A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ending explained: Truth about Dunk’s knighthood and why Egg lied about his father
After the tragic Trial of Seven, Dunk discovers he was never truly knighted. He declines royal offers to travel as a hedge knight, unaware that Egg has lied to join him on a journey to Dorne.
Last Updated: 02.19 PM, Feb 23, 2026
The debut of The Morrow, the sixth and final episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season one on HBO, marked the end of the show's six-part run on February 23, 2026. In the penultimate episode, we witnessed the violent and sad events of the Trial of Seven. The conclusion draws our attention to the political and emotional consequences of Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen's demise. This episode, which is currently available to watch on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) as of 8:35 AM IST, not only sets up future adventures involving Dunk and Egg, but it also finally answers several questions that have persisted throughout the season.
How has the Trial of Seven changed Ser Duncan the Tall?
Ashford Meadow is devoid of sound when the last act commences. Peter Claffey's Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) emerges from the Trial of Seven emotionally and physically devastated. Despite his acquittal, the story is marred by the tragic loss of life—the Crown Prince and successor to the Iron Throne—that came at the price of his freedom, as charged by Prince Aerion.
The first act revolves around Dunk's survivor guilt. Dunk struggles to comprehend the loss of a man as honourable and significant to the realm as Baelor Targaryen, particularly considering that he was a "lowly" hedge knight from Flea Bottom. Prince Valarr, Baelor's son, and I have an uncomfortable conversation that brings up this inner conflict. Uncharacteristically, Valarr raises an objection to the gods' fairness, demanding to know why they would spare a hedge knight yet capture a prince—the ultimate hope for the Seven Kingdoms. By essentially agreeing with the prince's evaluation of his value, Dunk offers no defence.
Was Dunk actually knighted by Ser Arlan of Pennytree?
Among the most noteworthy discoveries in The Morrow is the veracity of Dunk's knighthood. Ser Arlan of Pennytree knighted Dunk before he died, but many individuals throughout the season doubted his story. To end the dispute, the ending uses a moving flashback to Ser Arlan's dying moments.
While Arlan is dying, Dunk wonders if he will ever have the opportunity to knight him, as depicted in the flashback. Arlan tells a story about his home as he repeatedly passes out during the ceremony. Dunk was never officially knighted, as the scene shows. This insight deepens Dunk's "imposter syndrome" and reflects the importance of his dedication to the knightly code; he embodies the ideal of knighthood, even without the official title, and behaves accordingly. As a personal homage to Ser Arlan, before Dunk leaves Ashford, he nails a penny to the tourney grounds tree, thus "finishing" his mentor's story according to his terms.
What prestigious offers does Dunk decline in the aftermath?
Once the chaos subsides, Dunk confronts two distinct choices that could offer him unprecedented stability.
To begin, the "Laughing Storm", Ser Lyonel Baratheon, extends an offer to Dunk to stay at Storm's End. Daniel Ing's Lyonel adds much-needed humour to the event by cynically pointing out that Baelor was "fighting men sworn to protect him" and thus risked less than the common knights, thereby downplaying the sorrow of Baelor's death. Feeling he cannot just "make merry" while the kingdom mourns, Dunk declines the offer.
How does Prince Maekar show his vulnerability and remorse?
Next, Dunk is summoned by Prince Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell). Having given the deadly blow during his brother's trial, Maekar unexpectedly accepts his responsibility in his brother's death, displaying a remarkable display of sorrow and humility. After meeting Dunk at Summerhall, Maekar offers to make him his servant. It was proposed that Dunk be formally taught by a master-at-arms, while Egg (Prince Aegon) would continue to serve as his squire inside a regulated, royal setting. Because he is "tired of princes" and the bloodshed they bring, Dunk initially turns down the offer as well.
Dexter Sol Ansell's (Egg) traumatic experience is further explored in the conclusion. Egg, still reeling over his uncle Baelor's death and hating his brother Aerion for everything that happened, is shown thinking of taking a dark turn. He carries a knife into the room of the revived Aerion, setting the tone for a terrifying scene.
How does Maekar attempt to guide his youngest son?
But he is interrupted by his father, Maekar, who sits quietly by Aerion's side in the hospital. Maekar provides his kid with an unusual opportunity for parental consolation rather than a royal punishment. This conversation gives Maekar a human face, revealing him as a parent who is struggling to protect his youngest kid from the "madness" and brutality that befell his previous boys.
Ultimately, Dunk goes back to Maekar with a different offer: he'll take Egg on as his squire, but they'll have to see the globe as hedge knights. If Egg wants to rise above his siblings, Dunk says he must first observe the world and the lives of the smallfolk for himself. Because he does not want his "last son" to be a peasant, Maekar first says no.
How do Dunk and Egg reunite for their new journey?
The episode ends with Dunk getting ready to depart from Ashford without anyone else. Raymun Fossoway, who had married Red, the puppeteer's friend, and had taken over caring for Dunk's horse Sweetfoot, is someone he says goodbye to. Egg, now wearing ordinary clothes and sporting a freshly shaven head, surprises Dunk as he rides toward the Red Mountains. From Egg's perspective, his father has granted him permission. In a delightful display of classic friendship, Egg points out to Dunk that the realm's geography is actually "nine kingdoms" (including the Crownlands and the still-independent Dorne), not seven, as Dunk had mistakenly believed.
The episode's last few shots show how Egg really left. Confirming that Egg deceived Dunk and fled to join him, a post-credits sequence shows an enraged Maekar scouring the Targaryen caravan for his abducted son.
What is the pair’s next destination in their search for Tanselle?
Dunk and Egg return to Dorne at the end of the season, spurred on by Egg's idea that they track down Tanselle, the puppeteer. As a symbol of Dunk's independence from his instructor, Ser Arlan, a ghostly figure watches them from the road for a moment before disappearing.
This last chapter not only concludes the Ashford Meadow arc, but it also sets the stage for the "Nature vs. Nurture" theme that will guide Egg as he becomes King Aegon V. By forgoing the luxuries of the court and embracing the challenges of the road, Dunk and Egg have formed an unbreakable relationship that will change Westeros' history in the long run.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms FAQs:
Q: Who killed Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen?
A: Prince Baelor died from a blow to the head sustained during the Trial of Seven. While he was fighting to defend Dunk, the fatal blow was accidentally delivered by his own brother, Prince Maekar. Baelor only realized the extent of the injury after the trial ended and he removed his helmet, revealing his skull had been crushed.
Q: Where are Dunk and Egg going at the end of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1?
A: The duo is heading toward Dorne. At the end of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finale, Egg suggests they travel south to find Tanselle, the puppeteer Dunk defended earlier in the season. This journey across the Red Mountains sets the stage for future adventures and Egg’s continued education on the lives of the smallfolk.
Q: Is there a post-credits scene in the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finale?
A: Yes. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finale includes a crucial post-credits scene showing a furious Prince Maekar searching the Targaryen camp for Egg. This confirms that Egg is officially a runaway, significantly raising the stakes for Dunk, who now unknowingly has a "stolen" prince as his squire.