Post by lynn on Sept 23, 2017 10:02:41 GMT
I think what freyfamilyreunion 's observation does, is strike down the argument within RLJ that Ned's fifteen-year-burden was one of protecting Jon from Robert. If Jon is Rhaegar's son, and Ned feels sworn to protect him, the reaction itself is what seems odd. Ned is a man-grown, pushing 40... and smiling with mirth when he hears the king is going to visit the place he's been committing treason by hiding the son of a very popular prince?
I'm not entirely sure that fear is the overriding reason to hide Jon from Robert or what promises were made. Certainly Jon's life would have been in danger if he was acknowledged by Robert and brought to court as an infant. There is no reason for Ned to fear Robert at all otherwise. In my head canon, Howland Reed and the old gods are involved and like Bran; Jon is hidden behind the walls of Winterfell for a purpose.
I guess I have difficulty with the re-read because it excludes information that comes later in the book that changes the frame for me. For example:
A Clash of Kings - Tyrion III
"Robert's bastards? What of them?"
"He fathered eight, to the best of my knowing," Varys said as he wrestled with the saddle. "Their mothers were copper and honey, chestnut and butter, yet the babes were all black as ravens . . . and as ill-omened, it would seem. So when Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen slid out between your sister's thighs, each as golden as the sun, the truth was not hard to glimpse."
"Robert's bastards? What of them?"
"He fathered eight, to the best of my knowing," Varys said as he wrestled with the saddle. "Their mothers were copper and honey, chestnut and butter, yet the babes were all black as ravens . . . and as ill-omened, it would seem. So when Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen slid out between your sister's thighs, each as golden as the sun, the truth was not hard to glimpse."
Varys knows of one more bastard whom he doesn't name; bastards who are ill-omened and black as ravens. Arya assumes that the book and the bastard refers to Jon and Ned is too distracted to hear what she says. So I view all of this as 9 bastards are not black haired and blue-eyed; but at least one is ill-omened and black as a raven. This fits with Jon ending up at the Watch as a crow or a raven.
Jon is constantly referred to as a bastard or the bastard. So when I see text with the view that Jon is Robert's son; it shifts slightly to the left or right. LOL For example:
A Game of Thrones - Jon VII
And then he heard the laughter, sharp and cruel as a whip, and the voice of Ser Alliser Thorne. "Not only a bastard, but a traitor's bastard," he was telling the men around him.
Game of Thrones - Jon VII
Jon remained standing. "It's my father, isn't it?"
The Old Bear tapped the letter with a finger. "Your father and the king," he rumbled. "I won't lie to you, it's grievous news. I never thought to see another king, not at my age, with Robert half my years and strong as a bull." He took a gulp of wine. "They say the king loved to hunt. The things we love destroy us every time, lad. Remember that. My son loved that young wife of his. Vain woman. If not for her, he would never have thought to sell those poachers."
And then he heard the laughter, sharp and cruel as a whip, and the voice of Ser Alliser Thorne. "Not only a bastard, but a traitor's bastard," he was telling the men around him.
Game of Thrones - Jon VII
Jon remained standing. "It's my father, isn't it?"
The Old Bear tapped the letter with a finger. "Your father and the king," he rumbled. "I won't lie to you, it's grievous news. I never thought to see another king, not at my age, with Robert half my years and strong as a bull." He took a gulp of wine. "They say the king loved to hunt. The things we love destroy us every time, lad. Remember that. My son loved that young wife of his. Vain woman. If not for her, he would never have thought to sell those poachers."
That would imply that Benjen knows the truth and Mormont, possible Aemon know as well.