Ok so I’m currently rereading ASOIAF for like the third time and I’ve just realised something that I need to share.
So before now a couple of people have picked up on the idea that Maester Aemon might have known about Jon’s true parentage, based on his “a Targaryen alone in the world” comment. There’s a couple of theories on how he might have known, like whether potentially Benjen knew (if Ned was going to share the truth with anyone I think Benjen is the only likely candidate) or if he sensed Jon’s Targaryen heritage, or maybe just put two and two together because he’s basically the wisest guy in all of Westeros.
I didn’t know how I felt about this theory, but today I found a quote that has me absolutely convinced. It’s from Storm, when Aemon is trying to convince Jon to assume temporary command of the Watch after Donal Noye dies:
“You are a son of Winterfell, a nephew of Benjen Stark. It must be you or no one.”
Now the way he phrases that hit me like a freight train. Throughout the story so many people describe Jon as “a son of Eddard Stark” or something along those lines when trying to talk about his honour, his ability to achieve a particular task, his character, etc. Aemon could very easily have used that same description here; you can lead the Watch, you’re Ned Stark’s son, he was a good lord and you can be too. But he very specifically doesn’t. He tells Jon he is a son of Winterfell; this is true because Winterfell is where he was raised, and also because Lyanna was of Winterfell. He tells Jon he is a nephew of Benjen Stark; this is true regardless. But he doesn’t tell Jon he is Ned’s son, because he knows this isn’t true.
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