From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 22, 2016 16:13:50 GMT voice, caliban, and 6 more like this

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Post by SlyWren on Jul 22, 2016 16:13:50 GMT

From Death to Dawn Revisited:
Jon Will Rise as The Sword of the Morning

“The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me but for Howland Reed." Father had gotten sad then, and he would say no more. Bran wished he had asked him what he meant. Clash Bran III

Jon took a breath of the crisp morning air and allowed himself to hope. The eastern sky was pink near the horizon and pale grey higher up. The Sword of the Morning still hung in the south, the bright white star in its hilt blazing like a diamond in the dawn, but the blacks and greys of the darkling forest were turning once again to greens and golds, reds and russets. Storm Jon IV

VERY Short Version: After a night of despair and descent into the cave, Jon has a moment of epiphany with the Sword of the Morning constellation. This foreshadows his upcoming revelation of his role after “death.” Jon has earned a magical sword via merit, but it is not the one he wants and has dreamed of. Has learned what’s really threatening humanity and that he needs to fight it. After his death, Jon will learn he is the next Sword of the Morning. And rise.

Part I: Jon Snow’s Long Night of the Soul and Identity Collapse

1. The night before Jon and climbs the Wall is a dark, painful, night. “The last night fell black and moonless” (Storm Jon III). This night, Jon realizes who he thought he was is gone. Dead. The chapter is Jon’s realization that he’s lost himself. Then he descends into the cave/underworld with Ygritte.

2. In this black night, The Sword of the Morning is only one of many stars reminding him of his old life. Jon focuses on the Thief, the Wildling name that now applies to him.

So many stars, he thought as he trudged up the slope through pines and firs and ash. Maester Luwin had taught him his stars as a boy in Winterfell; he had learned the names of the twelve houses of heaven and the rulers of each; he could find the seven wanderers sacred to the Faith; he was old friends with the Ice Dragon, the Shadowcat, the Moonmaid, and the Sword of the Morning. All those he shared with Ygritte, but not some of the others. We look up at the same stars, and see such different things. The King's Crown was the Cradle, to hear her tell it; the Stallion was the Horned Lord; the red wanderer that septons preached was sacred to their Smith up here was called the Thief. And when the Thief was in the Moonmaid, that was a propitious time for a man to steal a woman, Ygritte insisted. "Like the night you stole me. The Thief was bright that night." Storm, Jon III

3. Ghost, Jon’s other self, is also focused on the stars:

He found Ghost atop the hill, as he thought he might. The white wolf never howled, yet something drew him to the heights all the same, and he would squat there on his hindquarters, hot breath rising in a white mist as his red eyes drank the stars.

"Do you have names for them as well?" Jon asked, as he went to one knee beside the direwolf and scratched the thick white fur on his neck.” Storm, Jon III

4. His family identity is also coming apart, because of his choices:

Jon had never met anyone so stubborn, except maybe for his little sister Arya. Is she still my sister? he wondered. Was she ever? He had never truly been a Stark, only Lord Eddard's motherless bastard, with no more place at Winterfell than Theon Greyjoy. And even that he'd lost. When a man of the Night's Watch said his words, he put aside his old family and joined a new one, but Jon Snow had lost those brothers too. Storm, Jon III

5. He sends Ghost away, hoping his other self can find the way into the dawn and warn the Night’s Watch:

You cannot come with me," Jon said, cupping the wolf's head in his hands and looking deep into those eyes. "You have to go to Castle Black. Do you understand? Castle Black. Can you find it? The way home? Just follow the ice, east and east, into the sun, and you'll find it. They will know you at Castle Black, and maybe your coming will warn them." He had thought of writing out a warning for Ghost to carry, but he had no ink, no parchment, not even a writing quill, and the risk of discovery was too great. "I will meet you again at Castle Black, but you have to get there by yourself. We must each hunt alone for a time. Alone." Storm, Jon III

6. Jon is truly alone—no Ghost. He doesn’t know if Ghost understood. His identity is gone.

For wildling raiders, he thought. Like us. Like me.

Beyond that Wall lay the Seven Kingdoms, and everything he had sworn to protect. He had said the words, had pledged his life and honor, and by rights he should be up there standing sentry. He should be raising a horn to his lips to rouse the Night's Watch to arms. He had no horn, though. It would not be hard to steal one from the wildlings, he suspected, but what would that accomplish? Even if he blew it, there was no one to hear. The Wall was a hundred leagues long and the Watch sadly dwindled. All but three of the strongholds had been abandoned; there might not be a brother within forty miles of here, but for Jon. If he was a brother still . . . Storm, Jon III

7. He’s succumbed to Ygritte, thinking it was necessary, hating himself for loving it. He’s done what his “father” did. What he swore he’d never do. And he feels debased:

Like a pair of rutting dogs, Jon thought afterward. Was that what he'd become? I am a man of the Night's Watch, a small voice inside insisted, but every night it seemed a little fainter, and when Ygritte kissed his ears or bit his neck, he could not hear it at all. Was this how it was for my father? he wondered. Was he as weak as I am, when he dishonored himself in my mother's bed? Storm, Jon III

8. Next he has to tell the Magnar about the Night’s Watch patrols. Must tell the truth without hesitating or he risks death and failure. Jon’s miserable over doing everything he never thought he would. He breaks oaths, risks fathering a bastard—he’s failing at everything he thought he was.

