Who Is Aemond, The Perfect Opponent For Daemon?

Get ready House of the Dragon fans because soon you will be meeting another badass character who you will love to hate. It’s none other

By Chandraboli Majumdar
September 25,2022
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Get ready House of the Dragon fans because soon you will be meeting another badass character who you will love to hate. It’s none other than Alicent’s second son, Aemond Targaryen. And let me point out an interesting fact, Aemond is simply Daemon with the ‘d’ shifted to the end. They are basically anagrams. So let us explore who Aemond Targaryen is and how he will be the perfect rival to the fan-favourite Daemon Targaryen.

Who is Aemond Targaryen?

Aemond at Storm's End in House of the Dragon
Aemond at Storm’s End

Aemond Targaryen, the second son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent Hightower was one of the fiercest Targaryens ever. He lost his eye when he was just 10 years old in a fight with Rhaenyra’s sons when Lucerys slashed his eye with a dagger. Ever since then, their enmity began. He continued to mock them as “the three strong boys” referring to the rumored illicit relationship between Rhaenyra and Harwin Strong. From then, he wore a sapphire eye and often covered it with an eye patch that can be seen in the House of the Dragon trailers.

Ser Criston Cole trains Aemond
Ser Criston Cole trains Aemond

Aemond’s valor and courage was unheard of as he claimed the mightiest dragon Vhagar when he was just 10. Without showing even an ounce of fear, he jumped on top of Vhagar and rode him in the sky. Despite his ruthless and sadistic nature, his loyalty toward his brother and heir Aegon was unwavering. He was a brilliant swordsman and an unforgiving man. Aemond along with Aegon even killed Rhaenys Targaryen along with her dragon Meleys. He single-handedly furthered the cause of the greens more than any other knight or fighter.

Why is he called the kinslayer?

Death of Lucerys Velaryon and Arrax
Death of Lucerys Velaryon and Arrax

Aemond had lost his eye to Lucerys Velaryon at a very young age. He never forgot this and wanted payback. When both Lucerys and Aemond were in Storm’s End to gain Borros Baratheon as their ally, they butt heads once more as Aemond threatened revenge, an eye for an eye. However, Borros forbade them from fighting under his vigilance. So, Aemond followed Lucerys while aboard Vhagar and killed both him and his dragon Arrax. A rumor claims that he gouged both of his eyes out as well as retribution. Thus he is called the kinslayer. A kinslayer is basically one who kills one’s, own family. It is supposed to be an accursed action that is condemned by most. Even Alicent and Otto were horrified by his actions though Aegon supported his sentiments and encouraged him further.

After that, Daemon vowed to Rhaenyra, his wife, that he would exact revenge and claim a son for a son. In fact, Aemond would go on to regret his actions severely as hell hath no fury as Daemon Targaryen scorned!

Aemond and Daemon are anagrams 

Daemon and Aemond are two peas in a pod and yet the fiercest of enemies
Daemon and Aemond are two peas in a pod and yet the fiercest of enemies

In more ways than one, Aemond is the perfect opponent for Daemon Targaryen. Till now we have seen the reckless and rebellious Daemon quickly step into the shoes of the big bad. However, things will surely change once Aemond enters the House of the Dragon. Aemond Targaryen is as ruthless as Daemon but even more sadistic. Their names are anagrams of one another which alludes to the fact that they are quite similar yet on complete opposite sides of the civil war. In fact, their rivalry is to the death. They are both arrogant, wild, unhinged and would stop at nothing to win.

Daemon is the kind of warrior who would rather sacrifice his life than accept help from others. So no one could go against him except for Aemond. Moreover, even as a combatant Aemond was sharpened and polished by none other than Criston Cole and became the finest warrior of the greens, capable enough to give Daemon a run for his money. They are both absolutely wicked and have carried out despicable acts. Such as Aemond killing his 14 year old ne14-year-olds and then Daemon sending Blood and Cheese to kill the six year old Jsix-year-oldn of Aegon.  They are also perfectly matched with their respective dragons Caraxes and Vhagar. Without spoiling too much, they have an epic fight scene later on in the books that I’m really excited about.