7 Ned Stark Quotes That Imply Jon Isn't His Son

Prior to last week's episode of Game of Thrones, "Hardhome," I was a tad bored with the series. Nothing amazing had happened this season, and I was still reeling from Ramsey's horrific assault on Sansa. But, this past Sunday, Game of Thrones once again reminded me why it rules television. Lord Commander Jon Snow headed to Hardhome to convince the Wildlings to help the Night's Watch defend the realm, and all hell broke loose. Literally, the White Walkers came out of the depths of hell and destroyed everyone they could find. I spent the majority of episode with my hands over my ears because I could not deal.

This epic battle really got me thinking about Jon's parentage. I've really never bought into all the conspiracies, but something is going on here, and I'm no longer entirely conceived that Jon Snow is Ned Stark's son. The R+J=L theory is looking more and more plausible to me. In short, the theory suggests that Jon Snow is the son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Ned's sister, Lyanna Stark. Rhaegar and Lyanna disappeared together to the Tower of Joy early in Robert Baratheon’s Rebellion.

I'm not sure if we'll ever really know the truth, considering the fact that Ned Stark was beheaded back in Season 1. However, we can take a look back at the things that he said when he was still the King's Hand. Here are seven Ned Stark quotes that probably prove Jon Snow isn't his son.

1. "There's great honor in serving the Night's Watch. The Starks have manned the Wall for thousands of years, and you are a Stark. You may not have my name, but you have my blood."

If the rumors are in fact true, Jon Snow does have Stark blood in him. Though Ned may not be his biological father, he would still be a Stark because his mother was Ned's sister.

2. "The madness of mercy. That she might save her children."

Varys is confused about why Ned thought it was a good idea to tell Cersei he knew that her children were not fathered by Robert Baratheon. I'm pretty confused by this myself. However, it looks like Ned hoped Cersei would use the information to save her children. Instead, Ned got himself beheaded. Still, it seems like Ned has always had a soft-spot for kids, which is why he probably took pity on Jon Snow.

3. "You think my life is such a precious thing to me, that I would trade my honor for a few more years... of what?"

Ned has always been extremely honorable — almost annoyingly so, which is why he was killed. Because of that, I can't wrap my head around him being unfaithful to Catelyn, especially because they loved each other so deeply.

4. "Leave it be, Robert, for the love you say you bear me. I dishonored myself and I dishonored Catelyn, in the sight of gods and men."

Ned never speaks about Jon Snow's mother, even when King Robert asks him about her. It's as if he finds it unbearable to talk about her. This would only make sense if Ned was referring to his sister, and the shame he took upon himself in order to protect her legacy and her child.

5. "You're speaking of murdering a child."

When King Robert finds out Daenerys Targaryen is carrying a child, he plots to have her assassinated. Ned is horrified by the plan, and he tells King Robert that he would dishonor himself if he followed through with it. Once again, Ned adamantly protects innocent children, even if it puts him in hot water with the King.

6. "The winters are hard but the Starks will endure. We always have."

As we saw during the last episode of GoT, the White Walkers are here, and they've brought winter with them. Most of the Starks have been killed and, yet, Jon Snow has survived. Despite numerous encounters with death, he has persevered. If Jon survives this winter, it has to be because he is half Stark and half Targaryen.

7. "The next time we see each other, we'll talk about your mother. I promise."

The last time Jon and Ned see one another is right before Jon joins the Night's Watch. Ned promises he will tell Jon about his mother the next time they see each other. It's odd that Jon knows absolutely nothing about his mother, and, from Ned's expression, it looks like it's quite the story.

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