9. Ygritte lures him into the cave and offers him an out—just stay in the cave. She’s almost like Vivian/Nimue, trapping Merlin. Jon confesses his love. He wants to stay in the Gendel and Gorne underworld. With Ygritte:

“Let's not go back t' Styr and Jarl. Let's go down inside, and join up with Gendel's children. I don't ever want t' leave this cave, Jon Snow. Not ever.” Storm, Jon III

10. The chapter ends.

Part II: Jon Awakens to Hope and The Sword of the Morning

1. After his dark night of the soul, his breakdown of self, Jon doesn’t stay in the cave. As Jon’s next chapter starts, he emerges. He’s worried about Ghost, his other self. But even with all the despair and confusion of the previous chapter, he doesn’t hide in the cave. He dares to hope. Aaaand EPIPHANY!!!!:

Ghost was gone when the wildlings led their horses from the cave. Did he understand about Castle Black? Jon took a breath of the crisp morning air and allowed himself to hope. The eastern sky was pink near the horizon and pale grey higher up. The Sword of the Morning still hung in the south, the bright white star in its hilt blazing like a diamond in the dawn, but the blacks and greys of the darkling forest were turning once again to greens and golds, reds and russets. And above the soldier pines and oaks and ash and sentinels stood the Wall, the ice pale and glimmering beneath the dust and dirt that pocked its surface. Storm, Jon IV

2. The Sword of the Morning is the only constellation left. No Thief. No Moonmaid. None of the “old friends.” No questions of identity. Only the Sword. And unlike the night before, these stars give him hope. He knows this Sword. It stands alone at Dawn. Glorious.

3. Jon told Ghost to go east. Now he looks east—and sees life and color come back into the world.

4. Even the Wall is beautiful with the Sword above it. The dawn and the Sword turn the Wall into beauty.

5. Jon doesn’t intellectualize the moment. Doesn’t ask why he feels hope. Which makes sense—in the next paragraph, they start climbing the Wall. Harrowing.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

Last Edit: Jul 22, 2016 16:58:44 GMT by SlyWren

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 22, 2016 16:25:51 GMT voice, Wraith, and 1 more like this

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Post by SlyWren on Jul 22, 2016 16:25:51 GMT

Part III: Jon has earned a magical sword through valor, not blood.

1. So why on earth would Jon, bastard of Winterfell, see the Sword of the Morning? The greatsword Dawn is not passed via inheritance. It’s bestowed on one who is worthy. And Jon’s already earned a magical sword outside of blood inheritance. Earned it via worth and valor.

Where Ice was a true two-handed greatsword, this was a hand-and-a-halfer, sometimes named a "bastard sword." Yet the wolf sword actually seemed lighter than the blades he had wielded before. When Jon turned it sideways, he could see the ripples in the dark steel where the metal had been folded back on itself again and again. "This is Valyrian steel, my lord," he said wonderingly. His father had let him handle Ice often enough; he knew the look, the feel.

"It is," the Old Bear told him. "It was my father's sword, and his father's before him. The Mormonts have carried it for five centuries. I wielded it in my day and passed it on to my son when I took the black."

He is giving me his son's sword. Jon could scarcely believe it. The blade was exquisitely balanced. The edges glimmered faintly as they kissed the light. "Your son—" [. . .]

When Jon had been Bran's age, he had dreamed of doing great deeds, as boys always did. The details of his feats changed with every dreaming, but quite often he imagined saving his father's life. Afterward Lord Eddard would declare that Jon had proved himself a true Stark, and place Ice in his hand. Even then he had known it was only a child's folly; no bastard could ever hope to wield a father's sword. Even the memory shamed him. What kind of man stole his own brother's birthright? I have no right to this, he thought, no more than to Ice. He twitched his burned fingers, feeling a throb of pain deep under the skin. "My lord, you honor me, but—"

"Spare me your but's, boy," Lord Mormont interrupted. "I would not be sitting here were it not for you and that beast of yours. You fought bravely . . . and more to the point, you thought quickly.” Game Jon VIII

2. For his valor, Jon is given a magical (Valyrian) sword that isn’t his by inheritance—he earned it.

3. Jon dreams of earning his father’s sword. The magical Ice. Knows it’s wrong via standard inheritance. But he does earn Longclaw—an in-between sword, earned while defending a father-figure.

4. Jon’s bastard status is irrelevant in gaining the sword. He didn’t seek it. He gets mystical “advice” fighting the wight (burn! burn!)—but his quick thinking and valor against a supernatural foe earns the sword. That’s all that matters. Valor matters more than inheritance when battling undead.

