What Happens To Seasmoke Now That Laenor Has Left Westeros?

House of the Dragon episode 7 ended with a major twist. While audiences thought that Daemon and Rhaenyra were plotting the murder of Laenor Velaryon,

By Chandraboli Majumdar
October 5,2022
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House of the Dragon episode 7 ended with a major twist. While audiences thought that Daemon and Rhaenyra were plotting the murder of Laenor Velaryon, they actually helped him fake his death. At the end of the episode, a bald Laenor is seen alive and escaping Driftmark with his paramour Qarl Correy. They are most likely headed for Essos where Laenor would not be recognized as easily. However, the episode left many questions unanswered. One of the most important ones is what happens to Laenor’s dragon Seasmoke now that he is gone. This is considering that a dragon does not bond with anyone else as long as their riders live.

Laenor and Seasmoke

Prince Laenor rides Seasmoke in House of the Dragon
Prince Laenor rides Seasmoke in House of the Dragon

Laenor Velaryon bonded with his dragon Seasmoke from a very young age. Seasmoke was different from the other dragons in his color and appearance. He was of pale silver-ish grey color. We can see how well they are bonded during the battle at the Stepstones. During the final stretch, Laenor aboard Seasmoke destroys the Triarchy troops and burns them alive. They seem to work very well together. In fact, Seasmoke was claimed to be Laenor’s pride and passion. So it is a bit unfortunate that Laenor left him behind. We understand that he chose his freedom and love. But in all of Ice and Fire lore, this has never happened. No dragonrider has ever left or abandoned their dragon, and why would they?

Can dragons sense whether their riders are dead or alive?

Prince Laenor Velaryon and Seasmoke
Prince Laenor Velaryon, and Seasmoke

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 they may be, ride them or bond with them as long as their rider is alive. So the question is can Seasmoke sense that Laenor Velaryon is still alive. Because if he can, then he will most likely refuse to bond with another rider and begin looking for Laenor.

Drogon senses Daenerys' death
Drogon senses Daenerys’ death

There is precedence which supports the fact that dragons can sense when their riders die or even when they are in danger. This has been seen in case of Helaena and Dreamfyre. Spoiler alert for future House of the Dragon storylines! When Helaena commits suicide, it is said that Dreamfyre erupted in a fit of rage from the Dragonpit and broke the chains that held her back. Her roar echoed through King’s Landing. In fact, she sensed Helaena’s death despite being in the Dragonpit which was situated miles away.

Another instance of the brilliant intuition of dragons can be found in the case of Drogon and Daenerys. Drogon could sense when she was in danger and swooped in to rescue her. He could also sense when she died and burned down the Iron Throne to the ground in retaliation.

What happens to Seasmoke?

Seasmoke in House of the Dragon
Seasmoke in House of the Dragon

So there are a few possibilities when it comes to what will happen with Seasmoke. Considering how intelligent and intuitive dragons are, Seasmoke could understand that Laenor is still alive. In fact, she could even go looking for him. Dragons also have a keen sense of smell. This could mean that Seasmoke will be able to track down Laenor in Essos.

Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark with Qarl
Laenor Velaryon escapes from Driftmark with Qarl

However, this storyline seems unlikely as Seasmoke taking off would alert Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys. Moreover, Laenor cannot exactly keep Seasmoke with him even if he lives in Essos. Especially considering that he needs to remain inconspicuous and hidden. It could be possible that Seasmoke understands why Laenor left Driftmark and respect his choices. We see how dragons are in touch with the emotions of their riders. When Vhagar is commanded by Laena to breathe dragonfire, she feels the pain of Laena. Despite hesitating in the beginning, she respects her choice and listens to her command.

The above reasoning would explain if Seasmoke went on to bond with someone new. Nonetheless, I hope House of the Dragon writers address this fact and don’t just ignore Seasmoke’s intuitiveness and intelligence. In the books of Fire and Blood, Seasmoke takes to another rider after over a decade of Laenor’s death. This was Addam of Hull who was also rumored to be a bastard son of either Laenor or Lord Corlys.