House of the Dragon episode 7 had a major twist in the ending. Laenor Velaryon who was presumed dead turned out to be alive and well. Audiences were led to believe that Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen had Qarl Correy murder Laenor so that they could get married. However, we find out that they had actually planned to fake his death and give him his freedom. Laenor was last seen escaping Driftmark with his paramour Qarl. They were headed for 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’s departure, especially in that manner, has left many questions in the audience’s mind. One of these questions was what would happen to Seasmoke now that Laenor was gone. Another persistent question is whether he will return to House of the Dragon once the Targaryen civil war starts. Here’s why we think Laenor might return. During the Dance of the Dragons, his family will be in danger. This family is not just Rhaenyra and her sons. His father Lord Corlys and mother Princess Rhaenys will also be in grave danger during the war. In fact, Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys will be attacked by the brothers Aemond and Aegon.

It would be natural for Laenor to be concerned about his family and even return to Westeros to help out. After all, the blacks need all the help they can get. Moreover, Laenor was a kind and good man. He would not abandon his family in a time of need. He could also return at the time of his mother’s death.

The Addam of Hull conspiracy theory 

Addam of Hull is a character who comes later on 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 believed him to be a bastard of Laenor Velaryon himself. However this is unlikely as we have seen that Laenor does not have physical relationships with any woman in House of the Dragon. Now, fans have been theorizing that Addam of Hull could be Laenor himself returning during the Dance of the Dragons as a way of helping out the blacks.

Addam of Hull was said to look almost exactly like Lord Corlys and even claimed Seasmoke as his dragon. This would be an interesting way to deal with both Laenor’s return and Seasmoke’s future. Seasmoke could have taken to Addam as well as he did because he was actually Laenor and was familiar. 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

Without disguising Laenor as an entirely different character such as Addam of Hull, there is really no way to bring him back. Moreover, bringing him back would undo all the build up of episode 7. Laenor obviously cannot return to King’s Landing as himself. That would not only jeopardize Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage but would raise a lot of unnecessary questions regarding the blacks. If he were to return, he would immediately be recognized by Lord Corlys. And Lord Corlys would obviously want him to be the heir to Driftmark and claim his birthright. So he would not truly be able to hide his identity even as Addam of Hull.

Another way of explaining why Laenor never returned despite his family being in danger would be to kill him off screen. If he were to have died a natural death in Essos while living his life with Qarl Correy, it would also free Seasmoke to have another rider. These are the few ways House of the Dragon could deal with this situation.