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S01E01

The Hedge Knight

Full screenplay script and 368-line transcript across 8 scenes for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S01E01: The Hedge Knight. Includes scene breakdowns for Burying Ser Arlan of Pennytree ('Fits My Grip') and Dunk Meets Egg and Daeron at the Roadside Inn. Key settings: Cut To: Ext. Roadside, Day, Cut To: Ext. Inn, Night, Cut To: Ext. Ashford, Day.

8 Scenes368 Lines

Scene 1:Burying Ser Arlan of Pennytree ('Fits My Grip')

21 lines
Cut To: Ext. Roadside, Day
Orphaned squire inherits a hedge knight's burden alone in the rainNovella AdaptationInternal Monologue ExternalisedTonal Deflation

The cold open adapts the opening pages of George R.R. Martin's 1998 novella The Hedge Knight almost beat for beat, solving a classic page-to-screen problem: in the novella, Dunk's grief and practical calculations take place entirely in internal monologue, whereas Ira Parker's pilot externalises those thoughts into awkward spoken prayers over Ser Arlan's grave and one-sided conversations with the three horses before puncturing the heroic swell with earthy lowborn comedy.

  • Quick flashback cuts of Ser Arlan cuffing young Dunk contrast with Dunk's earnest eulogy ('You never beat me when I didn't deserve it').
  • The swelling heroic score cuts off mid-bar as the camera smash-cuts to Dunk squatting behind a tree, stripping away high-fantasy pomp.
Three horses stand drenched in rain. Cut to a wide shot. The horses are tied up under a tree while Dunk digs a grave nearby. He finished digging and pauses for a long moment before picking up Ser Arlan's corpse. He places Arlan in the grave and kneels.
Dunk
[Breakdown]
I don't know the right words. Ought to be a septon here. (There's another long pause.) You were a true knight. You never beat me when I didn't desеrve it.
adaptationOpening Lines of The Hedge Knight

Lifted directly from the opening paragraphs of Martin's 1998 novella, where Dunk laments not knowing the proper prayers for Ser Arlan and recalls that the old knight rarely beat him unless he earned it.

There's a quick montagе of several times Arlan slapped Dunk. Cut back to the grave.
Dunk
Except that time in Maidenpool. It was the inn boy ate the widow woman's pie. Not me. I told you.
Flashback to the inn.
Arlan
Why, you…
Arlan fakes a young Dunk out with a fake slap before giving him a real one, hitting his head against a support beam.
Dunk
[Breakdown]
Doesn't matter now. (He stands and begins to sob as he continues) I'd leave your sword, but it… it would only rust in the ground. I wish you didn't die, ser. I'll take good care of the horses.
adaptationKeeping Ser Arlan's Longsword

In the novella, Dunk thinks to himself that Ser Arlan's longsword would only rust in the earth; speaking the apology aloud in the rain turns a practical decision into a tender farewell.

He begins to bury Ser Arlan. Cut to later when it's stopped raining. Dunk lays under the tree.
Dunk
Eat like a king if I sold you three.
One of the horses neighs.
Dunk
For a year or two. Then what? That road ends in outlawry or beggary.
He glances at Arlan's grave.
Dunk
We could go to a city. King's Landing? Lannisport?
He glances at Arlan's sword. Cut to him unsheathing it.
Dunk
Could join the City Watch.
He holds the sword out.
Dunk
Stop raping, ser!
He swings the sword around.
Dunk
[Breakdown]
Fits my grip as well as it ever fit his. And there is a tourney at Ashford Meadow.
adaptationThe Ashford Meadow Decision

Direct page-to-screen translation of Dunk's pivotal realisation in the novella ('The sword fit his grip as well as it ever had the old man's, and there was this tourney at Ashford Meadow').

