Some weeks later, the royal party arrive at King’s Landing. Lord Eddard, his daughters and retinue are greeted by the Royal Steward in the courtyard of the Red Keep. He tells Eddard Stark that a meeting of King Robert’s small council has been convened and asks him to attend. Eddard orders his guard captain Jory Cassel to get the rest of the party settled while he attends the meeting. The court herald suggests that Eddard might want to change into something "more appropriate", but Eddard just stares at him until he turns to lead the way. On his way to the small council chamber, Eddard passes through the throne room and finds Jaime sitting at the foot of the Iron Throne. Jaime tells him that it's good he's here, as they need some "stern Northern leadership". Eddard baits Jaime about the state of his armor and how there isn’t a scratch on it, indicating that Jaime has chosen his opponents wisely. Irritated, Jaime tells Eddard about how his father and brother were killed in this very room and five hundred men stood and did nothing. It was silent apart from the screams and the laughter of the “Mad King,” Aerys II Targaryen. Afterwards, when Jaime murdered King Aerys he recalled the screams of Eddard’s father as he burned, noting to Ned that it felt like justice. Eddard is incredulous that Jaime would suggest he betrayed his sworn oath for Eddard’s father. Jaime sarcastically asks if Eddard would have approved if he'd stabbed the Mad King in the belly rather than the back, to which Ned retorts that Jaime served Aerys well, when serving was safe.

That evening, Jaime meets with Cersei in her chambers for the first time since returning to the capital. The Queen berates him for pushing Bran Stark from the window. She insists that they could have intimidated Bran into silence. Jaime, however, tells her to calm down, stating that even if the boy reports anything they can claim he was “lying or dreaming.” Jaime assures that they can “outfox a ten-year-old.” Cersei then reports that Bran has no memory of what happened, which satisfies her brother. If somehow Bran eventually remembers and King Robert goes to war with him, Jaime will gladly fight. He jests that it can inspire a ballad written about them: “the War for Cersei’s Cunt.” Cersei angrily slaps him, as Jaime then pulls her into a hold, telling her he will kill everyone until the two of them are the only people left in the world if necessary.

Later on, King Robert is in his chambers, reminiscing over battles with Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Barristan recalls his first kill was a Tyroshi soldier whose name he never knew. He killed him with a lance to the heart. Robert recalls his first kill was a soldier serving House Tarly at the Battle of Summerhall. The soldier thought he could end the war with a single swing of his sword but Robert killed him instead. Robert recalls how the man begged for mercy before Robert dealt the death blow and gets melancholy, thinking that the boy could have stayed in the back ranks of the enemy army, survived the battle and would now be unhappily married with ingrates for children of his own. Robert demands wine from his squire, Lancel Lannister, a cousin of Jaime and Cersei’s. Lancel is only able to pour a little, as the jug has run out. Robert angrily sends him for more and orders Jaime – standing guard outside the chamber – to come in. King Robert asks Jaime about his first kill and Jaime replies that it was one of the Kingswood Brotherhood, an outlaw band. He was only a sixteen year old squire and cut the other man’s head off, meaning he had no last pithy words. Barristan was there that day. Jaime remembers Barristan killing Simon Toyne with a counter-riposte, the best move he’d ever seen. Barristan notes that Toyne was a good fighter, but had lacked stamina. Robert asks Jaime what the Mad King said when he died, if he called Jaime a traitor or begged for mercy. Jaime replies that he only said what he’d been saying all day, "Burn them all." Having silenced King Robert, he bows to him as well as Ser Barristan and then takes his leave.

Some days later, in the Red Keep, King Robert is amusing himself with several young prostitutes while Ser Jaime stands guard outside. Eddard’s guard captain Jory Cassel arrives with a message for the king. Jaime informs him to wait, asking Jory how many girls he thinks are with Robert. An irritated Jaime informs that Robert likes to do this while he is on duty, insulting his sister  Cersei while Jaime is forced to listen. Jory tells Jaime they have fought alongside one another beforehand, at the Siege of Pyke at the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion. Jaime, realizing that Jory is a fellow soldier, softens and becomes slightly friendlier. Jaime recalls the Red Priest, Thoros of Myr, storming the breach in the walls of Pyke with his flaming sword, as well as the Greyjoys being good fighters but “honorless dogs.” When Jory asks again if he can leave the message from Lord Stark, Jaime gets annoyed and says he doesn't serve Lord Stark. Jory then departs.

A few days afterwards, upon hearing of his brother Tyrion’s capture in the Riverlands by Ned’s wife Lady Catelyn, he goes to confront Eddard in the streets of King's Landing. Eddard, Jory and two Stark guards find Jaime and a detachment of sixteen Lannister men waiting for them. Jaime insults Eddard and his men by saying “a small pack of wolves.” After Jory threatens Jaime to stay away from the Hand of the King, Jaime smugly informs them that Eddard was the Hand, adding that he isn’t sure what Eddard is now. Jaime calls him “a lord of somewhere very far away,” and then queries his brother Tyrion’s whereabouts. Eddard replies that Tyrion has been taken prisoner on his command. Unbeknownst to Jaime this is a lie in order to protect Eddard’s wife Catelyn, who acted alone on account of her discovery that a Lannister was responsible for her son Bran’s attack. Jaime and his men draw their weapons as Eddard points out that if Jaime kills him, Tyrion is a dead man as well. Jaime agrees and orders his men to kill Eddard's guards instead. Jory slays two of the Lannister guards before facing Jaime, who kills him with a single dagger thrust to the eye. Eddard and Jaime cross swords as Jaime is surprised at Eddard's strength and speed. He seems delighted to fight an enemy who actually poses a challenge. The fight is interrupted, however, when one of the Lannister guards spears Eddard through the leg. Annoyed at being interrupted during the best fight he's had in years, Jaime knocks out the guard and departs, telling Eddard he wants his brother back. Eddard collapses in the courtyard.

