[azrielisababe]

Friendly reminder

Just a friendly reminder that in the acotar world the females are always the main character and the LI follows them. Feyre was the main character in her book and Rhys followed her. Nesta was the main character in her book and cassian followed her. And now Elain is gonna be the main character and Az will follow her. Az does not have enough to carry a whole book or be a main character. The females in the series hold the most value.

[azriellie]

bryce and danika would adore elain so much like she'd be the little one of the group

[sncinder]

Big Crescent City Sketchdump, mostly from 2020 (i literally have no idea if i’ve already posted some of these sorry for any doubles)

Bryce, Hunt, Lehabah, Aidas, Danika, Fury, Juniper, Ruhn

[daisybrekker]

Feyre 🤝 Nesta

Shipping Elriel

[daisybrekker]

Hot people stay together🔥

Commissioned by @0nceuponapin on Instagram

Made by @colouranomaly on Instagram

[louiseleblancdiggory]

i could go into very heavy detail about how azriel is a mysterious man but elain is a mysterious character and how the fact she is mysterious as a whole makes her much more similar to az than people give them credit for and—

[louiseleblancdiggory]

what i mean is that azriel is mysterious because you know his character construction to lead to the more mysterious brooding type, whereas elain is mysterious because you genuinely don’t know shit about her.

a very clear example is how parents-kid relationships are dealt for every single other character and how parents-kid relationship is dealt for elain. these types of relationships have shaped every single character in who they are today— their emotions, their fear, flaws, and qualities. feyre felt expandable because of her mom, nesta was extremely closed off because of her, and both of them had unresolved issues with their dad that manifested in different ways throughout the series. cassian’s drive is much relating to his mom, and mor’s relationship with her entire family very much shaped a part of her. rhys is heavily impacted by his mom’s influence, as well as her death. azriel had an absolutely horrible realtionship with his dad and stepmom, which led him to be much more quiet, recluse, and afraid of showing weakness. there are countless more examples for each character.

but there is nothing for elain. feyre says that when they were younger their dad was either traveling or in his office where she spent time with him, which leads me to believe that elain wasn’t exactly close to him or she wouldve been there too, and that would indicate a much closer bond to feyre. however, all throughout the series (maybe with one exception or two, but bear the generalization with me for the sake of the argument) there has never been an actually insightful mention of elain’s relationship with her mom— whenever mama archeron was mentioned, it was either in relation to her neglect towards feyre or her constant shaping of nesta. feyre talked about how she saw her mom acting towards her, and how her mom acted towards nesta, but never how she acted towards elain. the resentment towards the dad is much more highlighted on nesta and feyre, elain’s part being much more external (expressions, some crying) than any explicit emotion like it was for her sisters. she’s never seen to be mad, resentful, hesitant, or traumatized by either of her parents, which is so weird considering it doesnt seem either was close to her and that both were oftentimes horrible

we know azriel to be mysterious because we have some insight into what made him mysterious and how that is seen externally, but for elain there is actually nothing to base her fears, shortcomings, trauma, and deeper qualities on because even her sisters don’t know shit based on how closed off she actually is.

[azriellie]

every time i do something i wonder wmtgetbp...

would my tenth grade english teacher be proud

[azriellie]

elriel elriel elriel

i had too much time on my hands and went back to some interviews to see if i could find some extra info that could indicate elriel and i'm screaming

ok so, first, when the og acotar trilogy ended and sjm pitched more books to her editor, it was settled on three novels and two novellas

(here's the post talking ab the interview)

one of those novellas was acofas, and one of the novels was acosf. this leaves us with two novels and one novella left.

recently, sjm confirmed that three of her og characters— elain, azriel, and mor— would get their story told. in that same interview above, she says that each book will focus on two characters together. if im not mistaken she talked about it recently too— each book is focused on a single couple, kinda killing any chance for a dual couple type of thing since it would probably be too much for a single book

a lot of people thought that this meant that elriel was happening, mor was getting her novel, and that the novella would be acofas style. other people said that this mean elucien, gwynriel, and morie were getting a book each

HOWEVER I WENT BACK TO THE KOA TOUR AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID

(here's the link to the highlights of one of the tour stops)

"Each book coming after the Nessian one will have their own pair, and at least one will be set 1,000s of years before Feyre and Rhys. They will come out after Crescent City."

Now, if one of the books (most likely the novella) is set a thousand years in the past, it means that we basically have two books for three characters in a series that each book focuses on only one couple. therefore, at least two of these characters have to share a book............. elriel is coming i can feel it

[tarynannabanana]

Sarah J Maas Interview–

The Southern Continent is set more in a Mongolian style/feel. She said that’s where she got a lot of inspiration from.

