A fortnight after Tywin had confronted his father, Tytos decide to send him to King's Landing to serve as a cupbearer at Aegon's court. Roderick suspected that he wanted his eldest son to stop embarrassing him at court. Roderick scoffed, as if he needed Tywin to do that when Tytos seemed to be doing an adequate job on his own. In addition to this Tywin's younger brother Kevan was sent to serve as a page and later squire for Roderick's father Roger.

Without Tywin or Kevan, Roderick was alone with his closest friend Damon. Still, Tywin's absence made life at the Rock rather dull. He now divided his free time between Sparring with Damon and sneaking off to see Gemma. Having explored his new home for a few years now, Roderick was able to find the best spots to meet Genna in private. In their meetings, Roderick would present her with a small red rose to put in her hair. Genna loved the small gesture and refuse to get rid of any of the roses Roderick gave her until they finally died then he would present her with a new one.

Emmon Frey, Genna's betrothed remained completely oblivious to all of this. Then again he was a rather meek and timid fellow. Roderick guessed that even a good-sized rabbit could stare him down. He made attempts every now and then to try to get to know Genna, taking her on strolls through the gardens and picking her flowers. Genna accepted his gestures courteously, but all his attempts proved futile as the more time she had to spend with him, the more she disliked him something she confided to Roderick often.

"I don't want to marry him," Genna told him one day during one of their meetings, "He's so thin and weak and he looks like a rat."

"I don't want you to be unhappy," Roderick replied, "the thought of you being unhappy infuriates me."

Genna smiled, "would you take me away before we marry?" She asked hopefully.

Roderick nodded, "of course if it comes to that, anything for you. I promise we'll think of something." The two shared a kiss before Genna left before her absence was noted.

Two years after Tytos announced his daughter's betrothal, Roderick was made Jason Lannister's squire. As his squire, Roderick performed all the duties expected of his position, Tending the horses, maintaining the weapons and armour and assisting his master during tourneys. Jason even took Roderick to a brothel so he could learn how to make love rather than "humping like alley dogs" as Jason put it.

But most of all Roderick continued to hone his skill in arms and had now taken an interest in the mace which became a second weapon to him. This coupled with Kevan's own squiring with the Red Lion further strengthened ties between the Westerlands most powerful houses. Though rumours spread quickly and many suspected that these ties would get stronger still.

A year later, in 255 AC, Lady Jeyne gave birth to a fourth son which she named Gerion. The birth was to be cause for celebration at the Rock, Gerion was Jeyne's fifth child but he was also her last. The birth caused complications which rendered the Lady of the Rock bedridden. The maesters did all they could but despite their best efforts, Lady Jeyne Marbrand died a month later.

What was meant to be a joyous occasion turned to one of mourning as many attended the funeral of Lady Jeyne. None mourned more deeply than her husband Tytos Lannister used to be called the Laughing Lion but after Joanna's death, he laughed no more. Never a strong man he was more broken than ever and became detached from the rest of the world. To compensate He took comfort in the wetnurse of the newborn Gerion

It was around this time that Roderick decided to take advantage of Tytos' vulnerable emotional state. Roderick had been studying the many potions kept in the Maester's stores trying to find the correct ones that would suit his needs. After consulting the Maester at Castamere, Roderick was able to collect the items he needed

Two years after Jeyne's death, Roderick slipped a concoction into Emmon Frey's dinner while doing the same to his own plate in a smaller amount. The poison caused Emmon to come down with a terrible fever and despite the efforts of the Maesters, he succumbed within a week. This was only half of the plan however, to avoid suspicion, Roderick had ingested a potion that gave him a similar fever though with less fatal results.

Roderick soon recovered and nobody batted an eye, after all despite being younger than Emmon, Roderick was by all counts a very healthy lad while the Frey boy had been a gangly thing. With the Frey out of the way, and with Jeyne no longer there to stop them, Roderick was now free to 'court' Gemma, a fact that delighted the girl immensely. So when he wasn't Squiring for Ser Jason or training, the rest of his time he spent with Genna Lannister. Taking strolls and dining together when possible. Genna would often watch Roderick spar in the training grounds.

Roderick knew he needed the right opportunity to secure his own claim and in 260 he got his chance. A great tourney was being held in honour of Prince Aerys Targaryen's sixteenth nameday and Roderick decided to participate.

In the jousts, Roderick unhorsed every opponent he faced including several kingsguard and every Frey that challenged him. Roderick eventually rose to become the champion, he suffered a few nasty bruises and a broken rib for his efforts, but Roderick declared that it was worth it.

Now it was time to crown the queen of love and beauty. The crown was made of red and yellow roses, Roderick carefully took the crown rode over to where the Lannisters were seated and placed the crown onto Genna's head thus naming her the queen. The crowd cheered the champion and the girl gave the brightest smile of her life

Finally, not long after Genna had her first flowering, Roderick wrote to his father telling him to take advantage of this opportunity. Without his wife, Lord Tytos was now more vulnerable than ever and if Lord Frey was anything to go by that it helped to take the initiative while they had it within reach. The Red Lion wrote to Lord Tytos offering his own son for Genna's hand. Tytos called Roderick and Genna to his solar to discuss it

"You wanted to see us father," Genna asked.

"Yes darling," Tytos said warmly, "The servants tell me that you have been spending a great deal of time with our ward recently."

Roderick nodded slightly, "yes, my Lord, she makes for a good company in the conversation since Tywin and Kevin are away."

Tytos nodded and turned to his daughter, "you seem to enjoy the company of our ward Darling."

