MANY "A Song of Ice & Fire" fans wonder WHO is Jon Snow's mother, after reading "A Dance with Dragons".
I believe that Jon Snow is not the son of Eddard Stark. Instead, he is the son of Prince Rhaegar Targayen and Eddard's sister Lyanna.
Rhaegar and Lyanna disappeared together to the Tower of Joy early in Robert's Rebellion. There, it's believed, Rhaegar leaves a pregnant Lyanna to defend his family's dynasty.
At the end of Robert's Rebellion, about one year later, Eddard and his companions find three of the Kingsguard at the Tower of Joy: Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, and Ser Arthur Dayne.
The reasons for their presence and the ensuing fight are unknown, but defending the unborn son of the Heir Apparent would be a good reason to have been posted. The only known survivors of the fight were Eddard himself and Howland Reed. Eddard recalls his sister dying "in a bed of blood," where he made her an unknown promise just before she died.
An image below shows what I think happened in the "Promise me Ned" scene.
If it is true, that makes Jon Snow the second closest in line for the Iron Throne before is his possible half-brother Aegon VI Targaryen whom was revealled to still be alive as Varys replaced infant Aegon VI with a commonors child before "The Mountain" killed his sister, then raped and killed his mother.
If you remember back in Book 1 and Season 1, the Direwolf scene their are only 5 pups that they find then Jon finds the Runt. Which the Runt was abandoned from a distant meaning could Jon Snow be a cousin to the Stark children also "Ghost", has red eyes and the ONLY one who has red eyes while the other Direwolves bare yellow eyes.
Before Jon Snow see's his father for the last time, Ned tells him "You may not have my name, but you have my blood". Which made think what does he mean, Jon is Ned's son and why didn't he say "You may not have my name, but you are my son", maybe because Jon is not Ned's son.
However in Book 3, King Robb legitimized Jon Snow as Jon Stark as his Heir if anything happend to Robb since he believed and most of Westeros that Bran and Rickon are dead. Making him a Stark, however earlier before that when he saved Jeor Mormont from that Wight, Jeor threw a lantern at them and Jon wasn't burned. Meaning he has "Blood of the Dragon".
Whomever ask's Ned who is Jon Snow's mother he quickly says an unknown name or changes the subject. Also if you remember when Robert asked how "Wylla" looked like as she managed to make Ned Stark "forget" his honor, he never described her.
Danerys has 3 Dragons, meaning 1 for each Targaryen, since Danerys fled with Drogon, the Black Dragon their are 2 Dragons left and 2 Targaryens, maybe Aegon will get the Green Dragon "Rhaegal" since the Dragon is named after his father. Jon, I know what happened to Jon on the 5th Book but George RR Martion mentioned Jon could still be alive and will reveal his parentage on the 6th Book. Jon might end up with Viserion" The White Dragon as Jon Snow has a White Direwolf meaning he would end up with a White Dragon.
IF he is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Some might say "Either way, Jon will still be a bastard as Rhaegar was already married". That is where you are wrong, if your a fan of the books and pass Book 4, "Aegon the Conquerer" did married both of his sisters and some of Rhaegar's ancestor's married other wives. Could Rhaegar and Lyanna have possibly marry during or after Lyanna's pregnancy.
If this part happens in the future books. Catelyn will bump into Howland Reed and tells her EVERYTHING about "Promise me Ned". Remember Ned told NO ONE about what happened over there, inlcuding not saying anything to his wife.
Howland could tell Catelyn that Jon Snow is NOT Ned's bastard but Lyanna and Rhaegar's son.
Ned only said Jon was his Bastard son so newborn Jon wouldn't have been killed since Robert wanted EVERY Targaryen dead, also imagine how Robert would have felt if he discovered the woman he loved, gave a son to another man.
Maybe Ned lied for once in his life to protect his nephew's life and probably keeping Lyanna's "promise".
Ned did what any honorable man would do, sacrifice his good name to protect his family. If I was Ned I would have did the same in a heartbeat, sacrificing my good name to protect my family.
According to the prophecy recounted by Melisandre, after a long summer, Azor Ahai will be reborn amidst smoke and salt wielding the flaming sword Lightbringer to defend the world from R'hllor's nemesis, the Other. While Melisandre is certain Stannis Baratheon is Azor Ahai, others are not so sure.
Here is MY other theory that Jon Snow IS Azor Ahai reborn as "The Prince that is Promised".
1. Back in Book 1 and Season 1, Jon Snow saved Jeor Mormont's life but Jeor threw a Lantern at the Wight but Jon was close to the Wight and wasn't burned.
2. Jon's wounds smoke while Bowen Marsh cries, providing the prophecised salt, and Ser Patrek's bloody, star laden heraldry is in the air above.
3. When Melisandre looks into her fires for Azor Ahai, she sees only things to do with Jon or snow, which he thinks must just be ash but she sees a possible connection to Jon.
4. Jon Snow has a dream where he fights the Others with a red sword burning in his hand.
5. If having the Blood of the Dragon is a prerequisite, if Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Jon would satisfy that prerequisite.
6. Jon chose his duty to the Night's Watch over his love for Ygritte. He indirectly caused her death by warning Castle Black of the incoming wildling raid. Similar to Azor Ahai sacrificing Nissa Nissa to complete Lightbringer.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS !!!
If you have any other questions comment below, I'll do my best to answer them or other CBM members can even answer for me.
I'll post my Project on Tuesday warning it is LONG.