Music begins to play as Dunk stares off into the distance. As it swells, it abruptly stops and cuts to Dunk pooping under the tree. He looks up and sees a bird in the branches. Cut to him mounting up on one of the horses. He takes a last glance at Arlan's grave before riding off. A title card comes up.[Breakdown]
adaptationHeroic Swell Smash-Cut

Show-original tonal gag: cutting off the swelling Game of Thrones-style heroic theme as Dunk squats behind a tree immediately announces that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a muddy, ground-level hedge-knight story rather than high royal epic.

Scene 2:Dunk Meets Egg and Daeron at the Roadside Inn

61 lines
Cut To: Ext. Inn, Night
Disguised Targaryen prince sizes up a penniless hedge knightHidden IdentityDragon Dream ProphecyDunk and Egg Origin

Dunk's stop at the roadside inn faithfully adapts the double mystery planted in the opening chapter of The Hedge Knight: neither Dunk nor the first-time viewer realises that the drunken nobleman with the prophetic dragon dream at the table is Prince Daeron Targaryen, or that the bald, insolent 'orphan' stableboy trying on Ser Arlan's armour is Daeron's younger brother, Prince Aegon ('Egg') Targaryen.

  • The innkeeper's casual remark ('I never knew a joust to change the price of eggs') plants a sly verbal wink right before Dunk meets Egg.
  • In the stable, the boy sits atop Dunk's destrier Thunder wearing Ser Arlan's oversized helm and mail, visually foreshadowing their partnership.
Dunk arrives at a roadside inn late in the evening. A young boy emerges from the stable as he rides up.
Dunk
Hello there. Are you the stableboy?
The boy doesn't answer. Dunk dismounts.
Dunk
I want the palfrey rubbed down. And oats for all three. You tend to them?
Boy
I could, if I wanted.
Dunk
[Breakdown]
None of that. See to the horses. You'll get a copper if you do well, and a clout in the ear if not.
callback'A Clout in the Ear' Origin

The very first time Dunk threatens Egg with 'a clout in the ear', inaugurating the signature running gag of George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas.

He hands the lead to the boy. Cut to him entering the Inn. Dunk almost turns to leave after a moment, but the innkeeper enters.
Innkeeper
Sit where you like.
He puts his shield down. As he removes his sword, he sees a man passed out drunk at another table.
Innkeeper
There's good lamb roasted with a crust of herbs and some ducks my son shot down. Which will you have?
Dunk
Both.
Innkeeper
You're big enough for it.
Dunk takes off his cloak. The innkeeper pours him a drink.
Dunk
How much farther to Ashford?
Innkeeper
Day's ride. Is my boy seeing to your horses or has he run off again?
Dunk
No, he's there.
Innkeeper
Half the town's gone down the tourney. Mine would, too, if I allowed it.
Dunk spies a young girl on a nearby staircase.
Innkeeper
I swear, I couldn't tell you why. Knights are built the same as other men. And I never knew a joust to change the price of eggs. Bound for the tourney yourself?
Before Dunk can answer, the drunk man interjects.
Man
[Breakdown]
I dreamed of you.
foreshadowingDaeron's Dragon Dream ('I Dreamed of You')

Adapted from Daeron Targaryen's prophetic dragon dream in the novella. In the books Daeron later explains that he saw a dead dragon falling onto Dunk at Ashford Meadow, foreshadowing Prince Baelor Breakspear's fate in the Trial of Seven.

The man pulls out a knife.
Man
Stay the fuck away from me. You hear?
Dunk
My lord?
The drunk man puts his knife away and stands, slamming a coin down on his table. He staggers up the stairs. The innkeeper pockets the coin.
Innkeeper
Never you mind that one, ser. I'll see about your food.
Cut to Dunk returning to the stable. The stableboy can be heard in the distance.
Boy
Hiya! Take that! Yah!
Dunk enters and looks agape at the stableboy atop one of the horses, wearing some of Dunk's gear.
Dunk
Oi!
Boy
My lord.
Dunk
You thief!
Boy
I did not mean to offend you.
Dunk
Take that armor off you. Now!
Dunk grabs the boy and takes him off the horse.
Dunk
And be glad Thunder didn't kick you in that fool head of yours. He's a war horse, not a boy's pony.
Boy
I could ride him as well as you.
Dunk
Close your insolent mouth! I'm a knight, I'll have you know.
Boy
You don't look to be a knight.
Dunk
What, all knights look the same, do they?
Boy
[Breakdown]
No. But they don't look like you either. Your belt's made of rope.
adaptationThe Rope-Belt Tell

