dragon house episode 7 ended with a major twist. While the public thought Daemon and Rhaenyra were plotting Laenor Velaryon’s murder, they actually helped him fake his death. At the end of the episode, a bald Laenor is seen alive and escape Driftmark with her lover Qarl Correy. They are most likely heading for Essos where Laenor would not be recognized so easily. However, the episode left many questions unanswered. One of the biggest is what happens to Laenor’s dragon Seasmoke now that he’s gone. This considers that a dragon does not bond with anyone else as long as its riders live.
Laenor and Seasmoke
Prince Laenor rides Seasmoke in House of the Dragon
Laenor Velaryon bonded with her dragon Seasmoke from an early age. Seasmoke was different from other dragons in color and appearance. It was pale silver gray in color. We can see how tied they are during the battle at the Stepstones. During the home stretch, Laenor aboard Seasmoke destroys the Triarchy troops and burns them alive. They seem to work very well together. In fact, Seasmoke was considered Laenor’s pride and passion. So it’s a bit of a shame that Laenor left him behind. We understand that he chose his freedom and his love. But in the whole tradition of ice and fire, that never happened. No dragon rider has ever left or abandoned their dragon, and why would they?
Can dragons sense if their riders are dead or alive?
Prince Laenor Velaryon and Seasmoke
The dragons and their riders are said to have a magical bond that cannot be explained. They can understand the emotions and feelings of their riders. And a dragon will never let anyone else, no matter how familiar, ride it or bond with it as long as its rider is alive. So the question is whether Seasmoke can sense that Laenor Velaryon is still alive. Because if he can, he will most likely refuse to bond with another horseman and start looking for Laenor.
Drogon senses Daenerys’ death
There are precedents that support the fact that dragons can sense when their riders are dying or even when they are in danger. This has been seen in the case of Helaena and Dreamfyre. Spoiler alert for future House of the Dragon storylines! When Helaena commits suicide, Dreamfyre is said to have burst into a fit of rage from the Dragonpit and broke the chains that bound her. His roar echoed King’s Landing. In fact, she sensed Helaena’s death while she was in the dragon pit located miles away.
Another example of dragons’ brilliant intuition can be found in the case of Drogon and Daenerys. Drogon could sense when she was in danger and rush to save her. He could also sense when she died and burned the Iron Throne in retaliation.
What becomes of Seasmoke?
Dragon House Smoke
So there are a few possibilities as to what will happen with Seasmoke. Considering how intelligent and intuitive dragons are, Seasmoke might understand that Laenor is still alive. In fact, she might even go looking for him. Dragons also have a keen sense of smell. This could mean that Seasmoke can find Laenor in Essos.
Laenor Velaryon escapes Driftmark with Qarl
However, this scenario seems unlikely as Seasmoke taking off would alert Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys. Also, Laenor can’t exactly keep Seasmoke with him even though he lives in Essos. Especially if you consider that it should remain discreet and hidden. It’s possible that Seasmoke understands why Laenor left Driftmark and respects her choices. We see how dragons are in touch with the emotions of their riders. When Vhagar is ordered by Laena to breathe dragon fire, she feels Laena’s pain. Despite his hesitation at first, she respects his choice and listens to his orders.
The reasoning above would explain if Seasmoke continued to bond with someone new. Still, I hope the writers of House of the Dragon take this fact into account and don’t simply ignore Seasmoke’s intuitiveness and intelligence. In the books of fire and blood, Seasmoke takes on another pilot after more than a decade of Laenor’s death. It was Addam of Hull who was also rumored to be a bastard son of Laenor or Lord Corlys.