Some time later, on the borders of the Riverlands, Jaime’s father, Lord Tywin Lannister, has assembled an army of 60,000 men, with which he plans to oppose the Starks and punish Lady Catelyn's capture of Tyrion. Jaime rides out to the Lannister camp and joins the army in the field. Tywin laments Jaime's pride and how he spends so much effort trying to convince others he doesn't care what they think of him. Tywin is incredulous and disgusted that Jaime would let Eddard live and go free because his victory was not "clean". Tywin asserts that if other houses think they can take a Lannister hostage and not suffer for it they will lose respect for the Lannister name. He insists that Jaime must accept responsibility for the future of their house, which will be decided by this war against the Starks and the Tullys, Catelyn’s family. They will either die out like the Targaryens or begin a dynasty that will last 1,000 years. Tywin gives Jaime 30,000 men and sends him to besiege Riverrun, where House Tully reside. Meanwhile, in King's Landing, Lord Eddard discovers that Jaime is the true father of Cersei's three children, all born out of incest, and confronts Cersei about it. She admits it, saying they have loved one another from the womb and are destined to be together. Then, while on a hunt, a drunken King Robert is fatally wounded by a boar. On his deathbed Eddard decides to let Robert die in peace by not telling him of his children’s true parentage, however, this results in Jaime’s son Prince Joffrey’s false succession to the throne, who then, under Cersei’s orders, has Eddard arrested for treason.

Before Eddard’s arrest, Tyrion Lannister had won a trial by combat during his captivity under Catelyn Stark. After his release he has journeyed through the Riverlands to the Lannister camp to find his father Lord Tywin. However, following Eddard’s arrest in the capital, his eldest son Robb Stark now leads a war against the Lannisters. Ser Kevan Lannister, Tywin’s brother, reports to Tywin that Ser Jaime has won several significant battles out in the Riverlands, smashing a host of the river lords at the Golden Tooth and is currently laying siege to Catelyn’s home of Riverrun. However, Robb Stark marches 2,000 men towards Tywin's forces in order to create a distraction. The remaining force feints outside Riverrun, drawing out Jaime and a small number of troops to deal with what appears to be a small scouting party, and Jaime is then taken prisoner in the resulting Battle of the Whispering Wood. Jaime offers to fight Robb in single combat to decide the war, but Robb knows that Jaime is better at swordplay than he is and says they aren't going to do it his way. Robb initially intends to use Jaime as a bargaining chip for his father and sisters' lives. However, before news of Jaime's capture can reach the capital, Eddard Stark is executed for “treason” by King Joffrey, exacerbating the war between the two houses.

After word of Eddard’s execution reaches the Stark camp in the Riverlands, Catelyn and Robb Stark mourn over their loss before their soldiers swear fealty to Robb as the new King in the North. That evening, Catelyn visits the captive Jaime, who taunts her about Ned's death and offers to serve her as a lover. She hits him in the head with a rock. Jaime informs her that he doesn't fear death, though Jaime knows they won't kill him as long as Cersei holds Sansa and Arya hostage in the capital. Unbeknownst to Catelyn or Jaime, Arya has gone missing since Eddard’s execution. Catelyn tells him he has violated the laws of gods and man, as he asks where Ned's gods were when his head was cut off. He then questions the existence of all gods, the Old and the New. She says there is injustice in the world because of men like him to which Jaime responds, "There are no men like me, only me.” He then admits to pushing Bran from the tower, but doesn't reveal why. Over at the Lannister camp, Jaime’s uncle Kevan describes the war as a catastrophe; in addition to Jaime's defeat and capture, both of the late King Robert’s brothers, Stannis and Renly Baratheon, have now made claims for the throne, meaning the Lannisters are now fighting a three-front war against the Starks to the north and the competing Baratheon forces to the south. Tywin then orders Tyrion to return to King’s Landing and act as the new Hand of the King to prevent King Joffrey, under Cersei’s guidance, from any further mistakes.

Several months later, Jaime Lannister remains a captive of House Stark in the Riverlands as the war continues. The King in the North, Robb Stark, keeps Jaime caged and chained to a post in his camp at all times to prevent Lord Tywin from bribing or threatening one of his Northern bannermen into freeing him. One evening, as Robb approaches Jaime asks why he’s been dragged from camp to camp over the course of several months, jesting that Robb must have grown fond of him. He then calls Robb a smart boy and then wonders if he feels insulted. Robb, however, retorts that Jaime is only insulting himself because he was defeated and held captive by a boy. Robb then warns that Jaime might be killed by a boy as his direwolf Grey Wind enters the cell. Robb informs that Stannis Baratheon has made Joffrey's parentage public, by sending letters to all the lords throughout Westeros, now exposing Jaime's incestuous relationship with Cersei. Jaime counters that Stannis has a personal stake in these accusations, as if all of Cersei's children are Jaime's bastards that means Stannis is heir to the throne. Robb then informs that he is sending one of Jaime's cousins to King's Landing with peace terms, though Jaime claims that Robb doesn’t know Tywin if he expects him to negotiate. Robb then leaves Grey Wind alone with Jaime. The direwolf rushes forward, snarls and snaps at Jaime's face as he cowers and closes his eyes. When he opens them the direwolf has quietly departed from the cage.

Some weeks later, still in imprisonment, Jaime is joined in his cell by his distant cousin Alton Lannister, who has returned from King’s Landing after Cersei rejected Robb’s peace terms. They talk about Alton’s parentage and the time he served as Jaime's squire at a tourney, and Jaime tells him about his own experiences as squire to Ser Barristan Selmy. Alton moves within arm’s reach to quietly ask if Jaime has considered escape. Jaime replies that it occupies his thoughts every day. Jaime laments that the good prisoners of House Stark have bred good jailors and are very careful. Jaime says that there is a way he can escape that was not possible before. Jaime rises to his knees to get next to Alton. He says that his plan is simple and that he needs Alton to do just one thing for him. Alton willingly agrees to do anything. Jaime leans next to him and says that he needs him to die. Jaime headbutts Alton and wrestles him to the ground. He repeatedly beats him in the head with his manacled hands, caving in his skull. After hearing the commotion, the guard, Torrhen Karstark, enters the cell but is distracted by discovering Alton Lannister's smashed face. Jaime then appears from behind Torrhen, strangles him to death with his chains and takes the keys to free himself.

