Most Targaryen stories involve dragons, civil wars, or both. This one’s about a broke hedge knight and his secretly-royal squire — and it might be the most human corner of the entire family tree.
Who’s Actually Related to Who
Let’s be direct: Dunk (Ser Duncan the Tall) is not a Targaryen and has no known noble lineage at all — he’s about as far from royal blood as this site ever covers. Egg is very much a Targaryen — youngest son of King Maekar I, later King Aegon V. The entire premise of the story hinges on that gap: a future king, disguised as a nobody’s squire.
The Friendship That Shouldn’t Have Worked
A poor, low-born knight and a disguised prince becoming genuine friends is the kind of setup that should collapse the second the truth comes out — and briefly, it nearly does. But their bond outlasts the reveal, and Dunk goes on to serve as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard once Egg becomes king. Not bad for a guy who started the story unable to afford a decent horse.
Where This Sits in Targaryen History
This story takes place roughly 90 years before Game of Thrones — after the Dance of the Dragons, before Aerys II and the Mad King era. It’s the connective tissue between two better-known chapters of the dynasty, which is exactly why it deserves its own space rather than being treated as a footnote.
FAQ
Is Dunk secretly royal too?
No — he remains a lowborn hedge knight throughout, which is part of what makes the friendship notable.
Does Dunk know Egg is a prince the whole time?
No — he initially has no idea and finds out over the course of their travels together.
What does Dunk become later in life?
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, once his old squire becomes King Aegon V.