Fire & Blood Vol. 1 | The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold (Chapter 15)

Rhaenyra’s supporters doubled as Aegon II’s supporters diminished. The king started drinking heavily and then named Ser Criston Cole Hand of the King. Two identical twin brothers had served Viserys on the Kingsguard, but Ser Arryk remained loyal to Aegon, and Erryk was loyal to Rhaenyra. Aegon sent Arryk to Dragonstone to impersonate his brother and kill the young princes in retaliation, but Erryk spotted him and the brothers fought until their deaths.

Criston Cole organized a series of attacks in the Riverlands. Aegon himself took the field in a trap set by the Kingmaker at Rook's Rest, where he and Aemond fought and killed Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was, and her dragon, Meleys. However, Sunfyre was badly maimed by Rhaenys and Meleys, and Aegon suffered from burns that covered half his body, a broken hip, and numerous broken ribs. His armor had melted into his left arm, and it would take him a year to recover. Prince Aemond took over the rule in his stead as Prince Regent and Protector of the Realm. Aegon remained bent and twisted for the rest of his life, half his body covered in burn scars.