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This Theory About Jon Snow Could Change Everything In ‘Game Of Thrones’

By Dustin Wicksell
Published on: 04:53 PST, Aug 26, 2015

Game of Thrones fans may still be debating the fate of Jon Snow, but a new theory regarding Ned Stark’s illegitimate son has the potential to change the entire course of the saga if proven true.

[Potential Spoilers For Game of Thrones: Season 6 ahead]

One of the most popular and widely accepted fan theories in the history of Game of Thrones deals with Jon Snow’s parentage. Known as R+L=J by fans, many of whom expect it to become a part of the books and show, this theory asserts that Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark are actually Jon Snow’s parents, and that Lyanna made Ned promise to take care of Jon on her deathbed at the Tower of Joy.

A theory that has recently popped up once again on Reddit takes R+L=J one step farther, however, and if it is proven true, Game of Thrones might never be the same for fans. Redditor ghostchief offered his prediction regarding the highly anticipated opening of Season 6, and as the Huffington Post notes, it is more shocking than any wedding written by George R.R. Martin.

“The dialogue swells and clarifies to [Lyanna’s] voice, ‘Promise me, Ned.’
Her eyes slowly close.
Ned begins to sob.
He raises his head to sound another high pitch noise coming from the foot of the bed.
A baby girl.”

Instead of R+L=J, this theory suggests that R+L= twins, and there is already a perfect candidate in the series for Jon Snow’s sister.

When Ned Stark and six of his men reached the tower, they fought three kingsguard, and only two men survived the battle. They were Ned Stark and his friend Howland Reed, “father” of Meera Reed. A quick look at her side-by-side with Jon Snow leaves little wonder where this theory originated.

The theory hinges on the idea that if Lyanna did indeed have twins, the safest plan would be to split them up. Some fans have already dismissed the idea as far too similar to the plot of Star Wars, as io9 reports, but for believers, there is a fair amount of evidence. Besides their similar looks, Jon Snow and Meera are the exact same age, according to the appendix of A Clash Of Kings, the second novel in Martin’s saga. They were both (coincidentally?) also born in the same year that Lyanna Stark died. In later appendices, Jon Snow’s age is removed, while Meera is shown turning 16, and some fans assert this was done on purpose to disguise the fact that the pair are twins.

Fans also cite the symbolism that might tie the story to the ancient myth of Romulus and Remus, and the foundation of Rome. Born to the king’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, and sent away to guard them from a usurper who wanted to destroy their bloodline, the twins were found and raised by a she-wolf. Ignorant of their birth until later in life, the twins eventually restored their family to the throne, founding the city.

The symbolism is thick between this legend and Game of Thrones, some fans say. Aside from the similarities between Rhea and Rhaegar, and the fact that Robert Baratheon perfectly fits the role of usurper wanting to end his rival’s bloodline, fans assert it is no accident that the wolf is the symbol of House Stark.

A final piece of evidence comes from A Clash Of Kings, when Sir Rodrick speaks to Bran, telling him “Howland Reed was a great friend to your father.” Just paragraphs later, Bran recalls that Reed’s people never came to visit Ned Stark at Winterfell, despite the friendship between the two men and the letters they regularly exchanged. Fans who subscribe to the twins theory point to this as evidence that Reed was staying away from Winterfell for a reason, specifically to prevent anyone from drawing a connection between Jon Snow and Meera Reed.

If this theory proves true, it could change the entire landscape of the saga, potentially making Meera Reed the chosen one who will save Westeros from the White Walkers, the Azor Ahai of Melisandre’s Red God. Though we still have a long way to go before seeing the next season of Game Of Thrones or the next book of A Song Of Ice And Fire, fans who dissect this theory will have a hard time looking at Meera Reed without realizing that all this time, they might have known less than Jon Snow.

[Photo by Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images]

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