Jaime doesn’t make it far, however, and is dragged back to camp the following morning while being berated by vengeful soldiers. Some of the men beat him as he dragged past them and his guards try to keep them back. The murdered guard’s father, Lord Rickard Karstark, emerges from the tents with his sword drawn and demands Jaime’s head. Catelyn rushes out to intervene, accompanied by her sworn sword Brienne of Tarth. Rickard insists that he will have Jaime’s head as Catelyn interrupts him to remind him of his oaths. Brienne warns Rickard that threatening Catelyn is an act of treason. Rickard relents but insists that he will demand Jaime’s head when Robb returns. Catelyn warns that “wise men do not make demands of kings.” He retorts that fathers who love their sons do, insisting that he will get his revenge before stalking back into the camp. Jaime sarcastically thanks Catelyn for standing up for him and says that he would have helped her if he was not indisposed. Catelyn orders her men to take him to the stockade and bind him with every chain they can find. Jaime then teases her by saying she has become a real “she-wolf” in her later years. As he is dragged off, he calls back that there isn’t much fish left in her, referencing her sigil of House Tully. Catelyn shouts back to her men to gag him as well.

Later that evening, Catelyn watches as the Karstark and Stark men argue about Jaime’s fate as Brienne of Tarth worries that King Robb will not return until dawn. She predicts that the men will become increasingly drunk through the night and will eventually move to kill Jaime. Due to this risk, Catelyn and Brienne both enter Jaime’s cell as he asks if Catelyn has come to say goodbye. She ignores the question and asks if he can hear the men calling for his death. Jaime is unrepentant, however, saying that Torrhen was in his way and that any knight would have done the same. Catelyn says that he is no knight because he has forsaken every vow he has taken. Jaime rationalizes that he’s had to swear many vows and they eventually conflict with one another. He then asks where Catelyn found Brienne, calling her a “beast.” Catelyn says that she is a truer knight than he will ever be, calling him by his famed nickname “Kingslayer” as well as adding that he is a “man without honor.” Jaime reveals that he has only ever slept with Cersei, so in ways he is more honorable than Eddard, who fathered the bastard Jon Snow while married to Catelyn. Jaime then asks if she pretended to love Jon when he was first brought home. He notes that she is an honest woman and deduces that she showed her hatred as Jon is a walking reminder of Ned’s infidelity. Catelyn then angrily orders Brienne to hand over her sword.

Catelyn then makes a deal with Jaime and releases him as she tasks Brienne of Tarth with escorting him to the capital to exchange him for her captive daughters, Sansa and Arya Stark, unaware that Arya hasn’t been seen in King’s Landing since Eddard’s death. After riding away from camp and evading King Robb’s Northern army, Brienne removes Jaime from his horse and sends away both of the horses they’ve escaped with, as trekking on-foot will be more safe continuing. As she removes the hood from his head but leaves his wrists chained, Jaime comments that she is much uglier in daylight. She drags him upright and leads him through the woodland then reluctantly introduces herself, upon request. Jaime demonstrates that he knows the sigil of her house and the name of her father, Lord Selwyn Tarth. She pushes him to his knees beside a rowboat on a river bank and peers at a nearby bridge, waiting for a caravan to pass. When the bridge clears, Brienne pulls Jaime to his feet and prepares the rowboat, as Jaime continues to goad her. He asks if she believes that she could beat him in a fair fight. Brienne retorts that she has been sneered at by arrogant men throughout her entire life and has spent just as much time knocking them into the dust. Jaime insists that if she is so confident she should unlock his chains and see what happens. As the bantering persists, Brienne rows them downstream.

Some time later, as they continue traveling east to King's Landing, Brienne lands the rowboat she has been using to transport Jaime. Thought he is still incessantly teasing her about her size and appearance, Brienne is distracted by the hanging corpses of three women. Jaime looks up at them and reads the sign hung around their necks “they lay with lions.” Jaime concludes that they were tavern girls who served his Lord Tywin’s soldiers and then hanged by Stark men for having slept with the Lannister army. Three Stark soldiers then round the corner and stop when they see Brienne. One of them asks her business there as she states she is transporting a prisoner. They realize that she is a woman and laugh openly at her appearance. As the soldiers grow more inquisitive of Jaime and Brienne, the pair try to lie their way out of the situation. However, as Jaime is eventually recognized, Brienne is forced to kill all three soldiers. In doing so, Brienne reveals her prowess as a fighter to Jaime, who is stunned by her proficiency. Jaime then points out that she has killed Stark men but Brienne counters that she has already told him that she serves Lady Catelyn only. She then states that she will take Jaime to King’s Landing as promised. 

Some time later, Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth are slowly making their way across country through the Riverlands, heading to King's Landing intending to make the prisoner exchange for the Stark girls, unaware of Arya’s disappearance from the capital. Jaime continues to mock Brienne along the way and then deduces that she isn't from the North because he would have noticed her at Winterfell when he visited. He correctly assumes that Brienne is from House Tarth and in turn must be a Baratheon supporter coming from the Stormlands. Brienne angrily denies supporting Stannis, thus confirming that she had served Renly before his murder. Jaime accurately gathers that she had fancied Renly, however, he then points out that Renly wasn't attracted to women so much as he was to Ser Loras Tyrell, adding that his sexuality was actually "the worst kept secret at court," if she thinks he's lying. He continues to casually mock Renly which makes Brienne grab him, but he relents, asserting that he doesn't particularly care that Renly loved Ser Loras, as he feels people aren't free to choose the ones they love. This is something he understands better than most due to his devotion to his sister Cersei. They then come across a farmer with a heavily laden mule, who notices that they're cutting cross-country and avoiding the major roads. The farmer suspects that they're avoiding soldiers, however, he leaves them alone and departs. Jaime then surmises that the man is a scout meant to intercept them, and even if he isn't he can still spread word that he’d seen them. He urges her to kill the farmer, but Brienne refuses.

Afterwards, the pair have to cross a river, which means they can either attempt a dangerous fording or take the bridge, which will probably be watched. Brienne takes the safer route of the bridge, but Jaime manages to distract her long enough to take away her spare sword and cut his bonds. Brienne and Jaime then enter into a heated and lengthy sword fight on the bridge. Jaime, one of the most skilled swordsmen in all of the Seven Kingdoms, nearly overcomes Brienne several times. However, Jaime's mobility is reduced because his hands are still manacled, and he is malnourished after having spent nearly a year chained up in a cage. Jaime then begins to tire, and Brienne wears him down further by making simple body-blows with kicks and punches. After a protracted fight, Jaime finally slumps to the ground in exhaustion, as Brienne is seemingly unaffected by the level of physical exertion. Just then, Northern riders from House Bolton arrive, led by a man named Locke. Jaime asks if they want to negotiate, but Locke says they'll have his head if he doesn't bring the “Kingslayer” back to the King in the North, Robb Stark, so there's not much Jaime can do to dissuade him from taking them both as prisoner.

