There are only two episodes left of House of the Dragon season 2. In the season so far, we’ve had dragon fights, brutal murders and many bizarre visions in the depths of Harrenhal (prayers for Daemon Targaryen).
One of the biggest takeaways of episode six was that we got a new dragon rider. This person was not picked by Rhaenyra and the Blacks but instead hunted down by the beast himself – Seasmoke.
Seasmoke was Laenor Velaryon’s dragon in season 1. However, after the Sea Snake’s son faked his own death to leave Westeros with his lover, Seasmoke was left riderless. That’s no longer the case.
If you’d like to know more about who claimed Seasmoke, we have all the information you need. We also have guides for all the characters and dragons in the Game of Thrones prequel.
Seasmoke’s new rider is Addam of Hull
Addam of Hull has been a recurring character in season 2, but you might be forgiven for not following his plot during high-pressure events such as Blood and Cheese and Vhagar’s many battles.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
The character has appeared alongside his brother, Alyn. He lives in Driftmark, and works as a shipwright for the Velaryon fleet. More importantly, both Addam and Alyn have been confirmed to be the bastard children of Corlys Velaryon.
That makes him the half-brother of Leanor Velaryon, the former rider of Seasmoke. This is probably one of the main reasons that the dragon chose his new rider – despite him, apparently, not having Targaryen blood, which Rhaenyra assumed was key to taming the beasts.
Seasmoke was seen earlier in the season circling above Addam, so the dragon has had his eyes on him. In the latest episode, the dragon chases him through a forest and pins him to a rock.
Later, Rhanerya learns that Seasmoke has been spotted flying above with a new rider. She leaves in a hurry on Syrax to find out who it is, and the trailer for episode seven confirms that it is Addam.
We don’t know for sure that Addam isn’t of Targaryen descent – this is the Game of Thrones universe, after all. The Velaryon bloodline may have a distant link somewhere back in history.
Alternatively, it could be that Jacaerys’s observation in episode five about Targaryen blood being key to dragon riding was merely “written to gild us in glory”. As in, the lore may not be accurate. Perhaps anyone can ride a dragon if they have a bond and the bravery to do so.
But, why not his brother instead?
Why did Seasmoke choose Addam, not Alyn?
The reason for Seasmoke’s choice hasn’t entirely been confirmed, but Alyn is currently the only son really acknowledged by Corlys. He’s been promoted to first mate and commended for rescuing the Sea Snake.
In episode five, Baela talks about the difference between being “fire and blood” and “salt and sea”. It may simply be that Alyn is the latter, destined to fight from the water – while Addam is to take to the skies.
The aforementioned bond with Addam probably also plays a role in why the dragon chose him rather than Alyn and is a likely explanation for why Seasmoke burned poor Ser Steffon Darklyn.
The dragon was reluctant to come out of the pit for this potential rider and seemed to sense his fear – which he had earlier expressed to Rhanerya.
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