New House of the Dragon art imagines Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) reclaiming the Iron Throne after his bitter season 2 escape. With House of the Dragon season 3 still approximately a year away from completion, there are many months left before the first trailer reveals the aftermath of the tense season finale. Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) are now fully aligned against Aegon, who was forced to flee King's Landing after Aemond's (Ewan Mitchell) brutal attack. With the Blacks moving on the city, all of Westeros remains embroiled in a bitter war.

The narrative is not necessarily in Aegon's favor, but Instagram artist @didoleonina sought to imagine a future in which Aegon wins back his crown. The stunning portrait imagines that Aegon survives his burns, returns to King's Landing, and takes back the throne. The image features Aegon's healed burns, which still remain across half of his face. He still wears fine clothing and a crown, and it all echoes the traditional Targaryen dragon motif. Aegon does not look especially happy, though that could be because he is forced to sit on a wooden throne due to his injuries. Check it out below:

What This Art Would Mean For House Of The Dragon

King Aegon Does Dream Of Reclaiming His Crown

Despite being a little-loved member of the Green Targaryen faction, King Aegon has always been the most crucial element of their plans. The Greens rely on Aegon, the firstborn son of King Viserys, as he is their only semi-legitimate path to power. While they often ignored his rulings, Aegon still actively tried to become a better king, because he viewed the people of King's Landing as the only ones who could actually love him. His disruptive family dynamic completely shattered any hope of being loved by Targaryens, so Aegon covets the Iron Throne as a means to obtain real love.

Even so, the half-burned and ever-incompetent Aegon could very well become a bitter and careless ruler.

Aegon is also well aware that Queen Rhaenyra needs him to die if she hopes to secure the Iron Throne for herself. After his own brother, Prince Aemond, burned him alive, Aegon was forced to flee the castle to ensure his own safety. If Aegon ever hopes to live without the fear of Rhaenyra finding him or Aemond betraying him, then he will need to retake the crown. Tragically, everyone else in his family would have to die to ensure his safety. Even so, the half-burned and ever-incompetent Aegon could very well become a bitter and careless ruler.

Our Take On King Aegon's Potential Return

It Is Practically Inevitable

Even without delving into spoilers from George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, it is inevitable that Aegon will return at some point. After fleeing King's Landing, it is extremely unlikely that he will ever be able to turn his back on the Dance of the Dragons. He lost everything, and his own mother is even questioning his place as king. The only way to truly end Aegon's story is to give him the chance to attempt to reclaim King's Landing, even if he inevitably fails.

Aegon does not have the patience or temperament to become a skilled king, but he certainly seems to want to develop those skills. He hoped that his Kingsguard would honor their vows, that he could learn more about his people, and he sought to lead from the front, so that he could be an effective role model. He cares about becoming a good ruler, though he has not proven that he could make a competent king. While Aegon II would struggle with the weight of the crown, it would be an interesting direction for House of the Dragon to take.

Source: @didoleonina/Instagram