Some days later, in the Riverlands, Jaime and Brienne are bound together on a single horse since having been taken captive by Locke and the detachment of men from House Bolton. As they ride along, the Bolton men sing a rousing chorus of “The Bear and the Maiden Fair,” a somewhat ribald song that is popular among the smallfolk and the nobility alike. It describes in a humorous tone the story of a hairy bear that, while going to a fair with a band of three boys and a goat, rescues a maiden who was hoping for a knight. Tied up back to back on the horse, Jaime warns Brienne that when they make camp for the night, they will rape her, more than once, adding “None of these men have ever been with a noblewomen. You'd be wise not to resist.” Jaime’s honest advice to Brienne is to give in and just think of Renly. They were only sent to capture Jaime, therefore Brienne means nothing to them, so at the slightest provocation they will kill her without hesitation. Brienne asserts that she will fight even if they kill her, and Jaime agrees that if he were a woman, he would fight to the death before being raped as well.

Later that night, Locke’s men make camp for the evening and do indeed drag Brienne kicking and screaming into the bushes to gang-rape her. Jaime is disgusted by this pointless brutality, so he points out to Locke that Brienne is actually a noblewoman and the sole heir of House Tarth, the "Sapphire Isle”. Jaime adds that Brienne’s father Lord Selwyn will pay them a ransom of her weight in sapphires, provided that she is unharmed. Locke agrees and calls his men back as they tie her up to the tree again. Jaime then tries to smooth-talk Locke once again with offers of how his father Lord Tywin will make him rich, if released. Tiring of Jaime's frequent attempts to bribe him into turning over to the Lannister side, Locke decides to prove that Jaime's father will never deal with the likes of him. His men hold Jaime down on a chopping block while Locke grabs a carving knife, threatening to stab him in the eye. Locke reasons that maiming him will be the ultimate proof that the Lannisters would never deal with Locke, much less bribe him. Locke insists that Tywin can't help him now, adding that "THIS should help you remember!" Locke then swings the carving knife down and hacks off Jaime's sword-hand. For half a second, Jaime stares at his severed right hand in a state of shock and before what just happened can register in his mind, he begins to scream both in horror and agony.

The following day, Locke's men lead their prisoners Jaime and Brienne back to Harrenhal on horseback, as Locke has tied Jaime's severed right hand onto a rope, hanging it around Jaime's neck. Jaime is physically in agony from his wound, feverish and half-delirious. He is barely conscious, and falls headlong off of his horse into the mud. Locke has been tormenting Jaime by not giving him water and he is almost dying of thirst. One of Locke's men moves to give him water but instead empties the canteen over Jaime's head to taunt him. Jaime weakly tries to point out that if he actually dies Locke and his men will be in serious trouble, but Locke simply dismisses this. Locke then hands him a container, which he desperately guzzles down rapidly, too weak to notice what it is. Locke then points out that he filled the container with horse piss just to torment Jaime, who vomits. Jaime can barely move, but Locke viciously kicks him repeatedly. In a surge of effort Jaime manages to steal the sword from one of Locke's men, but Jaime is so weak and feverish that he can barely stand, much less wield a sword - and he cannot fight as well with his left hand as he could his sword-hand. Jaime soon realizes this, and actually isn't trying to fight them off any more, but instead to provoke one of them to kill him so he doesn't have to go on living like this and can die with the small dignity of having a sword in his hand. He succumbs to exhaustion and Locke doesn't even bother to punish him this time, just warning him that if he tries that again he'll cut off his other hand.

Later that evening, Jaime and Brienne are restrained near a campfire. Jaime refuses to eat, and says he wants to die. Brienne says he should try to live for revenge, but Jaime says he was that hand, and without his sword-hand, even if he escapes, he is nothing, and would rather die as the Jaime he was than go on living, robbed of his very identity. Brienne grows angry, insinuating to Jaime that this is the first time he's had to face the real world where things people care about get taken away, but he's pathetically moping around like a woman. Her criticism and strength convinces Jaime to start eating. Brienne says she overheard when he earlier managed to talk Locke out of letting his men gang-rape her, by convincing him that her father will pay Locke her weight in sapphires. While Brienne is a noblewoman and worth a ransom, Tarth is called "the Sapphire Isle" due to the color of the seas around it, not because there are any actual sapphires, and House Tarth is not particularly rich. Brienne is completely confused, and asks Jaime why he helped her, but he doesn't answer.

The party eventually arrives at Harrenhal, where Roose Bolton is visibly angered at Locke for maiming Jaime. Jaime requests for an update from the capital as Roose briefly tortures him emotionally, describing Stannis Baratheon's attack on King's Landing in a way that seems as if he will say Cersei was killed. After a long pause, Roose informs Jaime that Tywin and the House Tyrell army arrived to drive Stannis away, and Cersei is alive and well. Jaime is so relieved that he falls to his knees. His stump is later tended to by Qyburn, an ex-maester who was expelled from the Order of Maesters for his unethical but successful experiments. Qyburn implies that he may need to cut off Jaime's arm to stop the corruption spreading, but Jaime threatens to kill him if he does, so Qyburn agrees to only cut away the rotting flesh, and offers Jaime milk of the poppy to ease the pain, but Jaime, fearing that Qyburn will sedate him and still amputate his arm, refuses, and screams in agony as Qyburn starts operating on him.

Later that evening, Brienne is in Harrenhal's bathhouse, scrubbing off weeks' worth of grime and filth from the trek through the Riverlands. Jaime then appears in the doorway assisted by a servant, barely able to stand due to the pain he is in. He then walks naked into the same communal bath that Brienne is in, on the far side. She is also naked and angrily points out that there are other baths, but he says he wants this one; he's afraid he's going to pass out at any moment, and wants her to save him from drowning if he does, because he doesn't want to be the first Lannister to die in a bathtub. Jaime then makes a snide remark about Brienne unable to protect Renly Baratheon and for being the reason he died. She stands defiantly, and he quickly apologizes, claiming that Brienne has protected him better than most. Jaime begins to open up to Brienne, and tells his side of what happened the day he slew the Mad King. He reveals to a shocked Brienne the truth of that day, something he has never told anyone else: Aerys' final orders were for Jaime to kill his father Tywin, and to burn the entire city and its inhabitants  with wildfire. Unwilling to let that happen, Jaime killed King Aerys, and in doing so actually saved thousands of innocent lives before Eddard Stark entered the throne room and saw the aftermath. Brienne asks Jaime why he never told anyone if all of this is true. Jaime replies that Ned Stark judged him guilty the moment he laid eyes on him. Jaime goes on to rage, asking what right Stark had to judge him: “by what right the wolf dares to judge the lion.” The strain of recounting his harrowing tale overcomes Jaime, however, and he begins to faint, nearly falling face-first into the water. Brienne catches him and calls for help for the Kingslayer, at which, as he slips out of consciousness, whimpers to himself "Jaime. My name is Jaime...”

