Is Aegon really dead in House of the Dragon? How he dies

This article contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 4 of House of the Dragon And Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin.

Episode 4 of House of the Dragon not only shows more of the carnage that the Dance of Dragons brings, but also how Aegon battles his ego. Despite being king, he finds that few in the small council appreciate his contribution to the ongoing war, leading to his drunken decision to fly his dragon to the front lines despite many advising against it.

Even as he prepares for battle, Aegon is seen drinking from his cups, suggesting that he is not in his right mind when he decides to personally enter the fray and fight alongside his men. This would be his downfall.

Despite his determination, the episode ends on a cliffhanger with Aegon’s body lying limp. But is he really dead?

Aegon arrives at the battle and at Rook’s Rest not long after Rhaenys rides her dragon. Despite Rhaenys’ attempts to defeat Aegon and his dragon, it is actually Aemond who defeats the king and betrays his brother. When Aegon believes Vhagar and Aemond are there to offer him support, the younger brother Vhagar instead orders them both burned, causing Aegon and his dragon to fall.

But instead of helping his brother and king, Aemond turns to Rhaenys for victory. It’s a heated battle (literally), with both dragons shooting fire at each other as they charge toward the ground and the army waiting below.

Ser Criston attempts to ride at Aegon’s side and leaves the battle to tend to his king, but is knocked unconscious after both dragons crash to the ground. When the battle is mostly over, Ser Criston comes to and eventually finds Aemond at Aegon’s side. Although his dragon is still stirring, Aegon’s body is clearly lying there, surrounded by the dragon’s limbs. The series does not make it clear if this is the end of the young king so early in his reign.

Although House of the Dragon does not reveal whether Aegon is actually dead or not until the end of Episode 4, the novel Fire & Blood offers better verification.

In George RR Martin’s novel, Aegon only breaks both of his legs in this battle, but this leaves him severely handicapped. After the Battle of Rook’s Rest, he continues to sit on the Iron Throne, but his enemies have grown.

In the original, Aegon ultimately dies of poison when someone poisons the wine he keeps in his chambers. Although Aemond tried to kill his own brother, he is not the prime suspect in Aegon’s eventual death – although it is not entirely clear who is responsible for his untimely death.

It is only when the battle is well underway that Aemond’s plot with Ser Criston is revealed. Although Aegon and several other members of the small council argue that Harrenhal should be the next target, Aemond and Ser Criston have planned to move the battle to Rook’s Rest next, essentially cutting Rhaenyra and her army off from the mainland.

During a meeting with the small council, Aemond questions his brother’s decision-making, speaking to him in High Valereon before eventually moving on with the meeting with his plans. It seems that after interrupting Aemond’s intimate moment at the brothel in Episode 3, Aegon is looking for a way to show authority over his brother again.

Although Aemond still appears to be fighting for the Greens, his loyalty to Aegon seems to be wavering – but he will not be the one to depose his own brother.

House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9pm EST on HBO and Max.