Editing Melisandre

{{redirect|Melony|the favorite of Princess Rhaena Targaryen|Melony Piper}}
{{Infobox character
| arms = R'hllor
| firstname = Melisandre
| image = John Picacio Melisandre of Asshai.jpg
| image_caption = Melisandre of Asshai, by John Picacio ©
| Alias = Lady Melisandre{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}<br>The red woman{{Ref|ACOK|10}}<br>Red witch{{Ref|AFFC|17}}<br>The king's red shadow{{Ref|ADWD|17}}<br>Lady Red{{Ref|ADWD|17}}<br>Melony{{Ref|ADWD|31}}
| Title =
| Allegiance = [[R'hllor|Faith of R'hllor]]<br>[[House Baratheon of Dragonstone]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Asshai]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' (appears)<br>''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' (mentioned)<br>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' (POV)<br>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' (POV)
| coat-of-arms =
| Played_by = [[w:Carice van Houten|Carice van Houten]]
| TV_series = ''[[Game of Thrones]]'': <br>[[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|3]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 4|4]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 5|5]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 6|6]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 7|7]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 8|8]]
}}

'''Melisandre''' is a [[red priest]]ess of [[R'hllor]] and a [[shadowbinder]], hailing from the city of [[Asshai]] in the [[Further East]] of [[Essos]]. She has joined the court of [[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Lord of Dragonstone]], believing him to be [[Azor Ahai]] reborn, a hero destined to defeat the [[Great Other]]. She has become an influential advisor to him and [[House Baratheon of Dragonstone|his family]].{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} She becomes a [[POV character]] in ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]''.

In the television adaptation ''[[Game of Thrones]]'', Melisandre is portrayed by [[w:Carice van Houten|Carice van Houten]].

==Appearance and Character==
{{See also|:Category:Images of Melisandre|l1=Images of Melisandre}}

Melisandre is regarded as a beautiful woman by many.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} She has long hair the color of deep burnished [[copper]],{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} unsettling red eyes,{{ref|ASOS|54}}{{ref|ASOS|75}} and pale, unblemished skin.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} The priestess is slender, graceful, and taller than most [[knight]]s.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Melisandre has full breasts, a narrow waist, and a heart-shaped face.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} She has a deep voice{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} which sounds melodic{{ref|ADWD|10}}{{ref|ADWD|28}} and might make a listener envision anise, nutmeg, and cloves.{{ref|ADWD|10}}

Melisandre speaks the [[Common Tongue]] of [[Westeros]] with rich accents of the [[Jade Sea]]{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} and [[Essos]].{{ref|ASOS|36}} She also speaks [[High Valyrian]] and the [[speech of Asshai]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}} She sings loudly and clearly.{{ref|ASOS|63}}

As is the custom of [[red priest]]s, Melisandre always dresses in long red fabric.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}{{Ref|ACOK|42}}{{Ref|ASOS|76}} She wears bloodred fabric underneath a [[silk]] gown the color of bright fire on one occasion,{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} and robes of scarlet satin and blood velvet on another.{{ref|ACOK|10}} The priestess also wears a scarlet cloak.{{ref|ACOK|31}}{{ref|ACOK|42}} She is never without a red gold choker containing [[Melisandre's ruby|a ruby]] which fits tightly around her neck.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} When Melisandre works [[magic]], the ruby setting glows with power,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} and it may be able to burn her if the magic worked is particularly demanding.{{ref|ADWD|31}} The priestess claims to never be cold, despite weather conditions,{{ref|ASOS|76}} and she gives off noticeable heat.{{ref|ADWD|3}}{{ref|ADWD|31}}

Melisandre has the ability to see [[visions]] in the flames, and completely trusts in the power of her god, [[R'hllor]]. Although she acknowledges that her visions can be misinterpreted,{{Ref|ASOS|54}} she has faith in her ability to correctly interpret them, even if the vision does not entirely agree with the proposed interpretation.{{Ref|ADWD|31}}

