Mirri Maz Duur

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Mirri Maz Duur
Mirri Maz Duur.jpg

Titles
Culture Lhazareen
Born In c. 258 AL [1]Essos. Either in Lhazar, or in an unnamed Lhazareen settlement of the Dothraki Sea. [2][3]
Died In 298 ACRed Waste
Books

Played by Mia Soteriou
TV series Season 1

Mirri Maz Duur is a wise woman of the Lhazareen.[2] In the TV series she is played by Mia Soteriou.[4]

Appearance

She is a heavyset, flat-nosed woman with black hair, black eyes, and heavy breasts. She is about 40-years-old when Daenerys first meets her. [2]

When first seen, Mirri is dressed in woolen robes, rich with embroidery. Her robes are, however, covered in mud, bloody, and ripped. [2] Forced to march on foot behind an advancing khalasar severely affected the appearance of Mirri, making her haggard, limping, and tired. [5]

History

Mirri was a godswife in the temple to the Great Shepherd, a Lhazar deity. Her mother had been a godswife before her and taught her all the spells and songs. As a young girl she had traveled to Asshai to learn the arts of the shadowbinders. She also studied the birthing songs of the moonsingers of the Jogos Nhai, the herb lore of the Dothraki and the anatomy lessons of Maester Marwyn. [2] [6]

At some point she settled into a Lhazareen settlement, where she healed countless "good men," including a boy who recovered from "deadeye fever." Thee months following this recovery, the settlement was sacked by the Dothraki, and Mirri was raped by four different men. Her "god's house" (temple) and her own home were burned by the conquerors. She saw piles of human heads in the streets of her hometown, some of which she recognized, and saw riders driving captive children off with their whips. [7]

Recent Events

A Game of Thrones

Mia Soteriou as Mirri Maz Duur(TV series)

A battle took place between the Dothraki khalasars of Drogo and Ogo. The forces of Ogo had been been defeated, with Ogo himself and his son Fogo among the casualties. The battle had taken place next to a Lhazareen settlement, and the town was still burning. The khalasar of Drogo claimed many captives, both Dothraki and Lhazareen. Following the battle, Daenerys Targaryen, wife of Drogo, rides the Silver across the town. In an attempt to rescue a number of captive women from further rape, Daenerys decides to claim them as slaves of her own. Whenever she locates a woman being raped, Daenerys sends her khas to claim the woman in her name. One of these raped and enslaved women is Mirri Maz Duur. Unlike the other women, who stare at Daenerys suspiciously, Mirri haltingly blesses Daenerys in the Common Tongue. [2]

Drogo had been wounded twice in the battle. A Lhazareen short arrow had penetrated his upper arm and an arakh had cut into his chest area. A concerned Daenerys insists that her husband needs medical attention, and Mirri volunteers her services. Qotho feels insulted by her offer and commands Aggo to cut out the tongue of the bold slave. Aggo grabs Mirri by the hair and presses a knife to her throat, but Daenerys overrules the original command and permits the older woman to speak. She notices that Mirri replies in the Dothraki language. [2]

Mirri first claims to have "some small skill" in the healing arts, then properly introduces herself. She identifies herself as a godswife, though Haggo recognizes this term as a synonym to maegi. Mirri insists that she is a healer. Qotho sneers at her claim and insists on killing "this maegi". Daenerys decides that Mirri does not look like a maegi and inquires on the qualifications of Mirri as a healer. Mirri briefly explains her past activities and acquired knowledge. When Jorah Mormont inquires on the identity of the maester who educated her, Mirri replies to him in the Common Tongue. She provides a brief description of Marwyn and his own qualifications as a healer. Jorah concedes that people trained at the Citadel are knowledgeable enough in the healing arts. [2]

Suitably convinced of the qualifications of Mirri, Daenerys next questions the woman's motives. Why would the slave want to help the khal? Mirri claims religious reasons to do so. She explains that in the religion of the Great Shepherd, all humans are considered to be a single flock; her personal mission is to heal the lambs, wherever they can be found. Qotho takes insult at hearing the Dothraki described as lambs and slaps her, bruising her face. Daenerys insists that Mirri should not be harmed. Drogo, previously silent, intervenes. He is in pain and wants the healer to remove the arrow from his arm. Mirri agrees to do so, though she points out that the chest wound is dangerous if left unwashed and open to fester. She wants the patient to be transported to the local "god's house" (temple) where her tools and potions are still located. She claims that the healing powers are at their strongest in the god's house. [2]

