By standing firm. Particularly Arya

When he opened his eyes again, Catelyn looked just about ready to jump and physically separate him from Sansa as fast as she could but before the southerner lady could get too close, Arya stepped in front of her, blocking her mother's path.

"I was the one that asked Jon to be here for me," His now-grown little sister declared, her expression as fierce as her wolf's. "So, if you have a problem with it, keep it to yourself because I am already disgusted enough at the idea of marrying Theon as it is. And believe me, I am this close to choosing exile over an arranged marriage to that arrogant squid that thinks himself a kraken so, I suggest you don't make that option any more tempting than it already is by kicking Jon out of here again," She warned, her voice chilly as a snowstorm. "After all, he has done quite well for himself in Essos, so I could count on him if it came to it."

Robb exchanged a look with his half-brother while his mother struggled to come up with a response, his brow raised on his uneasy expression but not exactly surprised either. Jon understood. They both knew their younger sister quite well, after all.

Another glance to the side informed him, however, that his father's mood got even worse at Arya's implied threat. He had practically winced, no doubt imagining the grave consequences of such political fallout but the shadow of regret was even more clearly carved into his gaze, like the designs of some of the most sorrowful faces he had seen etched on Weirwood trees.

The idea of his daughter speaking so openly of daring to leave the North to escape the betrothal a Lord of Winterfell had arranged clearly dug up some very painful memories.

Jon could easily imagine why...

Containing the sigh that had been trying to escape his lips, he placed a hand on Arya's shoulder. "You are, of course, more than welcomed in any of the properties I own across the Narrow Sea, sister, but hopefully it won't be necessary for you to choose exile to make that happen," He remark, trying his best to offer a placting, diplomatic tone. "After all, a pack divided against itself cannot stand against their enemies or hunt as well either."

Then he smiled warmly at her, feeling a twinkle in his eye when she placed her gloved hand in response. "Still, I certainly appreciate the support."

"Anytime," Arya said simply, her tone getting more cheerful on the spot, while her mother's face twitched.

Catelyn's scowled had been deepening by the second. But instead of responding to her second daughter directly, she turned back to him.

"Doing well for yourself?" She questioned, her tone suspicious. "Somehow I doubt that. Is that why you are truly here? You need more gold for something so you thought to come here and leech wealth from House Stark?"

That accusation earned her looks of disapproval from his father and from Robb but Jon decided to defend himself before they could speak, now that he noticed the opening.

"First of all, if I were actually trying to leech wealth from a Northern Lord, I would have headed to the Dreadfort instead, since Roose Bolton is the one that likes that activity," He snorted, although his quip made Bran chuckle nearby. "But more to the point, you are hardly in a position think me a beggar. After all, as of my last rough calculations, I am now more than twice as rich as Lord Edmure Tully," He announced with a wide smirk. "And I am counting the entire value of the castle of Riverrun too, along with all of House Tully's lands and holding into that sum."

Now THAT got the complete and undivided attention of everyone in the room, if the sudden gasps and shocked glances were any indication.

Catelyn blanched for a moment at his confident tone but she quickly shook her head in utter disbelief. "Resorting to lies in public now, bastard? I always knew that was in your nature and the fact you clearly envy the wealth and status of your betters only proves my points."

Normally, Jon would have gotten more than a little indignant at such an insult but since he had been preparing for years to back up his words on that day, all he did was smirk.

That, and to wave his hand at the right corner of the Great Hall, where he had gotten Lord Stark's permission to have his followers place exactly 4 dozen ironwood chests; the largest set of trunks that he had brought with him to Winterfell. He had told them that they would get a very pleasant surprise when they were opened and while Arya and Robb had been particularly curious, they hadn't dare to open them without his say so.

After all, they had his name written on them and that was good enough a claim of onwership for them.

"Rickon," Jon called out for his youngest brother as he removed the iron key that was hanging around his neck. "Would you like to do the honors and start opening the surprises I mentioned?"

The third trueborn son of Ned Stark looked at his father expectantly, an excited look on his gaze. The Lord of Winterfell nodded but not before raising an eyebrow at Jon, his expression hard to read. Regardless, with the permission granted and without so much as a hesitant glance at his mother, his smaller sibling took his key and walked towards the chests. Per his instructions and to maximize the extent of the surprise, he asked him to unlock 6 of them before starting to open them.

His family got closer and watched, expectantly as Jon got closer and placed a hand on the top the closest chest, grinning the whole time. But before he could get on with it, they heard another set of steps entering the Great Hall and he soon realized that his look of surprise must have made the others curious enough too turn back.

Jon blinked rapidly then and there when he saw the small girl, who could be no older than 5 namedays of age, hesitate as she looked up at him curiously.

He stood still but his mind was racing faster than his flying Brindled Wyvern was when they had the wind on their side.

"Red hair like Sansa's...not straight in shape like hers but curly, just like Robb's...blue eyes like all of them but dark enough to look much closer to grey, like Arya's own eyes," Jon noted silently, doing the math inside his head as his eyes widened. "Could it be...?"

"Mom, who is he?" The little girl asked of Lady Catelyn, confirming his suspicions.

Before the woman in question could find the words to answer, Sansa took charge and knelt down in front of her. She gave the little one a melancholic smile.

"That," She began, speaking slowly and clearly, "is your older brother that I told you about. He came to visit us and has brought gifts. Isn't that kind of him?"

The redheaded girl's eyes widened. She looked awed. "Is he the wandering hero you told me about?" She asked, sounding excited.

Jon let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, feeling increasingly moved. Out of the corner of his eye, he could tell Catelyn looked just as surprised as he was by the exchange but her eyes were also glimmering with the anger of percieved betrayal instead.

That didn't stop his dear Sansa from turning back to him affection flowing from her gaze, right before inviting him closer with a gesture.

"Jon, allow me to introduce you to your youngest sister, Lyanna Stark," Sansa said with a wide smile.

There was a long moment of silence, particularly when he realized that the symbolism behind her name had hit him harder than he expected, on top of everything else. But soon, the Bastard of Winterfell blinked away his sudden tears of happiness and got to one knee himself as he smiled warmly.

"Hello, Lyanna. It's it is so good to finally meet you, little sister."

She smiled in delight and just like to that, his pack had grown bigger.

A/N: Surprise, surprise. Or is it? I mean, because of the changes in this alternate timeline, Robert Baratheon had no need to ask Ned to be his Hand for 7 more years. So, way more time for Catelyn to get pregnant again than what we got in the show's **canon.**

Also, just to clarify. I am NOT planning to do any...Chyoa-centric content with this Lyanna. She is 5 years old as of right now, after all. I just picked that image to visibly highlight so you could get a better idea of how she looks like, and which specific similarities she has with her siblings, especially with Sansa, Robb, and Arya. So, don't expect any more visual images with her.

Anyway, until the next chapter is ready, any guesses as to what wealthy treasures is Jon keeping in those chests? :D

Hope you enjoyed it and until next time.