Ned nods knowingly, understanding the underlying affection Jon fails to explicitly mention. Although there would be no other who could capture his heart the way Catelyn had, despite their beginnings as nothing more than strangers, there had been one in the village who had stirred something in him in a way no one had since he'd last seen his wife. Those feelings have seemed to have subsided now, softly and gently reduced to embers with the insistence of friendship and companionship, especially in the name of honor.

He feels a pang of sympathy for Jon, though he makes no movement to try and show it outright.

"We are very fortunate to have so much of our family here," Ned reflects, earnest and somewhat cautious in his words. "I have not yet met another who had so many of their brood arrive as we have." Which, in truth, is both a blessing and a curse. He hates the thought of his children trapped here, slaves to the whims of the Observers, and yet, he cannot help but selfishly cherish the fact that he has been given the opportunity for a second chance with them. And, even more so, his sister, whom he's spent his life missing. "It is good of you to share what fortune we have with others; I am sure it was met with great appreciation. Where were you bringing her cat before I interrupted you?"