If season two of ‘House of the Dragon’ sticks to the plot of the George R. R. Martin novel that serves as its inspiration, Jacaerys “Jace” Targaryen might be the next significant character to pass away.
Though the show creators have introduced some major as well as subtle changes in the show as compared to the books, the major deaths have remained intact. It is therefore fairly safe to assume that Jacaerys Targaryen will die on the show. Here’s what the book ‘Fire and Blood’ says about his death and what fans might expect from the show.
What Is Jacaerys Targaryen’s Fate As Per The Book?
Fans are alarmed by Jacaerys Targaryen’s daring endeavors as the conflict between the Blacks, led by Rhaenyra, and the Greens, led by Aegon II, for control of the Iron Throne grows more intense.
The significant chance of Jace possibly dying soon has viewers on the edge of their seats. Fans want to know if the series will pick up where George R. R. Martin left off with ‘Fire and Blood’.
The TV show’s Rhaenyra Targaryen, played by Emma D’Arcy, would soon lose another child to the conflict if the ‘Fire and Blood’ storyline is followed. In the book, Jace dies in the Battle of the Gullet, which comes after the Battle at Rook’s Rest. After losing Meleys and Rhaenys at Rook’s Rest, Jace helps recruit new Dragonriders to support the Blacks and sends his younger brothers — Joffrey, Aegon the Younger, and Viserys — away to safety.
In the meantime, the Triarchy, the army that Deamon Targaryen played by Matt Smith, and Corlys Velaryon played by Steve Toussaint vanquished in season one, receives a message from Otto Hightower, the former advisor of Aegon II. Otto gets the Triarchy to team up with the Greens in yet another attack on Corlys.
On a ship bound for Pentos, Aegon and Viserys are instead ambushed by the Triarchy. Aegon the Younger tells his family what happened after making his escape on Stormcloud, but Viserys only has a dragon’s egg, so he is taken prisoner.
Using his four newly acquired Dragonriders—Hugh Hammer on Vermithor, Addam of Hull on Seasmoke, Ulf White on Silverwing, and Nettles on Sheepstealer—Jace sets off to battle the Triarchy on his dragon, Vermax.
The Triarchy is pushed back by the dragons and the navy, but Vermax flies too low and is hit during the conflict. Jace tries to flee by jumping onto a sunken ship but is struck down by a crossbow, defeated.
In case you missed: “Powerful, Emotional, Gut-wrenching, Heart-Rending”: George R.R. Martin Raves About ‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 2 And The Targaryen Narrative
What Is The Fate Of Rhaenyra’s Other Children In The Book?
Rhaenyra Targaryen gives birth to six children: three Velaryon sons (though ‘Fire & Blood‘ heavily implies that Harwin Strong is the true father), two full-blooded Targaryen sons, and one Targaryen daughter, the last of whom was stillborn.
As we have seen, Lucerys Velaryon’s death was the first of many tragedies that came with the dispute between Rhaenyra and Aegon II, after which the idea of “a son for a son” set the tone for the Targaryen civil war.
We have also seen the fate of Jace, the firstborn son of Princess Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor, as he dies in the Battle of the Gullet. The youngest of Rhaenyra’s Velaryon-fathered children is Joffrey, who is named after Ser Laenor’s lover, Ser Joffrey of Lonmouth — yet another one of Rhaenyra’s children to have an ill-fated end.
After the deaths of Luke and Jace, Joffrey became the Prince of Dragonstone. Joffrey is characterized as eager to prove he’s a warrior, even at his mother’s incessant prohibition to join the fighting. Near the conclusion of the war, as the Shephard was storming the Dragonpit, Joffrey rushed to fly Rhaenyra’s dragon, Syrax, without a saddle. Not knowing him as a rider, Syrax threw him from a tremendous height. The crash broke Joffrey’s body, causing his death.
Distinctly referred to as Aegon the Younger, Aegon Targaryen is Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon’s firstborn son together — who had a relatively better fate. Following Aegon II’s death, Lord Corlys Velaryon installed Aegon the Younger as the new Targaryen King. Aegon the Younger was now King Aegon III. His reign was relatively peaceful with the Seven Kingdoms united after the Dance of the Dragons. He died from an unnamed sickness and was succeeded by his son, Daeron I.
Rhaenyra and Daemon’s second son, Viserys Targaryen, also survived the civil war. When Word soon reached King’s Landing that Viserys lived, Aegon III summoned his brother and appointed him Hand of the King. Viserys served in the last years of Aegon III’s reign, and his sons King Daeron I and Baelor I. However, by the time both of Aegon III’s sons died, they failed to father heirs. Viserys then ascended the Iron Throne in 171 AC, enjoying a short reign that lasted only a year. He died from a sudden sickness assumed to be caused by poison and was succeeded by his son, Aegon IV.
As for Rhaenyra’s only daughter whom she had labored for three days to birth, Visenya, arrived a month before she was due. According to the fool Mushroom, Visenya came out malformed with defects that resembled dragons more than men, although ‘Fire & Blood’ frames this as an unconfirmed account. Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon’s only daughter was stillborn. ‘House of the Dragon‘ depicted this moment in the season 1 finale, adding to the heartbreak of Rhaenyra.
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