Did Aegon and Sunfyre Die in HOTD Season 2 Episode 4? What Happened in the Books?

The last episode of HOTD Season 2 was arguably the best one we've seen in the show. For the first time, dragons fought head-on with each other, and it was as bloody and destructive as expected. Ser Criston Cole's plan successfully drew out Rhaenyra and Meleys for a surprise attack he and Aemon had prepared. However, they were the ones surprised by King Aegon's impulsive and thoughtless appearance on the battlefield.

Aegon's lack of combat experience and his brother's betrayal led to his defeat. However, with the way HBO executed this scene, we are left wondering whether Aegon is truly dead.

What Happened to King Aegon II in HOTD Season 2 Episode 4?

Aegon took some heavy hits to his pride in Episode 4. After hearing that his Hand, Ser Criston Cole, had been discussing battle tactics with his brother instead of him, he realized how useless everyone thinks he is. Despite being the most important person in the Seven Kingdoms, no one seems to care about Aegon's opinions and thoughts. This must have been especially embarrassing after Aemon demonstrated just how incompetent he was as a king in front of his own Council. Although Aemon spoke in High Valyrian, it was enough for Aegon to get the message and further prove Aemon's claims with his limited knowledge of their mother tongue.

Feeling alone and overlooked, Aegon went to Rook's Rest, unaware of Cole and Aemon's plan, causing disarray on the battlefield. However, he could never have predicted what Aemon had in mind. His brother shot fire at him and Rhaenys without a second thought about the King's safety. This, of course, resulted in harming not only Rhaenys and Meleys but also Aegon. At the end of the episode, we see Aemon going for a second attempt to kill Aegon, who was lying on the ground with Sunfyre, showing no signs of life.

What Happens to Aegon II and Sunfyre in the Books?

In the book, Aegon and Sunfyre experience the same outcome of their battle with Meleys. They are not only badly burned by Vhagar's dragonfire but also fall hundreds of meters to the ground. You can imagine how deadly that is and how low their survival rate would be. However, in the books, Aegon does survive this fight, though with significant damage to both him and Sunfyre.

After being hit by Vhagar's dragonfire, Aegon's armor, made from Valyrian steel, basically melted onto him. His badly burned body and multiple bone fractures left him in a condition similar to his father's—bedridden and crippled.

Aegon's Faith in HOTD

It is still unclear whether HBO will follow the same path as Fire and Blood or if they will present a new version of the story where King Aegon II's thoughtless actions cost him his life. If we see Aegon's death in the next episode, it means the Greens will be getting a new king that we cannot predict (since Aegon's only heir was killed).

However, it is highly likely that we will see Aegon barely surviving, just as he did in the books. The biggest reason to believe this is that he plays a central role in some major events later in the Dance of the Dragons. Without giving away serious spoilers, we can assure you that the King remains so he can orchestrate some of the most disturbing moments in both the show and the books.

Stay tuned for more House of the Dragon content and check our website for more interesting articles.

• All Dragons in House of the Dragon Season 1 and Season 2
• House Of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4: Recap & Review