Some time later, sitting at the dinner table in Harrenhal with Brienne and Roose Bolton, Jaime clumsily tries to cut his meat with one hand until an annoyed Brienne helps him. Roose tells Jaime that wars cost money and that many people would pay a great deal of money for him. After discussing how busy Lord Tywin is battling Robb Stark all over the North, Jaime informs Roose that his father would make time for him. Roose tells Jaime, that when he is well enough to travel, he will allow him to return to King's Landing on the condition that he will tell Tywin the truth, that he had nothing to do with his maiming. As Jaime pours another cup of wine and agrees to relay Roose’s message he informs Brienne of their continued journey, with hopes of no further incidents. However, Roose asserts that Brienne will not be joining him. Brienne informs of her charge to bring Jaime back to King’s Landing, but Roose interrupts by saying she is charged with abetting treason. Jaime protests and insists that she must go with him, but Roose states that he is in no place to insist on anything and hoped Jaime would have learned his lesson about overplaying his position.

Some days later, Jaime arrives in Brienne's chambers to tell her goodbye before he leaves for King's Landing. He informs her that Roose Bolton has demanded she stay behind with Locke. He tells Brienne that he owes her a debt. Brienne tells Jaime that if he keeps his word to Lady Catelyn the debt will be paid. Jaime promises that he will return the Stark girls to their mother. Outside, Lord Bolton, who is also about to depart Harrenhal for the Twins, under orders from Robb Stark, requests that Jaime pass on his regards to Lord Tywin. Jaime asks that Bolton do the same for him with Robb. 

Along their travel back to the capital, the group stops for Qyburn to medicate Jaime's healing stump. Jaime notes that Qyburn's work is more effective than Grand Maester Pycelle and asks why he was expelled from the Order of Maesters. Qyburn tells him that it was because his experiments were "too bold". When Jaime mocks him, Qyburn subtly bashes him for all the lives he has taken while in the Kingsguard. Qyburn informs Jaime that Selwyn Tarth offered 300 gold dragons for Brienne's return, but Locke refused; believing that Lord Selwyn has all the sapphire mines in Westeros. Locke, feeling cheated, would make Brienne the men's entertainment for the night. Jaime senses a feeling of obligation to Brienne, knowing it is his fault for Locke believing there is a fortune in sapphires in Tarth. He approaches Steelshanks and tells him they are to return to Harrenhal. Jaime threatens that he will tell his father upon arrival in Kings Landing, that Steelshanks chopped his hand off. Or, he says he could tell his father that Steelshanks saved his life. Steelshanks relents and escorts Jaime back to Harrenhal.

Upon their arrival, Jaime is shocked and furious to find Locke and his cronies have thrown Brienne into Harrenhal’s fighting pit, facing an angry bear with only a wooden sword to defend herself, as they all mockingly sing “The Bear and the Maiden Fair”. Jaime orders Locke to pull her out and offers to pay whatever ransom he wants, but Locke dismisses the offer, getting more satisfaction out of the spectacle of Brienne being torn apart. In desperation, Jaime leaps into the pit to help her; before the bear can harm either of them, Steelshanks shoots it with a crossbow, distracting the beast long enough for Jaime and Brienne to be pulled out of the pit. Locke tries to stop them from leaving, but Jaime angrily tells him that Lord Bolton cares more about getting him back to King's Landing alive than keeping one of his pet thugs happy, and backed up by Steelshanks and his men, Locke is unable to stop them. Jaime then departs Harrenhal with Brienne and Qyburn in tow.

Some weeks later, Jaime finally returns to the capital of King’s landing and walks into the gates with Brienne and Qyburn. At first, Jaime is apprehensive at the thought of being recognized in his current condition. However, a worker pulling a cart orders that he move out of the way, calling him a '“country boy,” clearly unrecognizable as the nobleman he is due to his disheveled appearance and dirty smallfolk garb. Before heading towards the Red Keep, Jaime and Brienne shares a lingering look towards each other, a silent appreciation for the shared journey they’ve experienced over the last few months. Jaime then immediately heads to Cersei’s chambers and steps into her room, noticing his sister fondly reminiscing over a seashell keepsake, which indicates her sentiment towards their youth together on the shores of Casterly Rock. He calls out her name to grab her attention and as she turns, Jaime notices her layered reaction of relief in his return as well as a large concern over his missing hand. Following his return, Jaime learns of the recent events of the War of the Five Kings, as Roose Bolton had secretly conspired with the Lannisters and House Frey at the Twins during the Red Wedding massacre, resulting in the gruesome murders of Robb and Catelyn Stark.

Some time after re-acclimating to his life in the capital, Jaime is offered a sword by his father Lord Tywin, which is made of Valyrian steel from Eddard Stark’s reforged ancestral sword. Jaime then comments that House Lannister has always wanted its own Valyrian blade as Tywin answers that they now have two. He adds that the original was absurdly large and had plenty of steel for two swords. Tywin then reveals to Jaime his plan to have him removed from the  Kingsguard so that he can return to Casterly Rock and rule as Lord in his stead. However, Jaime tells him that he has no plans of resigning and that he will remain in King's Landing to protect King Joffrey as well as secretly continue his incestuous relationship with Cersei. He also rejects that this is about his honor, as he believes that his honor is too far gone so he might as well do what he wants rather than what is expected of him. Tywin agrees to let him do so, but tells him that he no longer considers him a Lannister. Despite this, Tywin allows Jaime to keep the sword, saying that a “one-armed man with no family needs all the help he can get.”

