All Ned knows at the moment is that years have passed since he saw Jon last, and Jon is no longer the boy he left behind. Some things have clearly happened in the years since, as evidenced by the scars on Jon's face and the new look in his eyes that Ned doesn't remember seeing there before. Which he's sure is another thing they will need to discuss.

"I've been here a couple of days." He'd taken a little time to get settled in to this new place, but after that he'd felt bad remaining idle when there was so much around the place to be done. Besides, what better way to learn about his new location than by going out into it and seeing what he discovers? "Aye, we'll take it together."