Rhaegar Targaryen is one of the overarching protagonists of A Song of Ice and Fire and its television series, Game of Thrones. He was one of the Princes of Dragonstone, the firstborn son of Aerys and Rhaella Targaryen, the brother of Daenerys' and Viserys Targaryen and in the TV series, the biological father of Jon Snow.
He was killed by a war hammer by Robert Baratheon during the Battle of the Trident.
Rhaegar Targaryen was born as the firstborn son of Aerys Targaryen and his sister- wife Rhaella Targaryen. From birth, he was supposed to marry Princess Cersei Lannister, the only daughter of Lord Tywin Lannister. However he married a princess of Dorne and had two children, Aegon and Rhaenys. He was beloved by all before a scandal involved Rhaegar abducting and raping Lyanna Stark, the only daughter of Rickard and Lyarra, sparking Robert's Rebellion. However, this was not true. Rhaegar and Lyanna fell in love and eloped but not before Rhaegar anulled his marriage to Elia. The two took up residence in the Tower of Joy, where Lyanna became pregnant with their son.
Rhaegar was eventually called away from his wife and their unborn child by his father. He left Hightower and Arthur Dayne to guard the Tower of Joy, and protect his wife and son. However, Rhaegar was eventually slain in the Battle of the Trident by Robert Baratheon thinking he was avenging Lyanna. Rhaegar's two older children, Rhaenys and Aegon, and Lyanna died not long after but not before giving birth to their son, also named Aegon. The child was the true heir to the Iron Throne but was whisked away by his uncle, Eddard "Ned" Stark. Aegon was raised as Ned's illegitimate son, Jon Snow to protected the hidden Targaryen heir from Robert Baratheon, who would've killed the unknown Targaryen heir if he knew the truth.