Melisandre is careful to present herself as mysterious, serene and powerful, and she pretends that several acts of magic are much easier than they are in truth. Although Melisandre is genuinely skilled with magic, she enhances this with various smokes and powders that she keeps concealed in her robes.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} The priestess always keeps candles burning in her chambers at night.{{ref|ADWD|31}}

==History==
[[File:Bella Bergolts Melisandre.jpg|thumb|Melisandre by Bella Bergolts ©]]
As a [[slave]] called '''Melony''' of "Lot Seven", Melisandre was sold to a [[red temple]] at an early age.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} She has learned the [[Common Tongue]], [[High Valyrian]], and the [[tongue of Asshai]].{{ref|ACOK|10}}

Melisandre has practiced her art for "years beyond count".{{Ref|ADWD|31}}

Melisandre travels to [[Dragonstone]] on her own<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Asshai.com_Interview_in_Barcelona/ Asshai.com Interview in Barcelona], July 28, 2012</ref> in search of a prophesied prince, [[Azor Ahai]], who will lead the [[war for the dawn]] against the [[Great Other]], the enemy to her god, [[R'hllor]].{{Ref|AWOIAF|Melisandre}} She is convinced that Dragonstone is the place of smoke and salt amidst which Azor Ahai shall be reborn.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|53}} Melisandre comes to believe that [[Stannis Baratheon]], the [[Lord of Dragonstone]], is Azor Ahai reborn,{{Ref|awoiaf|Melisandre}} and she becomes a confidant to Stannis's wife, [[Selyse Florent]].{{Ref|ACOK|15}}

==Recent Events==
===''A Game of Thrones''===
At the [[crossroads inn]], Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] tells his son [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] that according to one of the rumors Lord [[Varys]] has heard, Lord [[Stannis Baratheon]] is bringing a [[shadowbinder]] from [[Asshai]] to [[Dragonstone]],{{Ref|AGOT|69}} possibly in reference to Melisandre, although she had arrived on Dragonstone some years ago.{{Ref|ACOK|15}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
Melisandre resides at Dragonstone, where she has converted Lady [[Selyse Florent]] to the faith of [[R'hllor]]. She is feared by most of the servants, who call her "the red woman" as they do not dare to say her name.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Melisandre believes that Stannis fulfills an ancient prophecy from [[Asshai]], and is [[Azor Ahai]] reborn.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Determined to stop Melisandre's "madness" from spreading beyond Dragonstone, Stannis's [[maester]], [[Cressen]], proposes a toast between himself and Melisandre, using [[Strangler|poisoned wine]]. Melisandre drinks most of the wine and remains unharmed, but Cressen dies drinking the remaining fluid.{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}}

Although Stannis is not as committed to [[R'hllor]] as his wife and the [[queen's men]] in his court, Melisandre convinces him to burn the statues of [[Faith of the Seven|the Seven]] from the castle sept of Dragonstone in sacrifice to R'hllor.{{Ref|ACOK|10}} Outside of Dragonstone's gates, Melisandre proclaims Stannis to be Azor Ahai reborn and has him pull a burning sword from the fire, declaring it to be the legendary sword [[Lightbringer]].{{Ref|ACOK|10}} He eventually creates a new sigil for himself, the fiery heart of the Lord of Light.{{Ref|ACOK|31}}

In [[King's Landing]], Lord [[Petyr Baelish]] reminds the [[small council]] that some years past, Varys had reported that Selyse had taken up with a [[red priest]]. The councilors decide to use Melisandre's religion and the [[greyscale]] of Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]] to discredit Stannis.{{ref|ACOK|15}}

[[File:Shadow baby birth.jpg|250px|thumb|Melisandre births a [[shadow child|shadow assassin]], by Anja Dalisa ©]]