Yrene is one her most favorite characters to write about.

Aelin & Lysandra are Night Court.

Rowan- Winter, then Night Court.

Dorian- Dawn Court.

Manon & Lorcan- Hyburn. (She joked that Manon was from the ‘Killer Court.’)

Aedion- Day Court.

She was president of her high school’s Lord of the Rings fanclub. Still has a lifesize cutout of Legolas in her office– which her husband made a tie noose and placed around Legolas’s neck when she first brought it home.

Her father is doing better, and is even planning on coming to one her stops in the next few weeks.

–There will be three novels and two novellas in the ACOTAR world.

-She pitched the extra ACOTAR books/novellas after she got drunk with her Editor. Hadn’t originally planned on telling anyone for a while- not even her husband. They were more for fun and written in her off time.

-You will see Feyre & Rhysand get married in the first novella. The setting is around Winter Solstice, and Feyre is content for her birthday to be forgotten, but the inner circle is not having that.

-We may “possibly” be getting the wall scene.

-There’s a good chance that one of the narrators/characters in the novella will be the focus of her next ACOTAR novel.

-We will most likely find out who Cassian saw the Bone Carver as in one of the novels.

She doesn’t know when the second novella will come out, but she’s already working on the next two novels.

-Each novel will have a love interest- or basically getting two characters together. And will be set after the war, and rebuilding and the effects of the wall being taken down.

-She hasn’t started the third novel, but has five possible 'ships’ she could choose from.

[azriellie]

finding stuff to support my theories and then giggling like a psychopath

[azriellie]

cant wait for elain's book much longer im starting to hallucinate

[azriellie]

looking at azriel and his shadows throughout the books

i'm slightly tired of some of the comments i see about the shadows, so here goes a thread of numerous scenes throughout all the books azriel appears to prove my point that the shadows disappearing around elain is not a bad thing!! i'll put it in chronological order and the chapter you can find it too. of course i won't be putting all the shadow scenes for obvious reasons, but enough to make my point clear. also please don't mind the typos im not revising this more than once sorry

MIST AND FURY

"Azriel's brows flicked up with approval as the shadows seemed to wrap tighter around him. As if he were the dark hive from which they flew and returned."

chapter 16

this is the first time we meet both azriel and his shadows, as well as the first time we see them interacting too (there's more later in the chapter). from this very first interaction it is already said that the shadows seem to wrap tighter around him— which basically means they are starting to disappear as they return to az— because he has expressed approval. it was when azriel felt a lick of approval— which is usually accompanied by a certain level of either comfort/trust— that the shadows seemed to start disappearing. that's because good emotions make the shadows feel as if they don't have to protect az.

"'We have company,' was Azriel's soft warning, wings again spreading a bit as he herded them through the open balcony doors to the dining room. I could have sword tendrils of darkness swirled in their wake.

Mor patted Azriel on the shoulder as she dodged his outstretched wing. 'Relax, Az—no fighting tonight. We promised Rhys.'

The lurking shadows vanished entirely as Azriel's head dipped a bit— his night-dark hair sliding over his handsome face as if to shield him from that mercilessly beautiful grin."

chapter 16

still in the same chapter, this scene happens. we can see that the shadows seem to expand when they feel some sort of threat— an assumption that can be made by the fact that feyre described what he said as a "soft warning"— so that they can protect him. they, however, completely vanish when mor, the woman he was deeply in love, simply pats him on the shoulder and asks him to relax. again, we see the presence of the shadows as a defense mechanism, and the lack of them as an indication of comfort/trust, and in this case, love.

"'The gift of a violent, warmongering people,' Amren added. Azriel nodded, shadows wreathing his neck, his wrists."

chapter 16

it was always quite obvious that azriel wasn't exactly happy with his heritage. different from cassian, az has always held resentment and even some hate towards the illyrian culture, and this part just further proves it— he agrees with amren when she calls the siphons the gift of violent, warmongering people. the shadows in this part seem to start to surround him, as if they could sense his anger and resentment towards the topic and so they created an actual shadow shield around him as a form of protection

"Yes— Azriel, who kept a step away, whose shadows trailed him and seemed to fade in her presence."

chapter 22

honestly this is just another example of what i said earlier in relation to mor— he loved her and a way sjm demonstrated this was how she made sure the shadows disappeared around her. because of his love for her, in situations of calm where love was the main feeling, no other emotions caused the shadows to act up

"It was an effort not to stare at Azriel as he watched them head up the steep street, arm in arm and bickering with every step. The shadows gathered around his shoulders, like they were indeed whispering to him, shielding him, perhaps."

chapter 29

this explicitly says what i have been trying to prove?????? in this scene azriel is watching mor walk away with cassian, their relationship having some sort of levity that his and mor's doesn't due to his feelings. because of the pain and sadness he was undoubtedly feeling, the shadows felt the necessity to literally shield him.

