Hello!

This is Part 2 of 'The Family' story and the final chapter. I know there is space to expand the story but I don't want it encroaching on the sequel to 'Dance of the Falcon' too much in terms of feel and tone.

The Family Part 2

Year 2000 AC

Near Winterfell Manor, The North, The United Kingdom of Westeros

Kenna leaned her head slightly on the window of the car, watching the road lamps flash by her every few seconds. She was exhausted and the monotonous car journey was lulling her into sleep.

"We are a few minutes out from Eddard Stark's home and he isn't picking up the house phone," Tywin said from the other side of the car.

Kenna turned away from the window but didn't respond. She didn't want to think about what Tywin's words implied.

"You look tired."

"I can't sleep when my children are in danger."

"Why did you leave them with Eddard Stark then?"

Kenna glanced at the driver; would he be able to stop me in time if I strangled his boss to death?

"Eddard Stark is the most honourable man I know," Kenna said, "I trust him to keep my children safe."

"Exactly, he was the obvious choice for you to go to, therefore making him the first place anyone wanting to kidnap my grandsons would go to."

"You think the Roses will head straight to him?"

"I wouldn't be speeding down the motorway with fifty of my best men if I wasn't sure."

"I hope we aren't too late," Kenna murmured, returning her gaze to the window.

The dozen black four by fours parked on the side of the road and all of Tywin's men emerged and started to silently advance on the lone house in a coordinated manner with their guns out. The main door was wide open but there was no sign of life inside.

Kenna got out of the car and started to follow the men but a firm grip on her wrist stopped her.

"Let my men handle it," Tywin said.

"Let go of me!" Kenna demanded, struggling against his grip.

A series of gunshots sounded in the night's air and both looked to the house.

Kenna gave Tywin a desperate look, "My children are in there."

He released her wrist after a second then reached inside his coat to produce two handguns, one he gave to Kenna and the other one he cocked. They moved towards the house.

Kenna peeked past the front door and saw one of Tywin's men dying in the hallway. She walked slowly into the narrow space with the gunpoint leading her way. Gunshots continued to echo around the house but there were too many to pinpoint where exactly the action was happening.

They stepped over the shot man and entered into the kitchen. There were a few more bodies spread around the room but some were not Tywin's men.

"The Roses are here," Tywin said behind her.

"Kenna?" a weak voice said.

She spun around to see Eddard Stark slumped on the floor behind the door, one hand pressurising a bleeding wound on his stomach and the other firmly holding a gun at Tywin who in turn had his pointed at the police chief.

Kenna brushed past Tywin and knelt beside Eddard to inspect the wound, "Where are my children?"

"Safe. What you doing with him?" Eddard asked, keeping his gun point at the mafia leader's midriff.

"I need his help to protect Yohn and Jorge."

"You don't need him. We can keep them safe."

"Our current situation seems contrary to that claim," Tywin chimed, lowering his gun as his men entered into the room.

Kenna slowly placed a hand on Eddard's gun and took it from his grasp before one of Tywin's men took Eddard to be a serious threat.

One man walked up to Tywin, "Sir, we have cleared the house. No Roses remain alive but there is no sign of the Stark family or your grandkids anywhere."

"Keep searching," Tywin ordered before walking up to Kenna and Eddard.

"Where are my grandchildren Mr. Stark?"

Eddard remained silent.

"Ned, please," Kenna pleaded.

"Why? So, they can grow up in the family business? Come on Kenna, your life's work was to bring the Lions down don't let this man anywhere near your children!"

"He is the only one that can protect them," Kenna said reluctantly.

"It's because of him they are in danger."

"No," Tywin rumbled, "It is because of who they are that they are in danger and always will be."

"They are my children Ned," Kenna said locking eyes with her boss, "not yours."

Eddard gritted his teeth together and Kenna wasn't entirely sure if it was the pain of the gunshot wound or the decision, he had to make that was causing the grimace.

"You don't have time Mr. Stark to be indecisive, without medical attention you'll soon bleed out and my men will find wherever you stashed your family and my grandchildren sooner or later. I'd suggest you make it sooner."

Kenna placed a palm on Eddard's cheek, "I've made my decision. Yohn and Jorge need protection from those that would use them against the Lannisters so please just tell me where they are."

"You truly think he'll protect you and your children?"

