The 50 Best Game of Thrones Characters, Ranked

28. Maester Aemon Targaryen

“A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing.”

Maester Aemon could have ruled the Seven Kingdoms, but gave up all claims to the throne in order to serve the Citidel. But the Targaryen fire never burned out for ol’ Aemon. One of the wisest men in the realm, Maester Aemon worked as a tireless adviser for the Night’s Watch. He was blind, over a century old, and could barely walk, but he was faithful to the end.

Aemon was greatly respected by the Black Brothers. Through all the bickering and the arguments that went on in Castle Black, no one ever dared question his wisdom. And although he was very old, that hot Targaryen temper still flared up from time to time, mostly around Jon Snow. Aemon had no time for waffling, and was more than ready to give Jon Snow a kick in the pants when it was needed. “Kill the boy,” he told in the young Lord Commander in Season 5, “and let the man be born.”

Aemon enjoyed a more dignified passing than any other Thrones character, dying in his sleep at the ripe old age of 104, after decades of faithful service. He will be missed.

Note: Actor Peter Vaughan passed away on December 6th, 2016, at the age of 93. Rest in Peace, Peter.