When your maternal grandfather is Ser Otto Hightower, it’s easy to see why Aegon II and Aemond Targaryen turned out the way they did. The new king is a rapist with multiple secret bastards. His younger brother is their generation’s version of their Uncle Daemon, who also wanted power but was going virtually nowhere as he was the ‘spare’, so to speak, like a certain real-life prince. In our previous article, we spoke about how Jacaerys and Lucerys were gentlemen. This time, we wanted to address the first two sons of King Viserys and Queen Alicent.
Aegon is the first son of King Viserys, that survived birth. The king’s late first wife, Queen Aemma Arryn, had multiple pregnancies after the birth of Rhaenyra. Unfortunately, each pregnancy failed with either miscarriages, stillbirths or the child dying after childbirth.
The Death Of Queen Aemma And Aegon, The Son Viserys Always Wanted
Aemma’s last pregnancy did produce a son, Baelon, who lived only for a couple of hours. However, her life was forfeited in exchange for the child’s after Viserys was forced to agree to an emergency C-section, which cost the beloved Queen her life. This shows the sexism of Westeros as it shows that women are valued only for rearing children.
Going over to Alicent and she was ill-prepared for motherhood. She married Viserys young, on her father’s orders, and had Aegon just over a year into the marriage. A few years later, she gave birth to Helaena and Aemond not long after that. Then, Daeron was born at some point.
Helaena And Aemond
When Helaena was a baby, she cried a lot, and it was difficult for Alicent to soothe her. Likewise, it’s unclear what Aemond was like as an infant. Aegon was greatly loved, and his actions were often swept under the rug as he grew.
The Queen betroths Aegon and Helaena, much to the prince’s disdain. Aemond is put out, saying that he would do his duty if Alicent had betrothed him to his sister instead. We’ll address the Targaryen incest thing in a later post.
Aegon has an eye for the ladies and loves picking on Aemond as he joins forces with Jace and Luke with the pig prank. Finally, however, the boys grow into young men, and things drastically change.
Aegon The Oogler
Aegon shags any woman he can get his mitts on. Aemond is crazy about combat, and despite having lost an eye, he is still pretty handy with a sword, thanks to Criston Cole. Let’s not forget that Aemond’s actions lead to Luke’s death. You can tell that Alicent’s inability to be harder on her children is why they’re not as level-headed as their nephews. Of the three children we see on screen, only Helaena is civilised.
When Aegon is crowned king, you cannot help but think that perhaps Alicent will regret it later. Also, could Aemond make a play for the throne? Possibly as he does become a temporary regent in the book.
