Aegon II Targaryen

Aegon II Targaryen, called Aegon the Elder, was the eldest son of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower. His birth created the contested succession at the heart of the Dance of the Dragons. Viserys had named his daughter Rhaenyra heir, yet Alicent's allies insisted that a son should precede her. Aegon rode Sunfyre, a golden dragon central to his campaigns and survival. Though initially reluctant, he was brought to the Dragonpit after Viserys's death. Ser Criston Cole crowned him before a gathered crowd, declaring him Aegon the Second, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. Rhaenyra was crowned separately on Dragonstone, and the rival claims became open war. Aegon's party, the Greens, held King's Landing, while Rhaenyra's Blacks drew support from Dragonstone and many great houses. At Rook's Rest, Aegon and his brother Aemond attacked Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys from dragonback. Meleys died; Sunfyre was terribly wounded, and Aegon suffered burns and broken bones after falling. His injuries left him dependent on milk of the poppy, unable to rule personally for a time. Aemond acted as prince regent and protector of the realm, but his campaigns and absences widened the crisis within Aegon's court. During the war, Rhaenyra took King's Landing after Aegon's supporters lost control of the city. Aegon escaped with the wounded Sunfyre and eventually reached Dragonstone, Rhaenyra's original stronghold. There he captured her after Sunfyre had recovered enough to fly. In one of the conflict's starkest reversals, Aegon ordered Sunfyre to eat Rhaenyra before her young son Aegon the Younger. The boy later succeeded him as Aegon III. Aegon's victory did not end the war: his enemies still held armies, castles, and dragons, while King's Landing remained unstable and impoverished. He returned to a capital that had endured riot, starvation, and devastation. Aegon II's final months showed how limited his triumph had become. His rule faced continuing rebellion, including opposition from riverlords and northern forces advancing toward King's Landing. He had several imprisoned opponents, among them Lord Corlys Velaryon, whose fleet and political influence remained important. In 131 AC, Aegon died after drinking poisoned wine. The identity of the poisoner is unresolved in George R. R. Martin's account, though suspicion falls upon figures near his court. His death ended his contest with Rhaenyra but not the devastation of the Dance. Aegon III, Rhaenyra's surviving son and Aegon's nephew, inherited a shattered Targaryen realm.