House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 saw the aftermath of Aegon II Targaryen’s injuries become clear, begging the question of whether Aemond is now king of Westeros. The Battle at Rook’s Rest, shown in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4’s ending, resulted in Aegon falling from the sky aboard his dragon, Sunfyre. Although the episode left his fate ambiguous, its successor confirmed Aegon’s survival, though not without life-changing injuries that will see House of the Dragon’s king be inactive for some time.
Naturally, House of the Dragon took some time to explore the aftermath of the battle on both sides, with Aegon’s injuries mirrored by Rhaenys’ death. By House of the Dragon season 2 episode 5’s ending, a shift in the hierarchy of power on the side of the Greens had taken place. With the news that the king would be bedridden, Aemond was chosen over Alicent as Aegon’s replacement. This raises the question of whether Aemond is now king of the Seven Kingdoms and what impact this change will have on House of the Dragon’s future episodes.
Aemond Is The Prince Regent, Not The King, In House Of The Dragon Season 2
Aemond’s New Role In House Of The Dragon Explained
Despite sitting on the Iron Throne and ruling in the Dance of Dragons, Aemond Targaryen is not king in House of the Dragon season 2. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 made this clear via the scene in which Aemond is chosen as Aegon’s replacement. It is not stated that Aemond is not the sole king of Westeros but instead will rule in Aegon’s stead as Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm.
This was echoed in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5’s title. The title of the episode was “Regent,” reflecting Aemond’s new role. As Prince Regent, Aemond effectively has the same ruling power as Aegon did before him. While he still has to adhere to the ways of the Small Council, Aemond will be in charge of the Greens during the Dance of Dragons after being chosen by the other men in power, until Aegon either succumbs to his injuries or recovers.
How Long Aemond Will Rule In Aegon’s Stead (Does He Ever Become King?)
Aemond’s House Of The Dragon Timeline Is Explained In Fire & Blood
House of the Dragon is based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, an installment in the Song of Ice and Fire book series that detailed the Targaryen lineage. In the book, it is confirmed how long Aemond rules as Prince Regent. It is explained that Aegon was bedridden for almost a year due to his injuries, in which he spent the majority of the time sleeping or in a daze caused by Milk of the Poppy. As such, Aemond rules as Prince Regent for this amount of time.
Aemond’s time as Prince Regent in House of the Dragon is as close as he will come to truly taking the Iron Throne…
Given that Aemond was chosen as Aegon’s Regent, the question remains whether he ever becomes the actual king. The death of Jaehaerys means Aegon is without an heir, positioning Aemond as next in line for the Iron Throne. However, Aemond never becomes king. Near the end of the Dance of Dragons, Aemond, Vhagar, Daemon, and Caraxes engage in the Battle Above the God’s Eye. This battle results in the deaths of both men and their dragons, meaning Aemond’s time as Prince Regent in House of the Dragon is as close as he will come to truly taking the Iron Throne.