Mara was the first Klingon woman we ever met. She was introduced to us, In Day Of The Dove, by Klingon Captain Kang as "My wife Mara, and my science officer".
Got that? She was not just Kang's wife. She was a valued, high-ranking member of the Klingon crew. A scientist, a warrior, and a family woman.
At one point she was almost raped by Chekov, but Captain Kirk stopped Chekov and smacked him across the face a couple of times for his criminal misbehavior. Then Mara was kept at Kirk's side.
Kirk tried using Mara to convince Kang to talk truce. He threatened to kill her if Kang wouldn't cooperate. After a very long pause, Kang gravely replied, "She is a victim of war, Captain. She understands".
The truth is, she did seem to understand. She did not plead for mercy or plead with her husband for help. She kept a stiff upper lip, and bravely awaited her fate, without apparent fear. She fully expected to be killed by Kirk, and was completely surprised to learn he had just been bluffing.
Like the vast majority of women on TOS, she was never Kirk's girlfriend. Even if they had found the time, she was definately not inclined, and neither was he.
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