How Lucerys Velaryon Dies Differently In The Book

Lucerys Velaryon is dead by the hand…teeth of Aemond Targaryen’s dragon Vhagar. Here’s how Lucerys dies differently in the book.

By Pratyush Singh
October 24,2022
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Lucerys Velaryon’s death may have come as a shock to many House of the Dragon viewers. However, numerous other fans who have read the books or have been exposed to spoilers on the internet knew exactly when Lucerys Velaryon was going to die. Still, the majority may not know how George R. R. Martin depicted Lucerys Velaryon’s death in Fire & Blood book.

Even though House of the Dragon has replicated many things perfectly from the books, many instances have been slightly altered for the show. For example, Vaemond Velaryon’s death is much worse in the book. Speaking of differences, Aemond Targaryen loses his right eye in the book, but Lucerys Velaryon slices off Aemond’s left eye in House of the Dragon.

Nevertheless, a question still lingers: how does Lucerys Velryon die in the book? Now that we have witnessed Lucerys’s death in HOTD episode 10 let’s explore how it happens in Fire & Blood.

Lucerys Velaryon Death in Fire & Blood Explained

Lucerys Velaryon in HOTD episode 10
Lucerys Velaryon in HOTD episode 10

Even though it is meant to be a reasonably secure diplomatic operation, Luke’s trip to Storm’s End becomes tragic. When Lucerys Velaryon reaches Storm’s End, he finds that his cousin Aemond has already arrived and is bargaining with Borros. Luke tries to complete his task and depart, telling his cousin that he is just there as an ambassador, not to engage in a fight, and avoids being lured into conflict. Thanks to Borros Baratheon’s interference, Lucerys and Aemond did not get into a physical fight.

As Aemond climbed Vhagar and pursued Luke, Arrax struggled to keep airborne. Arrax was younger and faster, and he could have outflown Vhagar. However, the storm hampered him, and Vhagar was five times her opponent’s size. Above Shipbreaker Bay, the two dragons collided. If there were a battle, it would not have lasted long, as per Archmaester Gyldayn.

How Did Lucerys Velaryon’s Death Differ in House of the Dragon?

Vhagar killing Arrax and Lucerys Velaryon
Vhagar killing Arrax and Lucerys Velaryon

It is mentioned that Aemond even tried to snatch Luke’s letter and played a lot bigger villain’s role than shown in House of the Dragon. He followed Luke on Vhagar, intending to actually hurt him, unlike how it was shown in episode 10. In House of the Dragon, Vhagar disobeys Aemond and kills Arrax and Luke.

Aemond is shown to be innocent of Lucerys’s death. This technique of keeping the audience rooted for both sides is something House of the Dragon has done before with Alicent Hightower. They have shown that Alicent truly believes that Viserys wanted Aegon to be king. However, in Fire & Blood, she crowns Aegon king solely for power and influence over the seven kingdoms and, to some extent, listens to Otto Hightower, her father.

How Rhaenyra Reacted Differently To The News of Lucerys Velaryon Found Dead

Rhaenyra at Dragnonstone after hearing about Lucerys's advise
Rhaenyra at Dragnonstone after hearing about Lucerys’s advise

After a glimpse of the dance of the dragons, Arrax fell, wounded, to be engulfed by the bay’s storm-lashed waves. Three days later, his skull and neck washed ashore behind the rocks at Storm’s End. The body of Prince Lucerys Velaryon washed ashore on the shore as well.

When notified of Luke’s murder, Queen Rhaenyra fainted during a meeting at Dragonstone, and Luke’s younger brother Joffrey made a horrible pledge of revenge upon Prince Aemond and Lord Borros. A raven flew from Harrenhal while the dark council deliberated on how to respond.