Chapter Summaries

Jaime Lannister woke from a nightmare about the Kingsguard and Rhaegar condemning him for killing Aerys, then told Tyrion why he had killed the Mad King. He revealed Aerys’s plan to destroy King’s Landing with wildfire and explained how Tywin’s forces gained entry to the city, leaving the truth of the rebellion’s betrayal between the brothers.

• Jaime dreamed that Cersei abandoned him and his dead Kingsguard brothers and Prince Rhaegar confronted him over his vows and their deaths.
• After waking, Jaime drank with Tyrion and admitted he regretted Robert’s mockery and the blame placed on him for killing Aerys.
• Jaime explained that Aerys ordered wildfire hidden throughout King’s Landing after the Battle of the Bells and burned Hand Qarlton Chelsted for opposing the plan.
• Jaime revealed that Aerys kept Elia and her children hostage, while planning to burn the city and believing the fire would transform him into a true dragon.
• Jaime told Tyrion that Tywin chose Robert after Rhaegar died, while Pycelle misled Aerys into opening King’s Landing’s gates to the Lannister army.

Gryn met Melisandre to bargain for Dragonstone, offering two men with king’s blood and Wildfire in exchange for her help. After Melisandre kissed him and agreed, she left for the North; meanwhile, Jaime recounted why he killed King Aerys to Tyrion, who later encountered Gryn.

• Devan Seaworth rowed Melisandre ashore to meet Gryn at his camp.
• Gryn offered Melisandre two men with king’s blood and Wildfire in return for Dragonstone, while explaining he privately supported Stannis’s plans.
• Melisandre kissed Gryn, agreed to his proposal, and said she would wait for him in the North.
• Jaime told Tyrion that he had killed Rossart and King Aerys to prevent the city from being destroyed by Wildfire, then lamented that Eddard had judged him without hearing his reasons.
• Jaime drank himself to sleep, and Tyrion ran into Gryn outside the inn.

Qyburn concluded that a scented powder had caused Gryn’s sudden desire, while Tyrion planned to speak with his father. Maester Colemon later pleaded for assurances about Duke Arryn, and Gryn promised only that the duke would be safe until he was handed over to the king; five days later, Gryn’s party camped north of King’s Landing.

• Qyburn told Gryn that an aphrodisiac powder, rather than magic, likely caused his reaction and advised him to stay away from its source.
• Tyrion warned Gryn that he had understood the secret deal, then said he intended to have a proper talk with his father.
• Gryn asked Tyrion how he would handle Cersei’s order to arrest him when they returned to King’s Landing.
• Maester Colemon asked Gryn whether King Robert would treat Duke Arryn kindly, and Gryn promised the duke’s safety only until he was handed over to the Red Keep.
• Five days later, Gryn’s party camped beside a river north of King’s Landing.

Gryn welcomed Ser Damion and reassured him that Ser Addam Marbrand would not threaten his position at the Iron Gate. Gryn then persuaded Jaime to return openly to King's Landing, where King Joffrey rode out to meet the arriving party.

• Gryn welcomed Ser Damion, discussed the vacant gate captaincies, and assured him that Ser Addam would not affect his post at the Iron Gate.
• Gryn confronted Jaime about his plan to sneak away and argued that appearing publicly in fine clothes would counter rumors about his capture.
• Tyrion supported Gryn's advice, and Jaime agreed to face King's Landing rather than invite further mockery by sneaking into the Red Keep.
• At first light, Gryn, Jaime, and Tyrion rode toward King's Landing with their party.
• Osmund Kettleblack identified Gryn's banner to King Joffrey, who rode out with the Kingsguard and Red Cloaks to meet them.

King Joffrey arrived with Lord Gryn and humiliated Jaime and Tyrion before appointing Gryn Warden of the East. He then confronted Robert Arryn and ordered him paraded as a captive, but Sandor stopped Osmund from putting a rope around the child’s neck, and Gryn offered Joffrey a horse.

• Lord Gryn halted the Crabb Blue Cloaks and welcomed King Joffrey, who praised him for capturing the Vale’s traitors.
• Joffrey mocked Jaime and Tyrion, then ordered Gryn to arrest Tyrion; Jaime defended their escape from Riverrun and objected when Joffrey stripped him of the Warden of the East title.
• Joffrey appointed Gryn Warden of the East, and Gryn accepted the honor.
• Joffrey ordered Maester Colemon to bring Robert Arryn out of the carriage, but Robert refused to kneel and cried that he was hungry.
• Joffrey told Sandor to tear out Robert’s tongue, then ordered Osmund to tie a rope around Robert’s neck so he could be led into King’s Landing.
• Sandor stopped Osmund, warned that the rope could snap Robert’s neck, and suggested tying up Colemon to carry him; Gryn offered to prepare a horse for Joffrey.

