Despite everything

While my giftee is no longer involved their prompt was illuminated manuscript with a kneeling Dunk (amazing line up with my own offer), and I knew just the Codex Manesse image.

Though the 'plot' veneer here is after Ashford, Ser Arlan's coat of arms (with the black diamond of a funerary hatchment) gets a top spot as part of Dunk's lineage.

Dunk's arms are simplified to be a little more real world heraldic.

The Targaryen arms are not the show version again for real world heraldry - where the important part is a consistent blazon (written description) rather than a absolutely consistent image. So unless the dragon was specified as in annulo (in a circle), these are can still be described as Sable, a thee-headed dragon Gules.

The little arm beasts are also Dunk & Baelor. I like to imagine them curled up together like the weirdest little cat things.

Dunk-beast is pointing specifically at the 'hold honor in their breast' line as an "I remembered my vows, did you?"

The helmet Baelor is presenting has the Targ color torse (fabric twist) as livery for a knight sworn to the house - the similar twist on Dunk's arm is absolutely his King's ✨favour✨. Winged crests in shield colors were very common in Germanic heraldry though it also double up here as a trace of Ser Arlan again.

Baelor's little cape has a pattern called vair which is supposed to look like a squirrel's winter fur. Royal mantles and all that.

Okay first I recommend checking out https://classicalcanvas.org/a-complete-analysis-of-lamia-and-the-soldier-by-john-william-waterhouse/ if you're interested in a detailed analysis of the original painting!

Dep's original request was: "If it's art, then a tourney scene or Duncan and Baelor in their tourney attire or Duncan asking for Baelor's favor, etc. Again, your pick!"

For my half I really wanted to do a study of a classic painting of a knight, so it really was a perfect match, ty mods! After lots of searching I really loved not only the intensity of the two here, but wanted to do a bit of an inversion on the original theme of the Lamia; a shapeshifting snake woman who lures humans (often children or young men) to their death (sick as hell)

So here, rather than Dunk being a secret monster, Baelor is the real threat; he is heir to the throne and (if he lived) later king, the most powerful man on the continent. While the original painting is an inversion of power, this is what it looks like; a poor knight supplicating to a more powerful man. Baelor's tourney armor is in stark contrast to the surroundings, which Dunk blends into. Dunk is of the world, while Baelor is above it.

Despite this, we know Baelor believes in Dunk; he vouched, fought and died for him. He has given him his favor, some banner or sash of dragon hide, and in this quiet place, even while injured, he does not shy from Dunk's touch or his fealty. We know Dunk is safe here.

While Lamia and the Soldier is in a shaded bit of wood, I wanted to flip that too; the dawn is coming in and the woods are opening to something clearer and brighter.

I looked at a ton of references and the one that hurt the most was looking for a shot of Dunk's sabatons only to realize he doesn't have them. He likely couldn't afford them and so even in the trial he's still in his old leather boots 🥲💔

Baelor's armor was referenced from this picture I found while looking for medieval Spanish armor. I originally was going to do a scalemail thing as a combo of both Targaryen & Dornish styles but there was something about the flow of the lines and the little elbow wings that felt very sleek and intimidating while also different enough from Maekar and Aerion's more spikey designs. I also thought about doing a human face style helmet with a crown (like a much more elegant version of Aerion's) or a closed mouth dragon faced armet helmet but a. ran out of time b. wasn't sure if it would distract from everything else. Maybe I'll go back and add it or make a separate post, it's lowkey haunting me lol

I started doing some little Easter eggs with the numbers of things like the 7 studs on Dunks armor, but I ended up forgetting to keep it going lol. Like I should've done 7 poppies instead of 8 ahhhuughh (deletes it) /j

The stableboy had a tight hold on Lady, gripping the reins a mere inch or two from the bit. The boy was obviously terrified of the animal, as most of the grooms and squires were, but was evidently more afraid of displeasing a prince than he was of the horse. Lady had little enough work since Baelor left for Ashford Meadow, having been left behind in Kings Landing with nobody able to manage the animal, and as such was quite fresh, and even more excitable than usual. She pranced circles around the groom, occasionally pausing to snap her teeth at the boy, shaking her head and snorting. It would be nothing for Baelor to grab a bit of mane and jump onto his mount; he could do as much fully armored, and today he wore only simple breeches and doublet, but as he was about to do so he saw Ser Duncan enter the stables, and a different idea crossed his mind.

“Ser Duncan,” Baelor called. The man seemed surprised to be addressed, and looked up sharply at the sound of his name. “A hand, if you would be so kind.”

This was folly of the worst sort Baelor knew, and yet some part of his mind was quietly excited by the opportunity.

Ser Duncan hastened over, eyeing the mare warily as he approached, “Your Grace,” he greeted, for a moment Baelor thought he might go to one knee; he often erred on the side of formality, and was quick to show deference, but after a seconds hesitation he seemed to decide to keep his feet.

“I find I don't jump quite as well as I used to,” Baelor said, lying, “Would you mind terribly giving me a leg?” It was a groom's task, and not needed besides, but he knew Ser Duncan was always eager to serve. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Ser Donnel and Ser Roland, who were already mounted on their own horses, exchanging a look that Baelor did not think entirely innocent.

If Ser Duncan thought anything strange of the request he did not show it. “Of course,” he replied.

“Best be quick about it then, she won't be patient,” Baelor said. He went to the mare's side, the stableboy managing to hold her still, and bent one leg. Ser Duncan followed, grabbed him by the knee, and hoisted him onto the horse. Baleor had only made a small effort at jumping, letting Ser Duncan do most of the work, and was not disappointed. He could've thrown me clear over the side of her, if he wanted to, Baelor thought as he took a tighter hold of his reins. It was oddly thrilling to imagine. As she was prone to do, Lady trotted off the second Baelor was in the saddle, but he wheeled her sharply around so that he could face Ser Duncan. He made little effort to disguise the way his eyes wandered over the knight, appraising; he still bore traces of a harder life, a bit thin, lacking in muscle, and carrying himself like he was afraid he would be tossed out onto the street at any moment. Once he is properly fed and trained though, he will be quite something, Baelor thought.

“Come ride with me Ser,” Baelor found himself saying, and at this Ser Duncan was plainly shocked, his eyebrows shooting up, his jaw dropping. He stood mutely for a moment, and Baelor tacked on, “If you aren't otherwise committed.”

“No, I mean, I’m not. Otherwise committed, that is,” Ser Duncan stuttered, then settled, “It would be a privilege.” The man was blushing, color bright on his cheeks, making the blue of his eyes seem even brighter.

“Have the grooms ready your horse, and meet us at the gate, I best get this one moving,” Baelor said. Lady had started pawing savagely at the ground, pulling up large clods of dirt. Dunk went off to fetch his horse, and Baelor gave Lady a small touch of spur to move off towards where the Kingsguard were waiting.

He had hardly reached them when Ser Donnel said “Should I send for a maester, Your Grace?” For reasons inexplicable to Baelor, this was apparently quite humorous to Ser Roland, who turned his horse away to hide his amusement.

“A maester? What for?” Baelor asked.