Everything we know about Lucerys Velaryon

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Quick Details

Who was Lucerys Velaryon?

Credits: HBO

Prince Lucerys Velaryon, nicknamed Luke, was Rhaenyra Targaryen’s second son and heir to Driftmark. His father was officially Laenor Velaryon, but his true father was Harwin Strong. Though his parentage faced scrutiny, he was raised as a Velaryon. Bonded with the dragon Arrax, Lucerys played a significant role in the events leading to the Dance of the Dragons, cementing his place in Targaryen history.

As the younger brother of Jacaerys Velaryon and older sibling to Joffrey, Lucerys grew up navigating the challenges of legitimacy and inheritance. While Jacaerys was destined for the Iron Throne, Lucerys focused on his future as Lord of the Tides.

Lucerys’s bond with his cousins, Baela and Rhaena, and his brother Jacaerys defined much of his character. Though young, Lucerys left a lasting legacy as a dragonrider.

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Quick Facts

Show

• Portrayed by Elliot Grihault (adolescent) and Harvey Sadler (child).
• Introduced in Season 1 of House of the Dragon.
• Rider of Arrax, a young dragon.
• Central to the events leading up to the Dance of the Dragons.

Books

• Appeared in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.
• His parentage and legitimacy spark conflict within the Targaryen factions.
• Significant involvement in the “Dance of the Dragons” civil war.
• Known for his fateful mission to Storm’s End.

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In the show

Credits: HBO

Early life and background

Lucerys Velaryon, nicknamed Luke, was the second son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon. He was raised as the heir to Driftmark, despite suspicions surrounding his parentage, as many believed him to be the son of Harwin Strong. Lucerys was the younger brother of Jacaerys and older brother of Joffrey Velaryon. He was bonded to the dragon Arrax and played a key role in the events leading up to the Dance of the Dragons.

Lucerys’s claim to Driftmark stemmed from his Velaryon heritage, but it faced challenges from others within his family. He was deeply loyal to his siblings and cousins, particularly Baela and Rhaena, with whom he shared a strong bond. His youth and determination defined much of his character as he navigated the complexities of succession and family loyalty.

Lucerys was a member of the Blacks, aligned with his mother’s claim to the Iron Throne during the Targaryen civil war. His role as both a dragonrider and a potential Lord of the Tides positioned him as a significant figure in the unfolding conflict.

Key events in House of the Dragon

In the Red Keep, Lucerys was seen playing with his brother Jacaerys and their presumed father, Harwin Strong. He eagerly participated in choosing a dragon egg for his newborn brother, Joffrey. Despite his curiosity and enthusiasm, Lucerys was often drawn into the rivalries between the Targaryen children, including a prank on Aemond Targaryen, where they presented him with a pig dressed as a dragon.

At the funeral of Laena Velaryon, Lucerys expressed reluctance about inheriting Driftmark, stating that it would mean the death of his family. This moment highlighted his innocence and his discomfort with the responsibilities placed upon him. Later, Lucerys confronted Aemond alongside his siblings and cousins after Aemond claimed the dragon Vhagar. A heated fight broke out, culminating in Lucerys slashing Aemond’s eye with a knife, a moment that intensified tensions within House Targaryen.

Lucerys was present during the fallout of this incident in the Hall of Nine, where King Viserys demanded peace between the children. However, the rivalry only deepened as accusations of illegitimacy and demands for retribution fueled hostility between the families. Lucerys’s steadfast loyalty to his mother and his brothers remained evident throughout these events.

The conflict over Driftmark

Six years after the events in King’s Landing, Lucerys traveled with his family to defend his claim to Driftmark. With Lord Corlys Velaryon gravely wounded, his brother Vaemond challenged Lucerys’s right to inherit. Lucerys struggled with his insecurities, admitting he felt unfit for the position due to his seasickness and lack of experience.

During a court session, Rhaenyra and Rhaenys defended Lucerys’s claim. King Viserys himself intervened to uphold his grandson’s inheritance. When Vaemond openly declared Lucerys a bastard, Daemon Velaryon executed him, further escalating the tensions between the Blacks and the Greens. Lucerys’s bond with his family strengthened during these moments of turmoil as they stood united against their adversaries.

At a family feast, Lucerys inadvertently reignited old wounds when he laughed at Aemond’s reminder of a childhood prank. This led to a heated confrontation that once again underscored the deep divisions within the Targaryen family. Despite these tensions, Lucerys sought reassurance from his mother, who reminded him of their shared duty to uphold their family’s legacy.

