This article contains mentions of rape.
WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, and Fire & Blood.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 has focused a lot on alleged Targaryen bastards, but one important character that fits that description is missing from the show. AfterAddam of Ull claimed Seasmoker, Rhaenyra Targaryen concluded that non-highborn people with Valyrian blood could potentially claim dragons. With the help of Mysaria,Rhaenyra sent a message to the smallfolk of King’s Landing with a proposition for any Targaryen bastardswho would wish to try claiming a dragon. While a very desperate measure, Rhaenyra’s dragonseeds plan has so far shown results.
Only Ulf White and Hugh Hammer succeeded in claiming dragons, but plenty ofTargaryen bastards from King’s Landinganswered Rhaenyra’s call. It makes sense for there to be several Targaryen bastards at the capital, even though it can be difficult to trace their lineages.House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 7killed off a lot of these alleged bastards, butone key character with silver hair fromFire & Bloodwas not addressed.
House Of The Dragon Season 3: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon returned for its long-awaited second season in 2024, and now season 3 is confirmed.
Who Is Gaemon Palehair? Aegon II’s Alleged Bastard Explained
Gaemon Palehair Was One Of The “Three Kings”
After Rhaenyra takes over King’s Landing,Fire & Bloodspends quite a while at the capital and discusses how the new queen was received by the smallfolk. WhileGeorge R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodis an in-universe historical book and rarely has a definitive answer for the questions it brings up, this portion of the story mentions an alleged bastard of Aegon II Targaryen. According to his mother, Essie, the four-year-old child with silver hair was the son of Aegon.Gaemon Palehair’s potential heritage comes into play following the Riot of King’s Landing, after which Rhaenyra fled the capital.
After the end of the war, Gaemon was raised in the court of and became friends with Aegon III Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s son, who sat on the Iron Throne after Aegon II was poisoned.
With Aegon missing since the was taken by Rhaenyra and Aemond dead, King’s Landing saw itself in chaos. Amidst all the riots and looting, some people began to proclaim themselves as kings. The “Moon of the Three Kings” saw a preacher called Shepherd, a squire named Trystane Truefyre, and Gaemon Palehair all being proclaimed as kings and “ruling” different portions of King’s Landing. This period ended onceAegon II Targaryen returned following the death of Rhaenyra in Dragonstone.Most of the pretenders were killed, but the child was spared. Gaemon’s mother would later confess he was not Aegon’s son.
Where Is Gaemon In House Of The Dragon & Did He Already Appear?
Gaemon May Have Been Introduced In House Of The Dragon Season 1
House of the Dragonseason 1, episode 9 saw the Kingsguard looking for Aegon in King’s Landing ahead of his coronation. When investigating a bizarre location where people would watch fighting against each other, Ser Erryk noticed a young boy with silver hair. Considering his apparent age, the color of his hair, and the fact he was living in poverty,many assumed that this child was Gaemon Palehair.However, this character was never revisited, not even after Rhaenyra summoned potential Targaryen bastards and offered them glory if they could claim a dragon.
It is unclear whether the child in season 1 was Gaemon Palehair, or even if the show will adapt this story at all. Ser Erryk running into a potential bastard of Aegon while searching for the missing prince in the worst establishments of King’s Landing could have been just a way of showing how unprepared Aegon was for such an important role.House of the Dragonseason 1 also revealed that Aegon raped Dyana, who was then threatened and given moon tea IfHouse of the Dragondoes adapt Gaemon’s story, it will happen toward the end of the show.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
