House of the Dragon’s latest episode updated audiences on King Aegon’s condition, but Sunfyre still hasn’t been shown since the Battle of Rook’s Rest. HOTD season 2, episode 5’s ending saw Aemond ascend to Prince Regent due to Aegon II’s injuries and burns, giving the younger brother more power to wage war against Rhaenyra. The episode confirmed the deaths of Rhaenys and Meleys and stated that Vhagar had sustained injuries and would require time to heal. That leaves Aegon’s Sunfyre as the final missing piece of episode 4’s aftermath.

In the battle, audiences were able to fully see Sunfyre for the first time. Aegon’s dragon is regarded in the books for its beautiful, vibrant golden scales, standing out as the most beautiful of its species that Westeros has seen. While it didn’t stand out quite so much among the many gorgeous dragons in House of the Dragon, its design was still spectacular to finally see. Unfortunately, Aegon and Sunfyre were betrayed by Aemond and Vhagar in the battle, and a blast of fire sent them both hurdling toward the ground, ending with a cliffhanger about their status.

Sunfyre Is Not Dead – But Is Very Badly Injured

Sunfyre Was Left At Rook’s Rest To Heal

Neither Aegon nor Sunfyre perished at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, though both rider and dragon are in a critical state. Sunfyre took massive blows from both Meleys and Vhagar, not to mention the impact of its fall. While House of the Dragon doesn’t mention Sunfyre, the dragon still has a critical role to play in the Dance of the Dragons, as does Aegon. It’ll likely be some time before Sunfyre returns to the series, as the TV series has slowed the pace down compared to the book, and many events happen before Sunfyre’s next appearance.

The TV series saw Aegon returning to the capital with the head of Meleys, but the Greens also would’ve had to cart Sunfyre in if they were to bring it back to King’s Landing, which would ruin their discretion. In the book, Sunfyre is left to heal near Rook’s Rest, with Criston Cole leaving a station of men to guard it. At a certain point, the Blacks retake the castle and attempt to kill Sunfyre, but the dragon fights back against the threat, pushing back soldiers. Eventually, Sunfyre regains enough strength to fly away.

Does Sunfyre Fly With Aegon Again In House Of The Dragon?

Aegon & Sunfyre Reunite To Fight On Dragonstone

Aegon could also be bedridden in House of the Dragon for a decent amount of time, though it seems likely for television purposes that he’ll gain consciousness and be verbal sooner than he was in Fire & Blood, the show’s source material. At a certain point, Rhaenyra conquers King’s Landing, and Aegon is forced to flee and hide on Dragonstone. On the island, he reunites with the partially healed Sunfyre, and the two fly together again. They don’t take part in more massive battles, but they do have a dragon fight and are complicit in a major character’s death.

Upon the Greens’ capturing of Dragonstone after the betrayal of Ser Alfred Broome, Baela attempts to defend the castle on her dragon, Moondancer. Sunfyre, still injured from Rook’s Rest, somehow manages to pull off a victory in this skirmish, killing Moondancer. When Rhaenyra eventually returns to Dragonstone hoping for refuge, she’s captured by the Greens and executed by Sunfyre upon the decision of Aegon II. This will be near the very end of House of the Dragon.

How & When Sunfyre Eventually Dies In The Dance Of The Dragons

Sunfyre Dies From Sustained Wounds From Rook’s Rest & Fighting Moondancer

Not many dragons end up surviving the Dance, with many killing each other throughout the war. Two of them have already died in the TV series, and the action has just begun. Sunfyre is a fan-favorite among book fans because he’s a fighter. He’s not the biggest dragon or the most experienced, but he continues to survive horrifying conflicts and battles until the war’s end. It’s not until after Rhaenyra dies and Aegon believes he’s won the war that Sunfyre finally perishes. After killing Moondancer, Sunfyre lingers on Dragonstone, eventually dying from the cumulative injuries.

Sunfyre is already in critical condition once again while killing Rhaenyra, and Aegon hopes that his dragon will recover like before. Unfortunately, Sunfyre stops eating and dies. Despite the dragon’s immense efforts, Aegon almost immediately requests that a new dragon egg be brought to him so he can have a “new Sunfyre, prouder and fiercer than the last.” House of the Dragon still has a long way to go, and Sunfyre is far from being finished.