WINGS AND RUIN

"'Don't try to blend into the shadows. You said the same thing.'

'He did not,' Mor said, and the shadows that Azriel had indeed been subtly weaving around himself vanished. 'Azriel has never once said anything that awful. Only you, Cassian. Only you.'"

chapter 17

when trying to escape a conversation or a situation, azriel is said to blend into the shadows. however, when attention is brought to him and, most importantly, mor defends him, the shadows vanish completely

"Azriel arrived first, no shadows to be seen, my sister a pale, golden mass in his arms."

chapter 24

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ok so first elriel interaction in acowar i believe (don't quote me on it tho it's been a while since i read it) and this is just perfect.

i explained in another post (here) how azriel and elain have always felt a sense of comfort and friendship toward each other. in this scene, we can see the second person in which, in most of the scenes, the shadows are not the most predominant part of azriel's character. it's almost like he's the shadowsinger most of the time, but wheneve he is in the presence of someone he loves or feels comfortable around, he's azriel first, shadowsinger second

"Too far—this was pushing them both too far. I tried to catch Cassian's gaze, but he was monitoring them closely, his golden-brown skin unnaturally pale. Azriel's shadows gathered close, half veiling him from view. And Amren—"

chapter 27

this was that very intense scene after they find out that rhys was going to work with eris. we later find out that azriel knew about this and did not tell mor, and in this scene we again see the shadows as a safe mechanism to azriel. he loved mor dearly, and i'm sure that he knew how much that would hurt her and how much it would hurt her to know that he knew. so, during the discussion, the shadows once more gathered around him like a shield— as if they could protect azriel from that fight, from the feelings that the whole situation were evoking

"In the blinding sun off the turquoise water, his shadows were gone, his face stark and clear. More... human than I had ever seen him."

chapter 29

this might be one of my favorite quotes of this thread. i think it ties back to my argument that he is often seen as a shadowsinger first, and then azriel. he is so used to using the shadows as a part of him, that i think people often forget that he is his own person. i'm not in any way, shape, or form saying that the shadows are bad (they aren't), but that azriel is himself without them— their addition is just that: an addition. without the shadows, without that shield he constantly uses, he looks infinitely more human

"'I can help her', said Azriel, stepping to the table as Elain silently rose. No shadows at his ear, no darkness ringing his fingers as he extended a hand."

chapter 30

this scene is so cute because it shows that azriel wants to spend time with elain. nesta was going to go to the garden with her, but azriel offered even though he had no responsibility to do it (like some people claim he had in previous scenes). like the scenes with mor or the scenes he is comfortable, at ease, there are no shadows shielding him when he is with elain. azriel trusts and likes elain, and picking up from his feelings so do the shadows

"'Enough, Azriel,' Rhys ordered. Perhaps those shadows that now slid and eddied around the shadowsinger hid him from the wrath of the binding magic."

chapter 45

kind of a recurring point now but i will say it again: the shadows, in most situations, hide azriel from situations of danger. they are his shield, as it is literally said here. the lack of a shield around some people don't mean that the shadows don't like them or that they are afraid, but that they trust azriel's wellbeing with those people

"But I looked to Azriel, currently leaning against the wall besides the floor-to-ceiling window, shadows fluttering around him."

chapter 47

some background to this scene is that it was after the high lord meeting (right after the one where the quote above this was from). obviously azriel isn't in the greatest of moods. the whole meeting, new tension with mor, and that whole whirlwind of emotion caused the shadows to once more be protective of him, creating a shield around him even though he was just standing there.

"Azriel barely spoke, those shadows still perched on his shoulders. Mor barely looked at him."

chapter 47

same chapter, same situation. azriel is obviously displeased and upset, and so the shadows are too. they are his defense mechanism, and in any indication of fear, sadness, and discomfort they feel the need to protect az

"Azriel, shadows wafting from his shoulders and trailing at his feet, ignored him as he passed. The shadowsinger hadn't shown a flicker of emotion, however, to Mor when he'd met us in the foyer."

chapter 48

i believe this was the day after the fight during the meeting. things were still extremely weird with mor, his mood even sourer as he ignored everyone (helion included) and the shadows keeping him company and safe

"Behind me, Mor took Nesta and Cassian by the hand, readying to winnow them to the camp, while shadows gathered around Azriel, Elain at his side, wide-eyed at the spymaster's display."

chapter 50

stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain

this scene is so sweet because it shows that elain truly isn't hesitant about any part of azriel. he was the one she first struck conversation with, the one who would spend time with her in her garden, she didn't balk at his scars, and neither at the shadows that have been used as a sign of intimidation throughout the series. elain is just awed by what he can do, and the shadows don't seem aggressive towards her, nor do they seem to be trying to vanish

"From the shadows near the entrance to the tent, Azriel said, as if in answer to some unspoken debate, 'I'm getting her back.'