Later that afternoon, Jaime, Cersei and Qyburn are in Cersei's chambers. Cersei has ordered a golden prosthetic hand made for Jaime, and Qyburn attaches it to Jaime's stump. As Qyburn fits it to him, Jaime complains about it by saying a hook would be more practical. As Qyburn heads out of the room Cersei not-at-all discreetly thanks him for assistance in another matter and informs that the symptoms have gone completely. Jaime has overheard their exchange and, after Qyburn departs, queries what symptoms. Cersei tells him they are symptoms not of his concern, but it is inferred that she was treated for a sexually-transmitted disease. Without digging any depper Jaime changes the subject and tells her that he will stay in the Kingsguard with one hand so he can stay close to her. He then tries to kiss her, but she turns away, much to Jaime's confusion and anger. Cersei implies that she has taken other lovers, which substantiates the previously mentioned symptoms. She coldly informs Jaime that their relationship has changed because of his lengthy absence, stating that he “took too long” with his return to the capital. This statement clearly wounds Jaime, however, the tension is interrupted by a Lannister handmaiden named Bernadette, as she suddenly enters and relays important information to Cersei.

Afterwards, Jaime, King Joffrey and fellow Kingsguard Ser Meryn Trant discuss security for the upcoming wedding to Lady Margaery Tyrell in the White Sword Tower, home of the Kingsguard. Jaime is clearly irked by his son Joffrey's arrogance, as well as Meryn's sycophantic agreement with the king's bragging that he is responsible for keeping the people fed. Jaime then notes that this is more of the doing of House Tyrell, the Lannisters’ new allies. Joffrey also claims that he single-handedly won the war at Blackwater Bay, though it is widely known Tyrion was responsible for the victory. Jaime points out that the war is far from won and as Stannis is still alive he will endeavour to raise fresh armies. Dismissive of the threat posed by Stannis following the Battle of the Blackwater, Joffrey leafs through the Book of Brothers, which details the history of the Kingsguard and those who served in it. He reads Jaime's brief entry and sneers that someone must have forgotten to record all of his great deeds. Joffrey then questions Jaime's ability to serve in the Kingsguard with one hand as Jaime defensively quips that using his left hand makes for more of a challenge. Later, as Sansa Stark prays alone in the godswood in the gardens of King’s Landing, she is watched by Jaime and Brienne. Brienne expects Jaime to uphold his oath to return Catelyn Stark's daughters in return for his freedom, but Jaime counters this by pointing out the situation has been further complicated by Lady Catelyn's death, Arya Stark’s disappearance from the capital and Sansa's arranged marriage to Tyrion, by order of Lord Tywin.

On the day of King Joffrey and Lady Margaery’s wedding, in Tyrion's chambers, he and Jaime share a drink together. Tyrion states that he is impressed with Jaime's new hand, saying that it's much better than the old one. Tyrion then attempts to toast to himself and his siblings by raising his cup to ‘the dwarf, the cripple and the mother of madness’. However, as Jaime goes to raise his own cup he forgets of his new hand and knocks the cup over. This prompts Jaime to address his dilemma: He can't use a sword and he can't train because it will be humiliating. Tyrion informs he knows just the man for his discretionary requirements.

As arranged by Tyrion, Jaime and the paid sellsword Ser Bronn meet up by the sea to train. Jaime is worried that someone might hear them but Bronn responds that he routinely has sex with a married woman in that place and that she is a screamer; if no one heard her, no one will hear them. Jaime remarks that he hasn't wielded a sparring sword since he was nine. As they commence training, Bronn uses his usual dirty tactics and gets the better of Jaime, teaching him not only to use his offhand, but encouraging him to fight dirtier.

Later that afternoon, Joffrey and Margaery's wedding ceremony takes place in the Great Sept of Baelor conducted by the High Septon and they are wed in front of gods and men. Shorty thereafter, at the wedding feast, Jaime is standing in his spot in the Kingsguard formation, where Ser Loras Tyrell accidentally bumps into him and they talk about Cersei, as Tywin has arranged from him to marry Cersei. It is widely known of Loras’ attraction towards men but the political marriage has been agreed upon by their respective houses. However, Jaime informs Ser Loras that he will never marry Cersei and that she would kill him and any child conceived on their wedding night. Loras retorts that Jaime himself will never marry her, a subtle barb to their not-so-secret incestuous relationship. As the feast continues, Jaime then curiously witnesses from a distance a conversation held between Cersei and Brienne. King Joffrey then speaks to the court about contemplating history and out of a large golden lion, five dwarves ride out, representing Joffrey, Stannis Baratheon, Balon Greyjoy and the deceased kings Robb Stark and Renly Baratheon, each of the five kings in the War of the Five Kings. The dwarves put on a jousting performance littered with crude sexual acts. Joffrey and Cersei laugh at the spectacle as the larger part of the wedding party find it unsurprisingly distasteful. After the performance Joffrey then publicly embarrasses Tyrion, much to Cersei's delight, suggesting that as a dwarf himself he should also perform for the royal court. After Tyrion outwits him in front of all his wedding guests, Joffrey petulantly pours wine over Tyrion's head and orders him to serve him wine as his cupbearer. After a few sips Joffrey then begins to choke on his wine, causing him to gasp for air and collapse. Joffrey tries to speak, but begins coughing. He grabs his throat, and Margaery and Olenna exclaim that he is choking and needs help. After collapsing face down and vomiting, Jaime and Cersei rush in and turn Joffrey over on his back, who begins to convulse in agony. Dontos Hollard, a knight-turned-royal jester, suddenly approaches Sansa Stark from behind and urges that she must come with him quickly, as they then flee the disastrous scene. Joffrey quickly dies next to Jaime and Cersei, blood flowing from his eyes and mouth from the effects of the strangling poison. In a blind rage, Cersei accuses Tyrion and has him arrested in front of the entire wedding party. Upon noticing that Sansa has subsequently vanished, Cersei immediately begins to suspect her as well and petulantly demands to know her whereabouts. As Tyrion is seized and sent to the cells of the Red Keep, Lord Tywin orders the Kingsguard to bar the gates of the city and seize every ship in the harbor as no one is allowed to leave the capital.

