Tyrion pokes at a sausage and mulls his options. Joining the Night's Watch seems the best option, but he does not trust that Tywin will actually let him take the black and also resents confessing to a crime he did not commit. Podrick arrives to tell him Ser Addam waits to escort him to the last day of the trial. As Tyrion takes his seat before Lord Tywin, Lord Mace, and Prince Oberyn, Shae is brought in.¹.She tells lies about how Tyrion plotted the murder with Sansa and would have killed Cersei and Tywin too to be Hand to Tommen, who would then be killed so he could be king. She admits to being his whore but lies that she was supposed to marry a squire before she caught Tyrion's eye. She says that Tyrion made her call him her giant of Lannister. Ser Osmund begins laughing first, soon joined by Ser Boros, Ser Meryn, Ser Loras, Cersei, and then most of the room. Tyrion shouts to get their attention and tells Tywin he will confess. He confesses not to killing Joffrey, but to being a dwarf. He says he is not the monster everyone says he is, but that there is no justice for him here. He demands trial by battle. Cersei says Ser Gregor will stand for Joffrey, and Prince Oberyn stands for Tyrion. Lord Tywin sets the time for the event for the next day and leaves with Ser Kevan at his side. That night, Tyrion eats and thinks. He is pleased because no matter who wins there will be trouble. If Oberyn wins, the feud between Dorne and Highgarden will grow worse. If he loses, then Doran will be furious. The next morning, Tyrion attends Oberyn as he prepares for battle with the help of Ser Daemon, Ser Arron, and Lord Dagos. He tells Tyrion he should come to Sunspear when the combat is over and hints that he could help Doran place Myrcella on the throne. Oberyn tells Tyrion more of what happened when he visited Casterly Rock years ago. His own mother and Lady Joanna had been companions of Princess Rhaelle Targaryen in their youth and were good friends. They concocted a marriage scheme together to see Elia wed to Jaime and Oberyn married to Cersei. Joanna had died right before they arrived, and Tywin refused the offer, stating that Cersei was reserved for Rhaegar and offering Tyrion as a match for Elia, a grave insult. Oberyn is ready to see justice for Elia.

The outer ward, the sight if the combat, is crowded with hundreds of spectators eager for the show. Cersei stands with Gregor, who is an imposing sight. Even Ellaria is worried now, but Oberyn is unconcerned. Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan observe from a platform erected halfway between the contestants. The High Septon calls on the Father to judge the combatants as Ser Osmund brings Gregor his shield. As the combatants approach, Oberyn announces who he is and begins taunting Gregor over and over with the same litany about Elia: "You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children." He continually feints and darts away, tiring and disorienting Gregor. The constant taunting angers Gregor, who finally lunges at Oberyn and gets within range. Oberyn manages to dodge Gregor's blows. They approach the crowd, and Gregor accidentally takes off a stableboy's arm. When the lad screams, Gregor lops half his head off. Oberyn finally manages to strike Gregor under the arm and at the knee to bring him down. He yells at Gregor to say Elia's name. Oberyn gets a running start and vaults Gregor, driving his spear through Gregor's belly and pinning him to the ground. He takes Gregor's greatsword and stands over him to finish it. Gregor grabs Oberyn and brings him to his chest. As he says Elia's name, insults her, and admits to raping and killing her, he pushes his gauntleted hand into Oberyn's eyes, smashes his teeth, and then crushes his head. Tyrion retches as he is condemned and guards escort him to the black cells.