Stannis's brother [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]], [[Lord of Storm's End]], has also declared himself king, and has gathered the support from most [[stormlanders]] and men from the [[Reach]]. When Stannis sets sail from Dragonstone to [[Siege of Storm's End (299)|besiege Storm's End]], Melisandre accompanies him. She urges Stannis to meet with Renly and give him a last chance to swear his loyalty to Stannis.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} During the meeting, she serves as Stannis's standard bearer.{{Ref|ACOK|31}} Melisandre had previously seen Renly's death in her flames,{{Ref|ACOK|Prologue}} and outside the walls of [[Storm's End]]{{ref|ACOK|42}} she creates a [[shadow child|shadow]] which kills Renly the morning he is to march to battle against Stannis. [[Catelyn Stark]] feels Stannis's presence in Renly's pavilion and blames him for Renly's death.{{Ref|ACOK|33}}

Stannis begins to have terrible nightmares after Renly's death, and only Melisandre can soothe him to sleep.{{ref|ACOK|42}} Although many stormlords join Stannis after Renly's death, some loyal forces continue to hold Storm's End, and Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] returns to [[Bitterbridge]] to take control over sixty thousand men Renly had left behind.{{ref|ACOK|36}}

The castellan of Storm's End, Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], refuses to yield the castle or his ward, [[Edric Storm]]. Stannis tells Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] that Melisandre has foreseen that Cortnay will die within a day. He also reveals that she has seen Renly smashing Stannis's forces beneath the walls of King's Landing, but Stannis believes that Renly's death has prevented that scenario from happening. At night Stannis has Davos row Melisandre into a tunnel underneath Storm's End, where she births a shadow which Davos recognizes as Stannis's.{{ref|ACOK|42}} Cortnay is then thrown to his death by the shadow,{{ref|AWOIAF|Cortnay Penrose}} though his death is made to look like he jumped from a tower.{{ref|ACOK|44}} After Lord [[Elwood Meadows]] surrenders Storm's End to Stannis,{{ref|ACOK|45}} Melisandre has her king burn the castle's [[godswood at Storm's End|ancient godswood]].{{ref|ACOK|52}}

With Storm's End taken, Stannis is ready to march on King's Landing. By stating that men might say Stannis owes his crown to Melisandre's spells if he allows her to take part in the battle to come, Lord [[Bryce Caron]] convinces Stannis to send Melisandre back to Dragonstone, where she resides while Stannis and his forces fight at the capital.{{Ref|ACOK|58}} Stannis is defeated in the [[Battle of the Blackwater]], however, after the arrival of the armies of Lords [[Tywin Lannister]] and [[Mace Tyrell]].{{ref|ACOK|62}}{{ref|ACOK|65}} Ser [[Garlan Tyrell]], leading Tywin's vanguard,{{ref|ASOS|10}} wears Renly's green armor during the charge of the newcomers,{{ref|ASOS|67}} making Melisandre's vision of Renly in his green armor defeating Stannis's forces underneath the walls of King's Landing{{Ref|ACOK|42}} come true, after a fashion.

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:Stannis Melisandre Lightbringer Dragonstone.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Melisandre is convinced that [[Stannis Baratheon]] is [[Azor Ahai]], by Amok ©]]
Melisandre and Selyse burn Lord [[Guncer Sunglass]] and the surviving sons of Ser [[Hubard Rambton]] as sacrifices to R'hllor while Stannis is attacking King's Landing.{{ref|ASOS|10}}

When Davos returns to [[Dragonstone]] from [[Blackwater Bay]],{{ref|ASOS|5}} Stannis refuses to see anyone but Melisandre. Davos is determined to kill Melisandre,{{Ref|ASOS|10}} believing her to be responsible for the defeat on the Blackwater and subsequently the deaths of his four eldest sons.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} According to Melisandre, she learned of this plan through her flames,{{Ref|ASOS|25}} and Davos is arrested.{{Ref|ASOS|10}} She later visits Davos in the dungeon, and admits to him that she dare not make another [[shadow assassin|shadow son]] with Stannis, as it might kill him. Melisandre suggests making one with Davos, but Davos refuses.{{Ref|ASOS|25}}

