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Something that's been circulating around all the shipwar drama is the fact that Cassian said that Elain didn't look good in the black dress, and I don't get why it gets so much traction, and heck even that it means she should leave her friends and family to go live in a court she's never been to?

Listen. I look bad in yellow. I know that, I avoid yellow because of that. But guess what? I live in a really sunny part of the world with palm trees and stuff. Does that mean that because I look bad in a sunny colour, I should just pack up and move to some place where the sun never shines? No. Obviously not.

Night Court has equal times of day and night, same with Day Court. It's literally just a colour. Chill.

There are a thousand arguments for each side of this shipwar but the opinion of one (1) man about a girl in one (1) dress does not automatically confirm any ship no matter what.

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@starsreminisce posted these comments on their blog:

And the last paragraph really stood out to me.

Something I've seen said by a certain side of the fandom is that a bonus chapter should not change the trajectory of what is in the actual book. I disagree with that because I look at the bonus chapters as a sneak peek of what's to come in future books (with this particular bonus following the pattern talked about in a post yesterday, with the resolution to the small story pointing us in the direction of Gwynriel), things that Sarah will at a later point expound on within the actual series even if they weren't initially clear to us without having read the bonus.

But say that's the truth, say the bonus chapters are only in line with that which we already know (which still works for Gwynriel because though the bonus hinted at Gwyn having a curiosity towards Az and him possibly having a bond with her, we do see bits of that in the actual book as well, there are scenes with her staring in his direction and scenes where he's staring in hers, where he shows admiration for her, where she's teasing him, where Nesta calls Az her new ribbon).

One of the big arguments is that it's extremely clear that Elain has no interest in Lucien, that it's been the case for multiple books. It's said Elain does not owe Lucien an explanation, that she does not owe him her time or attention.

So why not write an Elain bonus chapter in SF where she and Lucien have a conversation discussing how they don't want to explore their bond? According to E/riels there's no need for it in the first place since she's made herself clear but they have also claimed that she won't break the bond until we have her POV. Then wouldn't a bonus in Elain's POV before her book be the perfect place for something that's so obvious so that when she starts her own book "with Az", there's nothing standing in their way and the focus can be on their romance and the plot and not the emotional toll that her severing her bond with Lucien would take? If the Elucien bond is as much of a non issue as some claim it be be, then why not deal with it in an Elain Bonus Chapter? When her book starts, Sarah could even recap the events of the bonus for those who had missed it.

Elain thought back to that conversation she and Lucien shared shortly after Solstice. Where after Azriel's rejection, which had cut her deeply, she realized there was no place in her heart for anyone but Az even if she wasn't sure he still wanted her.

That would have actually be a perfect way for SJM to move us past the Elucien bond with very little in the way of feeling devastated on Lucien's behalf, where his heart is not being broken in real time within her romantic arc.

But the author didn't do that. She gave Az and FEYRE a POV. Feyre who already had 3 books and a novella and Elain with a total of 0.

We know Az doesn't think Lucien is good enough for Elain but we don't know if Elain agrees with that.

We know Az questioned the Cauldron because of his brothers and her sisters, that he hadn't thought of being with Elain beyond his sexual fantasies but we don't know where Elain stands on the whole "just wants one taste / why wasn't Az made my mate" debate.

We know Az thought of Elain as too trusting and hopeful but we've no clue whether Elain was really thinking anything of the sort.

We've got Feyre thinking back on how she made sure to keep her mouth shut on Elain not wearing Lucien's gloves, how had she put them on she would have never been pierced in the first place but we still don't know whether Elain's actions with the gloves actually line up with her thoughts.

If Sarah wanted to continue on with what is apparently so evident in the four books of buildup for E/riel there was nothing preventing her from finally giving us Elain's POV in SF and having her tell Lucien that there's no reason for him to hold out hope any longer.

The more likely explanation for why Elain wasn't given a bonus is because everything that E/riels and Az claim that is so very obvious regarding Elain's character might actually not be as obvious as they think.

If she's so happy in the NC, then why hide her thoughts?

If she's so in love with Az, that it's clear as day, then why hide her thoughts?

If she's so disinterested in Lucien, then why hide her thoughts?

If we're supposed to believe that Elain's choice is Az, that there is no competition and that it should not be a mystery to anyone at this point, then why has she been so reticent to put us into Elain's head?

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Inspired by a post from @stargirlie25 about Elain flower braiding Lucien's hair. I just had to!!

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Hiii!!! I love your blog so much 😍😍😍.