Verbatim book detail ('Your belt's made of rope') that establishes why a disguised Targaryen prince immediately sees through Dunk's bluff while still wanting to squire for him.

Dunk
So long as it holds my scabbard, it serves.
Boy
Are you going to the tourney, then? Do you mean to enter the lists?
Dunk
Yeah, I suppose I do.
Boy
Take me with you, ser. Please.
Dunk
And what might your mother say to that?
Boy
Not much. She's dead.
Dunk
Is the innkeeper not your… You're an orphan boy.
Boy
Are you?
Dunk
I was. Once. Till my ser took me in. Taught me arms and riding, and… and taught me everything, really. Best he could.
Boy
If you could bring me to Ashford, I could squire for you, ser. And you can teach me best you can.
Dunk
No, I have no need for a squire, lad.
Boy
[Breakdown]
Every knight needs a squire. And you look like you need one more than most.
adaptationEgg's Squire Pitch

Preserves Egg's deadpan novella pitch almost word for word ('Every knight needs a squire... and you look like you need one more than most'), cementing their comic dynamic on their first night together.

Dunk
And you look like you need a good clout in the ear. Fill me a sack of oats. I'm off for Ashford. Alone.
The boy begins filling a sack of oats as Dunk prepares his things.
Dunk
Look, lad, I promise you… you're better off not squiring for the likes of me.
He mounts up on one of the horses. He flicks a coin in the boy's direction.
Dunk
For your help.
The boy looks up from it without picking it up.
Dunk
Sulk all you wish. I know you'll scoop it up as soon as I'm gone.
Dunk rides off.

