Did Aegon want to be king? This question has intrigued readers of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series for years. Aegon Targaryen, the first Targaryen king to rule the Seven Kingdoms, was a figure of great controversy and mystery. His rise to power and his subsequent actions as a ruler have sparked debates about his true desires and motivations.
Aegon’s desire for the throne was not one that was openly declared. Born in the year 252 AC, Aegon was the son of Princess Rhaena Targaryen and King Aerys II Targaryen. He was destined to inherit the Iron Throne, but his path to power was fraught with challenges. His father, Aerys II, was a brutal and tyrannical ruler, and the Targaryen family was at the height of its power. However, the Targaryens were also known for their dragons, and the dragons had become increasingly unreliable.
Aegon’s desire for the throne was initially driven by his father’s reign of terror. Aegon witnessed firsthand the suffering of his people under Aerys II’s rule, and he vowed to change things. When his father was overthrown in the events known as the “Trial by Fire,” Aegon saw an opportunity to take the throne for himself. He joined the rebellion against his father, alongside his sisters, Daenerys and Rhaenys, and their dragons, Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes.
Despite his involvement in the rebellion, Aegon’s desire for the throne was not immediately apparent. His sisters were the more charismatic figures, with Daenerys gaining the support of the people with her dragons and her fiery speeches. Aegon, on the other hand, was more reserved and strategic. He was the one who orchestrated the successful invasion of Westeros, using the dragons to devastating effect. Once the Targaryens had landed on the beaches of Westeros, it was Aegon who led the forces to victory at the Battle of the Field of Fire.
After the battle, Aegon was crowned king, but his reign was marked by controversy. He was known to be a wise and just ruler, but he was also a man who valued his power above all else. Aegon’s decision to establish the Andal Rule, which imposed a new religion and culture on the Seven Kingdoms, was a move that would have long-lasting consequences. While some saw it as a necessary step to unite the realms, others viewed it as an act of tyranny.
As for whether Aegon truly wanted to be king, the answer may lie in his actions rather than his words. He worked tirelessly to secure his rule, using both diplomacy and force. His desire for power was evident in his efforts to maintain control over the Seven Kingdoms, even at the cost of their freedoms. While it is impossible to say for certain what Aegon’s true feelings were, it is clear that his ambition and drive led him to the Iron Throne, and from there, he did everything in his power to keep it.
In conclusion, while Aegon Targaryen’s desire for the throne may not have been openly declared, his actions as a ruler suggest that he was indeed driven by a powerful ambition to be king. His legacy is one of both prosperity and controversy, a testament to the complex nature of power and the human pursuit of it.
