George R.R. Martin Confirms That Some Fans Have Correctly Predicted How Game of Thrones Will End

George R.R. Martin Confirms That Some Fans Have Correctly Predicted How Game of Thrones Will End

MAJOR SPOILERS:

I've read every word of the books, and I don't know if I have figured out how it will end, but I do know there are two important mysteries surrounding (1) the true parentage of Jon Snow and (2) Ned Stark's unrevealed promise to his dying sister. Ned brings the infant Jon back home with him shortly after making the secret promise to his sister. Those facts indicate that Jon Snow may actually be Ned's nephew, not his son, and that might make his mother Lyanna Stark and his father a Targaryen, and therefore might potentially make Jon the rightful king.

That makes good sense and meshes with other details in the books, in that (1) Ned Stark notes how much his daughter Arya looks like his sister Lyanna. That's an indirect way of saying Jon Snow looks like Lyanna, because the narrative also points out that Jon Snow and Arya look alike; (2) assuming Jon to be the son of Lyanna also seems more logical than assuming that the boringly honorable Ned Stark cheated on his wife; (3) Ned Stark, in defending his bond with Jon to his jealous wife, uses the ambiguous phrase "he is my blood" instead of "he is my son."

However, even if Jon is the king by bloodline, he is also sworn to the Night's Watch by his oath of honor, so he might have to decline the throne. There is precedent for this. The venerable Master Aemon of the Night's Watch (actually named Aemon Targaryen) had also refused the throne years earlier, although he took the vows of the Night's Watch after refusing the throne, not before.

By the way, Ned's death does not mean that the secret of the promise to his sister is lost forever. There is a very obscure character named Howland Reed, still alive but only mentioned in passing, who was with Ned on the day Lyanna died. George R.R. Martin has said that this character will re-emerge eventually.

I just re-read what I wrote. I can't believe I've become such a nerd on this subject, especially since I used to laugh at the guys in college who got so deep into Lord of the Rings.