Game of Thrones season 6 could finally tackle the question of Jon Snow's parentage

You know nothing, Jon Snow. And nor do we. About your parentage, at any rate.

We'll start with a courteous warning: Game of Thrones fans looking to avoid any potential story-spoiling news best not press on with this article. It's also not a recommended read for those Song of Ice and Fire readers amongst you who haven't spent an evening mulling over the obscure hints and winks of George R R Martin.

But then, if you read that headline, clicked the link and turned up hoping to get angry, there's nothing we can do to stop you is there?

With a new found abundance of time on their hands, the eager community of GOT fan site Watchers On the Wall has obtained a detailed casting description for a character set to be introduced in season six, and it's set the direwolf amongst the pigeons.

An HBO source has apparently supplied the following description of a character known only as 'Legendary Fighter':

A man in his thirties or forties who is a great swordsman and a paragon of knighthood. He carries a hugely famous sword on his back. The show is seeking a very impressive swordsman for the role - the best in Europe, for a week of filming fight scenes for a season 6 role. His ethnicity/race isn’t specified, unlike many other roles.

These details won't amount to anything spoiler-worthy, unless you dig into the wider story of Westeros and the build up to the battle for the Iron Throne. 

One character from Martin's books befitting the title of Legendary Fighter, famed to be a great swordsman who hefted a famous blade was Arthur Dayne.

Who?

We're glad you asked. Dayne was a member of King Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard, considered a gallant, chivalrous warrior, whose use of the formidable sword Dawn earned him the name Sword of the Morning. Through various references littered throughout Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, we know that Dayne was firm friends with Aerys' son Rhaegar Targaryen - and was apparent when Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna Stark, sister of Ned (remember Sean Bean? We miss Sean Bean). 

Why does this concern Jon Snow's parentage?

Because, in short, Jon Snow isn't the son of Ned Stark. One of the most popular theories as to his real parentage involves what happens after Rhaegar ran off with Lyanna. During the rebellion of Robert Baratheon against the mad king Aerys, Dayne is killed by Ned Stark and his troops defending the tower in which Lyanna Stark is being kept. Ned finds his sister dying, and promises to keep her final wish.

While we don't know what that wish is for certain, it's widely theorised by Redditors the world over (and us) that Lyanna's promise involved protecting the son she had with Rhaegar - Jon Snow. 

This casting news would suggest that a flash-back could take place in one episode of series six of Game of Thrones, introducing Dayne at the battle to defend Lyanna - which would also imply that Sean Bean could return for a brief reprise. 

It's a lot of ifs and buts, but it's the sort of speculating that leaves a warm squishy feeling in the stomach of many fans. Let us know your thoughts below.

[Via: Watchers on the Wall]

(Images: Rex)