Scene 3:Cut To: Ext. Ashford, Day

70 lines
Cut to a wide shot of Dunk riding on the road in the early morning. Cut to a medium shot as he rides down into the main grounds. Dozens of tents and some wooden structures are set up. A castle looms in the distance. He rides through the main grounds as people bustle around. Through a stone archway, he sees workers setting up a jousting arena. Cut to him walking through the Ashford keep. He approaches a group of soldiers.
Serving Girl
Piss off.
The soldiers laugh.
Dunk
Beg pardon, men.
The soldiers turn to look at Dunk.
Dunk
I wish to speak to the master of the games.
Cut into the main castle as Dunk is led up some stairs by a soldier. Two young children play with toy swords while the master of games, Plummer, writes at a desk. Dunk hits his head on the doorframe as he enters.
Dunk
Oh!
Plummer
What do you want, man?
Dunk
I, uh, came for the tourney.
Plummer
My lord's tourney is a contest for knights. You a knight?
Child
Hyah!
The wooden swords of the children clash.
Plummer
Oi! Psst!
The children leave.
Plummer
A knight with a name, mayhaps?
Dunk
Dunk. Ser Dunk. I was squire to Ser Arlan of Pennytree since I was a boy. He knighted me before he passed, with his own sword. That's his penny there in the hilt.
Plummer
Well, a sword it is for a certainty. But I've never heard of this Arlan of Pennytree. You were his squire, you say?
Dunk
He always meant for me to be a knight one day… as he was.
Cut to a flashback. Ser Arlan and a young Dunk ride down a road.
Dunk
Am I to be a knight one day, ser? As you are?
Arlan spits some food off to the side of the road without answering. Cut back to the present.
Dunk
When he was dying, he called for his longsword and bade me kneel. Charged me to be a good knight. To defend the weak and the innocent. Serve the realm with all my might. And I swore that I would.
Plummer hawks some spit into a cut.
Plummer
Any knight can make a knight, it's true. Were there witnesses to your dubbing?
Dunk
(Chuckling) Only a robin in a thorn tree.
Plummer
This is Ashford town, lad. Know what comes to men here who pretend at sacred oaths?
Dunk
I'm not—
Plummer
We hang you naked by your hands and your feet, lower you down asshole first onto a sharpened point and fuck you dry. Call it the Ashford chair. So, I ask you again. Were there witnesses to your dubbing besides a fuckin' songbird?
Dunk
Well, the, see, it was raining—
Plummer
I'm bullshitting you.
He wheezes.
Plummer
"Ashford chair." You take a boot to the head? This is the Reach, not the Riverlands.
Dunk
(Laughing nervously) "Ashford chair."
Plummer
Think we're fending off some scourge of cottagers, scuttling about, entering tourneys? You'd need coin. Armor. Horses. Men. Training, gods be good. Imagine the poor farmer charging down Lyonel Baratheon in the lists.
Dunk
That would be—
Plummer
A different sort of entertainment.
Dunk
Mm. Well, I'm no farmer.
Plummer
Yet you've come dressed as one. Look, man, my Lord Ashford fancies himself of great import. Gods know why. Well, that means I'm to ward off every landed knight and sellsword vying to challenge. You understand? There are princes about.
Dunk
No, of course.
Dunk turns to leave.
Plummer
Your late master. He'll be known to the true knights here assembled?
Dunk turns back.
Dunk
There was a pavilion flying the banner of House Dondarrion.
Plummer
Aye, Ser Manfred of that house.
Dunk
Ser Arlan served his lord father in Dorne a few years past. Ser Manfred will remember us.
Plummer
By scent alone, no doubt. If he'll speak to your good honor, bring him here with you before the tourney begins on the morrow. Leave your escorts behind.
Dunk
As you say.
Plummer
Aye.
Dunk begins to leave again.
Plummer
You are aware that those vanquished in tourney forfeit their arms, armor, and horse to the victors, and must ransom them back?
Dunk
Aye.
Plummer
And you have coin to pay such ransom?
Dunk
Oh, gods, no. I, I mean, I won't have need of coin.
He turns back and hits his head on the doorframe again.
Dunk
Ugh… Seven fu—
Cut back outside. Dunk leads his horses through the busy tourney grounds. He spies the Dondarrion tent. He ties the horses to a hitching post. He pets Sweetfoot's mane.
Dunk
Mind those two. Good girl.
A group of women sits outside the tent. Daisy grabs a drumstick as Dunk approaches. Two men stumble out of the tent, laughing.
Dunk
Pardon, sers. I need speak with Ser Manfred.
One of them pats Dunk on the shoulder. Both walk on without responding. As Dunk watches them, Beony leaves the tent.
Beony
He's napping, ser. Wake him for a stag.
She goes to sit with the other women, next to Red.
Dunk
I, uh… I don't have a stag.
Beony
What kind of knight don't got a stag?
Red
It's a hedge knight, ain't it?
Beony
What?
Red
It's like a knight, but sadder.
Dunk
No, I'm, I'm not sad—
Red
He's gotta sleep in the hedges 'cause no lord'll have it.

