House Of The Dragon Season 2 Reveals King Aegon’s Replacement (& It’s Perfect For Season 3)

Aegon will begin House of the Dragon season 2 as Westeros’ King, but while Rhaenyra covets the Iron Throne, it’s already setting up another ruler.
House of the Dragon season 2 will focus on King Aegon II Targaryen and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen’s battle for the Iron Throne, but it’s already hinting at another ruler. The Game of Thrones prequel is going to really ramp things up in the coming episodes, as House of the Dragon season 2 will properly begin the Dance of the Dragons. The Targaryen civil war will divide Westeros into two sides – the greens and the blacks – with the Iron Throne being the ultimate prize.

Several of the key events that will play out in the Dance of the Dragons have been teased in the House of the Dragon season 2 trailer. These range from major battles to new characters, and shocking moments such as what happens with Blood and Cheese. Alongside these, there was set up for a future ruler of Westeros to take over in House of the Dragon’s future – though it won’t be Rhaenyra.

The House Of The Dragon Season 2 Trailer Teases Aemond Taking The Iron Throne
There are a couple of moments in the House of the Dragon season 2 trailer that set up Aemond Targaryen’s rule. This includes a shot of Aemond in the Red Keep’s Great Hall, looking up the Iron Throne. It’s quickly followed by another shot of the Iron Throne itself, lit by what looks like lightning. While it’s presumably clever editing, and they may be different sequences, the pairing of them together is very much hinting at what Aemond truly wants. He already expressed this desire in season 1, saying that “it is I [who should be King].”

The trailer also teases the Battle of Rook’s Rest, a massive battle that looks like it could be House of the Dragon season 2’s finale. Aemond is involved in this battle on Vhagar, and it’s also most likely where the shot of Baela Targaryen on a dragon comes from. In the book Fire & Blood, Aegon and his dragon, Sunfyre, are also involved at Rook’s Rest, and the King is seriously injured. He suffers terrible burns that mean he cannot perform his duties as King for around a year, and Aemond takes over from him, ruling Westeros as Prince Regent, wearing Aegon’s crown, and sitting on the Iron Throne.

Why Aemond Becoming Prince Regent Will Be Great For House Of The Dragon
Ewan Mitchell is already a standout in House of the Dragon’s cast, and Aemond is arguably the biggest breakout character. He is, in part, despicable, but also incredibly compelling; twisted, yet tinged with his own sense of tragedy. And, of course, he possesses the world’s largest dragon. He’s an even more interesting character than Aegon – who, so far, has been seen more as a puppet to be used by Otto and Alicent Hightower – and seeing how he approaches ruling could be fascinating.
Aemond being Regent should also mean his House of the Dragon season 2 ending sets up an even bigger role in season 3, since there will be more focus on him and his decisions as the one calling the shots. He’ll have to take on an even more active role in the Dance of the Dragons, both as a battle commander, tactician, and as a warrior with Vhagar. All of that means getting one of the best characters even more to the center of the action, which can only be a great thing for the show.