Based on George R.R. Martin’s “history” book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon has returned to the screens once again for its second season. But even as it is almost about to finish its second run, a lot of old and new mysteries are still to be addressed. For instance, what happened to John Macmillan’s Laenor Velaryon after he faked his death in season 1?
While this is yet to be answered, one of Martin’s theories about dragons seems to hint at just what could have gone down with this major character from the saga. And, as disappointing and heartbreaking as it all may seem, this theory directly points out that the character may have died off-screen, considering the behavior his dragon Seasmoke depicted recently.
George R.R. Martin’s Theory About Dragons Confirms Laenor Velaryon’s Death
As fans remember, by the end of season one of House of the Dragon, John Macmillan’s Laenor Velaryon decided to fake his own death after his plan with Rhaenyra came to fruition. Since then, he hasn’t been seen in the saga, even in the currently ongoing season 2, and his dragon Seasmoke has been shown even more restless without his rider than ever before.
At the same time, something unexpected happened in the recently released episode 6, Smallfolk, of the soon-to-conclude season: Seasmoke was seen ostensibly choosing Addam of Hull, Laenor’s half-brother (since Addam is Corlys Velaryon’s son), as his new rider, meaning that he has decided to establish that dragon-human bond with him.
While that is something new, it contradicts one theory about dragons by the author if Laenor is, indeed, still alive. As shared by @westerosies on X, this theory states that:
Once a dragon has bonded with its rider, it will not allow anyone else to mount it while its rider lives unless accompanied by their rider.
Of course, if Laenor is still alive and faking his death, then it just means that HOTD has decided not to go by the books and ignore this particular theory. However, if they are going by the books, then there is no way that Laenor is still alive because according to George R.R. Martin, no matter the distance, dragons can still have visceral reactions to their bonded riders’ deaths and emotions.
This brings us to the inevitable conclusion that @westerosies pointed out:
This would mean Laenor Velaryon possibly died off-screen in #HouseOfTheDragon
According to George R.R. Martin’s works and lore, once a dragon has bonded with its rider, it will not allow anyone else to mount it while its rider lives unless accompanied by their rider.
This would mean Leanor Velaryon possibly died off-screen in #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/Aj24li3eZr
— westerosies (@westerosies) July 22, 2024
Additionally, a dragon may bond with another rider after the original rider, with whom he bonded, dies. This is because the dragon’s bond with his original rider breaks, and he can establish a new bond. This was seen in Game of Thrones as well when Emilia Clarke‘s Daenerys Targaryen pointed out how no dragon rider has ever flown two dragons at once before.
That said, Addam’s newly established bond with Seasmoke inevitably further hints at Laenor’s death off-screen. And while this doesn’t concretely confirm Laenor’s demise having happened behind the scenes, the theory is still as viable as ever and is a significant indicator of Macmillan’s House of the Dragon character’s presumed fate that has fans pointing out the same on X.
Fans React to Laenor Velaryon Possibly Having Died Off-Screen in HOTD
Since more than half of the second season has concluded and there is still no sign of Laenor, and even his dragon has seemingly found a new rider, the possibility of Macmillan’s character still being alive somewhere out there is really low. That said, fans are adding to the genuineness of this theory by pointing out further factors that prove this theory’s viability.
Taking to the comment section of the tweet, here’s what those other fans in agreement have to say:
Yes. That’s why Seasmoke has been flying around in circles crying out. The bond with his rider was broken.
— Perry ♋️ (@PerryBadeaux) July 22, 2024
In Game of Thrones, Daenerys says that no dragonrider has ever flown two dragons and that after a dragonrider dies, their dragon may bond with another person. She only rode Drogon, for example. It's show cannon that a dragon only has one rider. pic.twitter.com/vgATIzMpBy
— Alaska (@Alaska0420) July 22, 2024
Velaryon's dragon loyalty suggests his off-screen demise.
— Andri𝕏 (@andrewerasmii) July 22, 2024
Yes he did otherwise seasmoke would have followed him
— Myth (@iamblackmyth) July 22, 2024
The dragon does choose a new rider after the old bonded rider is dead. It's magical because of the blood sacrifice of the past. Which is the magic that bonds dragons to humans. pic.twitter.com/6KbCzp8x2s
— Alaska (@Alaska0420) July 22, 2024
or they changed the lore.
— Moosey (@0nlyMeez) July 22, 2024
He clearly died that’s what Mysaria implied non other scene with Rhenyra by saying “He(seasmoke) feels lonely” when Seasmoke was unrest in dragonstone and Rheynra said offlate he is like that pic.twitter.com/ZDfoPCIsKC
— Stephan Raj (@Vettri_Vizha) July 22, 2024
Leaner is dead in the books
They changed his outcome in the show
This leads to them editing the lore by accident
We can pretend Leanor has died off screen but I think it’s prob an oversight in the writing
— Jay D. Cartere (@JayCartere) July 22, 2024
Although all of these points are as valid as ever, nothing can be said for sure since a lot of the elements in this ongoing series have been newly introduced as opposed to being taken from the books. This is why fans might as well take this with a pinch of salt since this isn’t the first time House of the Dragon has left viewers’ jaws dropped with a surprisingly unexpected plot twist.
You can stream House of the Dragon on HBO.