King Joffrey led the captured Little Robert through King's Landing, but Jaime Lannister drew the crowd’s attention and fueled Joffrey’s resentment. The procession reached the Red Keep, where Kevan Lannister greeted Tyrion, Jaime, and Lord Gryn.

• At Lord Gryn’s suggestion, Joffrey put Little Robert on a horse, had Ser Osmund tie him up, and led him toward King's Landing as his prisoner.
• Tyrion and Jaime discussed Gryn’s warning that Joffrey was still king, and Tyrion thanked Jaime for protecting him from being bound.
• King Joffrey’s procession drew crowds, but the women cheered Jaime more loudly, and Sandor explained that Jaime was popular because he was a handsome white knight.
• Angry that Jaime had stolen the crowd’s attention, Joffrey ordered the front of the procession to speed up, nearly unseating Little Robert and leaving Maester Colemon behind.
• Near Hook Alley, Tyrion noticed Joffrey was missing, and Gryn explained that he had ridden ahead through Flea Bottom Street.
• At the Red Keep, Kevan Lannister embraced Tyrion and greeted Jaime before exchanging a cordial greeting with Gryn.

Gryn declined Ser Kevan’s invitation to meet Tywin before his audience with Cersei, while Tyrion spoke with Kevan about his place in the family and his wish to see his father. Gryn and Jaime concluded that Cersei’s position in the Red Keep was precarious, and Cersei arrived with Myrcella for their audience.

• Tyrion introduced Gryn to Ser Kevan as Jaime and Tyrion’s savior, and Kevan thanked him on behalf of House Lannister.
• Kevan invited Gryn to meet Tywin, but Gryn said he would first attend his audience with Cersei.
• After Gryn and Jaime left, Kevan praised Tyrion’s service and told him he could see Tywin whenever he wished.
• Tyrion left to seek comfort from Shae before meeting his father.
• Jaime asked Gryn whether something had happened between him and Kevan, and Gryn said Cersei’s position in the Red Keep was worse than he had thought.
• At Maegor’s Hold, Cersei descended the stairs holding Myrcella’s hand as Gryn and Jaime waited.

Tyrion confronted Lord Tywin about his place in House Lannister and demanded the right to inherit Casterly Rock, but his father rejected him with vicious insults. After Tyrion left, Tywin prepared to discuss Jaime with Kevan before turning to state affairs.

• Tyrion visited Lord Tywin, who dismissed his wartime contribution and refused to give him the thanks he sought.
• Tyrion demanded that Lord Tywin name him heir to Casterly Rock, but Tywin refused and declared he would never let him inherit.
• Lord Tywin denounced Tyrion as a shameful freak, and Tyrion left after denying that Cersei’s accusation about threatening her over a prostitute was a lie.
• Kevan entered the Hand’s Study, and Lord Tywin began to raise the question of Jaime before deciding to hear about state affairs first.

Lord Gryn learned that Tywin planned to convene a Small Council meeting amid the crown’s debts and negotiations with Dorne, then secured Pycelle’s continued place on the council by making him write reports about Tywin. As Gryn left to visit Mace Tyrell, Jaime Lannister stopped him and offered a gift.

• Pycelle told Gryn that Tywin had summoned a Small Council meeting and might stop funding the crown because of Westerlands losses and debts to the Iron Bank.
• Pycelle described Dorne’s vague messages about Oberyn’s arrival and worried that Tywin might give his council seat to Oberyn.
• Gryn confronted Pycelle about his role in Tywin’s attempt to influence the Vale, and Pycelle pleaded that he had been following orders while remaining loyal to Gryn.
• Gryn promised to retain Pycelle’s council seat and ordered him to write letters focused on Tywin; Gryn then sent a maidservant with Anguy to Maegor’s Hold.
• As Gryn headed to visit Mace Tyrell, Jaime Lannister waited in his path and offered him a gift.

Gryn gave Jaime a riddle about golden and black hair, then decided to boost Margaery Tyrell’s popularity across King’s Landing. He met Lord Mace Tyrell, who showed him a detailed map of the Stormlands and complained about Ser Kevan’s demands.

• Gryn hinted to Ser Jaime that golden and black hair were entwined and urged him to watch carefully for the answer.
• Gryn heard that Tyrell men were distributing food in Margaery’s name and that the people of King’s Landing were praising her.
• Gryn ordered Leyton to spread Margaery’s name through every street and alley in the city.
• Gryn visited Lord Mace Tyrell, examined his detailed map of the Stormlands, and heard him complain that Ser Kevan was greedy.
• Gryn asked Lord Mace to explain Ser Kevan’s excessive request.