I have a question for you: Do you think SJM could have Elucien reject their bond without exploring it? I feel like for Elriel to have a book, the bond would have to be rejected early on so the story can focus on Azriel and Elain and whatever plot SJM chooses, just like she did for feysand in ACOMAF. It would be weird for Elain to explore the bond and get to know Lucien while building her relationship with Az at the same time. Especially when it’s supposed to be a dual POV. If she’s dealing with both, they both should have their pov as well for it to make sense - in my humble opinion.

Hello! Thank you so much for your kind words!

Short answer: no.

This isn't just Elain's bond to Lucien; it's also Lucien's bond to Elain. As you mentioned with Feyre, she underwent a process of understanding her relationships with Tamlin and then with Rhys, eventually discerning the differences between the two.

We see a similar exploration with characters like Aelin, Rowan, Lysandra, Chaol, and, to some extent, Bryce with Connor and Ithan with Bryce.

When SJM introduces a new character as a love interest, there's typically a lightbulb moment that reveals why one person wouldn't work and then segues into why another would.

Remember Az's bonus chapter?

Personally, a rejected mating bond would have been included as part of Elain's early healing journey. We would have been introduced to this concept in ACOSAF as it sets up the trajectory for the next couple of books.

Consider the dinner scene where Elain attempted to join the conversation but faced challenges, particularly when Amren tells her she can't be human anymore. While the reasons behind Elain's inquiry may remain ambiguous (small talk, genuine interest, existential crisis, powers), Amren later confirms that Elain isn't okay. Then we have Lucien dropping off the presents. We could have been given insight into Elain's potential rejection during Feyre's confrontation, either through Feyre's speculation or Elain's hints, yet it's Mor who reassures Feyre that they just need time and things will work out. Happiness doesn't seem to be part of a rejected mating bond equation—not when it haunts her, not when it drives Lucien to madness, not even when she senses his death.

How will the story proceed with only two perspectives in the next book, considering ACOSF sets the stage for a different narrative structure? It's worth contemplating the trajectory of Elain and Lucien's journey together as they pine over different people while processing their bond. What happens next? Will the following book be a quad POV because their HEA hasn't been realized yet, or will it solely focus on Elain, leaving Lucien's fate uncertain?

I recall reading an Elriel's comment about SJM writing them into a corner. I can't relate—she made the road to Elucien pretty clear to me.

And if she had forgotten that the bond could be rejected until ACOSF, then isn't it telling that she had no plans for it at all?

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien

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While this was happening to Elain, this was Lucien's reaction:

Rhys was there, an arm sliding around my waist. “Can we get you anything, Elain?” He spoke with such gentleness I could barely stand it. “I want to go home,” she repeated. I couldn’t ask her—about Lucien. Not now. Not yet. I turned away, fully prepared to bolt and completely fall apart in another room, another section of the House. But Lucien was standing in the doorway. And from the devastation on his face, I knew he’d heard every word. Seen and heard and felt the hollowness and despair radiating from her.

And where was Azriel throughout this time? Why did he choose not to fly up with Feyre and Lucien? Was his discomfort in carrying Lucien more significant than accompanying them?

“I don’t know why you sent those two buffoons”—a narrowed glance toward Mor and Azriel—“to monitor me.” So this was where Azriel had gone—right to the loft. To no doubt spare Mor from enduring Amren Duty alone.

It's ironic that Azriel chose to comfort Mor amid a cranky Amren rather than console a devastated Elain, who longed to return home.

And isn't it quite serendipitous that when Elain voiced her wish to go home, Lucien was already there?

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien #antie/riel #antielriel

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Elain and Lucien🌸🌼🦊

“I can hear your heart.’ She said quietly.

Ig: tp.canvas

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Lucien "I thought my mate was Jesminda but then she wasn't and now I have you" Vanserra

🤝

Elain "I thought I had true love with Graysen but it wasn't and now I have you" Archeron

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If Elain and Lucien's story ultimately ends with them being friends, then how would the inclusion of sex scenes fit in? Would it consist of chapters filled with awkward encounters? Perhaps there would be no intimate moments for about 900 pages, as both characters, despite sharing a mating bond, spend the entire book yearning for other people.

However, the narrative suggests otherwise, with Elain returning the necklace from Az and Lucien being annoyed by Jurian and Vassa.

As a romance with an author known for crafting happily-ever-afters, if SJM intended to end Elucien, she could have done so in a bonus chapter.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien #antie/riel #antielriel

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Elain will undoubtedly be touched when Lucien shares the story of Jesminda, revealing his willingness to defy his father's expectations for the sake of love, despite the potential consequences of the mating bond.

As Lucien recounts his experiences during the trials and the hardships he endured while assisting Feyre, including the abuse he suffered after her departure for the Night Court, Elain will hang on his every word.