Scene 4:Scene 4

39 lines
Beony
Aw. That is sad. And Ser Manfred's fucked its wife, too.
Dunk
No, I don't have a wife.
Beony
Oh! 'Cause we're used to husbands coming 'round.
Red
Likes fucking wives, that one.
Beony
Near as much as he likes fucking us.
Red
Told me he's on a mission to turn the whole world red.
Beony
Well, we're already red.
Red
So we are.
They laugh.
Dunk
Well, um, when do you expect Ser Manfred to wake, then?
Red
It might wanna try back at evenfall.
Dunk
Evenfall.
He looks around awkwardly for a moment.
Red
Goodbye.
Dunk
Yeah.
He goes the wrong way for a moment.
Dunk
Arse.
He turns the right way. The women laugh. Cut to Dunk leading the horses through the tourney grounds. The shot follows him as he talks to himself, addressing Sweetfoot.
Dunk
Why'd she say that, huh? We're not sad. Certainly not rising-to-the-level-of-a-comment sad. Besides, Ser Arlan always said that… a hedge knight was the truest kind of knight. When we win our first tilt, we'll have the loser's armor and horse, or his gold. Won't be sad then.
In a fenced-off area nearby, several men train in melee. Steffon and Raymun Fossaway spar, with Steffon dominating the match. Dunk stops to watch. Sweetfoot whinnies.
Dunk
I know. Said if we did win. Look, it's not a crime against the king to enjoy a nice thought for a trice.
Steffon kicks Raymun through a fence post.
Steffon
Do not muck about with me, Raymun. You're a good-for-nothing useless rat.
Steffon holds his sword to Raymun's back as the latter struggles to rise. Raymun makes a counter-attack but Steffon quickly throws it off and slaps Raymun to the ground. As Raymun struggles to get up again, Steffon sees Dunk watching.
Steffon
What are you gawping at, you blue-eyed cunt?
Dunk doesn't respond.
Steffon
That's a longsword you wear?
Dunk
Uh, yes, it is mine by right.
Steffon
That's an odd thing to say.
Dunk says nothing. Raymun leans against the fence and spits.
Steffon
I'm Ser Steffon Fossoway. Come try me. As you see, me cousin here is not ripe yet.
Raymun
Do it, ser. I may not be ripe, but my cousin's rotten to the core. Knock the seeds out of him.
Steffon
Quiet!
Dunk
I, I thank you, but I have matters to attend.
Steffon
What, matters of the hedge, I have no doubt.
Steffon and some of the other men in the arena laugh.
Steffon
Fucking size of ya. Stupid bastard. Ser Grance!
He walks off for another knight. Raymun smiles apologetically and follows him.
Dunk
Perhaps we should seek quieter accommodations.

Scene 5:Cut To: Ext. Wilderness

3 lines
Dunk leads the horses along a stream in the woods. He comes across a lone tree near a crumbling stone wall. He bathes in the water nearby, then begins slapping his wet clothes against the stone wall. The horses are shown tied up nearby, with his belongings piled beneath the tree. He sniffs his clothes.
Dunk
Ugh. Fuck.
Some time later, he mounts Sweetfoot, leaving the other horses at the tree.