Mirri leads Drogo, Daenerys, and the three bloodriders (Cohollo, Haggo, Qotho) to the temple. All six enter the temple, while Jorah and the khas of the khaleesi are left guarding its entrance. Mirri instructs Drogo to lay upon the altar. Then attempts to convince the others to wait outside. Cohollo insists that the role of a bloodrider is to stay by his khal. Qotho steps closer to the healer to deliver a warning. If Mirri harmed the khal, she would suffer the same fate. He emphasizes his words by showing the blade of his knife to the healer. Daenerys feels that she can trust the older woman and proclaims her certainty that Mirri will do no harm. [2]

When the bloodriders refuse to leave the temple, Mirri has them hold Drogo still while she removes the arrow, chanting in the Lhazareen language for the duration of the procedure. She next boils a flagon of wine and uses this liquid to clean the wounds. Drogo curses her but manages to stay still. The healer binds the arrow wound with a plaster of wet leaves. Then, she turns her attention to the chest wound. She smears it with a pale green paste, then pulls the skin back together. She uses a silver needle and a bobbin of silver thread to stitch the wound, then covers it with a poultice. [2]

With the procedure over, Mirri has some instructions and warnings for her patient. She first gives him prayers to say during his recovery. She instructs him to keep the poultice in place for the following ten days. She warns that there will be fever and itching, and once the wound heals, a great scar will appear in its place. She cautions him against drinking wine or milk of the poppy, since he will have to save his strength to face the "poison spirits." Drogo is mostly dismissive of her words. He claims to be proud of his scars, to spit on pain, and to drink whatever he likes. Daenerys is suitably impressed with Mirri, politely asking the older woman to tend to her when the time comes to give birth. Drogo laughs at the politeness of his wife. He pointing out that Mirri is a slave and that Daenerys is free to command her, not merely ask her. He then leaves the temple with his bloodriders. Qotho lingers behind to repeat his threat to Mirri, that her survival is connected to that of Drogo. Mirri calmly agrees with his statement, adding her remark that the Great Shepherd guards the flock (humanity). [2]

In the following days, Drogo ignores several instructions by Mirri. He tore off the poultice when it itched and burned, cursing Mirri as a "maegi." He kept the soothing mud plaster, but took excessive poppy wine from the herbwomen. Meanwhile, he barely ate and his sleep was troubled, further weakening his constitution. Six days following the removal of the poultice, Drogo falls from his horse, a sign to his warriors that he can no longer lead them. Daenerys commands Qotho to locate Mirri and bring her to the patient, reasoning that Mirri was walking as part of the long column of slaves, surrounded by other Lhazareen. Qotho is not eager to perform the order or come into contact with the maegi, but Daenerys threatens to reveal his defiance to Drogo. [5]

Qotho does manage to locate Mirri and bring her to the tent. Haggo helps him by transporting the chest with Mierri's equipment. The slave bows low upon entering the tent. She studies her patient and notes the festering of his wound. Qotho accuses her of bringing the patient to this condition, then Haggo punches her to the ground and starts kicking her. Qotho pulls his fellow bloodrider away from the woman, claiming that kicks are a merciful way to kill the maegi. He instead suggests staking her to the ground and letting every passing man to mount her. While he speaks, Qotho grabs the arm of Mirri and hauls her to her feet. Daenerys tries to intervene, resulting in an argument between the khaleesi and the bloodrider. Qotho leads the bloodriders in leaving the tent. [5]

Mirri looks at her owner with wary eyes and points out that this is the second time Daenerys has rescued her. Daenerys politely asks her to return the favor by saving Drogo. In a sharp voice, Mirri replies that one commands a slave, instead of asking the slave, echoing Drogo's previous words. She re-examines Drogo's chest wound and concludes that the man is beyond the help of a healer. She opens one eye of the unconscious patient and immediately notices the effects of the milk of the poppy. She points out that the poultice had to stay on and there was "great healing magic" in its effects. Daenerys suggests creating a new poultice for him, but Mirri dismisses the idea, as it is now too late for such measures. She states that Drogo will be gone by the next morning. [5]

