Aegon embarrasses himself in House of the Dragon season 2 when he’s unable to speak High Valyrian like Aemond, highlighting the overwhelming differences in priorities between the Targaryen brothers. After the opening scene of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 sees Young Rhaenyra speak High Valyrian to Daemon in a vision, the ancient language returns in “The Red Dragon and the Gold” when Aemond uses it to speak more honestly and privately with Aegon. However, while Aemond speaks High Valyrian fluently and easily, Aegon can’t even form a sentence in the Targaryens’ old language.
After Aegon becomes upset with Aemond at the council meeting for disregarding his plan and making a private scheme with Criston Cole, his younger brother confidently turns to High Valyrian to speak directly to him. Aemond insults Aegon about choosing his sobriquet, naming unqualified Kingsguard replacements, and being without a better plan than his own, leaving the rest of the council confused as to what Aemond is saying. Aegon then tries to stumble through a High Valyrian response, which only translates to “I can… Have to… Make a war?” Aemond responds with a satisfactory sneer, knowing his brother, the King, is unable to coherently speak High Valyrian.
Aegon Learned High Valyrian, But Didn’t Care Enough To Become Skilled Or Fluent
All Targaryen Children Learned High Valyrian In House Of The Dragon
The now near-dead King Aegon Targaryen may not speak High Valyrian well in House of the Dragon season 2, but he did learn it as a child. As an essential part of their upbringing and tutoring as Targaryens, the children of Viserys, Daemon, and Rhaenyra were all taught High Valyrian. But, like kids who may learn the basics of a second language in elementary or middle school, they have to practice and keep up with it to maintain it. Aegon never did. He didn’t care enough about practicing, just like he doesn’t care about reading Viserys’ history books.
Like kids who may learn the basics of a second language in elementary or middle school, they have to practice and keep up with it to maintain it. Aegon never did.
Becoming fluent in High Valyrian is just one facet of the power, responsibility, and tradition within House Targaryen that ultimately never appealed to Aegon. After Viserys died, it was clear that Aegon never actually wanted to be King. Instead, he wanted to spend his days enjoying the privilege of his royal birth without the duties and responsibilities that came with it. Unlike Aemond, who desired the Targaryen sense of superiority and power associated with their distinctive traditions and histories, Aegon simply didn’t put in the time or effort to fluently speak High Valyrian.
Aegon Not Knowing High Valyrian Doesn’t Just Prove That He’s Unfit To Be King
Aegon’s Disregard For The Targaryen Tradition Is Dangerous For His House’s Future
High Valyrian is another weapon for House Targaryen in addition to their dragons and the Iron Throne. It’s a largely dead language that only the Targaryens and House Velaryon’s dragonriders speak in Westeros, separating them from the other noble families in the realm while further elevating their reputation that Targayens are “closer to gods than men.” By not prioritizing High Valyrian and carrying on its importance within the family’s future, Aegon Targaryen would risk extinguishing an essential part of House Targaryen’s legacy and power.
By not prioritizing High Valyrian and carrying on its importance within the family’s future, Aegon Targaryen would risk extinguishing an essential part of House Targaryen’s legacy and power.
House Targaryen’s history is crucial to maintaining their power and influence in Westeros, and practicing High Valyrian is an important part of reminding the realm that the family exists differently from the rest. Even when House Targaryen’s dragons die out, they still have High Valyrian and their unique silver hair to separate them. Had Aegon’s successors on the Iron Throne not reiterated the significance of being skilled in High Valyrian throughout the remainder of the Targaryen family tree’s lineage, it wouldn’t have become such an important asset for Daenerys Targaryen in Essos throughout Game of Thrones.
How Does Sunfyre Understand Aegon’s Commands Without High Valyrian?
Aegon Even Speaks The Common Tongue To His Dragon
Aegon has something of a unique bond with his dragon, Sunfyre, on account of his being unable to speak High Valyrian: he commands him using the Common Tongue instead. Whereas we’re used to hearing commands such as “dracarys” being given by dragonriders ranging from Daenerys Targaryen to Aemond Targaryen, Aegon simply tells his mount to go “faster,” and urges him “forward.”
It’s unusual, but there isn’t anything that states dragons can only be commanded using High Valyrian. It’s certainly a lot more common, which speaks to the fact they are creatures of Old Valyria, so it may be easier or more natural for them to learn that way. It also fits with Targaryen exceptionalism: the belief that only Targaryens can ride dragons is stronger if they are commanded using an ancient language that fewer people can speak. Daenerys does occasionally speak to her dragons in the Common Tongue in the A Song of Ice and Fire books, but commands them in High Valyrian.
Since Aegon doesn’t speak High Valyrian very well, it’s likely he trained Sunfyre, who is a young dragon with no previous rider, to understand the Common Tongue.
Just like how in real life, pets can be trained in different languages, it seems likely this is the case with dragons too, who are noted as being highly intelligent creatures. Since Aegon doesn’t speak High Valyrian very well, it’s likely he trained Sunfyre, who is a young dragon with no previous rider, to understand the Common Tongue.
Dragons and riders have a strong mental and emotional bond, which will also help to overcome any language barrier. There’s little truly understood for certain about these bonds or how a dragon is claimed and controlled, so it’s certainly plausible for Aegon to speak to Sunfyre without using High Valyrian and still be understood.
Aegon Speaking High Valyrian Wouldn’t Have Changed His Fate
It Certainly Didn’t Help Him, However
Aegon’s lack of skill when it comes to speaking High Valyrian is a factor in Aemond trying to kill him, but it’s far from the only factor. Indeed, it is just one of many things that shows Aemond his brother isn’t fit to be king, but that’s a conclusion he had long since arrived at anyway. He said as much in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9, commenting on how he had studied and trained in a way befitting of the king, which essentially sets up both Aegon not speaking High Valyrian and why Aemond wants him gone.
“‘Tis I the younger brother who studies history and philosophy, it is I who trains with the sword, who rides the largest dragon in the world… I’m next in line to the throne. Should they come looking for me, I intend to be found.”
Aemond was also motivated by revenge for his brother’s jokes and insults, both at the brothel in the previous episode, and the long history of them that precedes it. Aegon not speaking High Valyrian certainly didn’t help his cause, but even if he were fluent, his fate probably wouldn’t be much different because Aemond had so many reasons to take the action he did in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.