Joffrey and his court are gathered in the throne room, including Cersei, Varys, Lord Gyles, Lady Tanda, Lollys, Falyse, Jalabhar Xho, the High Septon, Dontos, and Moon Boy. Sansa makes her way to the front of the gallery just as Lord Tywin rides in on his horse. Joffrey meets him at the base of the throne and officially names him Hand of the King. After Lord Tywin takes his seat, the heroes of the battle for King's Landing come forward one by one. First is Lord Mace, followed by his sons Ser Loras and Ser Garlan. Joffrey moves to greet them and allows them each a boon from the throne. Ser Loras asks for a place on the Kingsguard, Lord Mace asks for a seat on the small council, and Ser Garlan asks for Joffrey to marry Margaery. Joffrey grants the first two requests immediately, and after making a show of disavowing his betrothal to Sansa due to the traitorous actions of House Stark, Joffrey agrees to marry Margaery as well. Sansa is elated to finally be free. The heroes continue to file in. First there is Lord Paxter and his sons Horas, limping from a wound sustained in the fighting, and Hobber, followed by Lord Mathis, Lord Randyll, Ser Kevan, Ser Addam, Lord Lewys, Lord Roland, and Ser Flement.¹ Following them are men of lesser rank who distinguished themselves: Ser Philip Foote, who slew Lord Bryce Caron; Lothor Brune, who captured Ser Jon Fossoway and slew Ser Bryan Fossoway and Ser Edwyd Fossoway to earn the name Lothor Apple-Eater; Willit, a man-at-arms in service to Ser Harys who saved his master's life; and Josmyn Peckledon, a young squire who killed two knights, wounded another, and captured two more. Ser Philip is made Lord Philip and granted the Caron lands, rights, and incomes; Lothor is made a knight and promised lands somewhere in the Riverlands; Josmyn is given a sword, suit of plate, warhorse, and the promise of knighthood when he comes of age; and Willit is given new weapons and armor and the honor of his two sons being taken as a squire and a page at Casterly Rock.

Next come the captains of Prince Aemon, Wildwind, and River Arrow, and officers from Godsgrace, Lance, Lady of Silk, and Ramshead. They are basically being honored just for surviving. Hallyne is raised to the title of lord, but without any accompanying lands or incomes. Ser Lancel is granted the lands of House Darry, though he is too grievously wounded to accept the honor in person. Lord Petyr comes in next and is raised to Lord Paramount of the Riverlands with Harrenhal as his seat. Next, six hundred men are brought in to be knighted by Ser Meryn, Ser Osmund, and Ser Balon. When this is done, the prisoners are brought in. These include Lord Ardrian, Ser Bonifer the Good, Lord Estermont, Lord Steffon, who has a shattered knee, Ser Mark, who has lost his left arm to the elbow, Red Ronnet, Ser Dermot of the Rainwood, Lord Willum and his sons Josua and Elyas, Ser Jon, Ser Timon the Scrapesword, Aurane Waters, the bastard of Driftmark, and Lord Alesander Staedmon. Those who have not already sworn fealty are given the chance now. One man calls out defiant, and Joffrey has Ser Ilyn take him away for execution. Another man jumps up and calls Joffrey a monster that must be destroyed. Joffrey gets agitated and calls for the man's death, cutting himself on the Iron Throne in the process. Cersei goes to him, and she and three maesters bundle him off as Ser Meryn kills the man taunting him. Lord Tywin takes over and resumes taking pledges of fealty. After the session is over, Sansa returns to her room to eat and then goes to the godswood. Dontos tells her that the day of her escape has been chosen, Joffrey's wedding night. He gives her a hair net with black amethysts from Asshai. He tells her it represents justice, vengeance, and home.²