Elaan Elaan was the Dohlman of Elas , and a member of the Elasian royal family in the 2260s . Elaan possessed a formidable combination of qualities : considerable physical beauty , a position of high privilege and prerogative , and influence over the will of men ( via Elasian tears ) . Her personality matched her gifts in their power – predominately expressed in her arrogance , sense of entitlement , disrespect for her perceived inferiors , and an underlying loneliness . In 2268 , in an effort to bring peace between Elasians and Troyian s , Elaan was arranged to marry the ruler of Troyius . The Federation , eager to facilitate peace in a region where Klingon s claimed jurisdiction , assigned the to transport Elaan to Troyius . Being necessary for Troyians to accept the marriage , Petri , a Troyian ambassador , was assigned to serve as Elaan ' s tutor in the polite manners of Troyian society . As a proud Elasian warrior , Elaan was revolted by the prospect of marriage to a soft " Troyian pig . " Kryton , leader of the Dohlman ' s guards , also hated the arrangement , as he loved Elaan and wished to marry her . Infuriated and insulted , Elaan raged about her circumstances and injured Petri by stabbing him in the back . The assault imperiled the success of the mission , after Petri refused to deal with Elaan any further . Captain James T . Kirk assumed the role of the Dohlman ' s etiquette coach , but with little time in a diplomatic crisis , he refused to coddle her . When she behaved badly , he called her " " an uncivilized savage , a vicious child in a woman ' s body . An arrogant monster ! " " Elaan answered by striking Kirk . He responded in kind , and later threatened to administer an ancient Earth punishment , a spanking , if she continued to behave like a " spoiled brat . " Elaan was unused to defiance of her wishes , but impressed by Kirk ' s strength of will . With a growing attraction to the Captain , and in a last - ditch attempt to avoid a dreaded marriage , Elaan cried before Kirk , infecting him when he wiped a tear from her cheek . Immediately , Kirk became infatuated with Elaan . She told Kirk , " " I chose you , and you chose me " , " and begged him to destroy the Troyians – offering him rule of the Tellun system in gratitude . The power of Elasian tears was compelling , but events forced Kirk to deal with immediate concerns . The high stakes of his diplomatic mission , sabotage of the " Enterprise " dilithium crystals by Kryton , and a running battle with a Klingon battle cruiser served to bolster Kirk ' s resistance to Elaan ' s request , in spite of his continued feelings of love . After the discovery of crude dilithium gems in Elaan ' s necklace allowed Kirk to fend off the Klingon attack , " Enterprise " arrived at Troyius . Elaan was finally resigned to her obligations and agreed to perform her duty . Emotionally wounded by the encounter , Kirk refused to witness the royal wedding ceremony . As a memento , Elaan gave Kirk her dagger , which Troyian custom would deny her . After she asked him to " " remember me " " , Kirk answered , " " I have no choice . " " ( ) In 2369 , Montgomery Scott would recall Elaan ' s disapproval of the quarters she was given when he saw the size of the quarters he was given on the . ( )