Desperate for a solution to her problem, Daenerys offers to free Mirri, if only the healer knows some magic to help the dying man. Mirri's expression suddenly changes. Daenerys notices "eyes as black as night" studying her own face. Mirri offers to use a spell learned in Asshai, taught to her by a bloodmage of the Shadow Lands. Daenerys suddenly realizes that Mirri is really a maegi, but is eager to accept an agreement. Mirri warns her owner that there is a price to be paid for the use of blood magic, as "only death may pay for life." Daenerys initially suspects that the price is her own death. Mirri assures her that this in not the case, and the khaleesi asks for no more clarifications. She asks Mirri to go forward, and the maegi agrees. [5]

The process begins with Mirri asking for the horse of Drogo, a great red stallion. At this point Jhogo, loyal to Daenerys, interrupts the activities. He does not trust Mirri, and points out the forbidden nature of blood magic. He requests permission to kill the maegi, but Daenerys denies him. Mirri chants words in a language unknown to Daenerys, then pulls out a bronze knife covered with ancient glyphs. She personally cuts the throat of the stallion. The flowing horse blood is added to the bath waters of Drogo. Mirri sings a chant about the strength of the mount going into the rider. Mirri then tosses a red powder onto the coals of a nearby brazier. When Daenerys commands her scared handmaids away, Mirri asks for the khaleesi to leave as well, claiming that she is about to sing a song which will wake powers old and dark. The dead are about to dance and no living person should be in the tent and look upon them. [5]

Daenerys leaves the tent with one final request: "bring him back to me." The next phase of the process begins. The voice of Mirri rises to an ululating wail, and the tent appears aglow; shadows are glimpsed moving within it. Mirri dances. Her wailing at times sounds like "nothing human." Meanwhile, Daenerys goes into labor. Aggo suggests taking the khaleesi back into the tent to the maegi, the only midwife still available to her. Inside the tent, the shadows keep dancing. Daenerys glimpses the shadow of a great wolf, and another shaped like a man wreathed in flames. First Irri, and then Doreah support the suggestion of Aggo. Jorah carries Daenerys into the tent, paying no attention to the dancing shapes. Daenerys feels that the voice of Mirri grows louder and fills her world. [5]

Daenerys wakes from a long sleep and crawls toward her dragon eggs. Jhiqui alerts Doreah, Irri, Jorah, and Mirri who all arrive at the tent. Jorah carries the khaleesi back to her sleeping silks, insisting that Daenerys should sleep to recover her strength. Mirri tips a cup against the lips of her most recent patient, and Daenerys drinks from the offered cup, tasting a warm liquid. She recognizes the taste of sour milk but cannot place another, thick, bitter ingredient. As soon as she swallows, she drifts back to sleep. [7] When Daenerys wakes a second time, she asks for water and her three handmaidens respond to her call. Mirri follows Jhiqui into the tent. She offers another cup to Daenerys. This time, it tastes of sweet wine. Daenerys, in a slurred voice, asks the maegi to bring something to her. Mirri initially does not understand and asks for clarifications. She listens to Daenerys pleas to hold a "dragon's egg," before falling back asleep. [7]

Daenerys wakes up for a third time, feeling both thirsty and hungry. She finds out that Mirri did respond to her previous request, as her arms are wrapped around a dragon's egg. Daenerys asks her handmaidens to summon Jorah and Mirri, then remembers Drogo and asks them about the fate of her husband. Jorah and Mirri arrive soon after, and the khaleesi asks them about the fate of her son, Rhaego. Jorah hesitates to reply, but Mirri replies with no apparent hesitation. She had served as a midwife to Daenerys and drew forth Rhaego from the womb. She claims that the boy was monstrous, scaled like a lizard, blind, having a partially-formed tail and bat-like wings, and when she touched him, the dead skin fell off his bones. She claims the boy had already died and decayed within the womb. [7] Daenerys revises her opinion of Mirri, finding the maegi to be stronger, crueler, and far more dangerous than Jorah. [7]

Daenerys observes that her son was still alive during the night of the ritual, when Jorah had carried her into the tent. Mirri insists that the boy was dead at the womb, commenting that "death was in that tent." Jorah responds that he had seen Mirri alone in that tent, dancing with the shadows. Mirri gives a cryptic reply, concerning the long shadows of the grave, shadows which no light can hold back. At this point, Daenerys complains about Mirri's insufficient warning to her. When Mirri warned that only death could pay for life, Daenerys had thought it was the death of the red stallion. Mirri replies that this is a lie and the khaleesi is merely deceiving herself. She is certain that Daenerys was aware of the actual price. Daenerys does not confirm nor deny this assessment, uncertain of what her actual motivation was when she agreed to pay the price. But she then points that the price was payed with the deaths of the red stallion, Cohollo, Haggo, Qotho, Quaro, and Rhaego. She asks Mirri for the results of their ritual on Drogo. [7]

