aegon's pet cat down a well and even once visited Aegon in his bedroom during the dead of night, put a knife to Aegon's privates and joked about removing his genitals so he would become a sister he could marry. According to Raymun Fossoway, the prince is all smiles and courtesy in front of his father, but his true nature shows in front of others.[2]

The Hedge Knight

Aerion travels to Ashford for the Ashford Tourney. When he arrives, he mistakes Duncan the Tall for a stable boy, ordering him to take his horse. When Duncan says he isn't a stable boy, Aerion insults him, saying perhaps he's not clever enough to be one. He orders him to bring him food, wine and a wench and Duncan makes it clear that he's a knight. Aerion says "Knighthood has fallen on sad times" before giving his horse to a servant and leaving. At the tourney, he seems about to challenge his cousin Valarr Targaryen to a joust, but challenges Humfrey Hardyng instead. During the charge, Egg, Dunk's squire (in truth Aegon Targaryen) screams for Hardying to kill Aerion. Duncan notices Aerion lowers his lance too low as he charges and impales Hardyng's horse, injuring Humfrey's leg and leaving his horse to die in agony. Egg is horrified and makes it clear to Duncan that Aerion had done it on purpose.[2]

Later, Aerion comes across puppeeteers who are portraying a dragon being slain in their puppet show. Feeling insulted, Aerion attacks the puppeteers, breaking the fingers of a girl named Tanselle, whilst their puppets are being destroyed. Duncan intervenes and attacks Aerion, punching him in the face and kicking him. Aerion orders Duncan's teeth broken, but Aegon intervens, and Duncan is arrested. After Prince Baelor informs Duncan about the ability of requesting a trial by battle, Aerion requests a Trial of Seven. When his father, Prince Maekar wonders whether this is a sign of fear, Aerion insists he wishes his older brother Daeron, who had lied and blamed Duncan for stealing Aegon away, to be able to take vengeance as well. Aerion bribes Ser Steffon Fossoway, one of Dunk's champions, with a chance of a lordship to join the accusers against Duncan. Joining Aerion are his brother Daeron, his father Maekar, and three knights of the Kingsguard, while his uncle, Prince Baelor, joins Duncan's side.[2]

During the trial, Aerion and Duncan face each other and Aerion manages to put his lance through Dunk's side and strike him from the saddle with a morningstar. As Dunk lies wounded on the ground, Aerion gives him a chance to yield, since he'll only take his hand (and maybe a foot) but definitely his teeth. When Dunk refuses, Aerion attempts to smash his face in with his morningstar, but Duncan rolls aside and knocks Aerion to the ground, using his skills as a brawler from Flea Bottom to beat the prince down. Duncan considers popping one of Aerion's violet eyes like a grape until he decides "that would not be knightly" and demands Aerion yield. Aerion, terrified, does, but tries to draw a weapon on Duncan until he drags him across the field to Lord Ashford and makes him repeat his statement, ending the threat to Dunk's other champions.[2]

After the conclusion of the tournament, Prince Baelor dies from a wound to the head (caused by his brother's mace) and Maekar sends Aerion to Lys, where he stayed for a few years. It is possible that he fathered some children while staying there.[3] He served with the Second Sons for a time while in exile.[4]

Later Life

Aerion returned to Westeros at some point and fought in the Third Blackfyre Rebellion in 219 AC.[5]

Aerion was married to his cousin, Daenora Targaryen. Together, they had one child, a son named Maegor, born in 232 AC. The same year as his son's birth, Aerion died drinking a cup of wildfire, believing it would transform him into a dragon. He died screaming.[6][7] His son was passed over in the succession a year later.[6][8]

Aerion owned a dragon egg that was gold and silver.[9]

Family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daeron II
 
Myriah
Martell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baelor
 
Jena
Dondarrion
 
Aerys I
 
Aelinor
Penrose
 
Rhaegel
 
Alys
Arryn
 
Maekar I
 
Dyanna
Dayne
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valarr
 
Kiera of
Tyrosh
[N 1]
 
Matarys
 
Aelora
 
Aelor
 
Daenora
 
Aerion
 
Daeron
 
Kiera of
Tyrosh
[N 1]
 
Aemon
 
Daella
 
Aegon V
 
Rhae
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stillborn sons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maegor
 
 
 
 
 
Vaella
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unknown
descendants
 
House Targaryen.svg
 
Unknown
descendants
 
Notes:
  1. Kiera of Tyrosh was widowed when Valarr Targaryen died from the Great Spring Sickness; some time later she married his cousin Daeron.


References and Notes