What Were 'Aemon Targaryen''S Last Words In The Books?

Aemon Targaryen's last words in the books hit hard because they reveal his lifelong regret. He murmurs 'Egg, I dreamed that I was old' while dying at the Wall. This simple line carries layers of meaning—it connects back to his childhood with his brother Aegon (nicknamed Egg) in 'The Hedge Knight' stories. The 'old' part reflects how he outlived his entire family, surviving through the tragedies of House Targaryen. What makes it haunting is the contrast: the maester who spent decades serving the realm still dreams of being that young boy playing with his brother. It’s less about dragon dreams and more about human fragility. For fans of the Targaryen history, this moment ties his arc together beautifully.

As someone who’s analyzed 'A Song of Ice and Fire' for years, Aemon’s final words strike me as Martin’s perfect tragic poetry. 'Egg, I dreamed that I was old' isn’t just a deathbed whisper—it’s a window into his soul. The reference to Egg (Aegon V) anchors his mortality; here’s a man who could’ve been king but chose duty, watching his family fall to madness and rebellion. The word 'dreamed' is key. Targaryens are known for prophetic dreams, but this isn’t about foresight. It’s nostalgia, a senile slip where past and present merge. He dies thinking of Summerhall, of Dunk’s knighthood trials, of a time when dragons still seemed possible.

What elevates this moment is the context. Aemon says this to Sam, who’s literally carrying books about Targaryen history. The irony? Aemon never reads them. His last act is rejecting the scholarly pursuit that defined his life, longing instead for the brother he lost. For book readers, it echoes Daenerys’ later struggles with legacy versus desire. If you want to dive deeper, check out 'Fire & Blood' for the full weight of Aemon’s family saga, or 'The World of Ice and Fire' for the political chains he escaped.

Aemon’s last words wrecked me. Imagine: 102 years old, blind, freezing at the edge of the world, and your final thought is your little brother’s nickname. 'Egg, I dreamed that I was old' feels like Martin twisting the knife. The books never show Aemon complaining, but here—unfiltered—he reveals the cost of survival. The 'dream' could be literal (Targaryens have them) or metaphorical, like he’s finally waking from life’s long nightmare. It hits differently after reading 'The Hedge Knight', where young Aemon jokes with Egg about growing old together. The Wall steals everything, even memories. For extra pain, compare this to Jon Snow’s later arc—another 'son' of Aemon’s house who dies haunted by family.