How Is Laenor’s Death Different In The Book And Will He Return?

House of the Dragon episode 7 is full of action, drama and twists. The previous episode saw the death of Lady Laena Velaryon. And episode

By Chandraboli Majumdar
October 3,2022
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House of the Dragon episode 7 is full of action, drama and twists. The previous episode saw the death of Lady Laena Velaryon. And episode 7 almost kills off another major character of the show. And it’s none other than King consort Laenor Velaryon. Fortunately, the burnt corpse found at the hall of High Tide was not actually that of Laenor Velaryon. He is seen escaping Driftmark. He is seen with his paramour Qarl Correy on a tugboat as they begin their journey to the narrow seas. However, this storyline is different from the one in the books.

Qarl Correy and Laenor Velaryon

Laenor Velaryon and Qarl Correy in House of the Dragon
Laenor Velaryon and Qarl Correy in House of the Dragon

After the House of the Dragon time jump over 10 years, Laenor has been absent from the Red Keep for most of his and Rhaenyra’s marriage. In fact, he has been quite an irresponsible and lousy husband and father. He has been away from home and spending time with the number of men that he then takes to bed. Eventually, he became fond of a handsome and valiant knight called Qarl Correy. He even brings back Qarl to the Red Keep. Qarl becomes Laenor’s paramour and went with him to Driftmark to attend Lady Laena’s funeral. However, Qarl was supposed to leave for the battle in the Stepstones and Laenor decided to stay and support Rhaenyra and their family.

Rhaenyra and Daemon help Laenor fake his death

Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark after faking his death
Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark after faking his death

After Laena’s funeral, Rhaenyra reconnected with Daemon. She even proposed marriage to him and claimed that they were always meant to burn together. That’s when Daemon reminds her that the only way they get married is if Laenor dies. Rhaenyra agrees and it initially seems as if they are planning the assassination of Laenor. Daemon approaches Qarl Correy, veiled in dark robes to hide his identity. He tells him to give Laenor a quick and merciful death.

Eventually the scene cuts to Qarl entering the Hall of High Tide and confronting Laenor. They get into a sword fight. By the time Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys make it their, it seems as if Laenor has been killed and his body was found burned by the fireplace. The only identifying feature were his boots. However, the ending reveals the twist. Laenor is not actually dead. He simply ran away with Qarl to the lands beyond the Narrow Seas.

How does Laenor die in the book Fire and Blood?

Qarl and Laenor fight during House of the Dragon episode 7
Qarl and Laenor fight during House of the Dragon episode 7

Laenor Velaryon’s death in the book Fire and Blood is quite different from what is shown in House of the Dragon. Laenor is killed by Qarl Correy at a fair in spicetown during 120 AC. The death was a result of a quarrel between the two. It is claimed that Qarl had become jealous of Laenor’s new bedmate and felt offended and diminished. Nonetheless, even in the books there was a rumor that said Daemon paid Qarl to kill off Laenor so that Rhaenyra would be freed for him to take as wife. In fact, it was said that Daemon even arranged a boat for Qarl to escape from Spicetown but instead killed him off and disposed his body at sea.

Will he return in future House of the Dragon episodes?

Will he appear in future episodes?
Will he appear in future episodes?

While fans may want Laenor to return to House of the Dragon especially when the Targaryen Civil War starts, it is an unlikely scenario. Rhaenyra does need every bit of help she can get, even if it is her rumored to be dead husband. Nonetheless, there is no proof of him existing during the Dance of the Dragons or taking part in it in the books. Moreover, it would spark quite the controversy for both House Targaryen and House Velaryon if it was revealed that he had been alive all this while. It would also render Daemon and Rhaenyra’s marriage illegitimate. So Laenor will most likely not be appearing in future House of the Dragon episodes and will instead enjoy his peaceful life with Qarl Correy.