A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fans won’t believe what happens to Aerion Targaryen in the books
'Brightflame' is a clue for Aerion's fate in the books
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms viewers have just been introduced to Aerion ‘Brightflame’ Targaryen, a typically loathsome member of the dragon house. If you want to know what happens to him in the books (aka, if he dies), you’re in the right place.
Unlike Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the new spin-off is a small-scale story through the POV of one man: Dunk, also known as Ser Duncan the Tall, as well as his squire, Egg.
After arriving in Ashford Meadow, episode 2 follows Dunk appealing to the attending lords to gain a place in the tourney. Eventually (and somewhat clumsily), he stands before three Targaryen princes: Aerion (Finn Bennett), Baelor (Bertie Carvel), and Maekar (Sam Spruell).
Maekar is a bit curmudgeonly, Baelor is uncharacteristically kind, and Aerion is loathsome. You may be curious about his fate in George R.R. Martin’s source material – but don’t keep reading if you wish to avoid possible spoilers.
***Warning: book spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ahead***
Who is Aerion ‘Brightflame’ Targaryen?
Aerion Targaryen is the son of Maekar I Targaryen and Dyanna Dayne. He has five siblings: Daeron, Aemon, Aegon V, Daella, and Rhae.
‘Brightflame’ is a nickname Aerion gave himself, on account of seeing himself as a dragon in human form.
However, he’s also known as Aerion the Monstrous. For example, as recounted in The Hedge Knight, he once held a knife to his young brother’s genitals, threatened to cut them off, and turn him into his sister so he could marry him.
Given that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 has just begun, we won’t get into what could happen in the forthcoming episodes. Let’s just say, Dunk’s his frosty first encounter with Aerion is a clue for what’s to come in the tourney.
However, we will look further ahead into the future.
Does Aerion become king?
No, Aerion never becomes king in George R.R. Martin’s books.
As the second-eldest son of Maekar I, the successor to Aerys, Aerion would usually be in line for the Iron Throne.
However, as explained in A Clash of Kings, things didn’t go to plan. Daeron, Maekar’s eldest son, became the Prince of Dragonstone and his heir. Alas, he died before he would had the chance to rule; he was said to have caught pox from… adulterous behaviour.
So, Aerion was next up. If he sat on the Iron Throne, he’d probably be the first Mad King – funnily enough, it’s his madness that got in the way.
What happens to Aerion in the books? Does he die?
Following the tourney, Aerion stayed in Lys in Essos. He returned to Westeros around 10 years later, helping his family fight in the Third Blackfyre Rebellion.
He married Daenora Targaryen (his cousin, because of course it was), and they had a child together: Maegor (similar to Aegor, a formidable sellsword who aided the rebellion).
In 232 AC, Aerion died. He wasn’t killed by a rival house or slain in battle: he drank a cup of wildfire, believing it’d turn him into a dragon. Instead, it caused catastrophic, irreparable damage to his insides and flesh, quickly killing him.
Read more: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was filmed in 4 classic Game of Thrones locations
