As we have went discussed the different scenarios of what might have been, one constant theme echoes through them all: actions or non-actions have consequences. Some are far reaching like the start of a war, or are localized, like the birth of a child. It is this vein we will discuss how the explanation of one child’s birth had repercussions throughout a kingdom. What if Ned had told Catelyn about Jon Snow’s true parentage? As always, let us cover what happened in the reported Game of Thrones history.
It was near the end of Robert’s Rebellion. Ned Stark and some of his men, which included Howland Reed, went to Dorn to rescue his sister Lyanna who it was assumed was being held captive by the forces of Rhaegar Targaryen. There they met up with Ser 
Arthur Dayne of House Dayne, “The Sword of the Morning” who was guarding “The Tower of Joy” along with the remaining few loyalists of Rhaegar. The battle commenced. In the end there was only Eddard, Howland Reed, and Arthur Dayne left standing. Reed was laying on the ground with a sword wound while Stark and Dayne battled with Dayne getting the better of it. As Dayne was getting ready to deliver a killing blow, Reed who had gotten to his feet, took advantage of Dayne’s preoccupation with Stark and ran his blade through “The Sword of the Morning’s” back. Eddard finished the job with neither taking great satisfaction in how they accomplished it. War, however, was War.
Reed collapses back to the ground as Eddard climbed the steps of the Tower of Joy. There he found Lyanna, laying on blood stained covers on her bed. She was weak from her delivery of her baby and the loss of blood. Although Eddard asked for a Maester to help, he knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Before Lyanna passed, she told Eddard her baby’s name and made him swear to never reveal the child’s true parentage. This was especially true for Robert who no doubt would have had the infant put to death. He made this vow and returned home to Catelyn with a newborn baby and the story that the child was his from a brief encounter with another woman. Catelyn was shattered by this news. However, with many a moment spent in prayer, she forgave Ned in time. She could not bring herself to forgive the child whose presence was a constant reminder of Ned’s betrayal to their marriage. This resentment lasted as long as the child stayed at Winterfell, which was until he left for “the Wall.” Jon Snow was the name Ned gave the child. Jon presumably after his mentor Jon Arryn and Snow, because he was a “bastard” at least as far as the story Eddard has told.
That is the current history. But what if when coming home from the war, Ser Eddard Stark made a different decision. What if Eddard told Catelyn who the baby actually belonged to?
This would be no small decision for Eddard. He had promised Lyanna and his honor is something that is important to him. However, if he follows through with his promise and tells Catelyn the child is his, he will be “seemingly” breaking another “honor bound oath” to Catelyn. If she thinks he would break a promise he made to her, in front of the “old gods,” how could she trust him again? He wrestled with these thoughts on the entire journey back from Dorn. In this scenario, he decided his wife’s respect was as important to him as his honor. But hard decisions would still have to be made.
He asked her to meet him in the Winterfell Godswood. Under the ancient weir wood with a face carved into it, a heart tree that stands over a pool of black water. It was here that Ned went when he needed to mull things over. It was here in front of the “old gods” that he told her what had transpired and about who the babe that he brought home actually belonged to. She listened in stunned silence as he told his tale and what it could mean. While she was happy that the child was NOT Eddard’s, she knew that there was a danger in the truth of his parentage. Robert could certainly not be told and neither could their children. This knowledge could put them in danger if the wrong people were to find out. With that in mind they had two choices. Either they find someone else to care for the child or they would take him in themselves. Catelyn pointed out that by passing on the child, they would be also putting that family in danger. She would not put others in danger so they could be safe. So as in the present, it was decided they would keep the child. Also as in the present, inspite of the blemish on Eddard’s honor, he would have to claim the child as his. It would be the safest course as even someone as honorable Ser Eddard Stark has been known to stray during time away at war. It was also something that Robert would readily accept as he has had his share of bastard children during his time away. The children would grow to love the child this much they knew. So it was decided. He would be raised along with the rest of their children. He would learn to fight along with the other male Stark children. He would accept Ser Eddard Stark as his father without knowing who his Mother was. 
This time though, Catelyn would not resent the child as she did in the present. She knew who he was and would keep Ned’s secret. Because of this Jon Snow would not feel separate and so alone. He would not seek out the solace of the “Nights Watch.” Just the love of a Mother would change the entire story. What would be Jon’s new destiny? As always, that is where you come in. Let us know at GVNation know what you think.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
