Game Of Thrones: 7 Fan Theories About Jon Snow 's Parents (That Aren't R+L=J)

Similar to the notion of Brandon and Ashara being Jon's parents, this one goes that Ned is genuinely Jon's father, as he says he is, and that Ashara Dayne is the mother.

This is the rumour that has been heard by both Cersei Lannister and, perhaps more crucially, Catelyn Stark, and it is widely believed that Ned had been in love with Ashara. After the Tower of Joy, Ned went to Starfall to inform them of Arthur's death, and to return his sword. Shortly afterwards Ashara threw herself to death from the Starfell tower, Palestone Sword. The idea is that this was because she had fathered Ned's child, and could not deal with the fact he had killed her beloved brother, and was stilling returning to Catelyn despite fathering a child with her.

If Ned truly is Jon's father, then Ashara makes the most sense as his mother (and explains Wylla, the wet-nurse, being part of the cover-up). Outside of R+L=J this is perhaps the most likely theory, even if it doesn't have as much evidence/timeline support. It would mean either Ned spent nine months in Starfall after the Tower of Joy, which isn't supported by the text (although isn't completely out of the question), or they met up in secret just before the rebellion broke out. 

There are a number of questions around Ashara Dayne though, not only whether she was Jon's mother, but if she's even dead at all, as her body was never found. If she does turn out to be alive, then that could mean she has a major part to play in Jon's story.