Does Seasmoke choosing a new rider prove Laenor is dead in House of the Dragon?

Seasmoke has chosen his new rider. Addam of Hull is that new rider in House of the Dragon, and it’s a fitting choice.

Addam is the illegitimate son of Corly Velaryon, which means he definitely has Velaryon blood. He is also the half-brother of Ser Laenor Velaryon, Seasmoke’s former rider.

Has House of the Dragon changed the lore of dragons?

In the first season, Laenor faked his death. This led to fans of the book complaining, as in the book, Laenor is murdered. Of course, even in the book, the body is bured beyond recognition, which does open the door for the TV series faking Laenor’s death. It’s not really a change, but it did mess up the lore of dragons.

In the original lore, dragons will only bond with one rider. Seasmoke already had a bond with Ser Laenor, and it wouldn’t make sense that that bond would disappear until death. Laenor faked his death in House of the Dragon Season 1, but surely Seasmoke would know that his rider is still out there somewhere. This would explain why he was so listless. He may feel like he had been abandoned.

This could suggest that with Seasmoke choosing Addam, it means the series has changed the lore. Alternatively, the show may now confirm that Laenor is officially dead, arguably righting a wrong from the first season.

Is Laenor now dead in House of the Dragon?

This theory came up in the past. Rhaenys and Corlys talked about Laenor no longer being alive. They may have not been in on the scheme to fake Laenor’s death, so maybe they didn’t know the truth. However, if they were in on the scheme, the discussion may have been one to confirm Laenor is now no longer alive.

This would mean the lore of dragons hasn’t changed. Seasmoke knows that his owner is dead, and now he can form a bond with someone else.

What if the series has changed the lore? It would make sense that Addam was the one chosen. After all, Addam is a half-brother of Ser Leanor. Maybe there is enough of a familial connection there for Seasmoke to bond with another rider while the other rider is still out there.

I think Seasmoke choosing Addam is a sign that Laenor is now officially dead.