Melisandre tells Stannis there is power in a king's blood, and she wishes to sacrifice [[Edric Storm]], the acknowledged [[bastardy|bastard son]] of the late King [[Robert I Baratheon]], to "wake the stone [[dragon]]". Both Melisandre and Stannis are convinced of the need to quickly unite the [[Seven Kingdoms]] under one king, in preparation for the battle against the [[Great Other]], about whom Melisandre has shown Stannis visions in the flames.{{Ref|ASOS|36}} Stannis refuses to allow Melisandre to sacrifice Edric, however, and the king instead throws leeches filled with Edric's blood into the flames while stating the names of the "three false kings:" [[Balon Greyjoy]], [[Robb Stark]], and [[Joffrey Baratheon]].{{Ref|aSoS|36}}

[[File:T Jedruszek Mel.jpg|thumb|Melisandre rides with [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s men, by Tomasz Jedruszek © Fantasy Flight Games]]

In time, Balon falls from [[Pyke]]{{ref|ASOS|45}} and Robb is killed at the [[Red Wedding]].{{ref|ASOS|51}} Melisandre claims it was R'hllor's doing and warns that "false kings" will take up the crowns of those who have fallen.{{Ref|ASOS|54}} When Davos points out that Joffrey is still alive, Stannis refuses Melisandre once more. However, Stannis implies to Davos that he will be willing to sacrifice Edric should Joffrey die.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

When Davos learns that Joffrey has died at his own [[Purple Wedding|royal wedding]],{{ref|ASOS|60}} he enlists the help of some [[king's men]] to smuggle Edric from Dragonstone. Davos reads Stannis and Melisandre a letter from Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] at [[Castle Black]], informing the realm of the threats the [[Night's Watch]] is facing and asking for aid,{{Ref|ASOS|63}} which neither Stannis nor Melisandre knew about.{{Ref|ASOS|54}}

When Stannis sails for the [[Wall]], Melisandre sacrifices Lord [[Alester Florent]] to her god to gain favorable winds for the voyage north.{{Ref|ASOS|75}}{{ref|ADWD|9}} Riding west from [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]], Melisandre kills [[Orell]]'s [[eagle]] with fire, making the [[skinchanger]] [[Varamyr]] go mad from pain and lose control of his other animals during the [[battle beneath the Wall]].{{Ref|ASOS|73}}{{Ref|ASOS|76}}

Melisandre holds her [[nightfire]]s at Castle Black.{{Ref|ASOS|76}} She brings [[Jon Snow]] to Stannis, and when Stannis offers to make Jon [[Lord of Winterfell]], she urges Jon to burn the [[weirwood]]s and accept [[Winterfell]] as a gift from [[R'hllor]]. Stannis claims to Jon that Melisandre has seen in her flames that the wildlings will return.{{Ref|ASOS|76}}

In a meeting with the high officers of the Night's Watch, Melisandre informs the black brothers that they have to hold nightfires at their gates as a way to battle their enemy. Maester Aemon recognizes she is speaking about the [[war for the dawn]], and asks about the [[prince that was promised]]. Melisandre informs him Stannis is the prophesied prince.{{Ref|ASOS|78}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
With Stannis intending to have [[Mance Rayder]] executed, Melisandre plans to sacrifice him to R'hllor to wake a dragon with the blood of Mance, the [[King-Beyond-the-Wall]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Jon sends Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] to [[Oldtown]], fearing that Melisandre might otherwise eventually give Aemon to the flames, since he is the son of King [[Maekar I Targaryen]].{{Ref|AFFC|5}} Jon makes the [[wildling]] girl [[Gilly]], who has been nursing both [[Monster|her own infant son]] and [[Aemon Steelsong|Mance's infant son]], accompany Aemon. He secretly forces Gilly to take Mance's son with her, pretending he is her own child, to save Mance's son from Melisandre's flames.{{Ref|AFFC|15}}{{Ref|AFFC|35}}

