Daemon Targaryen’s scene with Vermithor subtly sets up one of the most costly betrayals for Queen Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon’s future.
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale and George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood!Daemon attempts to calm Vermithor in House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale in anticipation of finding him a rider, but this plan ends in a devastating betrayal for Rhaenyra. House of the Dragon has already seen plenty of betrayals, the most significant of which has been Alicent’s Greens crowning Aegon instead of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, followed by the murder of Lucerys Velaryon. However, the treachery doesn’t stop there, as Rhaenyra will find far more dangerous turncloaks in her midst after the Sowing of the Seeds. When trying to find riders for House of the Dragon‘s unclaimed dragons, Jacaerys calls for men to attempt to tame them, with Vermithor successfully bonding with the silver-haired bastard Hugh Hammer.
While Hugh is initially one of the fiercest dragonriders fighting battles on behalf of Queen Rhaenyra’s cause, he and the bastard Ulf White switch sides during the First Battle of Tumbleton. With Hugh on Vermithor and Ulf on the dragon Silverwing, the Two Betrayers turn against their own men and burn the town of Tumbleton, sealing a major victory for the Greens. Considering Vermithor is the second-largest dragon after Vhagar, Hugh Hammer’s betrayal is incredibly costly for Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon’s war. Rhaenyra responds by declaring the remaining “dragonseeds” (Targaryen and Velaryon bastards who claimed the Blacks’ dragons) traitors, as she could no longer trust them.
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Why Hugh Hammer Betrays Rhaenyra In House Of The Dragon
George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book claims that because Hugh Hammer and Ulf White were illiterate, historians can’t be entirely sure why they betrayed Queen Rhaenyra. However, it’s clear that Hugh Hammer betrays her due to ambition and the Greens offering him a better deal than Rhaenyra. After defecting to King Aegon II Targaryen’s side, Hugh calls himself “lord” and becomes increasingly difficult to deal with. As a silver-haired dragonrider, Hugh finds himself superior to the Green armies near Tumbleton, and even strives to become a king by donning a crown made of black iron. Although Fire & Blood doesn’t give a reason for Hugh’s betrayal, House of the Dragon will certainly clear up the reason for his devastating twist.
What Happens To Hugh Hammer & Vermithor In House Of The Dragon’s Future
Soon after Hugh Hammer defects from the Blacks to the Greens, thirteen noblemen from the Reach loyal to Aegon conspire to kill the Two Betrayers. Alicent and Viserys’ son Daeron Targaryen becomes enraged at seeing Hugh wear a crown and share his aspirations for the Iron Throne, so he eagerly signs the warrants for Hugh and Ulf’s executions. House of the Dragon’s Greens then plot to kill the betrayers before claiming their dragons Vermithor and Silverwing, but their plan is disrupted by the arrival of Addam Velaryon, the legitimized bastard son of Laenor Velaryon (although he’s implied to be fathered by Corlys Velaryon), who begins the Second Battle of Tumbleton.
Hugh Hammer attempts to mount Vermithor upon the arrival of the Blacks’ Addam Velaryon, but is slain by the Greens’ Jon Roxton. Vermithor is then attacked by men in the stables and Seasmoke in the sky, with Hugh Hammer’s dragon managing to kill Addam’s mount. However, Vermithor’s wings are still too tattered when he attempts to fly away, leading the dragon to quickly collapse and die. With the riders Hugh Hammer and Ser Addam Velaryon both dying in House of the Dragon’s battle, the remains of Vermithor and Seasmoke simply become tourist attractions at Tumbleton.