Scene 6:Cut To: Ext. Ashford, Evening

70 lines
A man stands in front of Red without any pants on. She looks past the man to see Dunk.
Red
He's napping still.
Dunk
Still?
Red hands the man his pants back. He leaves and she grabs her things.
Red
Mm. On account of his gouty toes. One of life's absurd little miseries, to be sure.
She gets up and begins walking away. Dunk follows.
Red
Makes for restless nights. The poor dear.
Dunk
Right, absolutely. It's just… Well, it is of some urgency that I speak with him, so I may enter the lists on the morrow.
Dunk follows Red into a tent. He trails off as he sees Daisy lying motionless on a table, stones over her eyes. Beony pulls a shroud over her.
Beony
What's this?
Red
It means the joust.
Beony
Awful dangerous, that.
Dunk
Yes, well, um… I'm not troubled with a wealth of options, am I? And if I mean to take service in a castle—
Red
It must put its body at hazard for the pleasure of strangers.
Daisy gets up. Dunk jumps.
Daisy
Ain't that our job?
Beony
Ah! Shut up! You're meant to be dead.
Daisy lies back down.
Beony
Find a safer trade, lad. You'll be happier for it.
Red
One whore to another.
The women laugh.
Dunk
Must you mock me? I was only asking for a bit of help. I'll try Ser Manfred back in the morning.
REDL Sorry, lad.
Beony
Aye. We don't mean to mock you.
Red
We see plenty of green boys every tourney.
Beony
All with glory in their minds, but never in their hands.
Dunk
Well, perhaps I will be different.
Red
Be good to your body, knight. Last one you're like to have.
Cut to another, much larger tent. Dunk gets to the front of a line for some ale. He overhears Tanselle's narration of a puppet show nearby.
Tanselle
Our brave hero forges on, leaving all he knows behind. A father and a friend, may seem the world unkind. Fate has set his lonely path through corridors of chance. A boy from nothing risks it all, ignoring looks askance.
Dunk approaches the puppet show. Tanselle stands beside a huge dragon puppet. An actor dressed as a knight walks around the puppet.
Tanselle
Perhaps he's only stupid holding fast his mirror shield. Great honor his ambition, must keep a truth concealed. For if his humble shape is bared, a foul and fiery demise. Should the dragon discover none but a man in great disguise.
The puppeteers use pyrotechnics to make the dragon puppet appear to spray fire. The crowd gasps and then applauds. Dunk looks at Tanselle, smitten. She bows to the crowd and seems to make eye contact with him. He leaves after taking another glance at her. As he finishes his drink, Raymun spots and approaches him.
Raymun
Half-man! Half-man!
Dunk
Do I look like a half-man to you?
Raymun
Aye. Half-man, half-giant. Look, I'm sorry. I should not have urged you to try my cousin. He'd have broken your hand or a knee, if he could. He likes to batter men in the yard, you know, in case he meets them in the lists.
Dunk
He did not break you.
Raymun
I'm his blood. Though he is the senior branch of the apple tree, which he never ceases to remind me.
Dunk
Will you and your cousin ride in the tourney?
Raymun
He will. I would that I could, but I'm only a squire.
Dunk
Fight well for a squire.
Raymun
You have the look of a challenger. Whose shield do you mean to strike?
Dunk
Makes no difference.
Raymun
That's what you're supposed to say.
Dunk
Though it makes all the difference in the world.
Raymun
You hungry?
Dunk
Always.
Ryamun leads Dunk to a huge tent. Some men inside play with swords.
Man
Have another one!
The men and some on-lookers laugh as the two spar. A band plays. Raymun pours Dunk a drink. Dunk spots a man with a crown of antlers at the head table.
Raymun
Lyonel Baratheon. The Laughing Storm, they call him.
Dunk
I thought he'd be bigger.
Raymun walks off.
Lyonel
Four thousand years ago… Four thousand years...
Dunk
Where are you going?
Lyonel
...ago. Cunts. I can't hear myself. (Yelling) I've had a profound thought, if anyone would care to listen.
The attendees quiet down.
Lyonel
Four thousand years ago, our ancestors gathered in that big field outside to blood each other with sticks and have a little bit of gay fun. And they say it was this country's first-ever joust. Well, I say… Uh, the fuck was I gonna say?
Dunk quietly pours himself another drink.
Lyonel
(Muttering) "First-ever joust..." Ah. (Looking back at the crowd) Men could not have devised such a joy. So, who was it? Huh? Who was it?
He shrugs and smiles.
Lyonel
Fuck it. A hundred gold to the man, beast, or god who sticks me best.
He throws a bag of coins onto one of the tables.
Lyonel
Now, eat your birds so we can dance!
The feast resumes. Dunk takes a huge drumstick. Cut to some time later. Tables in the middle of the tent have been cleared for people to dance. Dunk continues to eat from the banquet as the dancing begins. Dunk walks around the crowd. A man next to Lyonel waves him over. Dunk hesitates for a moment before going. Dunk stands awkwardly in front of the table for a moment while no one says anything.
Lyonel
You ever been punched in the face before?
Dunk
I beg your pardon, Ser Lyonel?
Lyonel
Big men get punched more than little men. Did you know that?
Dunk
No, but I believe it.
Lyonel
That why you slouch? So you don't get punched?