Nesta slid her gaze to the shadowsinger. Azriel's hazel eyes glowed golden in the shadows."

chapter 64

absolute killer scene

the shadows enveloping him to the point that his eyes fucking glow?????? not even during the scene he snaps it was this bad i was screaming when i read this. the darkness and amount of shadows just goes to prove that just like azriel (and because of him) the shadows are protective of elain!!!

"Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king's head as she snarled in his ear, 'Don't you touch my sister.'"

chapter 74

how are you gonna look me dead in the eye and say that the shadows don't like/are afraid of elain when this scene exists??? the shadows helping elain while she uses azriel's dagger to kill the king...... poetry in its truest form sorry i don't make the rule

"That smile grew, bright enough that it lit up even Azriel's shadows across the room."

chapter 80

does it need an explanation? this scene obviously represents hope, especially with what elain says after she smiles, and the lighting up of azriel's shadows is to show how even just her smile can make him feel that hope sjm was trying to convey

FROST AND STARLIGHT

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing on that face, on his scent. The shadows, whatever the hell they were, hid too well. Too much."

chapter 7

rhysand, who has known azriel for over 500 years, explicitly says that the shadows are used to hide azriel's emotions. it is without them that he is bare, that he is willing to put his feelings in the front line. they are his shield for both physical and emotional protection, and so how can the lack of them around elain mean something bad?

"I found Elain studying it, beautiful in her amethyst-colored gown. I made to move toward her, but someone beat me to it.

The shadowshing was clad in a black jacket and pants similar to Rhysand's—the fabric immaculately tailored and built to fit his wings. He still wore his Siphons atop either hand, and shadows trailed his footsteps, curling like swirled embers, but there was little sign of the warrior otherwise. Especially as he gently said to my sister, 'Happy Solstice.'"

chapter 19

first, the highlight of how there was little of that serious and scary warrior when he gently talks to elain?? makes me smile so fucking hard. second, if the shadows are so scared of her, then why are they just fine in this scene? the best is that even though they are present, they aren't described to be protecting him— they are just trailing his footsteps, as if they were just keeping him company in case something happened but at that moment they were really chill

"Azriel nodded his agreement, his shadows twinning around him. [...] A rare visit from the shadowsinger. Both myth and terror. Az looked just as displeased to be here, but he'd come when I asked."

chapter 26

two things about this part. first off, during the part i cut because i'm kinda tired of writing the whole quotes (lmao sorry) it's said that the women went to their homes because azriel is that scary, and yet elain never felt that way despite only being thrown into that world mere months before that. second, another indication of how the shadows show up to twine around him when whatever he is feeling is negative. he is displeased about being there, the camp undoubtedly bringing bad memories, so the shadows gather around him

SILVER FLAMES

"Azriel said coolly, 'I don't need to resort to threats.' The shadows coiled around him, snakes ready to strike."

chapter 8

in this scene it's that very tense one between nesta and azriel, and under the impression of a threat coming from nesta, the shadows start to surround him like a shield, like snakes ready to strike (remember this description).

“Azriel chuckled, shadows skittering. 'Did you listen at all last night?'

'No.'

'At least you’re honest.' Azriel smirked. 'You and Nesta are wanted down there.'

'Because of the shit with Elain?'

Azriel stilled. 'What happened to Elain?'

Cassian waved a hand. 'A fight with Nesta. Don’t bring it up,' he warned when Azriel’s eyes darkened. Cassian blew out a breath. 'I take that as a no regarding the meeting topic, then.'

'It’s about what I discovered. Rhys said he requires you both there.'

'It’s bad, then.' Cassian surveyed the shadows gathered around Az. 'You all right?'

