'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Has the Perfect Opportunity To Introduce This 'Game of Thrones' Character

Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 1 and Game of Thrones.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may be a Game of Thrones spin-off, but there isn't much overlap in characters so far. With a 90-year gap in between the original series and the latest prequel, few characters can appear in both projects, but one would be the perfect choice to include, especially now that his family is involved in Dunk's (Peter Claffey) story. Aemon (Peter Vaughan), the elderly, wise maester at Castle Black, wasn't always so old, and a younger version of him deserves to appear in the prequel.

Before the elderly man became a mentor to Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Aemon was a Targaryen prince, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to introduce his father, Maekar (Sam Spruell). Considering that Aemon's Targaryen heritage is such an important part of his character in Game of Thrones, it's too good a connection not to take advantage of. While he hasn't appeared in the prequel yet, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has several seasons left to take advantage of that link, though it would have to deviate from George R. R. Martin's novellas to do so.

Where Is Aemon Targaryen During 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'?

As a Targaryen prince, Aemon should be living a charmed life during A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but his past isn't exactly normal for a royal. Aemon lives during a time when the Targaryens have a significant presence in Westeros. The current king, Daeron, has four sons, most of whom have sons of their own. Aemon himself is one of four boys born to the youngest of the king's sons, putting him low in the line of succession, and too many heirs are dangerous (just look at House of the Dragon). For that reason, as well as the young prince's fondness for books, Daeron sent him to study with the maesters at a young age, which puts him in a position to become the man Jon later meets at the Wall.

This has already happened by the time A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms begins, so, while his father and brother, Aerion (Finn Bennett), are both confirmed to appear in the series, Aemon is an unlikely addition at the moment. Though he's only 11 years old during the events of the prequel, Aemon is in Old Town, studying to become a maester, which would prevented him from traveling with his father and uncle.

Aemon Targaryen Became a Recurring Character in 'Game of Thrones'

There are many beloved characters in Game of Thrones, but among the handful that could appear in HBO's new prequel series, Aemon is an ideal choice. Although he is so old that his Targaryen roots are no longer remembered by the events of the original series, he is a well-respected authority at Castle Black, earning that reputation with wisdom and kindness. Due to his position in the North, Aemon becomes involved in Jon's story, being one of his most trusted advisors and allies. His experience of watching from afar while his family was killed in Robert's Rebellion and being unable to take action allows Aemon to be the voice of reason that Jon needs.

Through his mentorship of Jon, Game of Thrones highlights Aemon's Targaryen ancestry. While Aemon had to make difficult choices about his family and outlived most of them, he still loves them greatly, as seen by his wish to help Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). Ultimately, this gives his relationship with Jon a new dimension when the truth of Jon's parentage is revealed, even though Aemon doesn't live long enough to see it.

Aemon's Appearance Would be a Change for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'

While introducing a young Aemon Targaryen seems like the perfect way to connect the two shows, it isn't that simple. The latest HBO series has been very loyal to George R. R. Martin's novellas so far, and Aemon has not appeared in the three stories Martin has published, despite earning a passing mention. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms would need to deviate from its source material to incorporate a younger Aemon, and with the focus firmly on Dunk over Westeros' political families, it isn't something fans can count on.

Yet, it's still very possible that Aemon will show up during the show's run, especially as Martin recently admitted he has many more ideas for stories about Dunk and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). When it comes to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO still has plenty of chances to introduce the young prince thanks to the show already having been renewed for a second season — and with several members of his family already included in the cast, Aemon would be a great addition who could prove that not all Targaryens are unbearable.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.