Scene 7:Scene 7

59 lines
Dunk
I, I don't slouch.
Lyonel
Oh, you've been cowering all evening like a maiden on her wedding night.
Lyonel laughs.
Dunk
I meant no disrespect, ser, honest. Where I grew up, you learn to go unnoticed, is all.
Lyonel
The seven above gave you tallness. So, be tall. Or I will name you a heretic and burn you. Drown you. Drop you off a tall pl— I don't know. What do they do to heretics?
Man
Burn them, my lord.
Lyonel
Fine. What have you brought me?
Dunk
Um… Ser, I, beggin' your pardons. I didn't realize.
Lyonel
You wish to curry my favor some. Yet you come with an empty hand. Lord Cafferen, the smug cunt in red, (He points to one of the dancers nearby) he is scarce to pay his rents. His people starve each winter, yet even he shinied up this… (He holds a knife in his hand) bauble from his family's cellars, for he understands that all men, in their way, wish only for your help, or your head. You've come for my head, then.
Dunk
Wh-what? No! No.
Lyonel
Then, why the fuck are you in my tent?
Dunk
S-su-supper.
After a beat, Lyonel laughs. The others at his head table laugh with him after a moment.
Lyonel
Alright. Actually makes sense.
Dunk
Supper.
Lyonel
What is your name, man?
Dunk
Dunk. Ser Dunk.
Lyonel
That's ridiculous. Do you like dancing?
Dunk
Doesn't everyone?
Lyonel smiles. Cut to Dunk awkwardly dancing. A woman in the crowd locks arms with him, bringing him into the center of the dancing circle. Lyonel dances erratically among the other dancers. Eventually he and Dunk come face-to-face. Lyonel steps on Dunk's foot. Dunk dodges as Lyonel tries several times to step on his foot again. Eventually, Dunk steps on Lyonel's foot. Lyonel cries out. Dunk looks terrified until Lyonel starts to laugh. The pair resume dancing in the center of the group. The music crescendos as the pair dance around, with Lyonel spinning Dunk several times. The music stops abruptly as it cuts some time later to Lyonel and Dunk sitting at the head table. Dunk wears Lyonel's antler crown and both look tired out.
Lyonel
The swells heaved. You could lick salt from the air. But I'd come to find what men do when they die at sea. So, drove I on into the storm.
Dunk
Weren't you afraid?
Lyonel
Ahh. Within every man, there are many men. Mm. But that I had to do, Stormlanders had always done. And if they had done it, I could do it, too. Hm. You know, it's best not to agonize.
Dunk
Yeah, I, I agonize a lot.
Lyonel
Mm.
Dunk
Sometimes, I think I agonize too much, and I just end up agonizing over that.
Lyonel
Mm.
Dunk
I'm quick and strong, sure.
Lyonel
Sure.
Dunk
But so are you.
Lyonel
Sure.
Dunk
Plus, you've trained sword and lance with the finest masters-at-arms in the realm. I mean… what chance do I have? Truly?
Lyonel
Oh, you have no chance. But it's a great honor to test oneself against a worthy foe.
Dunk
No disrespect, ser.
Lyonel
Mm.
Dunk
That's easy for you to say. You have a name, an inheritance. One loss, and I won't be able to ransom back my own horse.
Lyonel
A knight without a horse is no knight at all.
Dunk
Aye. So, what should I do?
Lyonel
I don't know. I'm really quite drunk.
Lyonel pats Dunk and struggles to get up. He takes his crown back from Dunk and walks into the crowd.
Lyonel
Thanks.
He bumps into a chandelier as he leaves.
Lyonel
Sorry.
Dunk sits for a moment and sighs. He spots Red dancing with Manfred Dondarrion. They leave with another woman, Lia. Dunk gets up. Cut outside. The two women stroke Manfred's hair as Dunk approaches.
Dunk
Ser Arlan of Pennytree. He served your Lord Father to hunt the Vulture King in the Red Mountains. I was only a boy, but—
Lia
I thought you said you were a Dornishman.
Manfred kisses her.
Red
No, he said he's hung like a Dornishman.
Manfred
No, I said I've hung Dornishmen.
He kisses her.
Dunk
Perhaps we would speak on the morn.
Manfred
I know your penny knight not. Nor you, brother. Be gone.
He waves Dunk off and makes to leave.
Dunk
But Ser Arlan took a wound in your father's service. How could you have forgotten him?
A brief flashback shows someone pulling an arrow out of Arlan's belly.
Manfred
My lord father took eight hundred swords into those mountains. We've forgotten men who reaped much more than a wound.
Dunk
Please, ser, I… I will not be allowed to challenge unless a knight or a lord will vouch for me.
Manfred
And what is that to me?
He and Lia walk off. Red takes one last look at Dunk before she goes with them. Dunk looks around dejectedly.