His brother nodded. 'Fine.' But shadows still swarmed him.”

chapter 19

to say i love this scene is an understatement

let's go by parts, shall we? first off, the shadows skitter when azriel laughs— something that happens in his extra pov when elain sucks a soft breath. is almost like the shadows, at the sudden display of happiness or content, immediately draw back as if they don't need to protect him at that moment

azriel stilling just because something might have happened to elain? oh god. and then his eyes darkening and the shadows starting to swarm him, as if he is truly a storm brewing just because elain got hurt during a sibling fight— something he has most likely gone through a thousand times and knows it is normal, but he can't help but he distressed at the thought of her being hurt, and so neither can the shadows

the fact that even after he says he is fine the shadows don't disappear?? in acomaf, during chapter 29 (when he watches mor and cassian walk away arm in arm) it is said then that he gets rid of the shadows by simply sighing, as if he is accepting that so so are the shadows. in this, however, even though he explicitly says he is fine, his feelings are still so strong that the shadows don't believe him and continue to shield him

"Nesta saw the blow land, like a physical impact, in Elain's face, her posture. No one spoke, though shadows gathered in the corners of the room, like snakes preparing to strike."

chapter 21

LIKE SNAKES PREPARING TO STRIKE

i'm sorry but if this isn't proof of how azriel and the shadows are protective of elain, i don't know what it is. although they are a reflection of azriel's emotions, they also don't seem tp be swarming him at that moment, as if the rage and need to protect elain does come from az but also comes from the shadows as an entity themselves

anyways, the point is that the shadows don't disappear around elain because they are afraid or dislike her. they disappear because they trust azriel with her. the shadows came to him as a defense mechanism during the years of horrible abuse he endured as a child, and ever since then they have acted as his protector, as his physical and emotional shield. when he is around elain, however, he is so comfortable and falling in love so easily that he can be bare, he can stand there without the need for a shield because he wants all the emotions that come along with the possibility of being with her. the shadows have shown trust towards elain throughout the books, but also a sliver of loyalty. if you disagree go argue with a wall

[offtorivendell]

It's almost like he's the shadowsinger most of the time, but wheneve he is in the presence of someone he loves or feels comfortable around, he's azriel first, shadowsinger second.

This right here! It's such a good point.

I know we can't say for sure how or why Azriel has his shadows until we read it in one of the next two books - though obviously we all have our theories, and that's fine! - but to argue that his shadows are unquestionably hiding from Elain or Mor out of fear truly seems to be missing all the hints we've been given that suggest they're some sort of emotional crutch that he doesn't need to make use of, intentionally or not, when he's feeling secure, as well as a useful power.

[azriellie]

i think we don't talk nearly enough about elain's sex joke during the extra epilogue of acosf nothing can keep me from believing that she actually is much more carefree with joking about sex and cursing when shes around people shes comfortable with

[azriellie]

azriel, three in the morning after a party, sitting down on a sofa listening to a twenty-two year old talk for hours about something he knows absolutely nothing about just so he can keep her company and listen to what she has to say: yeah.. plants on the ground— great idea,, keep talking

[tojiguros]

so i’m rereading acosf and i can’t keep my mind off this …

my timeline is probably off, but how did the three valkyries beat the blood rite that takes centuries to prepare for? i’m not sure if they were training under a year or possibly a little more, though.

i am in no way bashing the valkyries’ hard work; those women have worked hard to get to where they needed to be; however, i know i can’t be the only one boggled about how their training period was enough to survive while participating in the blood rite. to put into perspective, the three bat boys barely made it out of there, and they were far more trained and prepared than them.

perhaps sjm wanted to show a representation of women participating in the blood rite (even though 1/3 of the valkyries are illyrian); show how far the valkyries have come from where they started or just adding additional conflict to the story. whatever reason she chose to do it, i thought the way they succeeded in winning was not very realistic. however, i recognize that having the valkyries beat the rite proves that they are compatible on a deeper level, and are able to communicate and work together during a time of stress and vulnerability.

i wanted to know if anyone else felt the same or had a valid counter-argument about why they defeated the blood rite. inputs from different perspectives are welcomed! <3

[azriellie]

this was actually one of my biggest issues with acosf. i'm not saying that i dislike the valkyries plotline, however i did feel like it was extremely rushed. if sjm had given nesta a trilogy, then i believe it would have been more believable, but since it was only one book i felt like the whole thing fell on that "the power of friendship wins it all" trope that i personally dislike. there is also the fact that there were other plotlines that were introduced in the book or had been promised during the og trilogy+acofas— her powers, eris, the queen, her being able to make those swords... it just felt like a lot for a single book.

this doesn't mean that i think that the valkyries are weak or anything. they obviously did so much progress during the months they trained and all, but i still feel like it was a bit unrealistic to me. to each their own tho, i can see how it makes other people happy and why they like it— just not my cup of tea for a plotline development

[azriellie]

“This was a mistake.”

She opened her eyes, hurt and confusion warring there before she whispered, "I’m sorry.”

azriel and elain, a court of silver flames

“Don’t do that. Don’t—touch me like that.”

