Jon Snow died because of betrayal. He was the first man to slay a White Walker in single combat since the first Long that was done in a desire to save lives, in the service of others, and not for his personal glory. His brother, Robb Stark, had even decided to legitimise him and name him his heir, but he died before word got to Jon. An unknowing Jon Snow was, meanwhile, elected as the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and, technically, also the King of the North. What nobody knew was that he was also a child of a Great Prophecy. The magic coursing through the Wall and flowing through the lands of the North was stirred by the combination of vows given willingly and life forcibly taken. An angry ancient voice could be heard rumbling through the gigantic ice structure.