Kenna glanced behind her to see Tywin's eyes on her, "He will. Nothing is more important to him than family."

Eddard let out a reluctant sigh knowing when Kenna had made her mind up there was no changing it, "They are underneath the barn out back."

At Eddard's words Tywin snapped his fingers at his men who dutifully exited the house and made their way towards the barn in the backyard but he kept his attention on the two former colleagues.

Kenna placed her forehead on Eddard's, "It isn't the life I want for them but they would be safe."

"And you?" Eddard breathed back, "You think they would welcome you back with open arms? You betrayed them, put the head of their family in jail and wrecked a large portion of their business when you broke your cover."

"I'm …. family."

Tywin loomed behind Kenna's back, "Just as her children would be under my protection rest assured so would she."

Before Kenna or Eddard could reply one of Tywin's men came back into the kitchen, "We have the children and the Stark family."

Tywin saw the tension on the Eddard's face at the mention of his family, "Bring the Starks here and take my grandchildren to the cars then call an ambulance. They are not to be harmed."

She straightened up, "Goodbye Ned."

"Kenna," Eddard said trying to push himself up but slumping back to the ground, "I'll still do my job. If I find you, I'll bring you in."

"I know," Kenna smiled, "and I'd expect nothing less of you."

She turned and left the room.

Eddard looked up at Tywin, noting the gun by his side, "Is this the point where you kill me and my family?"

Tywin let out a bemused huff, "Normally I'd say you would be right but I don't think my daughter-in-law would take too kindly to that even if it makes business sense. You are after all a thorn in my side Chief Inspector Eddard Stark."

"Why do you care what she wants?"

Tywin stepped closer to Eddard, "The most important thing for a child to grow up with is the love of their mother. My children lacked that as they grew up and they all developed their faults because of it. I don't want the same for my grandchildren. They are the future of my family."

Tywin put his gun in his pocket and made his way to the door before throwing over his shoulder, "Consider this your lucky day for the next time we meet it won't be as pleasant or end as well for you."

A few weeks later …

Non disclosed location in the Westerlands

Tywin leaned on the balcony that over looked the large garden. His men were spread out around the perimeter while Kenna was sitting down on a picnic blanket with Tyrion beside her, enjoying the sun's warm rays. Their focus was on the two five-year-olds chasing each other around the lush greenery of the garden.

His youngest son had welcomed Kenna back joyfully stating he had missed her company while his daughter had stormed off in a mood declaring Kenna a traitor and although Tywin couldn't disagree with her words, he knew that for the sake of her children Kenna could be coaxed back into the fold and her loyalty guaranteed with her children's safety.

His musings were interrupted by the buzzing of his cell phone.

"Speak."

"I'd rather you speak," came a sassy voice.

"Olenna, I suppose you are wanting the bodies of your men back?"

"No, no, they were quite disposable. I wanted to see how your reunited family was doing? After all family is everything."

"Everything is as it should be."

"Good, I can just imagine you with your grandsons teaching them how to strip a glock in under thirty seconds."

Tywin could hear the smirk in her voice, "It was a shame Eddard Stark survived the attack."

"Well, perfection is hard to achieve but I think I got pretty close."

"Why are you calling Olenna?"

"To remind you that you owe me a favour for my role in making your happy family reunion happen and if your favour falls short, I'll take great delight in informing Miss Arryn that the mastermind behind her children's kidnapping was you."

"No need to resort to threats Olenna. A Lannister always pays their debts."

"Splendid," Olenna said in a cheery voice that belayed the conversation they were having, "I will let you know what I want to spend the favour on in due course. Pleasure doing business with you Tywin."

He returned the phone to his pocket and took in the sight of Yohn and Jorge piling on top of Tyrion while Kenna watched the commotion unfold with a warm smile upon her lips.

He knew the price Olenna would demand would be steep but that it would be worth it. Nothing was more precious than family.

Author Notes:

This is the last chapter in 'The Family' so I hope you enjoyed this short story.

I think the twist of Tywin setting up the kidnapping with Olenna is very Tywin as his aim all along was to get Kenna and her children back under his control. He knew if Kenna's children were threatened, she would visit him and ask for his help and that she would go to Eddard Stark for help too. So, he discredited Eddard's ability to protect her children while enhancing his own with the Roses's involvement. Tywin knew Kenna would come willingly if she thought he could give her children the best protection.

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