There was a roaring in her ears, a burning in her face, and she swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”

rowan and aelin, queen of shadows

[azriellie]

looking at azriel and his shadows throughout the books

i'm slightly tired of some of the comments i see about the shadows, so here goes a thread of numerous scenes throughout all the books azriel appears to prove my point that the shadows disappearing around elain is not a bad thing!! i'll put it in chronological order and the chapter you can find it too. of course i won't be putting all the shadow scenes for obvious reasons, but enough to make my point clear. also please don't mind the typos im not revising this more than once sorry

MIST AND FURY

"Azriel's brows flicked up with approval as the shadows seemed to wrap tighter around him. As if he were the dark hive from which they flew and returned."

chapter 16

this is the first time we meet both azriel and his shadows, as well as the first time we see them interacting too (there's more later in the chapter). from this very first interaction it is already said that the shadows seem to wrap tighter around him— which basically means they are starting to disappear as they return to az— because he has expressed approval. it was when azriel felt a lick of approval— which is usually accompanied by a certain level of either comfort/trust— that the shadows seemed to start disappearing. that's because good emotions make the shadows feel as if they don't have to protect az.

"'We have company,' was Azriel's soft warning, wings again spreading a bit as he herded them through the open balcony doors to the dining room. I could have sword tendrils of darkness swirled in their wake.

Mor patted Azriel on the shoulder as she dodged his outstretched wing. 'Relax, Az—no fighting tonight. We promised Rhys.'

The lurking shadows vanished entirely as Azriel's head dipped a bit— his night-dark hair sliding over his handsome face as if to shield him from that mercilessly beautiful grin."

chapter 16

still in the same chapter, this scene happens. we can see that the shadows seem to expand when they feel some sort of threat— an assumption that can be made by the fact that feyre described what he said as a "soft warning"— so that they can protect him. they, however, completely vanish when mor, the woman he was deeply in love, simply pats him on the shoulder and asks him to relax. again, we see the presence of the shadows as a defense mechanism, and the lack of them as an indication of comfort/trust, and in this case, love.

"'The gift of a violent, warmongering people,' Amren added. Azriel nodded, shadows wreathing his neck, his wrists."

chapter 16

it was always quite obvious that azriel wasn't exactly happy with his heritage. different from cassian, az has always held resentment and even some hate towards the illyrian culture, and this part just further proves it— he agrees with amren when she calls the siphons the gift of violent, warmongering people. the shadows in this part seem to start to surround him, as if they could sense his anger and resentment towards the topic and so they created an actual shadow shield around him as a form of protection

"Yes— Azriel, who kept a step away, whose shadows trailed him and seemed to fade in her presence."

chapter 22

honestly this is just another example of what i said earlier in relation to mor— he loved her and a way sjm demonstrated this was how she made sure the shadows disappeared around her. because of his love for her, in situations of calm where love was the main feeling, no other emotions caused the shadows to act up

"It was an effort not to stare at Azriel as he watched them head up the steep street, arm in arm and bickering with every step. The shadows gathered around his shoulders, like they were indeed whispering to him, shielding him, perhaps."

chapter 29

this explicitly says what i have been trying to prove?????? in this scene azriel is watching mor walk away with cassian, their relationship having some sort of levity that his and mor's doesn't due to his feelings. because of the pain and sadness he was undoubtedly feeling, the shadows felt the necessity to literally shield him.

WINGS AND RUIN

"'Don't try to blend into the shadows. You said the same thing.'

'He did not,' Mor said, and the shadows that Azriel had indeed been subtly weaving around himself vanished. 'Azriel has never once said anything that awful. Only you, Cassian. Only you.'"

chapter 17

when trying to escape a conversation or a situation, azriel is said to blend into the shadows. however, when attention is brought to him and, most importantly, mor defends him, the shadows vanish completely

"Azriel arrived first, no shadows to be seen, my sister a pale, golden mass in his arms."

chapter 24

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ok so first elriel interaction in acowar i believe (don't quote me on it tho it's been a while since i read it) and this is just perfect.

i explained in another post (here) how azriel and elain have always felt a sense of comfort and friendship toward each other. in this scene, we can see the second person in which, in most of the scenes, the shadows are not the most predominant part of azriel's character. it's almost like he's the shadowsinger most of the time, but wheneve he is in the presence of someone he loves or feels comfortable around, he's azriel first, shadowsinger second

