What King Aegon's Massive Otto Hightower Decision Means For House Of The Dragon (2024)

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Did the king want Aegon to be King House of dragon? ›

Warning: spoilers for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode three. The episode confirms that King Viserys did not want Aegon II to be his successor.

“Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds, and whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living,” he says. “When this great winter comes, Rhaenyra, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, then a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne.

On Prince Aegon's second nameday, Otto joins a royal hunt arranged by Viserys. Otto is pressured by his brother, Lord Hobert Hightower, to convince Viserys to name Aegon his heir over Rhaenyra, as this would place a member of their dynasty on the Iron Throne.

In fact, Fire & Blood reveals that Otto is the first traitor beheaded when Team Black exacts their revenge, with the execution of Alicent's father being followed Jasper “Ironrod” Wylde, Lord Rosby, and Lord Stokeworth, the latter two of whom had defected from the Blacks to the Greens.

Ever since House of the Dragon season 1 ended, fans have long debated who Viserys wanted to succeed him as ruler of the iron throne. Multiple times, Viserys made clear that he wanted Rhaenyra to take the crown.

After Aegon's death, his son by Rhaenys became the monarch in the form of King Aenys I Targaryen. After him, Aegon's son by Visenya, King Maegor Targaryen (aka Maegor the Cruel) became a tyrannical ruler after Aenys' death and even killed Aenys' eldest son, Aegon.

Aegon called his dream 'The Song of Ice and Fire.'" Aegon's dream is of something that should be familiar to Game of Thrones viewers, because it foretells the coming of the White Walkers and the second Long Night.

The prophecy of Aegon's dream is also engraved onto this blade: “From my blood, come The Prince That Was Promised and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire.” This means he believed that a destined savior would come forth from the Targaryen bloodline.

Viserys: “To unite the realm against the cold and the dark.

As Aegon II Targaryen continues to prove himself as a disastrous king, Alicent and Otto Hightower suffer from the consequences of their actions. Both Alicent and Otto seemingly regret putting Aegon on the Iron Throne so hastily after Aegon takes his anger out on the smallfolk.

Who killed Alicent Hightower? ›

Poor Alicent doesn't exactly meet an epic end. Instead of dying via dragon or even at the pointy end of a blade, Alicent passes away thanks to a bout of Winter Fever.

Lord Lyonel Strong, Head of House Strong and Lord of Harrenhal, Lord Lyonel was appointed as Viserys second Hand following the dismissal of Otto Hightower. Lyonel dutifully served Viserys for 11 years before his death from a fire in Harrenhal.

Ultimately, the Blacks win the Dance of Dragons war in the book Fire and Blood. However, this does not come until after the most grievous losses on both sides in the conflict and the deaths of many key players.

House Velaryon still exists by the time of the War of the Five Kings: the Game of Thrones TV series simply cut them out entirely, much as they cut out House Hightower (even though Margaery and Loras's mother Alerie Hightower is still alive and appears in the books).

Due to rebellions and plots against King Aegon II gaining traction, the Sea Snake tries to get him to abdicate in favor of his nephew Prince Aegon. But he's not having it. Instead, a coup is staged, a buncha Aegon II's allies are killed, and he is poisoned.

The Mad King is actually King Aerys II Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen's father. He doesn't actually appear in House of The Dragon, because events of the show take place prior to his birth. Aerys continued a Targaryen tradition of maintaining pure bloodlines, by marrying his sister, Rhaella Targaryen.

He succeeded his uncle, Aegon II Targaryen at conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons which saw the victorious supporters of his later mother, Rhaenyra install him on the throne.

First and second centuries after Aegon's Conquest

In his dying moments, King Viserys I Targaryen proclaimed his belief that his daughter Rhaenyra was the Prince That Was Promised. His wife, Queen Alicent Hightower, misinterpreted his words as indicating he wished for their son Aegon to succeed him as king.

A high noble like King Viserys getting fat and developing common health issues because of it would seem too mundane for many, so they wanted to make it more dramatic by giving him leprosy. Instead of a stout man with health issues because he is fat, we have a man who is falling apart because of leprosy.