Chapter Summaries

Rhaenyra returned to King's Landing after her tour and saw Daemon and Aemon flying toward the capital on their dragons. In the Throne Hall, Daemon surrendered his crown and the Stepstones to Viserys, who welcomed his brother home.

• Rhaenyra sailed toward King's Landing with Cole and saw Daemon's crimson dragon fly ahead, followed by Aemon riding Vermithor.
• Aemon joined the assembled court as Viserys convened the ministers for Daemon's return, and Rhaenyra greeted him.
• Daemon entered the Throne Hall carrying Dark Sister and a battle-axe, then threw the axe among the Iron Throne's blades and knelt before Viserys.
• Daemon offered Viserys his crown and the Stepstones, explaining that Lord Corlys had returned home and that the pirates there were dead.
• Daemon told Viserys that he had returned for family and kin, and Viserys welcomed him home before embracing him.

Daemon returned to the Red Keep and reunited with Viserys, Aemon, Rhaenyra, and Alicent at a banquet. Viserys proposed joining his family to Daemon’s through a marriage between Aemon and Rhaenyra, while Daemon gave him an agreeable but unreadable answer.

• Viserys greeted Daemon with praise and affectionate punches, while Aemon joined Rhaenyra at the banquet table and tasted a sour lemon biscuit.
• Aemon defended Rhaenyra’s progress through the realm, explaining that she had gained followers after wounding a nobleman who offended her.
• Aemon embraced Daemon, and Viserys urged his brother to become a better father and husband.
• Alicent kissed Aemon on both cheeks, prompting Rhaenyra to reach for a hidden dagger before Aemon stopped her.
• Viserys sent Rhaenyra and Alicent away, then told Daemon he wanted Aemon and Rhaenyra to marry and unite their bloodlines.
• Daemon agreed with Viserys but exchanged a knowing look with Aemon before steering his brother away to drink with their old friends.

Aemon warned Rhaenyra about Daemon, then confronted his father over his plans and the danger posed by Aemon’s relationship with Laena. At a private Small Council meeting, Viserys learned that the Velaryons might come to court over the matter and ordered the information kept secret.

• Rhaenyra teased Aemon after Alicent left, and Aemon warned her to keep her distance from Daemon.
• Daemon and Aemon discussed Lady Rhea, their family, and Daemon’s return; Aemon refused to choose between Rhaenyra and Laena and asked Daemon to delay his marriage plans.
• Daemon refused to help postpone Aemon’s marriage, and Aemon left, promising to see him at the tourney.
• Larys Strong observed Daemon and Aemon’s exchange before slipping away into the crowd.
• At the private Small Council meeting, Mellos revealed that Aemon had grown close to Laena and warned that the Sea Snake might attend the tourney; Viserys ordered the matter kept secret.
• Rhaenyra remained confused after hearing the council’s discussion.

Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Aemon faced the fallout of their tangled relationships as Corlys arrived in King's Landing for the tournament. At the tournament, Corlys proposed a marriage alliance involving Aemon, Laena, Rhaenyra, and Laenor, while Aemon insisted he had a plan to keep both women.

• Alicent fumed over Rhaenyra’s remarks about her closeness with Aemon, while Helena rescued Aemond from a bug and Alicent sent for Aegon.
• Corlys arrived in King's Landing with his family on the day the tournament began, and Rhaenyra woke Aemon and took him to welcome him.
• Aemon reunited with Laena, who worried that her arrival would cause trouble between Corlys and Viserys, but Aemon assured her he had thought things through.
• Corlys told Viserys he wanted Aemon and Laena to marry and proposed that Laenor marry Rhaenyra, but Viserys objected that Laenor already loved someone.
• Corlys noticed Laenor whispering with his male lover and grew furious.

At the tournament, Aemon sat between Laena and Rhaenyra as their rivalry over him grew increasingly obvious, while Viserys and Corlys watched from the seats of honor. Daemon entered the competition, and Aemon’s flirtation with Laena provoked Rhaenyra’s jealousy, leaving him sweating under her angry stare.

• Viserys taunted Corlys about the importance of a husband’s authority, and Corlys blamed Laenor for his shortcomings.
• Aemon greeted Laenor, then sat beside Rhaenyra; Laena switched seats with Laenor and joined them in the front row.
• Rhaenyra and Laena traded pointed remarks, and Laena fed Aemon a grape while he stayed silent between them.
• Viserys and Corlys argued over whether Laenor or Laena had the advantage with Aemon as they watched the seating arrangement.
• Daemon rode onto the tournament field as the first competitor, drawing loud cheers from the nobles.
• Aemon fed Laena a pastry, prompting her to tease him, and Rhaenyra ate pastries angrily while glaring at him.

