Has Game Of Thrones Just Confirmed The Book Readers’ Biggest Theory?
3. R+L=J
This is the commonly held theory that not only is Wylla not Jon Snows mother, but that Ned Stark isnt actually is father, and instead the secret to his parentage is R+L=J: R = Rhaegar Targaryen L = Lyanna Stark J = Jon Snow Rhaegar Targaryen was the elder brother of Viserys and Daenerys, and heir to the throne of the Mad King Aeyrs. Despite Tywin Lannisters hopes of marrying him to Cersei, Aerys instead chose Princess Elia Martell of Dorne as a match for his son. They married and had two children, Rhaenys and Aegon. He was killed by Robert Baratheon during the Battle of the Trident. Lyanna Stark was Neds younger sister, and betrothed to Robert Baratheon. Her kidnapping by Rhaegar was the catalyst for events that would lead to the start of Roberts Rebellion, and she died in Neds arms near the end of the war. It is unknown why Rhaegar abducted Lyanna, but the most prevalent explanation is that she actually went willingly. Rhaegar is referenced throughout the series as being a good man, one beloved of the people, and in that respect it seems unlikely that he would simply kidnap Lyanna. The evidence suggests that instead the two had fallen in love. The biggest indicator to this is discussion of a tournament at Harrenhaal, which Rhaegar won. Upon his victory, the prince rode past his own wife in order to crown Lyanna as the Queen of Beauty. Secondly, when Rhaegar stole Lyanna away, he took her to the Tower of Joy in Dorne. There they stayed until he was called away to the Battle of the Trident, but she remained behind, locked in the tower and watched over by three members of the Kingsguard. It is highly unlikely that the Kingsguard would be present unless there was royal blood to be guarded, which suggests that Lyanna was indeed pregnant with Rhaegars child. When Ned eventually finds her in the tower, it is said she dies in her blood, which indicates she gave birth to the child. It is confirmed that Ned made a promise to his dying sister, one he went to great lengths to keep. While its initially suggested that this promise was to bury her in the crypt at Winterfell, Neds thoughts would seem to say that it was something far deeper:
Promise me, she had cried, in a room that smelled of blood and roses. Promise me, Ned. The fever had taken her strength and her voice had been faint as a whisper, but when he gave his word, the fear had gone out of his sisters eyes. He thought of the promises he made to Lyanna as she lay dying, and the price hed paid to keep them.
It hardly seems likely that the promises referred to above are simply about returning her home and laying her body to rest, but rather doing everything he can in order to keep her child safe, and prevent Robert from knowing the truth. There are also a number of references to a lie Ned has lived for 14 years, and since thats how old Jon is at the start of the series, its fairly clear that this is about him. Of all his siblings, Jon is said to look most like Arya, who in turn is described as closely resembling Lyanna, which indirectly tells us that Jon looks like Lyanna. The series is called A Song of Ice and Fire, and throughout Jon has served as one of the main characters, which could well mean that he is at least part of the titiular song (Ice, with Daenerys being Fire) or that he is the one solely referred to (i.e. the child of Lyanna (ice) and Rhaegar (fire). However, the TV show has never given any real credence to this theory, or focussed much at all on the backstory of Rhaegar and Lyanna, until now
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