5. Winning Longclaw costs him—his hand aches horribly. Will always carry those scars.

6. Pommel is re-fashioned, but the name still fits Jon—blade’s value remains with new holder
.
7. Jon earns Longclaw with Ghost. Sees the Sword of the Morning while missing Ghost. Jon and Ghost’s fate are united with the underworld, and “seeing,” and the magical swords.

8. But Longclaw is an in-between sword. A bastard sword—between regular sword and greatsword. An intermediate magical sword. What comes next? A true greatsword.

Part IV: But Jon wants another sword, won by valor AND blood.

1. From the moment Mormont gives Jon Longclaw, Jon knows it’s an amazing gift. His son’s valyrian sword.

2. But though Jon knows it’s amazing and that he should be grateful, it’s not the sword he wants.

"The sword!" Matt insisted. The others took up the chant. "The sword, the sword, the sword."

Jon unsheathed Longclaw and showed it to them, turning it this way and that so they could admire it. The bastard blade glittered in the pale sunlight, dark and deadly. "Valyrian steel," he declared solemnly, trying to sound as pleased and proud as he ought to have felt. Game, Jon VIII

3. Jon is not comforted by Longclaw. He’s too worried about the wights and his family. The only part of the sword he seems to really like is the pommel.

That grim thought soured Jon's fragile mood. "I need to see Hobb about the Old Bear's supper," he announced brusquely, sliding Longclaw back into its scabbard. His friends meant well, but they did not understand. It was not their fault, truly; they had not had to face Othor, they had not seen the pale glow of those dead blue eyes, had not felt the cold of those dead black fingers. Nor did they know of the fighting in the riverlands. How could they hope to comprehend? He turned away from them abruptly and strode off, sullen. Pyp called after him, but Jon paid him no mind.

They had moved him back to his old cell in tumbledown Hardin's Tower after the fire, and it was there he returned. Ghost was curled up asleep beside the door, but he lifted his head at the sound of Jon's boots. The direwolf's red eyes were darker than garnets and wiser than men. Jon knelt, scratched his ear, and showed him the pommel of the sword. "Look. It's you." Game, Jon VII

4. Don’t misunderstand, Jon does like the sword:

When Jon did not appear to fetch the Old Bear's breakfast from the kitchen, they'd look in his cell and find Longclaw on the bed. It had been hard to abandon it, but Jon was not so lost to honor as to take it with him. Game, Jon IX

5. But Longclaw cannot give him what he really wants: family name. He wants connection to his family, to protect his family, not just to be rewarded.

But he had not left the Wall for that; he had left because he was after all his father's son, and Robb's brother. The gift of a sword, even a sword as fine as Longclaw, did not make him a Mormont. Nor was he Aemon Targaryen. Three times the old man had chosen, and three times he had chosen honor, but that was him. Even now, Jon could not decide whether the maester had stayed because he was weak and craven, or because he was strong and true. Yet he understood what the old man had meant, about the pain of choosing; he understood that all too well. Game, Jon IX

6. Jon has repeatedly chosen duty—he turns from going to Robb to going back to the Wall. Duty is requisite for the Sword of the Morning—one must be worthy. But Jon ALSO chooses family when he decides to go to Winterfell for Arya. Duty and Family, Worthiness and Blood: the two elements required for the Sword of the Morning.

Though many houses have their heirloom swords, they mostly pass the blades down from lord to lord. Some, such as the Corbrays have done, may lend the blade to a son or brother for his lifetime, only to have it return to the lord. But that is not the way of House Dayne. The wielder of Dawn is always given the title of Sword of the Morning, and only a knight of House Dayne who is deemed worthy can carry it.

For this reason, the Swords of the Morning are all famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms. There are boys who secretly dream of being a son of Starfall so they might claim that storied sword and its title. Most famous of all was Ser Arthur Dayne, the deadliest of King Aerys II's Kingsguard, who defeated the Kingswood Brotherhood and won renown in every tourney and mêlée. He died nobly with his sworn brothers at the end of Robert's Rebellion, after Lord Eddard Stark was said to have killed him in single combat. Lord Stark then returned Dawn to Starfall, and to Ser Arthur's kin, as a sign of respect. World Book: Dorne: The Andals Arrive.

CONTINUED IN JUST ONE MORE POST

Last Edit: Jul 22, 2016 16:58:07 GMT by SlyWren

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 22, 2016 16:32:29 GMT voice, Lady Dyanna, and 3 more like this

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Post by SlyWren on Jul 22, 2016 16:32:29 GMT

Part V: Jon’s Epiphany Comes because he Broke his Vows for a More Important Purpose. Now, Jon Needs Hope.

1. If the Sword of the Morning must be worthy, why would Jon have his glorious moment with the Sword of the Morning after breaking his NW vows so completely the night before?