While sailing on ''[[Cinnamon Wind]]'', Aemon tells Sam that Melisandre has misread the signs and deceived herself into believing that Stannis is the [[prince that was promised]]. The dying maester now believes that [[Daenerys Targaryen]] fits the prophecy.{{ref|ADWD|35}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[File:Nicholas Gregory Common Cause.png|thumb|Melisandre with [[Jon Snow]] and [[Ghost]] atop the [[Wall]], by Nicholas Gregory © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Melisandre walks atop the [[Wall]] every night with Stannis.{{Ref|ADWD|3}} She is present for a meeting between Stannis and Jon Snow, the new [[Lord Commander of the Night's Watch]], and walks Jon back to his chambers afterwards. Melisandre tells him that she will ask R'hllor for guidance about what to do with Mance, whom Stannis plans to burn, after Jon insists that Mance could be useful to them. She warns Jon to watch out for enemies, stating that she has seen him surrounded by enemies in her flames, and daggers in the dark.{{Ref|ADWD|3}}

Despite Jon's efforts to change the king's mind, Stannis is determined to sacrifice Mance. Melisandre places a [[glamor]] over him, making him appear to be the wildling [[Rattleshirt]]. Rattleshirt, in turn, is glamored to look like Mance, and killed in his place.{{Ref|ADWD|31}}{{Ref|ADWD|10}} Melisandre also destroys the so-called [[Horn of Joramun]].{{ref|ADWD|10}} She keeps Mance disguised at [[Castle Black]], and offers his service to Jon Snow, who refuses in the impression that Mance is Rattleshirt.{{Ref|ADWD|17}} Stannis and Melisandre allow the wildlings south of the Wall, making them swear to R'hllor.{{Ref|ADWD|10}} The wildlings feign loyalty to R'hllor, however, and in secret keep faith in the [[old gods]].{{Ref|ADWD|21}}

Melisandre remains at Castle Black when Stannis marches for the [[northern mountains]],{{Ref|ADWD|17}} attended to by a dozen greybeards, cripples, and drunkards, including [[Merrel]] and [[Morgan]]. Although Melisandre feels safe without them, she keeps a pair of guards with her for appearances. Judging that Davos has lost enough sons, Melisandre requests Stannis to leave [[Devan Seaworth]], Davos's eldest surviving son, at Castle Black as well, to keep him safe. The youth becomes fascinated with the beautiful woman.{{ref|ADWD|31}}

Melisandre's powers are much stronger at the Wall, and she constantly searches her fires for visions. When she looks into the flames, she sees a “wooden face, corpse white” with a thousand red eyes, accompanied by a boy with a wolf's face. She assumes that they are servants of the [[Great Other]]. She asks to see Azor Ahai, hoping for Stannis, but sees only Jon surrounded by skulls, his face changing between that of a man and that of a wolf.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} She continues to hold her nightfires every evening, but as Stannis has taken most of his men with him, not many people attend.{{ref|ADWD|28}}

Shortly after Jon receives a letter announcing the upcoming [[wedding]] of [[Ramsay Snow|Ramsay Bolton]] and [[Arya Stark]], Melisandre informs him that she has seen Arya in her flames, a grey girl, fleeing from her marriage on a dying horse. She tells Jon that she can show him how to use his "[[skinchanger|power]]", but he remains wary of her. She then warns Jon that she has seen that three of the nine [[rangers]] he has sent out will die, and that she has seen their faces with empty sockets, weeping blood.{{Ref|ADWD|28}}

[[File:Alexandre Dainche JonSnowMel.jpg|thumb|300px|Melisandre warns [[Jon Snow]] of [[mutiny at Castle Black|daggers in the dark]], by Alexandre Dainche © Fantasy Flight Games]]

