Who Rode the Dragon to Save Daemon?
The dragonrider who appears at the end of the episode to save Daemon is Laenor Velaryon, son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, and he’s riding a new dragon named Seasmoke. Laenor Velaryon’s ability to ride a dragon is attributed to his mother’s Targaryen ancestry, specifically being the daughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, which makes him a descendant of the Old Valyrian dragonriders.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Laenor Velaryon and Seasmoke
- Who was the dragon Laenor was riding? Seasmoke is a dragon bred by House Targaryen and was ridden by Laenor Velaryon.
- How did Laenor Velaryon ride the dragon? The reason for Laenor Velaryon’s possession of and ability to ride a dragon is that his mother is Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, who was the runner-up for King Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s heir to the Iron Throne.
- Does Seasmoke know Laenor is alive? Only Rhaenyra and Daemon know Laenor Velaryon is alive, so it could be possible for him to quietly return years later under a pseudonym, and Seasmoke would recognize its rider and would allow Laenor to once again ride it into battle.
About Vermithor
- Who claims Vermithor dragon? Vermithor, called the Bronze Fury, is a dragon that belongs to House Targaryen, and was once the mount of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
- Who rode Vermithor before Daemon? Before his tease in the finale, Vermithor was ridden by Jaehaerys, the king before Viserys.
- Did Daemon claim Vermithor? Daemon himself can’t “conquer” (ride) Vermithor, because he already rides Caraxes.
About Dragonriding and Targaryen History
- Why can only Targaryens ride dragons? The great power of the Targaryens over Westeros is due almost entirely to their unique mastery of dragons, which is attributed to their Old Valyrian ancestry.
- How come Laena Velaryon can ride a dragon? The reason Laena possesses the ability to ride a dragon could be because her mother is Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, who was one of the contenders for King Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s Iron Throne.
- Can Vermithor beat Vhagar? While Vhagar has seen more battles than Vermithor, which possibly gives her an edge, it is impossible to say which dragon is more powerful as the two dragons never battle each other.
About Dragon Riders and Their Dragons
- Who bonds with Seasmoke? Addam of Hull managed to bond with Seasmoke, and used it to protect his younger brother, Alyn of Hull, from Sheepstealer during his attempt to claim him.
- Who kills Seasmoke? Seasmoke fought Tessarion and Vermithor in the Second Battle of Tumbleton, and was killed by Vermithor, which ripped off its head.
- Did Caraxes have a rider before Daemon? Caraxes has a history and had another rider before the events of House of the Dragon, being known as the “Blood Wyrm” for his red coloring and long, snake-like neck.
About Specific Dragons and Their History
- Is Vermithor bigger than Vhagar? Vhagar is the larger of the two dragons, even if Vermithor is no less of a challenge.
- Did Vhagar lay eggs? It is logical to assume that Vhagar had at least one clutch of eggs, as She-Dragons can only be identified as such because they laid eggs.
- Why was Vermithor in a cave? Vermithor accepted Viserys’ grandfather, Jaehaerys Targaryen, as his rider when he became king, but after Jaehaerys died, Vermithor didn’t take a new rider and made his lair in the caverns of the Dragonmont on Dragonstone, under an active volcano.