House of the Dragon’s second season is full of many storylines, schemes, and themes. When it comes to the latter, this show explores sacrifice in shocking and often heartbreaking detail. From Alicent being willing to hand Aegon’s head to Rhaenyra on a platter to Rhaenys risking and losing her life for Team Black, people are willing to make serious choices to win the war. This season, Prince Regent Aemond makes a litany of sacrifices, nearly killing his brother Aegon to rise to power and burning an entire town out of rage to send Rhaenyra a message. He also speaks of sacrifice often, telling others they must do what makes them uncomfortable or scared in order to survive.
But, is there a sacrifice or something that Aemond could lose that would break down the seemingly unflappable dragonrider? Ewan Mitchell believes there’s one thing that Aemond simply cannot lose, and that’s his loyal dragon Vhagar.
“Vhagar was very much his first friend,” Mitchell tells us in a recent interview. “He was the first friend that he ever made and the first being that recognized Aemond and actually showed him some sort of attention. She saw something in him that maybe he didn’t even see in himself. If he lost Vhagar, he’d be heartbroken. Aemond and Vhagar, they’re a power couple. They’re soul bonded. I think if Aemond has a breaking point, he definitely hasn’t found it yet.”
We’ve watched the bond between this pair grow exponentially throughout the season. And, as the “spare” son who wants attention and love, Vhagar provides that connection and camaraderie. We doubt House of the Dragon will take Vhagar away from Aemond anytime soon. But, for now, his dragon is the only sacrifice that would truly break his heart. And that makes him perhaps the scariest person on the show heading into season three.