2. Because he stays faithful to defending the realms of men. He sacrifices his identity so that he can protect the Night's Watch and North from what’s coming. The Sword appears when he needs it most—because Jon is worthy. And he needs hope.

3. Jon’s worthiness: Jon keeps his word to Quorin as best he can. Gives up information as necessary to keep himself in place with the Wildlings, though he hates himself—a kind of death.

4. Cave with Ygritte: lures Jon in like Nimue’s tempting into a cave. Jon declares he loves her. Ygritte never wants to leave. Jon wants to stay. In his mind, he’s betrayed his vows entirely to keep his word to Quorin. Feels massively guilty (because he likes it). But still fulfills his role.

5. Thus, when Jon emerges from this underworld, despondent, missing Ghost, feeling like he’s abandoned all he believes in, the Sword of the Morning appears in his time of need (like Excalibur)—HOPE!!!! DAWN!!!!

6. Jon’s vision of Sword of the Morning is like Galahad’s vision of the Grail. This is what Jon is working towards. He’s proving worthy. Dawn and hope and life. After a long night—Dawn.

Part VI: Jon Learns, Discerns, and Focuses on the Real Threat

1. Jon doesn’t just sacrifice. He prioritizes and discerns. With the wildlings, Jon manages to focus on the larger purpose of warning the Night’s Watch of the impending threat.

2. Once Jon realizes the Others are coming, he reassesses and focuses on the real threat, though it means angering the Night’s Watch by protecting everyone. Jon has learned his lessons: to sacrifice himself, to do what’s necessary to protect others. To learn and reassess. To open his eyes. No matter the cost.

    Risks his life to counter the Wildlings’ raiding at the tower. Gives up Ygritte.
    Risks everything to first live with Wildlings and then get back to the Wall.
    Risks his life to meet Mance after Battle for the Wall.
    Willing to work with Stannis and Mance vs. absoluteness of Watch vows.
    Works to protect the realms of men (including Wildlings) from the impending Others, no matter         how angry the NW gets. “Kill the boy.”
    Willing to anger Watch—asks for volunteers to go to Winterfell. Result: knives.

Part VII: Jon’s Next Epiphany and Descent to the Underworld

Jon is mostly prepared. He’s earned an intermediate /bastard magic sword. He’s sacrificed his identity for others. He’s dreamt of his descent and overcome despair to see the Sword of the Morning. He’s proven himself through valor. He’s opened his eyes to see the real threat to humans—the Others. And he will do whatever it takes to protect all people, no matter the cost.

But he doesn’t know what it all means. Still doesn’t know who he is. Or why he saw the Sword of the Morning. Why he dreams of magical swords. He’s “dying” because of what he’s learned. Kill the boy. Time to descend. To see with open eyes. Time for a magical, true greatsword. Jon will rise as Sword of the Morning—how? To be determined. But Jon’s rising from the underworld. With Dawn.

THE END

Last Edit: Jul 22, 2016 16:33:14 GMT by SlyWren

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.

DarkSister1001 Vhagar The Listener Master of karate & friendship for everyone. Posts: 2,588 Mini-Profile Theme: Example 3 DarkSister1001 inherit The Listener Female 223 0 Nov 25, 2021 11:26:48 GMT 4,744 DarkSister1001 Master of karate & friendship for everyone. 2,588 Vhagar May 31, 2016 19:26:43 GMT May 2016 darksister1001 Example 3	From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 22, 2016 22:04:19 GMT voice, SlyWren, and 1 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by DarkSister1001 on Jul 22, 2016 22:04:19 GMT Yay!
	The blade was Valyrian steel, spell-forged and dark as smoke. Nothing held an edge like Valyrian steel.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 22, 2016 22:17:14 GMT Lady Dyanna and sagenadia like this

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Post by voice on Jul 22, 2016 22:17:14 GMT

Posting LmL's quotes:

Jul 19, 2016 1:13:38 GMT LmL said:

SlyWren , voice , here are the SOTM quotes I posted on the W. I'm on mobile, so no formatting. These quotes are from one of Jon's early ADWD chapters.

From the beginning of the chapter:

"Half the morning passed before Lord Janos reported as commanded. Jon was cleaning Longclaw. Some men would have given that task to a steward or a squire, but Lord Eddard had taught his sons to care for their own weapons. When Kegs and Dolorous Edd arrived with Slynt, Jon thanked them and bid Lord Janos sit. That he did, albeit with poor grace, crossing his arms, scowling, and ignoring the naked steel in his lord commander’s hands. Jon slid the oilcloth down his bastard sword, watching the play of morning light across the ripples, thinking how easily the blade would slide through skin and fat and sinew to part Slynt’s ugly head from his body. All of a man’s crimes were wiped away when he took the black, and all of his allegiances as well, yet he found it hard to think of Janos Slynt as a brother. There is blood between us. This man helped slay my father and did his best to have me killed as well."