"Too far—this was pushing them both too far. I tried to catch Cassian's gaze, but he was monitoring them closely, his golden-brown skin unnaturally pale. Azriel's shadows gathered close, half veiling him from view. And Amren—"

chapter 27

this was that very intense scene after they find out that rhys was going to work with eris. we later find out that azriel knew about this and did not tell mor, and in this scene we again see the shadows as a safe mechanism to azriel. he loved mor dearly, and i'm sure that he knew how much that would hurt her and how much it would hurt her to know that he knew. so, during the discussion, the shadows once more gathered around him like a shield— as if they could protect azriel from that fight, from the feelings that the whole situation were evoking

"In the blinding sun off the turquoise water, his shadows were gone, his face stark and clear. More... human than I had ever seen him."

chapter 29

this might be one of my favorite quotes of this thread. i think it ties back to my argument that he is often seen as a shadowsinger first, and then azriel. he is so used to using the shadows as a part of him, that i think people often forget that he is his own person. i'm not in any way, shape, or form saying that the shadows are bad (they aren't), but that azriel is himself without them— their addition is just that: an addition. without the shadows, without that shield he constantly uses, he looks infinitely more human

"'I can help her', said Azriel, stepping to the table as Elain silently rose. No shadows at his ear, no darkness ringing his fingers as he extended a hand."

chapter 30

this scene is so cute because it shows that azriel wants to spend time with elain. nesta was going to go to the garden with her, but azriel offered even though he had no responsibility to do it (like some people claim he had in previous scenes). like the scenes with mor or the scenes he is comfortable, at ease, there are no shadows shielding him when he is with elain. azriel trusts and likes elain, and picking up from his feelings so do the shadows

"'Enough, Azriel,' Rhys ordered. Perhaps those shadows that now slid and eddied around the shadowsinger hid him from the wrath of the binding magic."

chapter 45

kind of a recurring point now but i will say it again: the shadows, in most situations, hide azriel from situations of danger. they are his shield, as it is literally said here. the lack of a shield around some people don't mean that the shadows don't like them or that they are afraid, but that they trust azriel's wellbeing with those people

"But I looked to Azriel, currently leaning against the wall besides the floor-to-ceiling window, shadows fluttering around him."

chapter 47

some background to this scene is that it was after the high lord meeting (right after the one where the quote above this was from). obviously azriel isn't in the greatest of moods. the whole meeting, new tension with mor, and that whole whirlwind of emotion caused the shadows to once more be protective of him, creating a shield around him even though he was just standing there.

"Azriel barely spoke, those shadows still perched on his shoulders. Mor barely looked at him."

chapter 47

same chapter, same situation. azriel is obviously displeased and upset, and so the shadows are too. they are his defense mechanism, and in any indication of fear, sadness, and discomfort they feel the need to protect az

"Azriel, shadows wafting from his shoulders and trailing at his feet, ignored him as he passed. The shadowsinger hadn't shown a flicker of emotion, however, to Mor when he'd met us in the foyer."

chapter 48

i believe this was the day after the fight during the meeting. things were still extremely weird with mor, his mood even sourer as he ignored everyone (helion included) and the shadows keeping him company and safe

"Behind me, Mor took Nesta and Cassian by the hand, readying to winnow them to the camp, while shadows gathered around Azriel, Elain at his side, wide-eyed at the spymaster's display."

chapter 50

stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain stop saying the shadows are afraid of elain

this scene is so sweet because it shows that elain truly isn't hesitant about any part of azriel. he was the one she first struck conversation with, the one who would spend time with her in her garden, she didn't balk at his scars, and neither at the shadows that have been used as a sign of intimidation throughout the series. elain is just awed by what he can do, and the shadows don't seem aggressive towards her, nor do they seem to be trying to vanish

"From the shadows near the entrance to the tent, Azriel said, as if in answer to some unspoken debate, 'I'm getting her back.'

Nesta slid her gaze to the shadowsinger. Azriel's hazel eyes glowed golden in the shadows."

chapter 64

absolute killer scene

the shadows enveloping him to the point that his eyes fucking glow?????? not even during the scene he snaps it was this bad i was screaming when i read this. the darkness and amount of shadows just goes to prove that just like azriel (and because of him) the shadows are protective of elain!!!

"Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king's head as she snarled in his ear, 'Don't you touch my sister.'"

chapter 74

how are you gonna look me dead in the eye and say that the shadows don't like/are afraid of elain when this scene exists??? the shadows helping elain while she uses azriel's dagger to kill the king...... poetry in its truest form sorry i don't make the rule

"That smile grew, bright enough that it lit up even Azriel's shadows across the room."

chapter 80

does it need an explanation? this scene obviously represents hope, especially with what elain says after she smiles, and the lighting up of azriel's shadows is to show how even just her smile can make him feel that hope sjm was trying to convey

FROST AND STARLIGHT

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing on that face, on his scent. The shadows, whatever the hell they were, hid too well. Too much."

chapter 7

rhysand, who has known azriel for over 500 years, explicitly says that the shadows are used to hide azriel's emotions. it is without them that he is bare, that he is willing to put his feelings in the front line. they are his shield for both physical and emotional protection, and so how can the lack of them around elain mean something bad?

