Will Aegon and Sunfyre rise from the ashes, or will they be consumed by the flames of war?

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, The Red Dragon and The Gold, truly sets the stage for an unforgettable chapter in Westeros history, with an episode so pivotal that even the most seasoned fans might find their jaws touching the floor. As the latest installment breathes fire into George R.R. Martin’s richly woven novel, Fire and Blood, one can’t help but wonder: Can anything beat the sheer excitement of witnessing Aegon Targaryen & his mighty dragon Sunfyre’s fateful descent from the skies of Rook’s Rest?

Well, the fourth episode is indubitably a major one. It is evident that the Dance of the Dragons is going to intensify further because so much is happening, but one particular development may have you itching to find out what will happen next.

Eva Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO

Please take this as your major spoiler alert before we continue. Turn back now if you would rather not know what might happen next, as what follows delves into both the episode’s ending and Martin’s Fire and Blood! 

House of the Dragon S2 Episode 4 Recap: Sunfyre’s Fate Shocks Fans

Assuming you are still reading, you might be aware that Dragons are falling from the sky, allegiances are shifting, and the battle for power rages on in the fourth episode of House of the Dragons’ second season. That being said, this episode has left fans on the edge of their seats, wondering what fate has befallen Aegon and his mighty dragon, Sunfyre.

In a dramatic twist of fate, Aegon and Sunfyre find themselves in the midst of a fierce battle above Rook’s Rest. The odds are stacked against them as they face off against Rhaenys and Meleys, only to be joined by the formidable Aemond Targaryen and his dragon, Vhagar. The fiery clash ends in tragedy as Aegon and Sunfyre plummet from the sky, their fates hanging in the balance.

Still, it was such a dreadfully staggering scene that it seemed like Sunfyre might’ve died.
Tom Glynn-Carney plays Aegon II Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO
But take heart, for those who have delved into George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood will know that Aegon and Sunfyre survive the fall, though not unscathed. Aegon is left battered and broken, his body a patchwork of burns and broken bones. Sunfyre, too, bears the scars of battle, his damaged wing keeping him grounded for a time.

However, after witnessing such a horrendous scene, with Aegon and Sunfyre lost in a haze of pain and poppies, fans could not help but comment and blame the show’s co-creator Ryan Condal for creating such a moment.

Let’s see some of the views:

I will never forgive Ryan Condal for letting me see Sunfyre in all his glory only once

And thw nudge he gave on aegon 😭

— Bruno (@omgisthatbruno) July 8, 2024

Literally broke my heart.

— @VhagarsAttyAtLaw🟢hotd spoilers🟢 (@vhagarsattorney) July 8, 2024

wish sunfyre had a better rider too beautiful to be aegon’s

— nico aria (@roronoaaria) July 8, 2024

Wow is this real 😍
After seeing this I want a sunfire also

But what they are going to do with rhynera ans sunfire I hate that 💔

— டொக்கு.X (@itsdevilsfort) July 8, 2024

Yall know he dracrays’d aegon intentionally right? RIGHT??!!?

— CHELS (@CFCKK24) July 8, 2024

With each new episode, the stakes rise higher, and the battle grows more intense.

Ewan Mitchell Analyzes the Game-Changing Ending of House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4

The House of the Dragon has won this time as well. Not only is the most recent episode shocking, but it is also incredibly exciting.

Sunfyre in House of the Dragon Season 2 | HBO

As the episode comes to a close, Cole is on his knees in front of a Sunfyre covered in blisters. Beside him, Aegon lies lifeless. THR recently spoke with Ewan Mitchell, who plays Prince Aemond in the hit HBO series, about the aftermath of the battle and how it could lead to more bloodshed as the civil war rages on:

It’s a seismic event that’s changed the future going forward with these characters. Aegon’s fate remains unknown. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. But going into episode five, you are going to see the fallout of Rook’s Rest, which I can’t wait for people to see. It’s a massive blow for Team Black. The line in the sand has been drawn and Aemond just crossed that line.

For fans of House of the Dragon, the fate of Aegon and Sunfyre remains unclear, leaving hearts racing and minds reeling.

So let’s prepare for the next thrilling chapter in the saga of Aegon Targaryen and his faithful dragon, Sunfyre. The Dance of the Dragons is far from over, and the true test of strength and courage is yet to come.

House of the Dragon is streaming on Max.