The influence of dragons is of absolute importance when it comes to the foundation of the Targaryen dynasty and the unification of the seven kingdoms of Westeros. In the first season of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra shared the details of Aegon the Conquerer’s dream with Daemon, which prompted the jaded rogue prince to utter the iconic line of acknowledgement—that dreams didn’t make them kings, dragons did. The significance of this apt realization will be prominently highlighted in the impending Targaryen civil war for the claim to the Iron Throne, where dragons will once again play a crucial role.
Spoilers Ahead
Additionally, the Valyrian blood connection that dragonriders like Targaryens share with their steeds will form a key plot point from the second season of House of the Dragon onward. During the present timeline of the series, there is an abundance of dragons but a scarcity of Targaryen riders, a situation that will get sorted out with the introduction of Dragonseeds in this season. Two notable Dragonseeds, Addam and Alyn of Hull, have already made their appearances, and in the narrative structure of the source material, Addam could claim Seasmoke in the upcoming episodes.
Who Are The Dragonseeds?
The Valyrian blood of dragonriders is the key to bonding with dragons, and for a long time, Valyrian houses, like the Targaryens, kept their bloodline pure by marrying their family members. This changed after their arrival in Westeros, however, as after establishing a dynasty by uniting seven kingdoms, Targaryen rulers strengthened their bond with the great houses through the union of marriage. Despite that, Targaryen blood still remained confined inside the walls of Red Keep, ensuring the control of the dragons remained with the Targaryen lineage. However, as Targaryens participated in the regressive Westerosi custom of ‘First Night,’ where lords of provinces bedded the newlywed wives of smallfolk, they sired a number of bastard children who shared Valyrian blood. These children came to be known as Dragonseeds in the history of Westeros and had an important role to play in the civil war, which we are going to witness soon in the show.
In the second season of House of the Dragon, Dragonseeds get introduced in the form of two sailor brothers of Driftmark, Alyn and Addam of Hull. According to the source material, the duo were bastard sons of Laenor Velaryon, who bedded the trader/captain of Driftmark, Merilda of Hull, aka the Mouse. There is some confusion with this account of parentage, as Laenor is homosexual; therefore, some historians acknowledge Corlys as their father. But then again, despite being a Valyrian house, the Velaryons aren’t dragonriders. This makes it seem likely that Corly’s son, Laenor, was indeed their father, who was a dragonrider himself due to his mother, Rhaenys Targaryen’s, ancestry.
Alyn had rescued Lord Corlys Velaryon when he was severely injured in battle with the Triarchy, and the two later got acquainted, as seen in the first episode of the second season. Alyn is seen having a conversation with his brother, Addam, in the second episode, who mentions Corlys ‘owing’ them something. The conversation slyly hints at their parentage being connected with the Velaryons, but possibly not in the way the books have established it, as the brothers are of the same age as Laenor.
Will Addam of Hull Claim Seasmoke?
Laenor Velaryon had faked his own death in the first season and gone into self-exile, leaving his steed, Seasmoke, at Driftmark. As of now, Seasmoke is riderless, and there is no possibility of Laenor’s return in the near future. Corlys had lamented as both his children’s (Laenor and Laera) absence meant the Velryon family title would become obsolete from his seat at Driftmark. Which is why he had decided to make Lucerys Velaryon, his grandson, the heir to the throne of Driftmark, but even he perished during the final moments of the previous season. Which leaves Jacaerys as the only remaining heir of Corlys, but with the introduction of Dragonseeds, this situation may become confusing as well.
In the second episode of the ongoing season, the silver beauty Seasmoke is seen soaring around the skies near the coast of Driftmark, and Addam gazes upon the beast in wonder. This is foreshadowing on the part of the makers, as in the books, Addam of Hull claimed his father’s mount, Seasmoke, and joined the Dance of the Dragons. It will be interesting to see how the series approaches the dragonrider blood question if Addam of Hull indeed turns out to be Seasmoke’s rider in the near future. While we are at it, there are a total of ten dragons (excluding wild ones) in Dragonstone against only five active riders, which means we can see more Dragonseeds approaching to claim the beasts if the need arises. Daemon had summoned Vermithor during the previous season’s final moments, which makes us wonder whether a true Valyrian dragonrider will get the chance to ride the third biggest dragon in the realm or if a Dragonseed will claim him as well.
