How Aemond Targaryen's lie in 'House of the Dragon' set stage for brutal war
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon' season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Aemond Targaryen’s (Ewan Mitchell) return in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is marked by a significant lie about the circumstances of Lucerys Velaryon’s death. The series had previously ended its first season with a dramatic event where Aemond and his dragon Vhagar killed LucerysVelaryon (Elliot Grihault) and his dragon Arrax.
This escalated the already tense feud between the Targaryen Black and Green factions, pushing them closer to war. The tension between Aemond and Lucerys had been building for over a decade. Aemond chased Lucerys on Vhagar not to kill him but to take his eye as revenge for losing his own eye when they were children.
His goal was to scare Lucerys and assert his dominance. However, Aemond lost control of Vhagar, and the dragon’s violent instincts took over. Despite Aemond’s efforts to stop the attack, Vhagar killed Lucerys and Arrax.
Shaken by the unintended outcome, Aemond returned to King’s Landing and lied about his intentions. He claimed that he had meant to kill Lucerys, a lie that further fueled the conflict between the factions. This deception sets the stage for the escalating war and highlights Aemond’s struggle with the consequences of his actions.
Why did Aemond Targaryen lie about Luke's death?
Aemond’s lie about Luke’s death was primarily to avoid appearing weak. Admitting that he lost control of Vhagar and accidentally killed Lucerys would have exposed his naivety and incapability to the realm.
Aemond fears being seen as weak, so he claims to kill Lucerys, believing it would make him look stronger and more ruthless, and thus more threatening to the Blacks in the Dance of the Dragons. Otto and Alicent view him as volatile and difficult to control after this event, which is precisely the image Aemond wants.
By embracing the lie, Aemond also positions himself as a formidable figure, better suited to instigate and handle the impending war. Admitting the truth would undermine his authority and strength, making him look like a weak child whose temper led to an unintended killing.
Will this give rise to Aemond's upcoming ruthless pursuit?
After killing Lucerys, Aemond has shed no hesitation about taking the lives of his own family members. His actions have gone unpunished, particularly since the Blood and Cheese incident led to Jaehaerys' death instead of his.
This mistake has, ironically, given him more leeway to target the Targaryen Black faction without fear of repercussions. In 'House of the Dragon' Season 2, Episode 1, Aemond is already deeply involved in small council meetings, covertly plotting for the looming war, and patrolling the city on his dragon, Vhagar.
Aemond's taste for power and violence has been awakened by the act of killing atop Vhagar, and he now craves the dominance it brings. His own kin, who stand against him, are the prime targets for his ruthless displays of power.
Aemond is no longer the hesitant prince; he actively seeks ways to assert his authority and strength, showing no mercy in his pursuit of victory in the Dance of the Dragons.
His transformation into a merciless warrior is evident as he prepares to unleash further havoc on the Targaryen Black faction, making it clear that he will stop at nothing to secure his position and eliminate those who oppose him.
'House of the Dragon' trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is available for streaming on HBO.