He's wondered about that himself, in the time since he found out the truth. About Ned's friendship with Ned. It had seemed less sinister when he thought that Ned and Robert were just attempting to rescue the one's sister and the other's betrothed. But knowing the truth of it makes it so much different. Had Robert known the truth when he sent the news that brought the Starks to the south? Probably not, or he might have suspected something later on. But he still doesn't know how to reconcile the Ned he knew with someone who counted a man like Robert Baratheon as a friend.

"The Mormonts are sworn bannermen of the Starks. Ned's the one who exiled him. I wouldn't put too much stock in what he has to say." At least he'd agreed to help defend Winterfell and all of Westeros, but probably only because Ned wasn't around anymore.

"Ned Stark was the most honorable man I knew. He didn't do things just because he could."