Genna nodded, "I do father, he's always nice to me giving me a rose every now and then."

Tytos nodded and turned to Roderick, "I will be brief my boy, Your father and I have been talking and given Emmon Frey's death and you crowning my daughter the Queen of Love and Beauty during the Tourney we have decided to arrange a betrothal between you two." At the mention of this, the faces of both children lit up and looked at each other with absolute delight.

Tytos continued, "however I will not set anything in stone unless you both want to." He turned to Roderick again. "Do you wish to marry my daughter Roderick?"

Roderick nodded eagerly, "Yes my Lord, I love your daughter, more than anything in the world." He looked at Genna, "that is if she would have me."

Tytos then turned to his daughter, "Genna sweetheart, is this what you want?"

Genna smiled and nodded, "more than anything father."

Tytos sighed and nodded, "very well, I will write to Lord Reyne to inform him of the betrothal."

Lord Tytos wrote to all the Lords of the Westerlands inviting them for a grand feast where he would announce the betrothal. When Tytos announced this near the end of the feast, a polite applause filled the hall. Unlike the previous betrothal, no one was surprised when this one was announced and few disapproved. Now that the two were of age they could marry soon.

But the Reynes had as many enemies as they had friends and not every lord was happy about the betrothal. At the forefront of these lords was Alyn Marbrand. Due to the animosity between his Daughter and the Red Lion's sister he considered the Reynes to be his family's bitter enemies. Lord Alyn knew this had been coming, his own people at Court told him that Genna and Roderick had become close over the years. Though Jeyne had talked with her daughter and she ended up betrothed to the Frey boy it did little to dissuade her.

Despite this, he didn't outright object to the match either. Though he greatly disliked the Reynes, he remembered how unhappy his daughter had been about Genna's betrothal to Emmon Frey and if there was one thing they could agree on, even a Reyne was better than a Frey. He then saw the bright smile on his granddaughter's face and it weakened his urge to stop it. She would certainly be happier than she would be with Emmon Frey.

The wedding Genna Lannister and Roderick Reyne was considered the grandest in the history of the Westerlands. Neither Lord Tytos or Lord Roger spared any expense for it. Roger was particularly thrilled by his son's success in 'replacing' the Frey

Genna a once pretty girl had now at 15 had grown into a ravishing young woman. Buxom and graceful with emerald eyes shaped like almonds and her golden hair flowing down to her narrow waist. She wore an elegant crimson gown of Myrish lace adorned in gold. Her Father proudly led her down the aisle of the Sept at Lannisport.

Her husband looked every inch a lion a year older than his bride, Roderick now stood nearly 6 feet in height and the grim years of hard training had given him a near-perfect athletic build. He wore a silver leather doublet, trousers with a red sash and knee-high boots his red hair was swept back in a widow's peak.

The two locked arms as they approached the Septon. "You may now cloak the Bride and bring her under your protection." Genna unclasped her Lannister cloak and Roderick draped his reyne cloak over her shoulders. Turning back to the septin tyhey interlocked their hands as the Septin bound them with a ribbon. "Let is be known that Roderick of the House Reyne and Genna of the House Lannister are now one heart, one flesh and one soul."

Turning towards each other they clasped their other hands together and said the words. "Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother Maiden, Crone, Stranger, I am yours and you are mine from this day until my last day."

Roderick smiled and cupped Genna's cheek "with this kiss, I pledge my love," he declared. He leaned down the pressed her lips to hers which caused the entire Sept to erupt in cheers.

The wedding feast was no less grand and consisted of at least 20 courses and Lord Tytos encouraged everyone to eat their fill. The bride and groom were all smiles the entire time. Roderick was passing grapes to Genna with his mouth while he ate blueberries out of her hand. Afterwards, Roderick then guided her to the floor for a dance and soon others followed. Tywin himself was dancing with his cousin Joanna.

After their dance Tywin pulled Roderick aside for a talk, his face stone serious. "Listen Reyne, Genna is my only sister and I swear if you harm her or dishonour her in any way you will be getting well aquainted with every Lion we have in our secret pens."

Roderick nodded calmly, "I swear that I won't, such a thing would lower my families standing. My aunt squandered her chance to join out houses, I do not indend to follow her example."

Not long after his father approached him, Clasping his shoulder the Red Lion spoke bruffly. "You have done well my son," he said. "But do not think for a moment that you can shy away from your duty. Remember your aunt had a wedding, but with no child to show for that, it meant nothing in the end. Your wife needs a child, a Reyne child. Understand?"

Roderick smiled and padded his father's hand. Perfectly Father but you need not fear. I once read in the Seven Pointed Star that taking a brother's wife in a sin and would result in being childless. Perhaps that is why Aunt Ellyn was barren. Since I haven't done such a thing I ought to be fine in the eyes of the Seven.

Roger smirked, "read that rubbish if you must but do not forget our roots. We play the part of faithful servants of the Seven but our true gods will always be the Old Gods."

Roderick nodded, his eyes taking a determined look, "Always father."

Soon it was time for the bedding, men surrounded the bride while ladies mobbed the groom. Both of them were stripped to their undergarments and carried away to the bedding chamber. Their chambers was lit by the nearby hearth and the candles surrounding the room

Genna was blushing furiously and even Roderick was a bit nervous. Roderick went around the room and blew out the candles. Once done, the couple embraced each other as they quickly discarded each other of their clothes. after years of waiting, Roderick and Gena shared their first night of intense love. Their bodies moved in perfect sync as they soon lost themselves to their carnal desires.