Through these revelations, Elain will come to understand that everything Lucien did for her, although influenced by the mating bond, stemmed from a genuine desire to protect and care for her.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien

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She needed him, more than the air she breathed, and that terrified her.

Kissing is so hard to draw for me! But have this Elucien kiss! I cannot WAIT for their book! So excited!!

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Why would I ship Azriel with someone who makes him feel like this

She looked up at him, her face so trusting and hopeful and open that he knew she had no idea that he had done unspeakable things that sullied his hands far beyond their scars. Such terrible things that it was a sacrilege for his fingers to skin, tainting her with his presence. 

when he doesnt feel that way about Gwyn?

He slowly demonstrated, rotating his wrist where she did. "You see how you open up right here?” He corrected his position. “Keep your wrist like that. The blade is an extension of your arm."   Gwyn tried the movement as slowly as he had, and he watched her self-correct, fighting against the urge to open up her wrist and rotate the blade

And why would I ship Elain with someone who treats her like this:

Amren said, “We do not have the time to wait for Nesta to decide. I say we approach Elain tomorrow. Better to have both of them working on it.” Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, “There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to.”

when Az treats Gwyn like this:

“There are plenty of other unspeakable things that could be happening to her,” Cassian said, voice thickening. “To Emerie and Gwyn.” The shadows deepened around Azriel, his Siphons gleaming like cobalt fire. “You—we—trained them well, Cassian. Trust in that. It’s all we can do.”

#antie/riel #antielriel #gwynriel #pro gwynriel #gwyn x azriel #azriel x gwyn

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I smelled jasmine first—then saw stars. A sea of stars flickering beyond glowing pillars of moonstone that framed the sweeping view of endless snowcapped mountains. “Welcome to the Night Court,” was all Rhys said. It was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen.

The sunlight danced along the curve of the silver teapot. I kept my eager nod to a restrained dip of my chin. “But you will find,” Rhysand went on, pouring a cup for me, “that our nights are more spectacular—so spectacular that some in my territory even awaken at sunset and go to bed at dawn, just to live under the starlight.”

Imagine the awe Elain would experience when she finally visits the Day Court, especially considering her penchant for sitting by the sunniest windows, chasing shadows away.

If Feyre was in awe of the Night Court's beauty and how its nights were spectacular enough to alter sleep schedules, then the splendor of the Day Court would likely leave Elain utterly mesmerized.

And the realization that her mate would one day rule over such a magnificent domain would only add to the wonder and significance of the moment.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien #elain acheron #elain acotar #lucien vanserra #lucien acotar

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I’d like to present: Lucien giving away his coats

Acotar, Chapter 39:

Acomaf, chapter 65:

Acowar, chapter 7

Acowar, chapters 11 & 12

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It's still captivating to me how potent Elain and Lucien's bond scent remains, even though they barely interacted throughout the entire evening. Only Lucien looked at Elain with longing as she opened his present, while she avoided his gaze. The fact that it made Azriel physically sick and want to leave if it became overwhelming for him speaks volumes about the intensity of their connection.

If it affected him so strongly, one can only imagine the impact it must have on Elain and Lucien, who are directly entwined in it.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien

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I wonder what Elain’s reaction would be if she finds out that her “endgame” gifted her necklace to another girl and this girl’s happiness sparked something in Elain’s “endgame’s” chest and then he burned the image of the girl smiling face in his chest where it glowed quietly.

i wonder about Elain’s reaction when she finds out that her “endgame” shadows hide from her but sing and dance with another girl.

I wonder what Elain’s reaction would be when she finds out that just when her “endgame” was forbidden from ever seeing her again, two seconds later another girl changed his entire mood and made “Something restless settle in him."



#anti e/riel #az still forgot about flower pussy after one conversation #lmfao #stealing tags

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It's truly fascinating how Elain's revelation about hearing Lucien's heartbeat, even through the stone, came at a pivotal moment. Lucien's sense of despair, feeling unwanted, unloved, and unneeded by Elain, preceded this moment.

Despite Elain's impending marriage to Graysen, her deep and permanent connection to Lucien compelled her to offer this comfort, signaling her internal conflict between him and Graysen.

This dynamic forms the foundation of their relationship—a constant swing between their undeniable draw to each other and the external forces pulling them apart.

They may deny wanting each other, but deep down, they recognize their mutual need for one another, even if they're hesitant to admit it.

It's a matter of head versus heart for them, a struggle between rationality and emotion that defines their journey together.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien #elucien theory

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If Rhys had his "you're worth the wait" speech and Cassian had his "I'll find you in my next life" speech, then I'm bracing myself for Lucien's "you're the reason I'm still breathing" speech, and I guarantee I'll be a mess, crying uglier than a One Piece character during their backstory arc.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain x lucien