Some time later, after Joffrey’s funeral in the Great Sept of Baelor, Cersei is mourning over her son’s body. Lord Tywin arrives and wastes no time in prepping the young Tommen Baratheon for the inevitability of his coronation as the new ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. After informing his grandson that he has the right temperament for a ruler, Tywin immediately begins instructing Tommen on the qualities of a good king, much to Cersei’s annoyance. Jaime then enters the Sept to see Cersei and his dead son. As Tywin and Tommen depart, Jaime asks Tommen if he is coping well with the situation and then sends the septon and septas away so he can be alone with Cersei. Cersei urges for the death of the accused, Tyrion and his wife Sansa Stark. She asks Jaime to kill Tyrion for murdering their son because she is sure Tyrion will try to talk his way out of it. Jaime refuses, almost positive that Tyrion did not kill their son and tries to comfort her through his affections. Cersei initially kisses Jaime then pulls away and turns back to her dead son after which Jaime proclaims "You're a hateful woman, why have the gods condemned me to love a hateful woman?" Jaime then becomes aggressive, tearing at her dress. Cersei insists his actions are inappropriate and repeatedly asks Jaime to stop, but he refuses. Cersei eventually gives in as they proceed to have rough, angry sex on the floor in front of their son’s corpse.

Days later, Jaime and Ser Bronn are sword training again, and it seems that Jaime has made a marked improvement in his skills with his left hand as he begins to overpower Bronn. The hired sellsword then takes off Jaime's golden hand and slaps him with it as he falls to the ground, with Bronn lecturing Jaime as to the value of being willing to fight dirty. Jaime then asks Bronn his opinion on the king’s murder as Bronn asserts Tyrion’s innocence. He is then shocked when he realizes that Jaime hasn't yet gone to see his brother in the cells beneath the Red Keep, especially since Tyrion's original choice for his trial by combat at the the Eyrie was Jaime. After hearing this, Jaime visits Tyrion in his cell. Convincing his brother that he didn't kill his son Joffrey, Tyrion notes that not even an irrefutable confession by the real perpetrator would satisfy Cersei. She is out for Tyrion's blood, and he insists that the trial is even worse because at least one the three judges has always wanted him dead, his father Tywin. Jaime tells Tyrion that Cersei offers a knighthood to whomever captures Sansa Stark. Tyrion insists that Sansa had nothing to do with the murder, despite having the best motive.

Later that evening, Cersei calls upon Jaime, however, only to know about Kingsguard formations for protecting Tommen. She then scolds Jaime after learning there is currently only one guard protecting the young successor, as Jaime assures her that Tommen is safe. Cersei then ponders as to why Catelyn Stark released him from his captivity several months ago. Jaime replies that he swore by the gods that he would bring Lady Catelyn's daughters back to her. Cersei questions his loyalty to their enemies, but Jaime states that he only did it so he could return to her in the capital. She then questions his oath to Catelyn and venomously asks what would he do if she asked him to track down and kill the “murderous little bitch” Sansa Stark, believing that she schemed with Tyrion to murder Joffrey. “Would you do it?” Cersei asks, as Jaime remains silent. When accused of going to visit Tyrion in his cell, Jaime tries to convince Cersei that their brother is innocent, however, she refutes that he has always pitied Tyrion and firmly believes that he is the monster that killed their son. Cersei the commands Jaime that she wants four men at Tommen's door and abruptly dismisses him, referring to him only as "Lord Commander.” This illustrates the shift in their relationship that has now almost completely deteriorated over the events of the last few years from what it once was.

The following day, in the White Sword Tower, Brienne reads aloud Jaime’s page in the Book of Brothers. As Jaime expresses his desire to reclaim his honor, he stares at the Valyrian steel sword his father reforged for him. He picks it up and gently hands it to Brienne, who holds it with great admiration. Jaime then gifts the sword to her and as she begins to politely protest, he informs her the sword is Valyrian steel forged from Lord Eddard's sword and thus should be used to defend the Stark daughters. As Jaime then tasks Brienne with finding Sansa, he urges her to find and keep the girl safe from those who would hand her over to Cersei. He also provides her with a horse, supplies and a freshly forged suit of armor. Jaime also insists that she take Podrick Payne with her as a squire, both as a reward for the boy's service to Tyrion and to keep him safe from those who would seek to use him against his former master with the impending murder trial underway. Before departing, Brienne names the sword "Oathkeeper" and vows to find Sansa, for the sake of Jaime and Lady Catelyn. Sansa’s younger sister, Arya, is not mentioned, however, as her disappearance occurred after Eddard’s execution and there has not been word of her in years. Outside, as Podrick readies their horses, Jaime bids farewell to Brienne, and they are both emotionally affected as he watches her ride away from the capital. Some time later, Jaime is present at King Tommen's coronation along with other Kingsguards.

Days afterwards, Ser Jaime escorts a shackled Tyrion out the dungeon and into the throne room to begin his trial. As the trial begins, Jaime’s son, the newly-crowned King Tommen, recuses himself. Instead, a group of three judges are appointed to oversee the trial: Lord Tywin, and two new small council members: Lord Mace Tyrell of the Reach and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. Cersei organizes several witnesses to testify against Tyrion, such as Ser Meryn Trant,  Grand Maester Pycelle and small council member Lord Varys. They all give strong, yet circumstantial, evidence of Tyrion's guilt, though all of whom miss out key contextual details. The testimonials increasingly worry Jaime of the eventual verdict, though it is clear to him that the trial is a farce as, while Cersei has gathered numerous witnesses, no one steps forward to defend Tyrion. Cersei then takes the stand and quotes what Tyrion told her of his planned revenge on her before the Battle of Blackwater, as well as mentioning Tyrion’s insistence of Joffrey on the battlefield. Jaime stands there helpless as he watches his brother dragged through the mud, all the while knowing that Cersei is the one steering the trial.

At recess, an angered Jaime goes to Tywin and offers him a deal: he will leave the Kingsguard and take his place as Tywin's heir at Casterly Rock, if Tyrion's life is spared. Tywin immediately accepts, telling Jaime that Tyrion will be allowed to join the Night's Watch at Castle Black after being found guilty of Joffrey's murder, provided he pleads for mercy. Tywin's instant agreement makes Jaime realize that this was his father’s plan from the start, but he nevertheless agrees.