At the tourney, Aemon openly told Rhaenys he intended to marry both Rhaenyra and Laena, provoking her anger but winning her reluctant consideration. As Daemon competed, Alicent left her children with Aemon, and he ended the chapter holding hands with both Rhaenyra and Laena while they watched the joust.

• Daemon asked Laena and Rhaenyra for their favors, and Rhaenyra gave him a red-leaf wreath originally meant for Aemon.
• Rhaenys confronted Aemon about pursuing both her daughter and Rhaenyra, and he admitted he would not give either woman up.
• Rhaenys warned Aemon about the Faith of the Seven and weighed the political need for an alliance before returning to Corlys.
• Daemon won his first joust, and Alicent arrived with her children and left Helena with Aemon and her sons beside Rhaenyra and Laena.
• Daemon faced Borros Baratheon in his next match, while Aemon took one hand each from Rhaenyra and Laena and held on despite their protests.

Aemon watched Daemon defeat Borros at the tournament, then was summoned by Viserys, who revealed the prophecy hidden in the Dragonbone Dagger and asked Aemon to help Rhaenyra bear its burden. Viserys also warned Aemon against pursuing both Laena and Rhaenyra and urged him to consider the family’s interests before choosing a marriage.

• Aemon held Laena’s and Rhaenyra’s hands at the tournament, angering Viserys and Corlys.
• Borros knocked Daemon back with a punch, but lost focus when Aemon cheered; Daemon kicked him and beat him until he surrendered.
• Viserys showed Aemon the Dragonbone Dagger and revealed that it carried the prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised and the song of ice and fire.
• Viserys told Aemon that Rhaenyra could not bear the prophecy alone and asked him to share its burden.
• Viserys warned Aemon that pursuing Laena could draw the family into danger and insisted that Aemon consider his agreement with Daemon and Rhaenyra’s feelings.
• Aemon said he would think carefully before leaving the king’s bedchamber.

Rhaenyra discovered Daemon in a secret passage in her bedchamber and agreed to sneak out with him and Cole to explore Steel Street. Meanwhile, Aemon sensed that something was wrong and set out to check on Rhaenyra.

• Rhaenyra found a hidden passage behind a screen and discovered Daemon waiting inside it.
• Daemon discussed Aemon and Laena's relationship with Rhaenyra, then offered to show her the world beyond the Red Keep.
• Rhaenyra changed into patched clothes and brought Cole along as she followed Daemon toward Steel Street.
• Aemon struggled to find a way through the political pressure from Daemon and the Sea Snake, then felt a sudden premonition.
• Aemon left his quarters to check on Rhaenyra in her bedchamber.

Aemon found Rhaenyra and Daemon together in a brothel, wounded Daemon in a furious confrontation, and then left as Vermithor attacked the establishment. The chapter ended with the brothel engulfed in Bronze Dragonflame while Cole and Rhaenyra were caught in the chaos.

• Aemon discovered the abandoned bedchamber and realized Rhaenyra and Daemon had left together.
• Aemon tracked them to a brothel on Silk Street, where he found Rhaenyra, Daemon, and Cole.
• Aemon confronted Daemon, cut his wrist and chest, and accused him of betraying his family and treating his son as an obstacle.
• After Aemon left the room, he returned and beat Daemon unconscious before leaving with Rhaenyra and Cole.
• Vermithor broke free in the Dragonpit as Caraxes reacted to the pain of his rider.
• Vermithor arrived over Silk Street and unleashed dragonflame, setting the brothel ablaze.

After Aemon found Rhaenyra with Daemon at a brothel and set Silk Street ablaze, he confronted Rhaenyra in her chambers and she declared her desire for him. By morning, the fire and scandal had reached the Red Keep, where Alicent planned to use the news against Rhaenyra and Viserys erupted in anger.

• An orphan recognized the disguised Rhaenyra at the fire on Silk Street and secretly passed information to Mellos, while Larys noticed the exchange.
• Aemon tried to leave Rhaenyra's bedchamber, but she apologized, admitted she wanted him, and kissed him; Cole realized they were not fighting.
• Mellos learned that the White Worm had sent a message, then informed Alicent that Daemon and Rhaenyra had appeared together at a brothel and Aemon had set it on fire.
• Alicent decided not to tell Viserys herself and began looking for someone who could expose Rhaenyra and place the blame on her.
• Viserys heard about the scandal from Mellos and Lyonel, rejected the report as a lie, and angrily demanded that they leave.