Mirri agrees to lead Daenerys to her husband, though Daenerys still feels weak and has to be supported by Jorah and Jhogo. Daenerys discovers that Drogo is still alive but in a catatonic, vegetable state. She points out the high price of Mirri's spells. The maegi defends herself, stating that Daenerys asked and paid for life, implying that their agreement was for Drogo to merely bodily survive. Daenerys demands to know when will Drogo return to his previous, healthy state, and Mirri gives a reply which suggests the impossibility of this request:[7]

"When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before." [7]

Daenerys asks for everyone to leave as she wants to speak privately with Mirri. She confronts the maegi, saying that Mirri was aware of what Daenerys was actually buying, ensuring the vegetative state of Drogo, and that Mirri was aware of the high price of the ritual, and yet let Daenerys pay said price. Mirri calmly admits to betraying Daenerys, seeking revenge for the destroyed temple of the Great Shepherd. Daenerys accuses the maegi of deceiving her and willingly murdering Rhaego. Mirri says that her actions ensured that the Stallion Who Mounts the World will burn no cities and trample no nations into dust. [7]

Daenerys protest that she had defended Mirri from others and saved her life. Mirri lists the atrocities which she endured in the hands of the Dothraki, then laughs cruelly at the notion that the younger woman had saved her. She lost everything except her own life. She had nothing worth living for. Daenerys calls out for her khas to arrest Mirri, binding her hand and foot. Mirri smiles at Daenerys while she is carried away, as if they are sharing a secret. She briefly contemplates the execution of Mirri by decapitation, but can see no use in a severed head. Shortly after, Daenerys smothers Drogo in a mercy killing. [7]

Daenerys has a funeral pyre prepared for Drogo, with Mirri bound by the pyre. She witnesses the sacrifice of a horse with some disquiet. She assumes that Daenerys is attempting to use blood magic on her own. She points out that the blood is meaningless without an accompanying spell and the knowledge to craft it. She claims that "maegi" means "wise," while Daenerys is an ignorant child. She is certain that whatever the khaleesi is attempting will not work. Then she attempts to bargain for her freedom, offering to help Daenerys with her spell in return for being set free from her bonds. Daenerys has no intention of listening to the captive maegi, and has Jhogo use his whip to silence Mirri. [8]

As the sun sets, Daenerys places all three of her dragon eggs by the corpse of Drogo. Mirri watches her actions and proclaims the khaleesi mad. Daenerys alludes to the small distance between wisdom and madness, then instructs Jorah and Rakharo to bind Mirri to the pyre. Mirri remains silent when transported to the pyre. Daenerys personally pours oil over the head of the bound woman, thanking the maegi for the lessons delivered. The oil drips from the hair of the maegi and soaks her clothing. Mirri defiantly claims that Daenerys won't listen to her screams. Daenerys argues otherwise, and says that she wants to claim Mirri's life for another purpose. She has learned her lesson that "only death can pay for life." Mirri opens her mouth in shock, rendered speechless. Daenerys notices a change in the eyes of the maegi, where Mirri's contempt gives way to fear. [8]

Under the light of the Red Comet, Daenerys personally lights the fire. Mirri starts to sing, and as she catches fire, her song becomes louder and more shrill before she begins screaming. The sound of her screams soon grows fainter, increasingly drowned out by the roaring of the pyre. Finally, Mirri stays silent. By this point, Daenerys herself approaches the flames and walks into the blaze. When the fire dies out, only charred bones remain of Mirri. But Daenerys remains unburned, and the dragons eggs have hatched. The death of Mirri paid for the lives of three newborn dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. [8]

A Clash of Kings

In Vaes Tolorro, Daenerys learns that she resembles Lynesse Hightower, former wife of Jorah Mormont. She realizes that Jorah sees her as a potential mate and wants her. She considers marrying again, but remembers that Mirri had listed "when your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child" in a list of impossibilities, suggesting that Daenerys will never give birth to a living child. She considers herself "barren" (infertile), and wonders what man would desire a barren wife. [9]

In Qarth, Pyat Pree invites Daenerys to the House of the Undying, promising that she will "drink of truth and wisdom." She finds herself wary of the warlock, and contemplates that her experience with Mirri left her disillusioned with people practicing sorcery. [10] Daenerys also finds the hidden face of Quaithe to be disturbing. She fears treachery and recalls her interaction with Mirri. [10]

