Jaime learns in an inn that Joffrey is dead, though the stories differ as to how and who. The next day, the party arrives at King's Landing with Jaime, Walton, and Nage with the peace banner at its head. Jaime is anxiuos to see Cersei again, but feels surprisingly little emotion over losing his firstborn son. He never really had an opportunity to become close to him. Jaime rides to the rear to find Brienne, who has stayed aloof from the others and pretended not to be part of the group. She has been listless since they learned from Ser Bertram Beesbury at Brindlewood that Robb and Catelyn are dead. Ser Bertram also told them that Lord Clement Piper had renewed his fealty to the Iron Throne with his son¹ a prisoner at the Twins.  Jaime offers to send her home or offer her a place in King's Landing, but neither option appeals to her. A guard waves them through the Mud Gate past a long line of wagons waiting to enter the city, and they ride up to the Red Keep. The gate is guarded, but a startled Ser Meryn lets them past. In the yard, Ser Loras and Ser Balon also greet the group. Loras recognizes Brienne and draws his sword meaning to kill her for the death of Renly. Jaime manages to stop him, but Loras still wants her arrested, and Jaime sees that she is.

Jaime goes to the sept to see Cersei, who is praying for Joffrey. Ser Osmund guards the door and does not recognize him at first, but finally lets him through. Cersei is dishevled and amazed to see him. She tells him of Tyrion's threat to turn her joy to ashes² and says he killed Joffrey. Jaime is starting to believe this, but he recoils at doing what she wants, killing Tyrion in his cell. He forces himself upon her, and they have sex. When it is over, Jaime tells her he wants to be with her openly and marry. Tommen would lose the throne, but he does not care. Cersei says he has changed and makes him leave. Jaime goes to see Tywin. Tywin had expected him earlier. Varys had reported his escape soon after it occured, and Tywin sent Gregor, Ser Samwell Spicer, Ser Dennis Plumm, Ser Peter Plumm, and Ser Harwyn Plumm to look for him. Lord Roose had passed on word as well. Lord Tywin is shocked to see the hand, however. When Jaime tells him it was Vargo, Tywin says that the Brave Companions deserted him and Gregor found him in Harrenhal half-mad with pain and fever from a wound to his ear that festered.³ He is not dead yet, but will be soon; Gregor has taken off his hands and feet. The Companions have scattered. Turning to Joffrey, Tywin has had Podrick and Sansa's maids⁴ detained and questioned, and Ser Addam is searching for Sansa. Lord Tywin tells Jaime it is time for him to leave the Kingsguard and take up his rightful place at Casterly Rock. He wants to send Tommen to be Jaime's ward and squire to get him away from Cersei and also hopes to marry Cersei to Oberyn. Jaime says he means to stay in the Kingsguard. After a long silence, Tywin tells Jaime he is not his son and tells him to attend to his duty.