Fire & Blood Vol. 1 | The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II (Chapter 18)

Aegon II remained on Dragonstone as he plotted how best to return to King’s Landing. His dragon died and he nearly had Baela killed, but decided he would use her to get the Velaryon’s, who had control of the sea, on his side. Meanwhile, Borros Baratheon heard of Rhaenyra’s death and went to King’s Landing and restored order with Alicent in the name of Aegon. Since Aegon could not get back without peace from the Velaryon’s, they conspired to agree to Corlys Velaryon’s terms to get his help, and then kill him later. Aegon returned to King’s Landing, still unable to walk, and executed the three pretenders.

While Lord Velaryon urged Aegon to pardon those lords that supported Rhaenyra, the king had said lords of the crownlands brought to him in chains to swear fealty, pay a heavy ransom, and provide hostages to the Crown, hardening them against him. Meanwhile, the riverlords marched towards King's Landing, while a large host from the Vale of Arryn was hiring ships to bring them down on the capital. Aegon made efforts to hatch dragon eggs from Dragonstone, but to no success. Corlys implored the king to wed his daughter, Jaehaera Targaryen, to the captive Aegon the Younger, though Aegon II desired for his sister's line to end; Aegon decreed that the prince would either join the Night's Watch or serve him as a eunuch.