"I found Elain studying it, beautiful in her amethyst-colored gown. I made to move toward her, but someone beat me to it.

The shadowshing was clad in a black jacket and pants similar to Rhysand's—the fabric immaculately tailored and built to fit his wings. He still wore his Siphons atop either hand, and shadows trailed his footsteps, curling like swirled embers, but there was little sign of the warrior otherwise. Especially as he gently said to my sister, 'Happy Solstice.'"

chapter 19

first, the highlight of how there was little of that serious and scary warrior when he gently talks to elain?? makes me smile so fucking hard. second, if the shadows are so scared of her, then why are they just fine in this scene? the best is that even though they are present, they aren't described to be protecting him— they are just trailing his footsteps, as if they were just keeping him company in case something happened but at that moment they were really chill

"Azriel nodded his agreement, his shadows twinning around him. [...] A rare visit from the shadowsinger. Both myth and terror. Az looked just as displeased to be here, but he'd come when I asked."

chapter 26

two things about this part. first off, during the part i cut because i'm kinda tired of writing the whole quotes (lmao sorry) it's said that the women went to their homes because azriel is that scary, and yet elain never felt that way despite only being thrown into that world mere months before that. second, another indication of how the shadows show up to twine around him when whatever he is feeling is negative. he is displeased about being there, the camp undoubtedly bringing bad memories, so the shadows gather around him

SILVER FLAMES

"Azriel said coolly, 'I don't need to resort to threats.' The shadows coiled around him, snakes ready to strike."

chapter 8

in this scene it's that very tense one between nesta and azriel, and under the impression of a threat coming from nesta, the shadows start to surround him like a shield, like snakes ready to strike (remember this description).

“Azriel chuckled, shadows skittering. 'Did you listen at all last night?'

'No.'

'At least you’re honest.' Azriel smirked. 'You and Nesta are wanted down there.'

'Because of the shit with Elain?'

Azriel stilled. 'What happened to Elain?'

Cassian waved a hand. 'A fight with Nesta. Don’t bring it up,' he warned when Azriel’s eyes darkened. Cassian blew out a breath. 'I take that as a no regarding the meeting topic, then.'

'It’s about what I discovered. Rhys said he requires you both there.'

'It’s bad, then.' Cassian surveyed the shadows gathered around Az. 'You all right?'

His brother nodded. 'Fine.' But shadows still swarmed him.”

chapter 19

to say i love this scene is an understatement

let's go by parts, shall we? first off, the shadows skitter when azriel laughs— something that happens in his extra pov when elain sucks a soft breath. is almost like the shadows, at the sudden display of happiness or content, immediately draw back as if they don't need to protect him at that moment

azriel stilling just because something might have happened to elain? oh god. and then his eyes darkening and the shadows starting to swarm him, as if he is truly a storm brewing just because elain got hurt during a sibling fight— something he has most likely gone through a thousand times and knows it is normal, but he can't help but he distressed at the thought of her being hurt, and so neither can the shadows

the fact that even after he says he is fine the shadows don't disappear?? in acomaf, during chapter 29 (when he watches mor and cassian walk away arm in arm) it is said then that he gets rid of the shadows by simply sighing, as if he is accepting that so so are the shadows. in this, however, even though he explicitly says he is fine, his feelings are still so strong that the shadows don't believe him and continue to shield him

"Nesta saw the blow land, like a physical impact, in Elain's face, her posture. No one spoke, though shadows gathered in the corners of the room, like snakes preparing to strike."

chapter 21

LIKE SNAKES PREPARING TO STRIKE

i'm sorry but if this isn't proof of how azriel and the shadows are protective of elain, i don't know what it is. although they are a reflection of azriel's emotions, they also don't seem tp be swarming him at that moment, as if the rage and need to protect elain does come from az but also comes from the shadows as an entity themselves

anyways, the point is that the shadows don't disappear around elain because they are afraid or dislike her. they disappear because they trust azriel with her. the shadows came to him as a defense mechanism during the years of horrible abuse he endured as a child, and ever since then they have acted as his protector, as his physical and emotional shield. when he is around elain, however, he is so comfortable and falling in love so easily that he can be bare, he can stand there without the need for a shield because he wants all the emotions that come along with the possibility of being with her. the shadows have shown trust towards elain throughout the books, but also a sliver of loyalty. if you disagree go argue with a wall