His final mission

Lucerys volunteered to act as an envoy during the Black Council’s efforts to secure alliances. Rhaenyra tasked him with delivering a message to Lord Borros Baratheon at Storm’s End. She reminded him to act as a messenger, not a warrior, and to honor his role as her son and a prince of the realm.

At Storm’s End, Lucerys found Aemond already present, having secured an alliance through a marriage pact. Aemond taunted Lucerys, demanding an eye as retribution for their previous conflict. Lord Borros intervened to prevent bloodshed within his hall, and Lucerys prepared to depart. However, Aemond pursued him into a raging storm, riding the massive dragon Vhagar.

Despite Lucerys’s efforts to evade Aemond, the pursuit ended tragically. Arrax, panicked and unresponsive to Lucerys’s commands, attacked Vhagar with dragonfire. In retaliation, Vhagar devoured Arrax mid-air, killing Lucerys. This event marked a significant turning point in the Dance of the Dragons, igniting full-scale war between the Greens and the Blacks.

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In the books

Credits: HBO

Early Life and rivalry

At a young age, Lucerys became involved in a conflict with his uncle, Prince Aemond Targaryen, during Laena Velaryon’s funeral. Aemond claimed the dragon Vhagar, which led to a physical altercation with Lucerys and his brothers. Aemond insulted the boys as bastards, sparking a fight where Lucerys slashed Aemond’s eye with a dagger. This incident intensified the enmity between the Blacks and Greens.

King Viserys I demanded peace within the family, forbidding any mention of the boys’ alleged illegitimacy. He ordered harsh punishment for anyone who insulted them, while Queen Alicent sought retribution for Aemond’s injury. This event permanently fractured the Targaryen family, fueling animosity between Rhaenyra’s and Alicent’s factions.

Lucerys was later named heir to Driftmark following his legal father Laenor Velaryon’s death. However, this claim was contested by Ser Vaemond Velaryon, who accused Lucerys of being a bastard. Rhaenyra and Daemon defended his claim, executing Vaemond for treason. This solidified Lucerys’s place as the future Lord of the Tides.

Lucerys Velaryon: Role in the Dance of the Dragons

When King Viserys I died, a war of succession broke out between Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Blacks and Aegon II Targaryen’s Greens. Lucerys and his brother Jacaerys volunteered as envoys to secure alliances for their mother’s claim. Lucerys was sent to Storm’s End to treat with Lord Borros Baratheon, where he hoped to gain support for Rhaenyra’s cause.

At Storm’s End, Lucerys found Prince Aemond already present, having secured Borros’s allegiance through a marriage pact. Aemond taunted Lucerys, calling him a bastard and demanding he repay the injury to his eye. Despite Aemond’s provocations, Lucerys refused to fight, citing his role as an envoy. Lord Borros intervened, preventing bloodshed within his hall, and ordered Lucerys to leave safely.

As Lucerys departed on Arrax, Aemond pursued him on Vhagar. The chase ended above Shipbreaker Bay, where Vhagar, enraged and far larger, killed both Lucerys and Arrax. This act marked the transition from diplomacy to open warfare, intensifying the Dance of the Dragons.

Lucerys Velaryon: Legacy and Impact

Lucerys’s death had immediate and far-reaching consequences. Rhaenyra Targaryen collapsed with grief upon hearing of her son’s fate. Prince Daemon Targaryen vowed vengeance, initiating a series of brutal retaliations against the Greens. This included the infamous Blood and Cheese incident, where one of Aegon II’s sons was killed in retribution for Lucerys’s death.

Aemond Targaryen’s actions earned him the title of “Aemond the Kinslayer,” a label that tarnished his reputation even among the Greens. The death of Lucerys marked the definitive end of negotiations and solidified the Dance of the Dragons as a war of fire and blood. His short life left an indelible mark on the history of House Targaryen and Westeros.

Though his body was never recovered, stories and rumors about Lucerys persisted, ranging from his survival to his complete consumption by Vhagar. Historians such as Archmaester Gyldayn dismissed these tales, concluding that Lucerys perished alongside his dragon, Arrax.

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Quotes

“If I am Lord of Driftmark, it means everyone else is dead.”

Quick Answers

Who was Lucerys Velaryon?

Lucerys was the second son of Rhaenyra Targaryen, heir to Driftmark, and a key figure in the Dance of the Dragons. (Books and Show)

What was his dragon?

Lucerys bonded with the dragon Arrax, a young but swift dragon pivotal during his missions. (Books and Show)

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