Gryn warned Lord Mace that Tywin planned to use a Small Council meeting to force Cersei into a marriage and weaken Margaery, then asked him to delay the meeting. At Riverrun, Brynden asked Robb whether he had truly decided what to do about the suspected murder of Jeyne.

• Gryn told Lord Mace that Tywin wanted to draw him away from King's Landing and keep Margaery isolated, and Lord Mace considered whether to pursue Storm's End.
• Gryn warned that Tywin might use the Small Council to force Cersei into marriage, while Lord Mace feared the scheme would turn Joffrey against Margaery.
• Lord Mace agreed to delay the Small Council meeting until no later than Margaery's arrival in King's Landing, using ill health as a possible excuse.
• At Riverrun, Robb mourned Jeyne and blamed himself for failing to protect her.
• Brynden told Robb he believed Black Walder had poisoned Queen Jeyne, then asked whether Robb had truly made his decision.

Robb and Brynden discussed avenging Edmure and Jeyne while keeping House Frey from joining the Lannisters, and Robb planned to win a battle to prove his sincerity. In King's Landing, Cersei grew angry at Margaery's influence and urged Jaime to kill her, but Jaime argued that Margaery could make Joffrey a good queen.

• Robb vowed to avenge his family, and Brynden promised to support him as long as he remembered his duties as king.
• Robb proposed renewing his marriage pact with House Frey and planned to win a battle to convince Walder Frey of his sincerity, pointing to King's Landing while watching Harrenhal on the map.
• Jason warned Brynden that House Frey was untrustworthy, while Roose said the North should prepare to besiege The Twins and use fear alongside sincerity.
• Cersei angrily blamed Margaery for winning the people of King's Landing and feared she would control Joffrey.
• Cersei told Jaime to kill Margaery, but Jaime refused and said she could make Joffrey a good queen.

Cersei confronted Jaime over his refusal to harm Margaery, then sent him to meet Kevan at the White Sword Tower. After Kevan urged Jaime to leave the Kingsguard and protect Tyrion, Jaime recorded his recent history in the White Book and resolved to shape his own path.

• Cersei accused Jaime of failing to act as her sword, but Jaime said he had refused to harm Margaery to protect Cersei from the consequences.
• Osney Kettleblack told Jaime that Kevan was waiting for him at the White Sword Tower.
• Kevan read Jaime’s entry in the White Book and suggested that Jaime ask King Joffrey to release him from the Kingsguard.
• Kevan accused Jaime of abandoning his family and told him to protect Tyrion before leaving the council chamber.
• Jaime wrote an account of his defeat, captivity, escape, rescue by Gryn Crabb, and return to King's Landing in the White Book.
• Jaime set aside his quill, resolving to write his own path from then on.

Gryn Crabb discussed the High Septon’s murder, the Faith’s growing unrest, and the threat of renewed armed orders with Archbishop Zari. After leaving the Great Sept with Brienne, he rode into an ambush by men proclaiming loyalty to the Vale of Arryn, and the fight was still underway.

• Gryn met Archbishop Zari at the Great Sept, where Zari described the Faith’s anger over the High Septon’s murder and the stalled election.
• Gryn warned Zari to stay clear of the growing turmoil after hearing that some archbishops had raised the possibility of restoring the Warrior’s Sons and Poor Fellows.
• Gryn and Brienne left the sept, and Mutton reported that the same watchers had followed them.
• Anguy warned Gryn that at least thirty men were lying in wait ahead, but Gryn ordered the party to keep moving.
• Ambushers blocked the road with burning carriages and attacked Gryn’s party, shouting support for the Vale of Arryn.
• Brienne, Mutton, Anguy, and Gryn’s guards defended him against the attackers and rooftop archers as the battle continued.

Anguy sought King Joffrey’s aid after Vale attackers ambushed Lord Gryn on Muddy Way, while Brienne, Mutton, and Gryn’s guards fought off the assault. Joffrey rode out with the Kingsguard and Red Cloaks, and Tywin sent Ser Addam to bring him back.

• Vale ambushers attacked Lord Gryn on Muddy Way, and Brienne, Mutton, and Gryn’s guards fought them off.
• Anguy broke through the attackers and reached the Red Keep to report that Duke Arryn’s men had attacked Lord Gryn.
• King Joffrey ordered his men to muster and rode out with Ser Mandon, Anguy, and more than thirty riders to support Lord Gryn.
• Ser Addam told Duke Tywin and Ser Kevan that Joffrey had left the Red Keep, and Tywin ordered Addam to bring him back immediately.

