--- ---  # This _Game of Thrones_ Theory May Hold the Key to Jon Snow's Past ## Video: A History of Dragons [Watch (HLS stream): A History of Dragons](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/aX3EGE0r.m3u8) (2:51)  _Published 2016-04-22. Professor Christopher Fee discusses the history of dragons in our culture and their relevance today._  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer May 11, 2016 10:08 PM UTC  Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones.Helen Sloan—HBO  by [Megan McCluskey](https://time.com/author/megan-mccluskey/)  ## Megan McCluskey Staff Writer May 11, 2016 10:08 PM UTC **Warning:** This post contains spoilers from both the [_Game of Thrones_](http://time.com/4314401/hodor-real-name-game-of-thrones/)TV show and [George R.R. Martin’s](http://time.com/4326121/george-r-r-martin-the-winds-of-winter-new-chapter/) _A Song of Ice and Fire_ series. Although the official return of [Jon Snow](http://time.com/4319756/kit-harington-jon-snow-future-game-of-thrones/) may have been the highlight of the [third episode](http://time.com/4322410/game-of-thrones-review-jon-snow-back/) of _Game of_ Thrones’ sixth season, an appearance by another deceased character also has fans talking. In one of the show’s rare [flashbacks,](http://time.com/4251540/game-of-thrones-season-6-trailer-analysis-breakdown/) [Bran Stark](http://time.com/4271544/game-of-thrones-unanswered-questions-season-6/) and the Three-Eyed Raven journeyed into the past to witness the legendary sword fight that took place between Ned Stark and Ser Arthur Dayne at the Tower of Joy — the site of Lyanna Stark’s death. While viewers still don’t know what transpired inside the tower following the battle, some think the scene offers a big clue about a major prophecy in the _G.o.T._ universe. The prophecy in question centers around the Prince That Was Promised, a messiah of sorts who is the reincarnation of legendary hero Azor Ahai. In fact, [Melisandre](http://time.com/4306654/melisandre-old-age-game-of-thrones/) mentions the Prince at the beginning of the episode while talking to Jon. “The Lord \[of Light\] let you come back for a reason,” she tells him. “Stannis was not the Prince Who Was Promised but someone has to be.” So is the Red Woman right? According to [Reddit user shagnastyjr](https://www.reddit.com/user/shagnastyjr), if you prescribe to the fan-favorite [R + L = J theory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHqzFwodZqQ&feature=youtu.be) — i.e., that [Jon](http://time.com/4308181/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-blood-spatter-theory/) is not actually Ned Stark’s bastard, but rather the child of Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen — then the Tower of Joy scene may hold further evidence that Jon is the Prince. “In light of Sunday’s episode, and Melisandre’s mention of the Prince That Was Promised, I took a moment to review the Prince prophecy itself,” the Redditor wrote. “One of the key pieces of the prophecy itself is that the Prince is ‘born under a bleeding star.’ There’s a lot of speculation as to what the star is, and the episode got me thinking — could it be Dawn \[Dayne’s sword\]? We see a young Eddard use the sword to kill Arthur Dayne, but it’s important to note that he doesn’t immediately drop the sword. In fact, he’s seen holding it as he climbs the steps up to the Tower of Joy.” **Read More:** [This _Game of Thrones_ Fan Theory About Bran Will Blow Your Mind](http://time.com/4323269/game-of-thrones-bran-stark-time-travel-theory/) And if that doesn’t convince you, it’s worth considering that not only is the seat of House Dayne a castle called Starfall, their sigil includes a falling star. 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