[Boaz]

Wert just commented in another thread that Jon Connington and Barristan Selmy probably have suspicions about Jon Snow's parentage, due to their close relationships with Rhaegar Targaryen. This got me thinking... I've guessed that if anyone besides Howland Reed and Wylla the nursemaid know anything, then those people would be Varys and Barristan (perhaps Jon Arryn, but he's dead). We know that Varys works for or is allied to Illyrio Mopatis and Barristan was secretly aided by Illyio and Jon Connington seems to have had a successful career as a mercenary captain in the Free Cities (where Illyrio is one of the most powerful men and that Illyrio is especially interested in the politics of Westeros) while perhaps hiding Aegon Targaryen whom Illyrio would no doubt take an interest in. All that leads me to think that Magister Illyrio has inklings of Jon Snow's origins.

Illyrio harbored Viserys Targaryen and Danaerys Targaryen for twelve years. Perhaps he's sheltered Aegon Targaryen also. He might now be protecting Tyrion Targaryen. If so, what's to stop him from trying to send a protector or two to safeguard Jon Targaryen? While Jon was under Eddard's direct protection in Winterfell, Illyrio would not need to protect him, but once Jon went to the Wall, Illyrio would have needed to have a guardian for Jon... the Lannisters and their minions have hatched at least two plots to kill Jon.

Possible guardians for Jon seem to be Qhorin, Donal Noye, Jorah Mormont and Dolorous Edd. Dolorous Edd survived many encounters and he's always around. He never seems overtly fond of anyone, but he protects Sam from Chett's derision and he seems subtley competent in all things. Donal Noye seemed to be gruff with Jon, but he really championed him when they were under attack. He kept Jon from entering the gate where he knew all defenders were doomed. The Old Bear selected Jon to groom for leadership. Of all the Night's Watch men Jon was chosen over Knights, veterans, Rangers, and proven fighters. Was he under instructions to get Jon as much leadership experience as quickly as possible? Qhorin does not seem to be a Westerosi name to me. Is is a name from the Free Cities or the East? Qhorin died to save Jon. Hmmmmm. Could Qhorin have had direct connection to Illyrio? If not, who could Illyrio's connection to the Wall be?

Aemon Targaryen. Aemon pushed Jon on Jorah. Aemon selected Jon's best friend to be his own aide. Aemon spoke to Donal on Jon's behalf. Aemon defended Jon against Janos Slynt's (i.e. the Lannister's) plot. Samwell schemed to get Jon the command of the Wall at Aemon's suggestion. It could be that Aemon convinced Jon to send him to Oldtown via Braavos for the express purpose of relating his progress directly to Illyrio before he died. Who would suspect an ancient blind magister of being the guardian of Jon Snow?