The blood between them is Lord Eddard's blood - and recall Arya sees the red comet as Ned's Ice, covered in blood, while Ice later appear with red and black ripples. I highlighted the "oil" because George often places an oil reference next to Lightbringer weapons to remind us of oily black stone. In any case, Jon's sword shines with morning light! And this of course "Jon's sword" can be a reference to the Valyrian steel sword he has now or V steel in general... or to Ice, the sword he was "meant" to wield, or perhaps to Dawn, the other sword he might be meant to wield... as we've discussed, Longclaw's pale stone pommel sounds like Dawn, and it's black steel sounds like a black dragon sword, so it's hard to say. But still, Jon has a sword of the morning here.

And then again, at the end of the chapter, when he actually does part Slint's head from its body:

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"Emmett kicked his legs out from under him. Dolorous Edd planted a foot on his back to keep him on his knees as Emmett shoved the block beneath his head. “This will go easier if you stay still,” Jon Snow promised him. “Move to avoid the cut, and you will still die, but your dying will be uglier. Stretch out your neck, my lord.” The pale morning sunlight ran up and down his blade as Jon clasped the hilt of the bastard sword with both hands and raised it high. “If you have any last words, now is the time to speak them,” he said, expecting one last curse. Janos Slynt twisted his neck around to stare up at him. “Please, my lord. Mercy. I’ll … I’ll go, I will, I …” No , thought Jon. You closed that door . Longclaw descended."

Twice on one chapter, in to related scenes - not an accident. Jon has a sword of the morning!

Unfortunately, we are left as always to wonder whether Longclaw alludes to Dawn or a black dragon sword. But still, it's fabulous for your analysis and ideas about Jon.

The idea of the Sword of the Morning descending as a black sword would point towards the idea of the things falling form the sky, as opposed to rising (as the SOTM needs to do eventually). In any case, there's also this line in between the two quotes:

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"For a moment the world balanced on a sword’s edge."

That comes as Jon commands his men to arrest Slynt and Thorne puts his hand on his sword hilt, considering a challenge... and then decides against it. Any time George has a line about "the world this" or "the world that" I tend to pay attention. The word touching the edge of a sword sounds like the descending of meteors words to me, but then that's usually the case.

So have you seen these quotes or not?

Really good stuff here man. I have seen some, but not all. Will dissect them asap.

"I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers."

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 0:48:52 GMT voice and sagenadia like this

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Post by LmL on Jul 23, 2016 0:48:52 GMT

Jul 23, 2016 0:25:53 GMT voice said:

Really good stuff here man. I have seen some, but not all. Will dissect them asap

Yeah I don't know how one of use hasn't spotted it before, right? I mean... it's pretty on the nose. I guess there are a lot of chapters to go through. But yeah, cool huh? Morning light on Jon's sword to begin and end the chapter, and Jon playing executioner in an echo of his father, beheading a black crow... what do you think it means?

One thing that caught my eye in regards to the notion of mixing black and white (and by this I am referring to Jon's black sword with a pale stone hilt, and other seeming symbolic pairings of opposites) is Jon's dream of beheading the two babies and stitching their heads on switched bodies. We know Lightbringer can symbolize both a sword or a child, so perhaps this alludes to breaking two swords and mixing them together? We have so many hints about a broken sword, from the Last Hero's blade to that of the Titan to the splitting of Ned's sword and the broken sword banner of the Second Sons and Oberyn's split oily black sun-spear. I've often wondered if somehow two swords were combined. Is there black steel beneath Dawn's pale milkglass, or something similar? That could be what Jon's sword is showing us with it's dragon forged black steel and pale stone pommel. I've mentioned the Red Kraken's Valyrian steel sword Nightfall before, which has a moonstone in the pommel. The term "moonstone" could be a clue about moon stones - moon meteors - making the black sword of Nightfall (Azor Ahai's theoretical black meteor sword that I believe in). But it could also refer specifically to the gem moonstone, which is usually milky and bluish white, adularescence and all that, and in that case... it's indicating a mixing of the black moon material and white moon material.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 3:16:22 GMT sagenadia likes this

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Post by voice on Jul 23, 2016 3:16:22 GMT

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

Yeah I don't know how one of use hasn't spotted it before, right? I mean... it's pretty on the nose. I guess there are a lot of chapters to go through. But yeah, cool huh?

Very cool!

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

Morning light on Jon's sword to begin and end the chapter, and Jon playing executioner in an echo of his father, beheading a black crow... what do you think it means?

In a nutshell, Jon is echoing his father, but Ned may not be his father...

