Jon's words do not surprise Ned per se, but there is a certain shock in hearing him so freely admit the pain he endured in Ned's absence. When he'd known the end was drawing near at the edge of his sword, he'd thought of his children; he'd thought of them all in a fraction of a breath - their births, the first time he'd held them in his arms, first steps, first words, the great events of their lives he'd never be able to share with them. But he'd known, or perhaps had needed to convince himself, that they would adapt in his absence. He worried for them only as much as a father or mother might, but - he trusted them to the Old Gods' protection, had hoped it would be enough.

"You need not remember that suffering, Jon," he replies quietly, "For as long as I can manage, I will not leave you again. I will endeavor to never inflict such a pain upon you - or your brothers and sisters - ever again."