When Daenerys prepares to enter the House of the Undying, Pyat Pree claims that she "must enter alone, or not all." Jorah fears that a trap awaits and warns the Targaryen to remember Mirri. Daenerys dismisses his concerns. She expects the Undying Ones to have a superior knowledge and more to offer than Mirri did, an answer which pleases Pyat Pree. [11]

One of the visions Daenerys sees in the House of the Undying involves Mirri. The vision depicts Mirri shrieking in the flames of her own funeral pyre. A dragon bursts from the brow of the dying woman. [11]

When Daenerys enters the House of the Undying, she is told that she will be betrayed three times, "once for blood and once for gold and once for love". [11] Later, Daenerys contemplates the meaning of this warning. She is certain that Mirri was the first traitor, avenging the spilled blood of her people. But she believes that the second and third treason have yet to occur. She is uncertain of the identities of the traitors. She briefly considers the possibility of the traitors being Pyatt Pree and Xaro Xhoan Daxos, then dismisses that thought. Both men had already turned against her, but Pyat was not motivated by gold, nor was Xaro motivated by love. [12]

A Storm of Swords

Aboard the ship Balerion, Jorah Mormont and Daenerys discuss the warning of the Undying. He seemingly agrees with her belief that Mirri was the first traitor, then points out that two traitors remain, not yet revealed. He voices his suspicions of their two latest companions: "Arstan Whitebeard" (Barristan Selmy) and Belwas. He sees them as men loyal to Illyrio Mopatis, not to Daenerys. He then confesses his suspicion of Illyrio himself, who is capable of betraying for gold. [13] Daenerys answers by reminding Jorah of Mirri's fate. She had betrayed Daenerys, so Daenerys managed to have the maegi killed. She is confident of her ability to handle Illyrio in a similar manner. Jorah reminds her of a major difference between Mirri and Illyrio - Daenerys had power over Mirri, enough to decide the life or death of the maegi. In Pentos, Illyrio is the powerful one, and he will have power over Daenerys. [13]

When preparing to besiege Yunkai, Daenerys remembers Mirri's words signifying that Daenerys would never give birth to a living child. She feels certain that House Targaryen will die out with her. Her only consolation is that her three dragons will outlive her, since the life spans of dragons are longer than those of humans. Her three "children" will go on after her death, serving as her legacy to the world. [14]

A Dance with Dragons

In Meereen, Daenerys still contemplates the warning of the Undying concerning three treasons. She is certain that Mirri was the first traitor, and Jorah Mormont the second one, but she has yet to identify the third traitor. She wonders if it will be a person she already suspects, or someone beyond suspicion. She considers several potential solutions to this riddle, contemplating (in order) her suspicions of Reznak mo Reznak, Skahaz mo Kandaq, Daario Naharis, Barristan Selmy, Grey Worm, and Missandei. [15]

Following a feast, Daenerys and Hizdahr zo Loraq have a brief sexual encounter. Hizdahr is drunk and consequently does not last long. He nuzzles at his wife's ear and whispers about his hopes of conceiving a son with her. In response, the words of Mirri echo in Daenerys' head: "when the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child". The Targaryen considers again the plain meaning of these words, that the chance of her giving birth to a living child is as strong as the resurrection of the dead. She decides to keep this secret to herself, allowing Hizdahr to keep hoping for the impossible. [16]

Quotes

"When I was younger and more fair, I went in caravan to Asshai by the Shadow, to learn from their mages. Ships from many lands come to Asshai, so I lingered long to study the healing ways of distant peoples. " [2]

"My song will wake powers old and dark. The dead will dance here this night. No living man must look upon them." [5]

Quotes about Daenerys

"The godswife thought her a child, but children grow and children learn" [8]

- Daenerys Targaryen, on the way Mirri thought of her.

References and Notes

  1. Mirri is described as a "woman of forty years"
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 61, Daenerys VII.
  3. The settlement where Mirri was first encountered was built further north than the areas usually claimed by the Lhazareen.
  4. HBO: Game of Thrones: cast and crew
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 64, Daenerys VIII.
  6. Page 560
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  9. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  10. 10.0 10.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 48, Daenerys IV.
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 63, Daenerys V.
  13. 13.0 13.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
  14. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  15. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 2, Daenerys I.
  16. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 50, Daenerys VIII.

See also