Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, and the book Fire & Blood.

Summary

• Addam of Hull becomes Seasmoke's new dragonrider in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6.
• Seasmoke's choice of Addam is an interesting one, with the bond likely because Addam is related to the dragon's former rider, Laenor Velaryon.
• Addam's ability to ride a dragon without direct Targaryen lineage showcases the mysterious nature of dragonriders in Westeros.

Seasmoke has a new rider in House of the Dragon, choosing to bond with Addam of Hull. The dragon was flown by Laenor Velaryon in season 1 and, after Laenor faked his death and left Westeros, it’s been unclear what would happen to the creature. It became a bigger talking point in the first few episodes of House of the Dragon season 2, with Seasmoke making some appearances and even circling around Addam previously.

Rhaenyra Targaryen is looking for riders for some of the unclaimed dragons in House of the Dragon, and that includes Seasmoke. Her initial choice, Ser Steffon Darklyn, is unfortunately set alight and killed, but Seasmoke is much more approving of Addam, actually seeking him out and chasing him down. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6’s ending doesn’t outright show them having bonded, but any doubt over what happened is answered by George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

Addam Of Hull Is Seamsoke's New Dragonrider

Addam Has Been Of Growing Importance In House Of The Dragon Season 2

Just like in Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon's cast, Addam is a shipwright who lives on Driftmark and serves as part of the House Velaryon fleet. As confirmed previously, Alyn and Addam are Corlys Velaryon’s bastard children.

House of the Dragon has made a few key changes to Addam's character. In the book, he's only around 15-years-old when he's introduced, whereas he's seemingly in his mid-to-late 20s in the show (Liberty is 26 in season 2). The book also creates more of a mystery around their parentage, with some claims they are actually Laenor's bastard children, and others claim they are Corlys'.

Why Did Seasmoke Choose Addam Of Hull After Rejecting Steffon Darklyn?

Is It Just Because Of His Relation To Laenor?

The first attempt at claiming Seasmoke, with Steffon Darklyn, did not go very well, to put it mildly. The dragon initially seemed to accept the knight as his new rider but, as he got closer, clearly decided against it. Perhaps he sensed Steffon’s fear, or that he wasn’t a Velaryon like his previous rider; the exact thoughts and feelings of dragons, and why they choose certain people, are mostly mysterious.

It may be that there’s something in Addam - who appears to be genuinely decent - that reminds [Seasmoke] of Laenor.

What is clear, though, is that Seasmoke has been taking an interest in Addam for some time. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 showed him flying in the sky above a watching Addam, hinting at their potential bond. It may be that there’s something in Addam - who appears to be genuinely decent - that reminds him of Laenor. That they’re half-brothers certainly helps: if Seasmoke misses his former rider, then Addam may well be the next best thing.

Of course, it’s reasonable to ask why Addam and not Alyn, given the latter has been a little more prominent in the show. This could simply be because Addam is the older of the two, at least based on the book. But it’s perhaps more because of how Alyn is being set up as Corlys’ successor. Not just in plot , but that at his core Alyn is, as Baela put it, “salt and sea,” which means he may not be destined to bond with a dragon.

How Addam Of Hull Can Ride A Dragon

Addam Is Not A Targaryen, At Least Not Directly

Since Addam and Alyn are Corlys Velaryon’s bastards, they do have strong Valyrian heritage and blood in their veins. That is, seemingly, more than enough for Addam to ride a dragon, even though the Velaryons themselves were never dragonlords in Old Valyria. It’s also possible he does have some traces of Targaryen blood, as they and the Velaryons did marry on several occasions through the decades, so their bloodlines would inevitably have mixed.

The whole idea behind the dragonseeds is that you don’t need immediate or direct Targaryen lineage to ride a dragon, and Addam shows that is true.

The whole idea behind the dragonseeds is that you don’t need immediate or direct Targaryen lineage to ride a dragon, and Addam shows that is true. It’s possible, though, that it goes deeper: it’s never 100% proven that only someone with Targaryen, or even just Valyrian, blood can ride a dragon. In the book, there’s a girl, Nettles, who claims a wild dragon called Sheepstealer, and there’s no confirmation if she has any Valyrian blood or not.

Does Seasmoke Choosing Addam Mean Laenor Velaryon Is Dead?

It's Possible He Has Died Off-Screen

The biggest wrinkle in Seasmoke bonding with Addam is not the latter’s blood, but rather, the status of the former’s previous rider. Laenor Velaryon is still alive in House of the Dragon, a departure from the books where he did actually die (at the same point in the story). But is that still the case?

It’s entirely possible that, given it has been years since Laenor left, [Seasmoke] has finally accepted that his former rider won’t be returning and has decided to take on a new one.

It’s been said that Seasmoke has been growing restless, and Rhaenyra sees she believes he “misses his bond.” It’s entirely possible that, given it has been years since Laenor left, he has finally accepted that his former rider won’t be returning and has decided to take on a new one. Seasmoke and Laenor spent years together, so it is only natural he might end up feeling lonely. But could it also mean Laenor is dead?

Again, it has been years, so it is possible Laenor has been killed off-screen (and, really, there’d not be any reason for Rhaenyra or anyone else to learn about it, since most believe him dead already). It’s never been confirmed if a dragon could take a new rider when the other one is still alive: House of the Dragon either just did exactly that, or Laenor is dead for real this time.

Do Seasmoke & Addam Fight In The Dance Of The Dragons?

What The Future Holds, According To Fire & Blood

Addam may not have been who Rhaenyra intended to claim Seasmoke, but it does work out well for Team Black. Since he’s already loyal to Corlys, then Addam will fight for Rhaenyra in the Dance of the Dragons, flying his new dragon into multiple battles. This will include the Battle of the Gullet, which has been set up for House of the Dragon season 3 with various references to the blockade.

Addam and Seasmoke also help Rhaenyra take King’s Landing, which again will presumably be in season 3, and the dragon is kept in the Dragonpit and helps to protect the city. Later, they fight at the Second Battle of Tumbleton, with dragons such as Vermithor and Silverwing involved too. It remains to be seen how much House of the Dragon follows the books, but there are certainly bigger things to come in the future for Seasmoke and Addam.

New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays at 9pm on HBO and Max.