Daemon recovered from his injuries in Mysaria’s care, while Aemon woke from a strange dream and found Rhaenyra seeking to reconcile with him. Viserys confronted Daemon in the Red Keep and erupted when Daemon insisted his actions would not ruin Rhaenyra’s betrothal.

• Mysaria told the wounded Daemon that she had rescued him after his son nearly killed him, and demanded payment for his treatment and lodging.
• Aemon dreamed of climbing Lonely Mountain toward a giant bronze tree, but the Gold-Nosed Rat woke him by ringing a Bronze Bell.
• Aemon questioned Rhaenyra about the previous night, then combed her hair as she asked to return to how they used to be.
• Mysaria sent the bandaged Daemon back to the Red Keep, where Gold Cloaks and Kingsguard officers escorted him to Viserys.
• Viserys accused Daemon of trying to ruin Rhaenyra’s marriage, and Daemon argued that Aemon would still accept the political match.
• Viserys seized Daemon by the collar after Daemon’s remarks made him believe Daemon was deliberately trying to ruin the couple.

Viserys expelled Daemon after accusing him of coveting the throne, then summoned Aemon and offered to become his father and heir. Aemon rejected the idea that he lacked love, though Viserys insisted his choices proved otherwise.

• Viserys confronted Daemon over Rhaenyra's betrothal, accused him of scheming for the throne, and ordered him back to the Vale.
• Viserys pressed the Dragonbone Dagger's hilt into Daemon's chest wound until Harold arrived and dragged Daemon away.
• Harold escorted Aemon from Rhaenyra's bedchamber to Viserys, while Alicent and Rhaenyra traded accusations over who had exposed the night's events.
• Viserys told Aemon he would treat him as a son and hand everything over to him.
• Aemon protested that he did not lack love, but Viserys argued that his attachment to Alicent and pursuit of older women showed otherwise.

Viserys tried to arrange Aemon’s betrothal to Rhaenyra, but Aemon admitted he would not be faithful to one wife, so Viserys confined him. Rhaenyra sought help for Aemon and received a message from White Worm Xiao Mei.

• Viserys offered to betroth Aemon to Rhaenyra and promised him power and the sword Blackfyre, but Aemon said he intended to marry two women.
• Viserys angrily ordered Aemon confined to his room and had the Kingsguard guard the door without bringing him food or drink.
• Corlys learned that Viserys had imprisoned Aemon, while Rhaenys said she was not surprised.
• Rhaenyra worried that Viserys would punish Aemon and decided to seek Laena’s help, but Laena was absent.
• Yilianda told Rhaenyra that White Worm Xiao Mei had sent her a message, and Rhaenyra recalled Daemon’s former mistress on Dragonstone.

Larys urged Alicent to support a match between Aemon and Laena, but Viserys rejected Alicent’s attempt to change his plans for Aemon and Rhaenyra. After waking from a strange dream, Aemon escaped confinement and went to the Dragonpit, where Laena asked whether he had come to see her.

• Larys told Alicent that Aemon and Laena could marry and proposed that Corlys ask Viserys to match Laenor with Rhaenyra.
• Alicent urged Viserys to let Aemon marry Laena or postpone his marriage, but Viserys insisted Aemon should marry Rhaenyra and revealed he had spent the night in her room.
• Aemon woke from a disjointed dream, decided he needed to show his strength, and knocked a decanter to the floor.
• Aemon knocked down two Kingsguard, used a secret passage through the Tomb Cellar, and escaped the Red Keep.
• Aemon found Laena at the Dragonpit beside Vhagar and told her he had not come looking for Vermithor.

Aemon tested the power of ancient runes by forging a durable bronze greatsword, while Viserys and Rhaenyra clashed over her marriage and succession. The chapter ended with Viserys accepting that he needed to reconcile with Aemon, who remained missing.

• Aemon entered the Dragonpit and told Laena he would stop letting family obligations make him weak.
• Aemon melted a Bronze Bell into Bronze Water, forged a rune-engraved greatsword, and discovered that Solid Runes strengthened its defenses.
• Aemon checked his panel and found new sections for sorcery and forces, including Solid Rune.
• Viserys learned that Aemon had knocked out a Kingsguard and fled, then summoned Rhaenyra and proposed she marry Ser Laenor or another noble heir.
• Rhaenyra refused marriage and revealed she had given herself to Aemon, while insisting she would not surrender her inheritance.
• Lyonel urged Viserys to conciliate Rhaenyra and Aemon, and Viserys agreed he needed to wait for Aemon to return.

