After a long wait, House of the Dragon is finally here! It has everything Game of Thrones fans could want and is packed full of interesting characters and twists and turns in its narrative. On these involves Baelon Targaryen. What happened to the baby in House of the Dragon?
Before we get into that, it’s important to explain the context of House of the Dragon within the wider Game of Thrones world.
House of the Dragon takes place almost 200 years before its predecessor. The new prequel series follows the heyday of the House Targaryen, back when they were the rulers of Westeros and sat on the Iron Throne at King’s Landing.
The House Targaryen is led by patriarch King Viserys I. The series begins with his ascension to the throne before skipping forward nine years into his reign. As the show explains, this is 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
In House of the Dragon, Viserys is shown as being desperate for a male heir. He already has a daughter, Rhaenyra, but he hopes for a son to succeed him to the Iron Throne.
During the first episode, Viserys I’s wife, Queen Aemma, tragically dies in child birth. This is because Viserys has to make the horrific decision to sacrifice her to save the baby.
He is told by Grand Maester Mellos that either both will die, or the child can be cut from Aemma’s womb which will kill her. The baby appears to survive the gruesome and tragic operation.
However, viewers may be confused what happened to the child – which Viserys named Baelon – immediately afterwards. So, what happened to the baby in House of the Dragon?
What happened to the baby in House of the Dragon?
‘The Heirs of the Dragon’ is the first episode of House of the Dragon. And perhaps the hardest scene to watch during the episode is when Queen Aemma dies during an operation to remove Baelon from her womb.
The infant Baelon seemingly survives, which means King Viserys I finally has a male heir.
However, the next scene delivers a shock twist — things weren’t quite as they appeared after all. And viewers will undoubtedly be scratching their heads at first.
What happened to the baby in House of the Dragon? The baby – Prince Baelon Targaryen – died soon after his birth. The exact reason for his death is unclear and isn’t explained. However, we know he died because his body can be seen in the following scene next to his mother’s atop a funeral pyre. Their bodies are cremated by the dragon Syrax.
Following the child’s death, Viserys I’s brother (Baelon’s uncle) Daemon Targaryen refers to Baelon as “the Heir for a Day”. This prompts Viserys’ decision to disinherit Daemon and name a new heir.
Viserys then declares Rhaenyra as his heir and Princess of Dragonstone.
What do you think will happen next in House of the Dragon? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Film & TV articles…