Scene 8:Cut To: Ext. Wilderness, Night

45 lines
Cut to Dunk arriving back at the elm tree. He spots a fire and approaches cautiously, finding the stable boy from earlier cooking a fish over it.
Dunk
You! What… What are you doing?
Boy
Cooking a fish. Do you want some?
Dunk
No! I mean, how did you get here? Did you steal a horse?
The boy gets up.
Boy
I rode in the back of a lamb cart.
Dunk
Lamb cart. Well, you best find another one.
Dunk walks over and puts his shield down.
Boy
You can't make me go. I'd had enough of that inn.
Dunk
Now, listen, I'll have no more insolence from you, boy. I should throw you over my horse and take you home.
Boy
You'd need to ride all the way to King's Landing. You'd miss the tourney.
Dunk
King's Landing. You're from Flea Bottom?
Boy
No.
Dunk
Aye.
Dunk puts his sword down and sees his things have been organized.
Dunk
What are those doing there?
Boy
I washed them. I made the fire, caught the fish, and groomed the horses. I would have raised your pavilion, but I couldn't find one.
Dunk
There's my pavilion.
He nods to the tree.
Boy
That's a tree.
Dunk
Yes, and it's all the pavilion a true knight needs. I'd sooner sleep under the stars than in some smoky tent.
Boy
What if it rains?
Dunk
The tree'll shelter me.
Boy
Trees leak.
Dunk
So they do.
Boy
What's your name?
Dunk
Dunk.
Boy
Ser Dunk. That's no name for a knight. Is it short for Duncan?
Dunk
Yeah. Yes. Ser Duncan of… Ser Duncan the Tall.
Boy
Never heard of him.
Dunk
Do you know every knight in the Seven Kingdoms, then?
Boy
The good ones.
Dunk
You got a name, thief?
Boy
Egg.
Dunk
Egg. Well, Egg, by rights, I should beat you bloody, send you on your way. But you look as though you don't eat much. And if you'll swear to do as you're told, I'll let you serve me for the tourney. After that, well, we'll see. I don't have much, but if you prove worth your keep, you'll have clothes on your back and food in your belly. The clothes might be rough-spun and the food, salt beef and salt fish, but you won't go hungry. I promise not to beat you. Except when you deserve it.
Egg
Yes, my lord.
Dunk
"Ser." I'm only a hedge knight.
Some time later, the pair lays on the ground as they prepare to sleep and look at the stars. A shooting star crosses the sky.
Egg
A falling star brings luck to those who see it.
Dunk
Go to sleep, boy.
Egg
All the other knights are in their pavilions by now, staring up at silk instead of sky.
Dunk
Do you want a clout in the ear?
Egg turns over and closes his eyes. Dunk says nothing for a moment.
Dunk
So, the luck is ours alone?
Egg opens his eyes for a moment and smiles. Dunk stares at the sky for a beat before closing his eyes.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 Scripts

Jump directly to any episode script in Season 1 or browse another season

All A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Seasons (6 Episodes)
S01E01
The Hedge Knight
S01E02
Hard Salt Beef
S01E03
The Squire
S01E04
Seven
S01E05
In the Name of the Mother
S01E06
The Morrow