Melisandre tells Mance they can only win Jon's trust by rescuing his sister. Melisandre finds Jon north of the Wall, where the heads of [[Jack Bulwer|Black Jack Bulwer]], [[Hairy Hal]], and [[Garth Greyfeather]] have been impaled by the [[Weeper]], making the first of her predictions come true. Jon asks her to look in her flames for the other six rangers. He informs her that Ser [[Denys Mallister]] at the [[Shadow Tower]] believes the wildlings might try to force their way across the [[Bridge of Skulls]], and Melisandre tells him that she has seen towers by the sea submerged beneath a black and bloody tide. Though she acknowledges to herself that the towers in her vision do not look like those at Eastwatch, Melisandre claims the attack will fall there when asked by Jon.{{ref|ADWD|31}} She takes Jon to her chambers, where she suggests sending "Rattleshirt" south to save Arya. When Jon protests, she reveals Mance's true identity to him.{{Ref|ADWD|31}} Claiming to be a bard named "Abel", Mance travels to Winterfell with six [[spearwives]] to rescue Arya.{{Ref|ADWD|35}}{{Ref|ADWD|37}}

Melisandre's second prediction comes true when [[Alys Karstark]]—not Arya—arrives at Castle Black, fleeing from her cousin [[Cregan Karstark|Cregan]], who wants to force a marriage between them as to lay claim on [[Karhold]].{{ref|ADWD|44}} [[Selyse Florent]], who has arrived from Eastwatch, agrees to marry Alys to [[Sigorn]], the [[Magnar]] of the [[Thenns]], and Melisandre [[Wedding of Sigorn and Alys Karstark|performs the ceremony]].{{Ref|ADWD|49}} The priestess thinks that [[Patchface]], the fool with Selyse, is dangerous.{{ref|ADWD|49}}

When Jon plans to send men to [[Hardhome]] on a rescue mission, Melisandre urges him not to,{{Ref|ADWD|53}} claiming it is a lost cause and that she has seen that none of [[Cotter Pyke]]'s rescue ships will return.{{Ref|ADWD|69}} Despite Melisandre's warnings to Jon, he is betrayed in the [[mutiny at Castle Black]].{{ref|ADWD|69}}

==Quotes by Melisandre==
[[File:Patrick McEvoy Melisandre.jpg|350px|right|thumb|The Red Woman, by Patrick McEvoy ©]]
{{quote|'''Melisandre''': The night is dark and full of terrors.<br>
'''Cressen''': Only children fear the dark.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}|Melisandre and [[Cressen]]}}

{{Quote|'''Davos''': Are you good or evil, my lady?<br>
'''Melisandre''': Oh, good. I am a [[knight]] of sorts myself, sweet ser. A champion of light and life.{{ref|ACOK|42}}|[[Davos Seaworth]] and Melisandre}}

{{Quote|These little wars are no more than a scuffle of children before what is to come. The [[Great Other|one whose name may not be spoken]] is marshaling his power, Davos Seaworth, a power fell and evil and strong beyond measure. Soon comes the cold, and [[Long Night|the night that never ends]]. Unless true men find the courage to fight it. Men whose hearts are fire.{{ref|ASOS|36}}|Melisandre to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|When the [[red comet|red star]] bleeds and the darkness gathers, [[Azor Ahai]] shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake [[dragon]]s out of stone.{{ref|ASOS|25}}|Melisandre to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

[[File:Bella_Bergolts_StannisMel.jpg|thumb|Melisandre and [[Stannis Baratheon]] by Bella Bergolts]]

{{quote|'''Melisandre''': When I gaze into the flames, I can see through stone and earth, and find the truth within men's souls. I can speak to kings long dead and children not yet born, and watch the years and seasons flicker past, until the end of days.<br>
'''Jon''': Are your fires never wrong?<br>
'''Melisandre''': Never ... though we [[red priest|priests]] are mortal and sometimes err, mistaking this must come for this may come.{{ref|ADWD|3}}|Melisandre and [[Jon Snow]]}}

