Chapter 288

Samwell Tarly’s expression turned sorrowful as he spoke in a low voice.

“Maester Aemon was the second Aemon Targaryen—King Maekar I’s third son. His grandfather, Daeron II, named him after his great-uncle, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight. At the time, King Daeron II already had four adult sons, and three of them had children of their own. He believed having too many potential Targaryen heirs was dangerous for the succession, so he sent Aemon to the Citadel.

“Afterward, Aemon forged his chain and earned the title of maester. He served a lord of unknown identity—until his father, now King Maekar I, summoned him to court to serve the Iron Throne. Aemon feared that sitting on the small council might lead him to replace the Grand Maester, so he chose instead to serve his elder brother, Prince Daeron. After Daeron died, Aemon vanished from record—until King Maekar I died at Summerhall. To choose a new king, the Hand of the King at the time, Brynden Rivers, convened a Great Council. Aemon was summoned back to court and was quietly offered the crown, but he refused. He yielded the realm to his younger brother—Aegon Targaryen the Fifth—and chose to go to the Wall and join the Night’s Watch, so he could never be used in a plot to steal his brother’s throne.