Osney Kettleblack told Cersei that Lord Gryn had been ambushed, prompting her to send Jaime and Osney to protect Joffrey. Joffrey found Gryn victorious over the attackers, executed their wounded leader, and vowed to punish rebels throughout the realm.

• Osney Kettleblack reported to Cersei that Vale men had ambushed Lord Gryn and that Joffrey had ridden out to rescue him.
• Cersei ordered Jaime Lannister and Osney to go protect Joffrey.
• Joffrey and his companions arrived at the blood-soaked street where Gryn Crabb and his men had defeated the attackers.
• Gryn identified the sole surviving attacker as a former captain of House Arryn's guards and offered him to Joffrey.
• Joffrey killed the wounded leader with Lion's Tooth and declared that traitors would meet that fate.
• Joffrey vowed to punish rebels across the realm, and Gryn praised him as a wise ruler.

Gryn advised King Joffrey about the sympathy his youth inspired, then backed his authority when Ser Addam Marbrand tried to escort him to the Red Keep without written orders. Gryn threatened to start a battle until Jaime and Kevan Lannister arrived, and Joffrey rode away as Gryn turned to Kevan to ask about wine.

• Gryn told Joffrey that people would still see him as needing protection before he came of age, and Ser Mandon counseled him that protecting the weak was a knight's honor.
• Joffrey ordered Sandor to fetch Duke Arryn from the dungeons, but Ser Mandon refused without the Hand's order, so Joffrey struck him with a whip and Sandor rode off.
• Addam Marbrand arrived with red-cloaked riders to escort Joffrey back to the Red Keep, and Joffrey threatened him with Lion's Tooth when Addam insisted on carrying out the order.
• Gryn demanded to see the Small Council's written order, then threatened to sound the war horn and begin a battle if Addam forced the king to go.
• Jaime and Kevan Lannister arrived, Joffrey rode toward the Red Keep, and Gryn asked Kevan whether the Tower of the Hand had good wine.

Gryn met with Ser Kevan and then Lord Tywin to negotiate an alliance against the Iron Throne’s enemies. He made the Vale and Crackclaw Point’s support conditional on Queen Regent Cersei choosing her own marriage, and Tywin reluctantly agreed to stop insisting on the matter.

• Brienne stayed near Gryn while Mutton arranged water and towels for her, and Anguy went ahead.
• Gryn and Ser Kevan discussed the need for peace and recovery, praised Tywin’s rule, and spoke of Kevan’s hopes of retiring to Darry.
• Gryn met Tywin in the Hand’s Study and discussed their shared enemies and the possibility of joining forces against the rebellions.
• Gryn insisted Tywin first allow Cersei to choose her own marriage before they discussed military cooperation, making the Vale and Crackclaw Point’s support conditional on it.
• Tywin accepted Gryn’s demand but warned him not to involve himself in Lannister family affairs again.

Gryn and Tywin discussed securing the Reach, Dorne, and the Riverlands while Joffrey tormented Robert Arryn in a staged sword contest. Robert accidentally wounded Joffrey, who ordered him taken to the tower, and the chapter ended with Kevan telling Tywin that Joffrey had taken Robert away.

• Gryn and Tywin welcomed one another at the Red Keep and discussed the Vale’s recovery, the Reach’s supplies, Dorne, and the Riverlands.
• Joffrey forced Robert Arryn into a sword contest, threatening him while Sandor and Maester Colemon tried to manage the boy.
• After Joffrey repeatedly mocked and threatened him, Robert charged and accidentally cut the back of Joffrey’s hand.
• Joffrey ordered Robert taken to the tower and threatened to dismember and skin him after the trial.
• Gryn proposed offering House Frey the title of Duke of Riverrun to turn them against House Tully.
• Kevan entered Tywin’s study and reported that Joffrey had taken Robert Arryn away.

King Joffrey tormented Robert Arryn atop the tower until Tywin arrived and stripped him of control, declaring he would govern the realm while Joffrey learned to rule. Furious at Tywin’s restrictions, Joffrey seized Robert and threw him from the Red Keep.

• Joffrey forced Robert Arryn to look at the heads on the tower and threatened to display Arryn’s head before his execution.
• Tywin arrived and rebuked Joffrey for humiliating Robert, then ordered the Kingsguard to report to the Lord Commander for obeying the young king’s commands.
• Tywin sent Ser Kevan to escort Joffrey to his chambers and announced he would govern the realm while Joffrey learned to be a good king.
• Tywin forbade Joffrey from seeing Robert without permission and said he would comfort Robert on Joffrey’s behalf.
• Joffrey kicked Maester Colemon down, grabbed Robert by the hair, and threw him from the Red Keep.