3.6 The Climb

Tywin plans strategic unions for the Lannisters. Melisandre visits the Riverlands. Robb weighs a compromise to repair his alliance with House Frey. Roose Bolton decides what to do with Jaime Lannister. Jon, Ygritte and the Wildlings face a daunting climb.

Plot Summary
Tywin Lannister meets with Lady Olenna Tyrell to discuss the marriage arrangements concerning Ser Loras, Cersei, Tyrion and Sansa. After much discussion, Olenna agrees to wed Ser Loras to Cesei after Tywin threatens to place Loras in the Kingsguard. With the marriage arrangements settled, Tyrion breaks the news to Sansa. Though he is forced to incontrovertibly tell Shae at the same time because she is also present in the room. In the throne room, Varys finds Petyr Baelish by the Iron Throne and reveals that he had foiled Baelish's attempt to marry Sansa and rule the north. The two discuss the concept of the realm. While Varys serves the realm, Petyr relishes in the idea of chaos. He explains that chaos is like a ladder where the ambiguous are given room to ascend.

Then Baelish reveals that he had found Vary's informant, Ros and had disposed of her by giving her to Joffrey so he can kill her. In Riverrun, Robb and his men meet with "Black Walder" and Lothar Frey to discuss making amends with Walder Frey to recreate the alliance between the two houses. The Freys demand that Robb promise them the castle Harrenhal, an formal apology from Robb and wed Lord Edmure Tully to Frey's daughter Roslin. Edmure is initally against the arrangement, but agrees to do it for Robb. Elsewhere, the lady Melisandre visits Thoros and Beric at their camp. When Melisandre examines Beric, she is amazed to learn that he had been brought back from the dead six times. She then pays Beric to take Gendry back with her.

When Arya protests to Beric selling Gendry, Melisandre looks and tells her she sees many eyes that Arya will shut forever. She then tells Arya that they will meet again and leaves the camp. Beyond the wall, Jon and the other wildlings attempt to climb the wall. After scaling the wall, Jon and Ygritte are able reach the top of the wall. Having almost died getting to the top, Ygritte and Jon share a kiss on the wall. At Harrenhal, Lord Bolton agrees to let Jaime go if he promises to tell his father that he was not responsible for cutting off Jaime's hand. However, Brienne is kept at the castle for aiding treason.