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

From the beginning of the chapter:

"Half the morning passed before Lord Janos reported as commanded. Jon was cleaning Longclaw. Some men would have given that task to a steward or a squire, but Lord Eddard had taught his sons to care for their own weapons. When Kegs and Dolorous Edd arrived with Slynt, Jon thanked them and bid Lord Janos sit. That he did, albeit with poor grace, crossing his arms, scowling, and ignoring the naked steel in his lord commander’s hands. Jon slid the oilcloth down his bastard sword, watching the play of morning light across the ripples, thinking how easily the blade would slide through skin and fat and sinew to part Slynt’s ugly head from his body. All of a man’s crimes were wiped away when he took the black, and all of his allegiances as well, yet he found it hard to think of Janos Slynt as a brother. There is blood between us. This man helped slay my father and did his best to have me killed as well."

Do you see what I see?

They were seven, facing three. In the dream as it had been in life. Yet these were no ordinary three. They waited before the round tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their white cloaks blowing in the wind. And these were no shadows; their faces burned clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his right shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. Across his white-enameled helm, the black bat of his House spread its wings. Between them stood fierce old Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

And how about this old gem?

"The finest knight I ever saw was Ser Arthur Dayne, who fought with a blade called Dawn, forged from the heart of a fallen star. They called him the Sword of the Morning, and he would have killed me but for Howland Reed." Father had gotten sad then, and he would say no more. Bran wished he had asked him what he meant.

Jon is at rest, cleaning longclaw as three men approach him. He could have given the duty to a squire, but instead, like Whent, he is doing it himself. Like Janos, Eddard ignored the naked steel in Whent's hand. Between them is a Lord (Eddard) Commander (Jon/Hightower).

The man that Jon is about to execute, Janos Slynt, helped to kill his "father" at the order of the king, and would have killed him as well... if not for Howland Reed. Do you see what I see?

Ned was nearly killed by Arthur Dayne, just as Jon was nearly killed by Janos. Ned was assisted by Howland Reed and Ilyn Payne was assisted by Janos Slynt.

Janos is not Ned, and Ned is likely not Jon's father.

Jon may be looking at the man who helped kill his father's killer, if his father is Arthur.

If Jon's father was Arthur, and Ned killed Arthur, then Ilyn Payne avenged Jon, and Janos Slynt helped him do it.

A bittersweet symmetry, to be sure. And I have a feeling that Ned felt just as justified when he killed Arthur Dayne, as Jon now feels when beheading Janos Slynt.

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

The blood between them is Lord Eddard's blood - and recall Arya sees the red comet as Ned's Ice, covered in blood, while Ice later appear with red and black ripples. I highlighted the "oil" because George often places an oil reference next to Lightbringer weapons to remind us of oily black stone. In any case, Jon's sword shines with morning light! And this of course "Jon's sword" can be a reference to the Valyrian steel sword he has now or V steel in general... or to Ice, the sword he was "meant" to wield, or perhaps to Dawn, the other sword he might be meant to wield... as we've discussed, Longclaw's pale stone pommel sounds like Dawn, and it's black steel sounds like a black dragon sword, so it's hard to say. But still, Jon has a sword of the morning here.

Almost. He does have a sword, and it is morning. And this sword strongly resembles the dragonsteel of the Last Hero, imo. But like the Last Hero, I think Jon is due for a transformation.

The execution of Gared is an interesting parallel here, as Gared's execution seems to have initiated warging in the young Starks. From the moment Gared's head rolled toward Theon, the Starks began emulating their pups.

The execution of a would-be Lord Commander at a great hinge of the world seems fitting. It too may have provided the impetus of some aspect of Jon's character. Considering the blood between them is, as you say, Lord Eddard's, it seems all the more potent for such change.

Has Jon beheaded his foster-father's betrayer? Or has Jon beheaded his biological-father's avenger?

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

And then again, at the end of the chapter, when he actually does part Slint's head from its body:

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"Emmett kicked his legs out from under him. Dolorous Edd planted a foot on his back to keep him on his knees as Emmett shoved the block beneath his head. “This will go easier if you stay still,” Jon Snow promised him. “Move to avoid the cut, and you will still die, but your dying will be uglier. Stretch out your neck, my lord.” The pale morning sunlight ran up and down his blade as Jon clasped the hilt of the bastard sword with both hands and raised it high. “If you have any last words, now is the time to speak them,” he said, expecting one last curse. Janos Slynt twisted his neck around to stare up at him. “Please, my lord. Mercy. I’ll … I’ll go, I will, I …” No , thought Jon. You closed that door . Longclaw descended."

Jon heard his last words, and deemed him deserving of death.

I'm thinking Ned felt the same way about Arthur, at the time.

But yes, pale morning light. This is the one I noticed before, but probably only because I've done many searched for such word combinations (pale light, pale morning, etc).

At this moment, Jon hold the Palestone Sword tower as Dawn runs up and down it. This reminds me of Ned's return of Dawn to Starfall.

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

Twice on one chapter, in to related scenes - not an accident. Jon has a sword of the morning!

Sort of. He has a "bastard" version of it. Like Stannis and Lighbringer, Jon feels foolish bearing Longclaw. He also feels foolish when coveting Ice, his brother Robb's birthright.