At the final day of the tourney, Alicent arrived with House Hightower to display the Queen’s support, and Rhaenyra answered with a dramatic entrance on Syrax and a show of her own allies. As the Green Party and Black Party’s champions began competing, Rhaenyra searched Laena for news of Aemon, while Cole won his first bouts and Harwin was injured.

• Viserys put off Corlys’s proposal, then grew anxious when Alicent and Rhaenyra were both absent from the tourney.
• Alicent arrived in green with Holent Hightower and a large Hightower entourage, drawing attention to the Queen’s faction.
• Rhaenyra arrived riding Syrax, entered with a group of noble supporters, and took her place beside Viserys.
• Rhaenyra asked Laena whether Aemon would return, and Laena told her to wait.
• Cole defeated Alick and Ilik in the tourney, while Harwin later defeated Cole before Cole broke Harwin’s collarbone and forced him to surrender.

Aemon entered the tournament disguised as the Rune Knight and crushed his opponents, drawing attention from the nobles and alarming Alicent. After defeating fifteen knights, he prepared to face Ser Criston Cole, one of the era’s finest fighters.

• Aemon appeared as the masked Rune Knight and defeated Garwin Hightower in a joust and a weapons duel, forcing Garwin to surrender.
• Aemon unhorsed Ser Forrest of House Frey during their third charge, leaving him unconscious with several broken ribs.
• Aemon defeated more than a dozen additional knights and chose to keep fighting after his fifteenth victory.
• The referee announced that Ser Criston Cole, who had defeated three opponents, would face Aemon next.

Zhou Zhou described how an elderly patient attacked Mom in the hospital shortly before she was due to be discharged, worsening her heart condition. The police investigated, but the man faced no legal consequences, and the hospital denied responsibility despite apologizing; Zhou Zhou’s family planned to pursue the matter after Mom recovered.

• While Mom was hospitalized with heart failure, an elderly man in her ward repeatedly harassed patients and, around 4:30 a.m., punched Mom in the chest and frightened her by pulling at her blanket.
• Mom called Dad at 6:30 a.m., and Dad contacted Zhou Zhou and her sister, who rushed to the hospital and called the police, Uncle Hat, and hospital staff.
• The police investigated, but the elderly man was not held legally responsible and was discharged, while Mom remained hospitalized for observation.
• Zhou Zhou’s family learned from surveillance footage that the old man's wife had lied about seeking help, and the family accused the hospital of failing to provide nighttime supervision or respond to earlier complaints.
• The hospital moved Mom to another ward and promised to cover further treatment costs, but its staff later denied responsibility while offering an apology and gifts.
• Zhou Zhou’s family planned to demand a proper apology from the hospital after Mom was discharged.

Aemon competed in the tourney disguised as the Rune Knight and overwhelmed Cole and the other finalists to win. After his victory, Viserys suspected the knight was Aemon and prepared to confront him as he revealed his identity.

• Cole judged the Rune Knight's strength and endurance before they jousted, and both fighters fell from their horses when their lances struck.
• Aemon disarmed Cole's flail, then broke his shield and sword and knocked him unconscious with the Rune Greatsword.
• Rhaenyra recognized Aemon beneath the armor, while Viserys and Harold also concluded that the Rune Knight was probably Aemon.
• Aemon withdrew after fifteen consecutive victories, then defeated Lord Swann and Adrian Tarbeck to win the tourney.
• Viserys picked up Blackfyre and prepared to wait for the Rune Knight to reveal himself.

Aemon revealed his identity at the tourney, displayed his dragons and personal banner to declare his independence from the royal family, and named Alicent Queen of Love and Beauty. The chapter ended with Alicent moved to tears, while Viserys, Laena, and Rhaenyra reacted to Aemon’s choice.

• Aemon won the tourney and revealed himself as Prince Aemon Targaryen before the gathered nobles.
• Vermithor, Silverwing, and Grey Shadow appeared above the grounds, and Aemon displayed his Two-Part Banner to announce his River Valley Town—Runestone identity.
• Aemon declared that he would no longer be bound by House Targaryen and rode around the grounds with his banner.
• Laena and Rhaenyra waited to see who would receive Aemon’s Crown of Love and Beauty, while Corlys and Rhaenys discussed Laena’s chances.
• Aemon gave the Long Summer Flower crown to Alicent and called her the Queen of Love and Beauty in his heart.
• Alicent accepted the crown in tears as Viserys glared, Laena clenched her fist, and Rhaenyra grew icy with anger.