House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 battle: who lived and who died?

Anyone who believed that House of the Dragon's second season was progressing slowly got a pleasant surprise in the last 20 minutes of Episode 4.

As Sunday's episode, marking the midpoint of Season 2, raced to a thrilling conclusion, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) reached House Staunton's stronghold at Rook's Rest with his swiftly growing army, ready to set a trap.

Cole's plan was straightforward: besiege Rook's Rest and compel Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) to dispatch one of Team Black's dragons to protect the modestly defended castle. Then, signal to Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), who would be concealed nearby with his massive dragon, Vhagar, that it was time to strike.

Unfortunately, Rhaenyra was deceived by the trap and, after being persuaded not to go herself, permitted Rhaenys (Eve Best) to fly to Rook's Rest with her dragon, Meleys. Everything seemed to be going as planned for Team Green. However, Cole had not anticipated that King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) would unexpectedly arrive on his own dragon, Sunfyre, and engage in combat with Meleys.

Meleys quickly gained the upper hand against Sunfyre, and it seemed Rhaenys might prevail. However, Vhagar then arrived.

What happened to Rhaenys in the House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 Battle?

Initially relieved to see his brother arriving, Aegon soon realized Aemond had no plans to rescue him from the predicament. Aemond's shout of "Dracarys"—the High Valyrian command for a dragon to breathe fire—appeared deliberately timed to direct Vhagar's flames at Aegon and Sunfyre, causing them to crash to the ground.

Despite having the chance to retreat to Dragonstone, Rhaenys decided to turn Meleys around and rejoin the battle. Although the Red Queen and her rider managed to land a few hits, the size disparity between the two dragons became overwhelming when Vhagar clamped her jaws around Meleys' throat. As Rhaenys watched her dragon's life fade away, she fell to her death on Meleys' back, marking the end of the Queen Who Never Was.

Did Aegon die in the House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 Battle?

When the dust settled and Cole regained consciousness, he staggered into the forest to find Aemond standing over Aegon's body with his sword drawn, seemingly ready to finish what he had started with Vhagar.

Cole's arrival clearly caused Aemond to reconsider his actions, but Aemond's apparent desire to see Aegon dead aligns with the contempt he has shown for his brother throughout the series.

Following the cliffhanger ending, Aegon's fate is documented in George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the companion novel to A Song of Ice and Fire, which serves as the basis for House of the Dragon. Despite their severe injuries, both he and Sunfyre survive the Battle of Rook's Rest. However, Aegon's recovery will be lengthy, providing an opportunity for members of his court to maneuver for more power.