He does not feel worthy of Valyrian steel:

"Valyrian steel," he said, "spell-forged and razor-sharp, nigh on indestructible. A swordsman should be as good as his sword, Sam. Longclaw is Valyrian steel, but I'm not. The Halfhand could have killed me as easy as you swat a bug."

Thankfully, Dawn is not Valyrian steel.

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

Unfortunately, we are left as always to wonder whether Longclaw alludes to Dawn or a black dragon sword. But still, it's fabulous for your analysis and ideas about Jon.

As always, we are indeed left wondering. I think Longclaw represents the transition. Jon arrived at Castle Black with a sword from Winterfell. Like the Last Hero's, it didn't last.

Jon was then given aid in a fight against cold dead things in the night, and was then given a new blade, like the Last Hero.

This is Longclaw's role.

The next chapter must come from another source. The next sword must be alive with light.

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

The idea of the Sword of the Morning descending as a black sword would point towards the idea of the things falling form the sky, as opposed to rising (as the SOTM needs to do eventually).

Agreed. And what falls from the sky?

Dead dragons.

Mayhaps Jon, the Sword of the Morning, wielding Dawn, can rid the world of dragons.

Jul 22, 2016 17:48:39 GMT -7 LmL said:
In any case, there's also this line in between the two quotes:
"For a moment the world balanced on a sword’s edge."

This is the one I've never really noticed before, in this light. Really cool quote.

I see this as the sword/staff of Asclepius, the balance/borderline of the horizon itself, and the means to balance and appease the miasma.

Jon, the (natural) Weirwood Ghost, can balance the world with a sword's edge.

Jul 23, 2016 0:48:39 GMT LmL said:

That comes as Jon commands his men to arrest Slynt and Thorne puts his hand on his sword hilt, considering a challenge... and then decides against it. Any time George has a line about "the world this" or "the world that" I tend to pay attention. The word touching the edge of a sword sounds like the descending of meteors words to me, but then that's usually the case.

I'm in the same boat. When I hear about balance, my brain goes right to miasma. When I hear about the edge of a sword, my brain goes immediately to the ghost-light / alive with light power the blades of Others (and Dawn) possess. Dancing upon a swords edge, to a song of ice and fire not unlike the curtain of light found north and north and north.

"I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers."

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 3:20:40 GMT sagenadia likes this

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Post by voice on Jul 23, 2016 3:20:40 GMT

And how about this familiar quote LmL :

The morning had dawned clear and cold, with a crispness that hinted at the end of summer.

Dawn=Ice=Star of the Morning/Evening=Lightbringer/taker

Seasonal Dawn = Waxing Light, Summer

Seasonal Dusk = Waning Light, Long Night

Houses Stark and Dayne seem to be talking about a lot of the same things.

Last Edit: Jul 23, 2016 3:23:15 GMT by voice

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 3:38:38 GMT voice, SlyWren, and 2 more like this

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Post by Wraith on Jul 23, 2016 3:38:38 GMT

SlyWren, beautiful work as always. I just wonder how Dawn will get up to Jon at the Wall. I have a feeling that Darkstar will steal the sword before taking the role of the Vulture King. He will be eventually cast down and sent to the Wall by Arianne paralleling Nymeria sending the six Dornish kings to the Wall. I don't know why he would get to keep the sword, but we all suspect Bloodraven took Dark Sister to the Wall so perhaps that could be another parallel.

Or maybe Edric Dayne will make a reappearance... who knows?

Darkstar will be the next Vulture King.

Craster has 19 daughters and there are 19 castles on the Wall, coincidence I think not!

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 23:15:51 GMT voice, SlyWren, and 1 more like this

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Post by Lady Dyanna on Jul 23, 2016 23:15:51 GMT

I put the following in LmL's thread, but voice, has an interesting interpretation that works here too.

Have any of you all ever noticed this quote from Ned's chapter during the Hand's Tournament?

The shields displayed outside each tent heralded its occupant: the silver eagle of Seagard, Bryce Caron’s field of nightingales, a cluster of grapes for the Redwynes, brindled boar, red ox, burning tree, white ram, triple spiral, purple unicorn, dancing maiden, blackadder, twin towers, horned owl, and last the pure white blazons of the Kingsguard, shining like the dawn. “The king means to fight in the melee today,” Ser Barristan said as they were passing Ser Meryn’s shield, its paint sullied by a deep gash where Loras Tyrell’s lance had scarred the wood as he drove him from his saddle.

This is right before the final day's jousting.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Jul 23, 2016 23:47:01 GMT SlyWren, Lady Dyanna, and 1 more like this

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Post by voice on Jul 23, 2016 23:47:01 GMT

Jul 23, 2016 23:15:51 GMT Lady Dyanna said:

I put the following in LmL 's thread, but voice , has an interesting interpretation that works here too.

Have any of you all ever noticed this quote from Ned's chapter during the Hand's Tournament?

