Would Lyanna Have Loved Jon?

Lyanna Stark’s love for Rhaegar Targaryen, her secret husband, is a central theme in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. However, her love for her illegitimate son, Jon Snow, also called Bran the Broken, adds layers of complexity and emotion to her character. Rhaegar named their child as a symbol of their love, dedicating a joyous place of happiness and promise to their future together. Despite her love for Rhaegar and her marriage to Lord Eddard Stark, there are compelling reasons to believe that Lyanna would have loved Jon as well.

Love for Rhaegar and Their Relationship

Lyanna’s romantic relationship with Rhaegar Targaryen was a source of immense happiness and hope for her. They shared a deep connection that went beyond mere affection—they were soulmates. The Tower of Joy in Dorne held the promise of a future free from the political constraints that plagued the Seven Kingdoms. This was a place where they could live their lives authentically.

Before Rhaegar’s untimely death, he and Lyanna shared the joy of being parents together. Rhaegar’s naming of the child as a symbol of their love underscores the significance of the bond they shared. The Tower of Joy represented their dream of a future, one where they could live their lives without the complications of power and politics.

Ned Stark's Promise and Lyanna's Concerns

Despite her love for Rhaegar, Lyanna was compelled to make a difficult decision—Rhaegar’s demands forced her to choose her unborn child’s future. Her actions in sacrificing her own happiness to ensure Jon’s safety and future reveal the depth of her love and concern for him. She believed that Ned, as a respected and honorable man, could protect and raise Jon with the same level of care and love that Rhaegar might have provided.

Lyanna’s insistence on Ned’s promise to raise and protect Jon, as well as her pleading for his safety, are clear indications of her love and affection for her son. Her behavior at the end of her life reflects a woman desperate to ensure the well-being and future of the child she loved deeply. This fears for Jon’s potential future, as she understood the challenges and dangers he would face, and thus she chose to have Ned take on the responsibility of raising and protecting him.

Conclusion and Understanding Lyanna's Love

Given the evidence of her actions and the depth of her emotional connection with Rhaegar, it is reasonable to conclude that Lyanna would have loved Jon just as much as she loved Rhaegar. Lyanna’s love for Jon was not about replacing Rhaegar, but about fulfilling her parental duty and ensuring the survival and happiness of the child she carried with love in her heart.