Daeron, Addam, and the Rule of Three
There are certain distinct moments in Fire & Blood where Daeron and Addam’s actions can be connected to each other, while still keeping true to their personalities. Daeron is described as being more of a follower than a leader and his engagement in the war can be interpreted as him following Addam’s example (on 3 occasions). At his core, Addam is a protector, and so of course he would take steps to protect Daeron (on 3 occasions). I want to examine these 3 occasions for both characters, with 2 canon examples each and 1 speculative headcanon each that would further connect their story.
The war is well underway for almost a year before Daeron decides to participate. It’s notable that Daeron’s entrance into the war occurs immediately after the Battle of the Gullet, in which Addam’s presence amongst the Blacks would’ve become known.
Defeat seemed imminent … until a shadow swept across the battlefield, and a terrible roar resounded overhead, slicing through the sound of steel on steel. A dragon had come.
The dragon was Tessarion, the Blue Queen, cobalt and copper. On her back rode the youngest of Queen Alicent’s three sons, Daeron Targaryen, fifteen, Lord Ormund’s squire.
All this time, Daeron had been absent from the war even with his family out on the battlefield. But he quickly bestirred himself after Addam joined up.
There’s another similar instance of Daeron choosing to follow Addam’s example at Tumbleton.
[Vermithor] would surely have torn the silver-grey dragon to pieces…if Tessarion had not fallen from the sky at that very moment to join the fight.
Who can know the heart of a dragon? Was it simple bloodlust that drove the Blue Queen to attack? Did the she-dragon come to help one of the combatants? If so, which? Some will claim that the bond between a dragon and dragonrider runs so deep that the beast shares his master’s loves and hates. But who was the ally here, and who the enemy? Does a riderless dragon know friend from foe?
Even with Daeron dead or dying, his dragon follows his will, highlighting the strength of the dragon-rider bond. As well, the text leads the reader to question why a dragon might choose to assist its enemy rather than its ally, implying all may not be as it seems. Tessarion’s choice to fight Vermithor, alongside Seasmoke, is surely spurred on by her rider’s desire to follow after Addam.
Speaking of Tumbleton, the carnage that occurred there during the first onslaught by the Dragonseeds is surrounded in a great deal of mystery. Daeron did originally participate in the attack on the town but he later became horrified at how far the brutality escalated. His personality is of a gentle nature and the only violent action he previously took was at Bitterbridge, in a moment of vengeance. In every other instance, he was merely scouting and not actually burning people/places. So Daeron’s attack on the town of Tumbleton stands out as quite unusual.
The how and when and why of what has become known as the Treasons of Tumbleton remain a matter of much dispute, and the truth of all that happened will likely never be known. It does appear that certain of those who flooded into the town, fleeing before Lord Hightower’s army, were actually part of that army, sent ahead to infiltrate the ranks of the defenders.
My theory is that Daeron’s initial choice to take part was a result of mistaken judgment. He probably heard that there were two Dragonseeds inside the town, and one of these Dragonseeds just so happens to have white hair and rides a silver dragon. It’s interesting that out of all the Dragonseeds, only Ulf and Addam are described as having this hair colour and only the two of them ride similar coloured dragons. So what are the chances that Daeron hears about a silver dragon-riding Dragonseed with Valyrian features stationed at Tumbleton and assumes it’s Addam? It’s written that the Greens did send spies into Tumbleton to get the Dragonseeds to switch sides. Perhaps Daeron was part of this scheme, acting under the belief that it was hopefully Addam inside the town and he could secure Addam’s change of allegiance. As we know, Hugh and Ulf agree to turncloak during this time. From a distance, and in the chaos of the battle, Daeron would not realize that the Dragonseed setting Tumbleton ablaze is actually not Addam. Since it’s established that Daeron has a tendency to follow Addam’s example (and I would say he probably trusted Addam’s judgment), he would not hesitate to join the person who he believes is Addam. By the time Daeron gets close enough to the mystery Dragonseed, it’s already too late and the damage has been done.
The characteristic that truly sums up Addam is his constant tendency to protect others. So if you believe, as I do, that Daeron was his lover, how could Addam not want to protect Daeron? In fact, there are a few mystery conversations in Addam’s story that could be interpreted to this end.
And Addam Velaryon, lately Addam of Hull, sought out the Sea Snake after the battle; what they spoke to each other even Mushroom does not say.
I’ve been discussing my idea about the post-Gullet conversation for years now. When Addam goes to seek out Corlys, they must’ve discussed some important matters. Amongst these discussions, I think Addam requested for Daeron to be shielded from harm and not be judged guilty for his family’s decision to go to war against Rhaenyra. At this point, Daeron has sat out the war, but that will soon change.
Lord Corlys suggested that mayhaps the prince might be taken alive and held as hostage.
Corlys, acting on Addam’s wishes, requests for Daeron to be spared when the Black Council is discussing what is to be done with the Greens.
The other mystery conversation Addam is involved in occurs later during the war, after events have already escalated to the point of no return.
Singers say Ser Addam had flown from King’s Landing to the Gods Eye, where he landed on the sacred Isle of Faces and took counsel with the Green Men.
Addam sought after some kind of divine help before the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Perhaps he prayed to the Old Gods to protect Daeron as well. Addam was obviously affected by what had occurred at Tumbleton, but even then, I don’t think he would truly consider Daeron a lost cause. A part of him must’ve hoped to still save Daeron if he can.
I want to speculate on the possibility of a third mystery conversation for Addam. This time it will be between Addam and the other Dragonseeds, Hugh and Ulf. With Addam stationed at the Dragonpit, it gives him ample opportunity to speak with those two before they leave King’s Landing for Tumbleton.
Ulf White and Hard Hugh Hammer would fly to Tumbleton, some fifty leagues southwest of King’s Landing, the last leal stronghold between Lord Hightower and the city, to assist in the defense of the town and castle and destroy Prince Daeron and Tessarion.
Once Addam heard of the Black Council’s plan to have Daeron killed, he had to act immediately to prevent this from happening. Perhaps Addam informed the other Dragonseeds that Daeron is not actually the enemy or he asked them to show mercy to Daeron. Maybe Addam even told them about the kind of person Daeron is (possibly the reason why Hugh speaks so carelessly to Daeron is because he believes that the prince will not punish him due to Daeron’s soft temperament, a detail he only knows because of Addam). Whatever this third mystery conversation could be, it unfortunately helps set the stage for Hugh and Ulf to be more open to the possibility of Daeron offering them considerable rewards if they turn traitor. It’s canon that no one truly knows what exactly happened in the events surrounding Tumbleton so I want to offer my own thoughts about it. These ideas are all very speculative, but I like that they create an interesting connection between Addam and Daeron’s attempts at reaching out to each other, via the Dragonseeds.
