When Eddard Stark rode south to King’s Landing, Jon asked about his parentage. Eddard responds: ‘next time we see each other, we will talk about your mother.’ But of course, in Game of Thrones, telling someone you will reveal information next time you see them is identical to committing suicide. The great George above will make sure you’re dead before you have that conversation. Eddard was executed by Joffrey the 1st for treason to the crown and took Lyanna’s secret to the grave with him. Or did he?
There is still one person alive that bore witness to events that day. No I’m not talking about cute little baby Jon Snow. Howland Reed - Eddard’s strange friend, who fought with him on that tragic day.
House Reed is sworn to the North and their mysterious castle, Greywater Watch, is located in the swamps near Moat Cailin. We know little about it except that it is said to move. House Reed and the ‘crannogmen’ who serve it are probably the most major Westerosi house that we know the least about.
Given our scant information, It is easy to speculate that this house would be cut for the show except that some major Reed-events remained. Mainly the characters of Jojen and Meera, who are the children of Eddard’s erstwhile companion, Howland. Not to mention the crannogmen who were besieging Moat Cailin before Theon negotiated a surrender in the excellent episode The Mountain and the Viper. Most recently, and critically, Howland was included in the Tower of Joy flashback/Bran vision.
It seems at the very least we will meet a more seasoned Howland who can recount the truth of Jon Snow, thus proving to Dany that he is of Targaryen blood and one of the three heads of the dragon. It has been speculated that Bran will share this info, but I think the existence of Howland must serve a purpose. Personally, I would be a little disappointed if we get Howland but never see any of Greywater or the soldiers of swamps. I think if you build up so much mystery about something, you have to deliver.
Maybe more telling than any of this are some events from the books that didn’t make the show yet point to a greater importance for the Reeds and Greywater Watch. In the books, before the Red Wedding, Robb Stark dispatches both Maege Mormont and Galbart Glover with documents of high import. These documents contain both battle plans for an attack on Moat Cailin, false orders for the lords of the North in case they fall into the wrong hands and perhaps most importantly, Robb Stark’s will.
We do not know the contents of the will, but it is speculated he names his chosen heir to Winterfell and the Crown of the North. Believing Bran and Rickon dead, we do not know who is named in these documents. Both Maege and Galbart are to go to the neck and find, you guessed it, Greywater Watch. The will could be a powerful political tool as Robb was the last true Lord of Winterfell. It is no coincidence Robb sends them to find Howland Reed, who is probably the most loyal of all the Northern bannermen due to his history with Eddard. While these events weren’t portrayed in the show, it is greater evidence that Reeds and their castle will take on greater significance as the series reaches a climax.
For now, you can place bets on whether the truth of Jon’s parentage will be revealed by Bran, Howland, or not at all. But I say it will be Howland and ‘I know, I know, oh oh oh.’