{{Quote|We all must choose. Man or woman, young or old, lord or peasant, our choices are the same. We choose light or we choose darkness.{{ref|ADWD|10}}|Melisandre before the execution of "[[Rattleshirt|Mance Rayder]]"}}

{{Quote|I pray for a glimpse of [[Azor Ahai]], and [[R'hllor]] shows me only [[Jon Snow|Snow]].{{ref|ADWD|31}}|Melisandre's thoughts}}

{{Quote|With [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] gone, her bed saw little use. She had no time for sleep, with the weight of the world upon her shoulders. And she feared to dream. Sleep is a little death, dreams the whisperings of [[Great Other|the Other]], who would drag us all into his eternal night. She would sooner sit bathed in the ruddy glow of [[R'hllor|her red lord's]] blessed flames, her cheeks flushed by the wash of heat as if by a lover's kisses.{{Ref|ADWD|31}}|Melisandre's thoughts}}

==Quotes about Melisandre==
[[File:Melisandre GOT.jpg|thumb|[[w:Carice van Houten|Carice van Houten]] as Melisandre in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]
{{Quote|Her hair was not the orange or strawberry color of common red-haired men, but a deep burnished [[copper]] that shone in the light of the torches. Even her eyes were red ... but her skin was smooth and white, unblemished, pale as cream. Slender she was, graceful, taller than most [[knight]]s, with full breasts and narrow waist and a heart-shaped face. Men's eyes that once found her did not quickly look away, not even a [[maester]]'s eyes. Many called her beautiful. She was not beautiful. She was red, and terrible, and red.{{Ref|ACOK|0}}|[[Cressen]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|Half my [[knight]]s are afraid even to say her name, did you know? If she can do nothing else, a sorceress who can inspire such dread in grown men is not to be despised. A frightened man is a beaten man. And perhaps she can do more. I mean to find out.{{Ref|ACOK|10}}|[[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Davos Seaworth]]}}

{{Quote|She spoke to me. We called the fire, she said. We called the shadows too. I rowed Melisandre into the bowels of [[Storm's End]] and watched her [[shadow child|birth a horror]]. She killed [[Cressen]] and Lord [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] and a brave man named [[Cortnay Penrose]], and she [[Battle of the Blackwater|killed my sons]] as well. Now it is time someone killed her.{{Ref|ASOS|10}}|[[Davos Seaworth]] to [[Salladhor Saan]]}}

{{Quote|She even smells red. The scent reminded him of [[Mikken]]'s forge, of the way iron smelled when red-hot; the scent was smoke and blood. [[Kissed by fire]], he thought, remembering [[Ygritte]].{{Ref|ASOS|76}}|[[Jon Snow]]'s thoughts}}

{{Quote|Lady Melisandre wore no crown, but every man there knew that she was [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s real queen, not [[Selyse Florent|the homely woman]] he had left to shiver at [[Eastwatch-by-the-Sea]].{{Ref|ADWD|10}}|[[Jon Snow]]'s thoughts}}

==Behind the Scenes==
[[w:David J. Peterson|David J. Peterson]], the official language creator for the television adaptations of Martin's works, devised the [[High Valyrian]] word for the color red, [https://wiki.languageinvention.com/index.php?title=mele ''mele''], from the inspiration of Melisandre and [[Meleys]].<ref>[https://dedalvs.tumblr.com/post/756456368972644352/ David J. Peterson's tumblr] (July 19, 2024)</ref>

==References==
{{References}}

==External Links==
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[[Category:Characters from Asshai]]
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[[fa:ملیساندر]]
[[fr:Mélisandre d'Asshaï]]
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[[nl:Melisandre van Asshai]]
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[[ru:Мелисандра]]
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