House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, director Alan Taylor addresses King’s Aegon’s fate. The Battle at Rook’s Rest finally arrives in the latest episode of the hit Game of Thrones spinoff, featuring some major moments of action and at least one devastating character death. King Aegon’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) fate, however, is left up in the air at the end of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, as the character is last seen on the ground next to his dragon after being burned and falling from a great height.

In a recent interview with The A.V. Club, Taylor shares his thoughts on Aegon’s House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, fate. While the director doesn’t confirm whether Aegon is alive or dead, he does tease that, either way, it will be important in the episodes ahead to make sure that the realm doesn’t learn about what happened to him. Check out his comment below:

“It was important to be unclear about Aegon’s fate because Criston doesn’t know exactly what has happened. It’s also important to keep everything that happened at Rook’s Rest a secret because the realm cannot find out.”

What King Aegon’s Fate Could Mean For House Of The Dragon Season 2

Why Aemond Attacked His Own Brother

If Aegon has survived the events of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, there are sure to be major repercussions. Firstly, it’s likely that he’s sustained some very serious injuries due to his fall and the burns, and he may not be fit to rule. As Taylor teases in his comment above, others in the Red Keep could have to keep up appearances and pretend that the king is alive and well in order to ensure order in King’s Landing and to avoid letting the Blacks capitalize on this major blow.

What’s more, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) played a major role in Aegon and Sunfyre ending up on the ground, clinging to life. Aemond essentially betrayed his brother in the heat of battle, and he could now be looking to usurp him and take his place as king. Aemond is, after all, next in line to become king if Aegon is dead.

It’s unlikely that Aegon has died, but House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, will have to reveal the extent of his injuries and whether he knows of Aemond’s actions. Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) had been knocked unconscious for the latter parts of the battle, and his last moments in the episode suggest he’s not aware of exactly what happened between the two brothers. In addition to the escalating conflict between the Greens and the Blacks on House of the Dragon, it seems that infighting in King’s Landing could also be a major part of the show moving forward.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.