Of all the potential riders that could mount Seasmoke, why did Rhaenyra choose Ser Steffon Darklyn in House of the Dragon season 2? Apart from being her most loyal Queensguard, what else did he have to offer on the table?
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, so proceed with caution.
Ser Steffon Darkly, Rhaenyra's Most Loyal Queensguard
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is running out of options on who could become the next dragon rider on Seasmoke. The beast had been looking for the perfect rider who could mount him to battle.
The thing is, the Kingsguard's Lord Commander, Ser Steffon Darklyn is a distant family member of House Targaryen.
He is the great-great-grandson of Aeriana Targaryen, which makes him part of their growing family tree. On the HBO show, not in George R.R. Martin's books, mind you.
Still, Queen Rhaenyra saw light in Ser Steffon's undying allegiance and commitment since season 1 to keep her on the throne, and his efforts will not be in vain.
Apart from his loyalty to Rhaenyra, the Queen figured that his small part of the bloodline could be just enough to send him to Seasmoke's bidding.
Now, upon sending Ser Steffon to the Dragon's den, in hopes of having Seasmoke claimed by a new rider, Steffon bravely volunteered to approach the creature.
Unfortunately, while Seasmoke initially seems to approve of Steffon as his new partner, he sets the Kingsguard ablaze, leaving Rhaenyra to find a new potential rider before all is lost. Quite surprisingly — Seasmoke does so on his own.
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Who Ends Up Mounting Seasmoke in Season 2 Explained
Keep in mind that the previous rider Seasmoke had was Laenor Velaryon in House of the Dragon season 1 until he faked his death to leave Westeros. Upon taking his leave, he also abandons Seasmoke on Driftmark.
Leaving Seasmoke unclaimed would devastate the Black faction, thus leading Rhaenyra on a rapid search. However, Seasmoke had a rider in his own opinion: Addam of Hull.
The beast personally flew out of his territory to bond with Addam in season 2 episode 6 titled Smallfolk.
Despite merely seeing the dragon a few times alongside his brother, Alyn of Hull, Seasmoke had chosen Addam, one of Corlys Velaryon's bastard children.
It is likely because he and Laenor shared a familiar scent and that Velaryons indeed possess dragon-riding DNA which potentially drew in Seasmoke to find him. Addam may have even reminded Seasmoke of Laenor himself.
How dragons "choose" their riders remains a veiled mystery. Still, it's about time that we'll soon be witnessing more "dragonseeds" aka Targaryen bastards making use of their heritage in future episodes.
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