Catelyn looks out on Alyssa's Tears. They are named for Alyssa Arryn, who according to legend had seen her entire family die before her six thousand years ago, but refused to shed a tear. The story goes that she would not be allowed any rest until her tears watered the Vale of Arryn. Ser Rodrik reports on recent events to Catelyn. Jaime is gathering a host at Casterly Rock. Edmure Tully has demanded to know his intent and ordered Lord Vance and Lord Clement Piper to guard the pass below the Golden Tooth against him. Lord Hoster Tully was not mentioned in the letter at all, and must be very sick if he has given charge of the defense of the Riverlands to Edmure. Catelyn decides she must return to Winterfell and tells Ser Rodrik that they will take ship from Gulltown after Tyrion's trial. She is most annoyed with Lysa, who is very moody and inconstant and has been played for a fool by Tyrion.

Ser Brynden joins Catelyn. He had asked leave of Lysa to take one thousand men and march to the Riverlands. When she refused him, he resigned as Knight of the Gate and is now preparing to leave for Riverrun. Catelyn convinces him to join them on the ship back to Winterfell. Catelyn arrives at the sight of the combat, where Lysa and Lord Robert are surrounded by knights and retainers, including Lord Eon and Ser Lyn, her two favored suitors at the moment, and Ser Morton. Catelyn tells Ser Rodrik that Robert is unfit to rule and must be taken from Lysa for awhile. Maester Colemon comes up to her and says that Lord Jon agreed and was going to foster him at Dragonstone with Lord Stannis. Catelyn says he is mistaken and that Robert was going to Casterly Rock and that the arrangements were made after Jon's death.¹ Maester Colemon begins to rebut, but at that point Tyrion is brought in, with Bronn and Ser Vardis appearing soon after. Vardis is fully armored; Bronn wears only mail and a halfhelm.

A septon blesses the trial, and the fight begins. Watching the battle takes Catelyn back to the combat years ago when Petyr fought Brandon Stark for her hand. Petyr begged her for a favor to wear, but she had to refuse. She gave one to Brandon instead, and begged him not to kill Petyr. Brandon gave him a dozen wounds and drove him all over the yard demanding that he yield, but was finally required to give a potentially mortal blow when Petyr steadfastly refused. Petyr said Catelyn's name as he fell, and it was the last time Catelyn saw him until their meeting in King's Landing. It took Petyr two weeks to recover enough from his wounds to travel. Catelyn was forbidden to see him during that time, but Lysa was a constant companion. Edmure tried to visit too, but Petyr refused to see him because he acted as Brandon's squire in the duel. Lord Hoster sent him back to the Fingers to finish his healing at home.

The sounds of combat bring Catelyn back to the battle at hand. Bronn dodges around Ser Vardis, darting this way and that to tire his heavily armored foe. When Vardis is near exhasution, Bronn closes in and begins pressing him fiercely. Vardis makes one final bull rush to try and end it, but Bronn darts aside, topples a statue on top of him, and delivers the killing blow. Lysa realizes she must free Tyrion, but orders him and Bronn put out on the high road, where she believes they will die.