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Based on George R.R. Martin’s “history” bookFire & Blood,House of the Dragonhas returned to the screens once again for its second season. But even as it is almost about to finish its second run, a lot of old and new mysteries are still to be addressed. For instance, what happened to John Macmillan’s Laenor Velaryon after he faked his death in season 1?
While this is yet to be answered, one of Martin’s theories about dragons seems to hint at just what could have gone down with this major character from the saga. And, as disappointing and heartbreaking as it all may seem, this theory directly points out that the character may have died off-screen, considering the behavior his dragon Seasmoke depicted recently.
George R.R. Martin’s Theory About Dragons Confirms Laenor Velaryon’s Death
As fans remember, by the end ofseason one ofHouse of the Dragon, John Macmillan’s Laenor Velaryon decided to fake his own death after his plan with Rhaenyra came to fruition. Since then, he hasn’t been seen in the saga, even in the currently ongoing season 2, and his dragon Seasmoke has been shown even more restless without his rider than ever before.
At the same time, something unexpected happened in the recently released episode 6,Smallfolk, of the soon-to-conclude season: Seasmoke was seen ostensibly choosing Addam of Hull, Laenor’s half-brother (since Addam is Corlys Velaryon’s son), as his new rider, meaning that he has decided to establish that dragon-human bond with him.
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While that is something new, it contradicts one theory about dragons by the author if Laenor is, indeed, still alive. As shared by@westerosies on X, this theory states that:
Once a dragon has bonded with its rider, it will not allow anyone else to mount it while its rider lives unless accompanied by their rider.
Of course, if Laenor is still alive and faking his death, then it just means thatHOTDhas decided not to go by the books and ignore this particular theory. However, if theyaregoing by the books, then there is no way that Laenor is still alive because according toGeorge R.R. Martin, no matter the distance, dragons can still have visceral reactions to their bonded riders’ deaths and emotions.
This brings us to the inevitable conclusion that @westerosies pointed out:
This would mean Laenor Velaryon possibly died off-screen in#HouseOfTheDragon
According to George R.R. Martin’s works and lore, once a dragon has bonded with its rider, it will not allow anyone else to mount it while its rider lives unless accompanied by their rider.
This would mean Leanor Velaryon possibly died off-screen in#HouseOfTheDragonpic.twitter.com/Aj24li3eZr
— westerosies (@westerosies)July 04, 2025
Additionally, a dragon may bond with another rider after the original rider, with whom he bonded, dies. This is because the dragon’s bond with his original rider breaks, and he can establish a new bond. This was seen inGame of Thronesas well whenEmilia Clarke‘s Daenerys Targaryen pointed out how no dragon rider has ever flown two dragons at once before.
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That said, Addam’s newly established bond with Seasmoke inevitably further hints at Laenor’s death off-screen. And while this doesn’t concretely confirm Laenor’s demise having happened behind the scenes, the theory is still as viable as ever and is a significant indicator of Macmillan’sHouse of the Dragoncharacter’s presumed fatethat has fans pointing out the same on X.
Fans React to Laenor Velaryon Possibly Having Died Off-Screen inHOTD
Since more than half of the second season has concluded and there is still no sign of Laenor, and even his dragon has seemingly found a new rider,the possibility ofMacmillan’s character still being alive somewhere out there is really low. That said, fans are adding to the genuineness of this theory by pointing out further factors that prove this theory’s viability.
Taking to the comment section of the tweet, here’s what those other fans in agreement have to say:
Yes. That’s why Seasmoke has been flying around in circles crying out. The bond with his rider was broken.
— Perry ♋️ (@PerryBadeaux)August 09, 2025
In Game of Thrones, Daenerys says that no dragonrider has ever flown two dragons and that after a dragonrider dies, their dragon may bond with another person. She only rode Drogon, for example. It’s show cannon that a dragon only has one rider.pic.twitter.com/vgATIzMpBy
— Alaska (@Alaska0420)June 21, 2025
Velaryon’s dragon loyalty suggests his off-screen demise.
— Andri𝕏 (@andrixupdates)July 11, 2025
Yes he did otherwise seasmoke would have followed him
— Myth (@iamblackmyth)June 13, 2025
The dragon does choose a new rider after the old bonded rider is dead. It’s magical because of the blood sacrifice of the past. Which is the magic that bonds dragons to humans.pic.twitter.com/6KbCzp8x2s
or they changed the lore.
— Moosey (@0nlyMeez)July 15, 2025
https://twitter.com/Vettri_Vizha/status/1815419775868158219
Leaner is dead in the books
They changed his outcome in the show
This leads to them editing the lore by accident
We can pretend Leanor has died off screen but I think it’s prob an oversight in the writing
— Jay D. Cartere (@JayCartere)August 10, 2025
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Although all of these points are as valid as ever, nothing can be said for sure since a lot of the elements in this ongoing series have been newly introduced as opposed to being taken from the books. This is why fans might as well take this with a pinch of salt since this isn’t the first timeHouse of the Dragonhas left viewers’ jaws dropped with a surprisingly unexpected plot twist.
You can streamHouse of the Dragonon HBO.
Mahin Sultan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2478
Mahin Sultan is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, where she brings a fresh perspective to entertainment news. Having been in the field for over 3 years now, she has already written more than 2,000 articles across a variety of niches, from entertainment to health and fashion. This diverse experience has allowed her to quickly build a solid foundation and a deep understanding of the industry.
