Warning: This story contains spoilers for Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode 5, "Eastwatch."
Jon Snow and Ser Jorah Mormont finally met on Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones, when the latter returned to Daenerys Targaryen's service after being cured from greyscale. Together, the newfound comrades (along with Gendry, Davos, Wildlings, and a few members of the Brotherhood) head up North beyond the Wall to fight some White Walkers. As we know from the trailer, Episode 6 promises an epic face-off between the gang and the Army of the Dead—but that battle could get seriously awkward when Jorah realizes Jon Snow now owns his sword, Longclaw.
Yes, really. Let's break down how that happened, and what that could mean for next week's episode.
About the sword:
Longclaw, a Valyrian steel sword, is an heirloom of House Mormont that's been passed down through generations for 500 years. It once belonged to Jeor Mormont, but he handed it down to his son, Jorah, once he retired from his lordship to become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
Why doesn't Jorah have it?
Jorah infamously dishonored his family by illegally selling poachers as slaves (which happens before the show). When he fled the North to escape being executed by Ned Stark, he left the sword behind out of shame. Jeor's sister then takes the sword up to the Wall to return it to her brother's possession.
How did Jon got the sword, again?
Jeor Mormont gave the sword to Jon Snow as a gift for saving his life when they were attacked by wights in Season 1. The Lord Commander even had the original pommel (which was carved into a bear, for House Mormont) replaced with a new one resembling a wolf for House Stark.
What makes this even more awkward is the meaning behind the gesture: Jeor gave Jon the weapon as a symbol of their father-son bond, after being disgraced by his actual son. He even mentions the weapon was intended for Jorah, but he was disowned. Ouch.
So Jon knows his sword was supposed to be Jorah's, but he hasn't said anything since they met. Jorah is probably unaware of Snow's bond with his father, but if he notices Longclaw in the episodes to come, he might find out if Jon explains how he got it.
[Editor's note: There are, however, some theories that Jeor was lying about Longclaw, which explains why he gave such a valuable family possession away so easily.]
Does Jon still have the sword?
Apparently. Though Jon and Davos were forced to give up their weapons when they arrived in Dragonstone, it seems they retrieved them before departing for the Wall. In the trailer for next week's episode, we see Jon holding a sword, which we could assume is his trusted Longclaw. The weapon will be useful in this fight, since he's used it to kill a White Walker before, thanks to the Valyrian steel.
How will Jorah know?
It might be hard to recognize the weapon with the new pommel, but who knows, maybe Mormont will remember such an esteemed family heirloom. Jorah is a fierce warrior and a knight—maybe his extensive knowledge in swords will come to his advantage too. (If all else fails, he has master blacksmith Gendry in his company now if he needs any help brushing up on weaponry.)
Plus, in a shot from next week's trailer, there is a moment then the White Walker-Avenger squad is all huddled in a circle—and Jon and Jorah are standing RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER. Will he notice then?
Fans on Twitter are already anticipating an awkward confrontation.
Since Jeor gave the sword to Jon in Season 1, fans have speculated if and how the weapon would ever return to Jorah's possession. There were theories that Lyanna Mormont could ask for Jon to return it, or that Jorah, who knows his father was killed by his own men, might assume Jon was involved (which could only end badly). Others were starkly against Jorah earning Longclaw back, since he disgraced his family. There's also a possibility that Jorah might be okay with Jon being the sword's new owner. In a special feature for Season 4, Iain Glen (who plays Jorah) narrates a history of Valyrian steel in character. As Jorah, he recalls Longclaw and says, "I left it behind for my father, to hold it for a worthier heir." That worthier heir turned out to be Jon Snow.
We'll have to wait until next week's episode to see if the two address the awkwardness, if at all. Until then, watch the preview below.