The shields displayed outside each tent heralded its occupant: the silver eagle of Seagard, Bryce Caron’s field of nightingales, a cluster of grapes for the Redwynes, brindled boar, red ox, burning tree, white ram, triple spiral, purple unicorn, dancing maiden, blackadder, twin towers, horned owl, and last the pure white blazons of the Kingsguard, shining like the dawn. “The king means to fight in the melee today,” Ser Barristan said as they were passing Ser Meryn’s shield, its paint sullied by a deep gash where Loras Tyrell’s lance had scarred the wood as he drove him from his saddle.

This is right before the final day's jousting.

I'm seeing a chink in a wall (shield/armor) of ice (white armor/shield of the KG), caused by a flower (Loras/Lyanna). 

Which means...

SPOILER: Click to show

Lyanna raped Arthur. LOL

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Aug 1, 2016 1:03:23 GMT

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Post by SlyWren on Aug 1, 2016 1:03:23 GMT

Jul 31, 2016 15:45:18 GMT LmL said:

I've often wondered if somehow two swords were combined. Is there black steel beneath Dawn's pale milkglass, or something similar? That could be what Jon's sword is showing us with it's dragon forged black steel and pale stone pommel. I've mentioned the Red Kraken's Valyrian steel sword Nightfall before, which has a moonstone in the pommel. The term "moonstone" could be a clue about moon stones - moon meteors - making the black sword of Nightfall (Azor Ahai's theoretical black meteor sword that I believe in). But it could also refer specifically to the gem moonstone, which is usually milky and bluish white, adularescence and all that, and in that case... it's indicating a mixing of the black moon material and white moon material.

Or, that Dawn, like the Wall, can go either way? Jon sees the sword with the Wall. With the Sword in the dawn, the Wall is shining and beautiful, even under ages of dirt and grime.

But we know the Wall is changeable. If Dawn is also changeable, if who wields it can turn it, and it that's part of why the Daynes choose a worthy man to wield it--perhaps some of the imagery of the split sword is because swords can be turned multiple ways???

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Aug 1, 2016 1:09:44 GMT Wraith likes this

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Post by SlyWren on Aug 1, 2016 1:09:44 GMT

Jul 31, 2016 7:22:37 GMT Wraith said:

SlyWren, beautiful work as always. I just wonder how Dawn will get up to Jon at the Wall. I have a feeling that Darkstar will steal the sword before taking the role of the Vulture King. He will be eventually cast down and sent to the Wall by Arianne paralleling Nymeria sending the six Dornish kings to the Wall. I don't know why he would get to keep the sword, but we all suspect Bloodraven took Dark Sister to the Wall so perhaps that could be another parallel.

Or maybe Edric Dayne will make a reappearance... who knows?

On the show, I'm thinking they'll just skip the whole Starfall step, have the "tower" we saw be both Starfall and the toj, and Ned will just take Dawn north with him to wait for Jon there. Budget problems streamlined!

For the books. . . the Darkstar issue could work, not just with him as a Vulture King, but perhaps also as an "unworthy" Sword, becoming the Sword of the Evening instead.

But I can't see the Daynes letting him keep the sword if he's sent to the Wall.

That said, I really don't see Jon staying at the Wall. I think he will go to Winterfell at the same time Sansa hears about Arya and takes the Vale forces North.

At Winterfell, the idea that a Dayne could sail north, possibly getting Dawn out of Starfall because Darkstar tried to steal it--I could see Allyria and/or Ned Dayne sailing north with the sword and the information Jon needs re: the sword. Martin seems to get people what they need because he wants them to have it--like Dany and her eggs.

And though LmL hates it, magical presentation has to be on the table. The sword "presented" itself to him over the Wall.

Though if Allyria pops out of the Winterfell pool with Dawn, my eyes will never stop rolling.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Aug 1, 2016 1:12:11 GMT sagenadia and DarkSister1001 like this

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Post by SlyWren on Aug 1, 2016 1:12:11 GMT

Jul 31, 2016 23:17:31 GMT Lady Dyanna said:

and last the pure white blazons of the Kingsguard, shining like the dawn.

NICE! Fits the imagery ned himself applies to the KG and to Arthur in particular in his dream.

Interesting that it's before the final day of jousting--where the Hound "wins" by an act of "valor."

That may be a stretch, but I do think there's a case to be made that the Hound and Arthur echo each other a bit.

All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol do so at their peril. It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Oscar Wilde.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning Aug 1, 2016 22:58:34 GMT SlyWren, sagenadia, and 1 more like this

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Post by arrysfleas on Aug 1, 2016 22:58:34 GMT

Nice essay SlyWren , i have read it several times now and it always makes for a reflection.

Is Jon Ice (Starks) or wwd (Ghost) or Fire (Targs) or all of them? is this what Dawn means for him?

btw, I wonder if you have come across the character Addam Velaryon? i found some parallels with Jon. He is associated with the green men.

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From Death to Dawn Revisited: Jon's the Sword of the Morning

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