Before the recess ends, Jaime speaks with Tyrion and urges him to do so. Tyrion is deeply distrustful of the offer, remarking that Eddard Stark was promised the same thing and yet still lost his head, but Jaime pleads with his brother to trust him, insisting that their father will keep his word, and advises him to "Keep your mouth shut. No more outbursts.” As the trial resumes, Tywin orders the next witness to testify: Shae, a whore who was Tyrion’s secret lover. Her appearance astounds Tyrion, as she was believed to be sent away from the capital after threats from Lord Tywin. Shae testifies that Tyrion and Sansa planned Joffrey's murder together, claiming that Sansa wanted vengeance for the murder of her father, mother and brother. She tells the judges of Tyrion's sexual desires, embarrassing him in front of the crowd. Before she can continue, Tyrion, enraged beyond sense, angrily demands that he be allowed to confess his crimes. He angrily roars about how he saved King's Landing from Stannis Baratheon's forces and says he should have let Stannis kill everyone in King's Landing, much to the horror and disgust of the people in the court. Tyrion then claims to be guilty. Lord Tywin assumes that he is guilty for murdering Joffrey but Tyrion denies this, saying he is guilty of a far more monstrous crime: “I am guilty of being a dwarf!” Tywin scoffs at Tyrion's claims and informs that he is not on trial for being a dwarf. Tyrion angrily asserts that he has been on trial for his entire life as a dwarf. Upon being asked, Tyrion informs that he has nothing to say in his defense, "but only this." He then reveals his true feelings about Joffrey, denying guilt in the king's murder but saying he wished to have killed Joffrey himself. Tyrion then turns his full fury towards Cersei and asserts that watching her "vicious bastard" of a son die gave him more relief than "a thousand lying whores." He then turns around to the court and roars that he wishes to have become the monster they all think he is and would have gladly given his life to watch everyone die from drinking poison. This enrages everyone in the court as Lord Tywin then orders Ser Meryn to escort Tyrion back to the dungeons. Before he can be escorted out, Tyrion bellows that he will not lose his life for a crime he did not commit and, knowing that he will get no justice from the court, demands a trial by combat. 

The following day, as Tyrion’s trial by combat is already fast-approaching, Jaime visits him in his cell. Jaime berates Tyrion in his cell for his outburst and not going through with the deal he made with Tywin. Tyrion knew that the deal was everything his father wanted and could not go through with it, adding that Shae’s lies also ended the possibility of a guilty plea. When discussing who will fight for Tyrion, Jaime points out that, despite his practice with Bronn, his current skill with a sword would be useless in a trial by combat. Tyrion jokes about the irony of their father, Lord Tywin, striking down both his heirs if Jaime were to die defending Tyrion as his champion. Jaime then tells Tyrion who Cersei has chosen as their champion: Ser Gregor Clegane.

Meanwhile, Ser Gregor, known by most as "the Mountain,” is mercilessly killing prisoners with a greatsword. Cersei arrives and approaches the Mountain to thank him for his haste in returning to King's Landing as her champion for the trial by combat. Ser Gregor asks who he will be fighting, as Cersei then asks him if it matters. The Mountain simply shakes his head no.

Some days later, in the last hours before his trial by combat, Jaime and Tyrion share a final drink in Tyrion's cell. Tyrion ponders to Jaime the nature of a trial by combat; determining a man’s guilt or innocence in the eyes of the gods by having “two other men hack each other to pieces.” Tyrion surmises that this tells you something about the gods, insinuating their cruelty. Tyrion asks Jaime if he thinks Prince Oberyn stands a chance as his champion, but Jaime is not optimistic. He and Jaime then reminisce about Orson Lannister, their simple-minded cousin who spent his days smashing beetles with a rock. Tyrion tells Jaime of how he used to observe Orson day after day in an attempt to understand his motives, but in the end he was never able to come to reach any understanding. As the bells then ring to announce the trial, Jaime takes his leave, wishing his brother luck. Lannister guardsmen then escort the shackled Tyrion to the arena, where a large crowd has assembled, as Jaime seats himself in the royal box to watch the duel. Tyrion grows apprehensive to find a helm-less Prince Oberyn drinking, and wearing light armor – in comparison to Ser Gregor, clad from head to foot in heavy armor and wielding a greatsword. Oberyn dismisses Tyrion's concerns, noting that he always drinks before a fight and favors speed over protection. Grand Maester Pycelle steps into the arena and begins making a long-winded speech asking the gods to favor the innocent before Tywin cuts him short and begins the trial by combat. Oberyn, after impressing the crowd with a display of acrobatic spear maneuvers, goes on the attack, stabbing out at Gregor and constantly moving out of the knight's reach, forcing Gregor to tire himself out chasing his opponent. As he evades Ser Gregor, Oberyn repeatedly taunts him by constantly bringing up his part in the long-past murders of his sister, Elia Martell, and her children. He demands a confession, only enraging Clegane further. As the “Red Viper” from Dorne starts winning, Tyrion exchanges a few hopeful looks with Jaime and is elated when Oberyn pins Ser Gregor to the ground with his spear. His hopes are quickly shattered, however, in the moment when Ser Gregor knocks Oberyn down and crushes his head with his bare hands, only then confessing his war crimes. With Tyrion's fate revealed, he and Jaime are struck with horror. Tywin then states that the gods have made their will known and Tyrion is sentenced to death. As Tyrion stares in catatonic astonishment at Oberyn's skull-crushed corpse, Cersei smirks in vindication of his sentencing.

Some time later, Cersei finds Jaime in the White Sword Tower, and he expresses disgust at her blatant attempts to have Tyrion killed. Jaime insists that Tyrion is her family whether she chooses to accept it or not. She rebukes his claim, saying he is not her family and that they all have a choice, and that she chooses Jaime. Cersei then reveals to him that she has spilled their secret to Tywin. Jaime is stunned by her actions, asking how Tywin reacted to the news, but she states that she does not want to discuss their father. Cersei begins to seduce him, saying she chooses her brother over everyone else in the world, no longer concerned with whether everyone else knows their secret. Jaime yields to her advances, kissing her passionately and throwing her on the table where they begin to have sex. 

Later that evening, in the middle of the night, Tyrion is awoken in his cell by the sound of his cell door being opened by Jaime, who reveals that he has orchestrated an escape plan for Tyrion with the assistance of Lord Varys, who has secured a boat in the harbor on which Tyrion can sneak out of the city and flee to the Free Cities in Essos. Before they part ways, Tyrion and Jaime share an embrace and bid farewell, unsure if either will ever see the other again. Jaime leaves him with a familial kiss on the cheek. However, after Tyrion’s escape from King’s Landing, Jaime devastatingly learns that before Tyrion fled the city he had slain their father Tywin with a crossbow, leaving Jaime to contemplate his own actions that led to the murder.