House of the Dragon episode 7 had a major twist in the ending. Laenor Velaryon, who was presumed dead, turned out to be alive. The audience was led to believe that Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen had Laenor murdered by Qarl Correy so they could be married. However, we find out that they actually planned to fake his death and give him his freedom. Laenor was last seen escaping Driftmark with her lover Qarl. They were heading to Essos, where they could live a happy life away from the politics of the Iron Throne.
Could Laenor Velaryon return during the Dance of the Dragons?
Laenor Velaryon escapes Driftmark after faking her death in House of the Dragon
Leaving Laenor, especially in this way, left many questions in the minds of the public. One of those questions was what would happen to Seasmoke now that Laenor was gone. Another lingering question is whether he will return to House of the Dragon once the Targaryen Civil War begins. Here’s why we think Laenor could return. During the Dance of the Dragons, his family will be in danger. This family is not just Rhaenyra and her sons. Her father Lord Corlys and her mother Princess Rhaenys will also be in grave danger during the war. Indeed, Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys will be attacked by the brothers Aemond and Aegon.
It would be natural for Laenor to care about her family and even return to Westeros to help her. After all, black people need all the help they can get. Moreover, Laenor was a kind and good man. He would not abandon his family in times of need. He could also return at the time of his mother’s death.
The Addam of Hull Conspiracy Theory
Addam from Hull riding Seasmoke
Addam of Hull is a character that comes later in the series, after a decade of Laenor’s death in the books. He was apparently a bastard child of Lord Corlys Velaryon. Some even thought he was a bastard of Laenor Velaryon himself. However, this is unlikely as we have seen that Laenor does not have physical relationships with any women in House of the Dragon. Now, fans have speculated that Hull’s Addam could be Laenor himself returning during the Dance of the Dragons in order to help Black.
Addam of Hull has been said to look almost exactly like Lord Corlys and even claimed Seasmoke as his dragon. It would be an interesting way to handle both Laenor’s return and Seasmoke’s future. Seasmoke might have taken an interest in Addam as well as he did because he was actually Laenor and familiar to him. However, this theory is unlikely as it would change a lot from Fire and Blood.
Reason why he won’t return to House of the Dragon
Will Laenor Velaryon return to the House of the Dragon?
Without disguising Laenor as an entirely different character such as Hull’s Addam, there’s really no way to bring him back. Also, bringing him back would undo all of Episode 7’s construction. Laenor obviously can’t return to King’s Landing as himself. This would not only jeopardize Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage, but would raise a lot of unnecessary questions regarding black people. If he returned, he would be immediately recognized by Lord Corlys. And Lord Corlys would obviously want him to be Driftmark’s heir and claim his birthright. So he couldn’t really hide his identity even as Addam of Hull.
Another way to explain why Laenor never returned when his family was in danger would be to kill him offscreen. If he were to die a natural death in Essos while living his life with Qarl Correy, that would also free Seasmoke from having another pilot. These are the few ways House of the Dragon could deal with this situation.
