Anti-El*cien and kinda Anti-Lucien so I would really not read if you’re triggered by that.
I cannot reiterate enough how Lucien has done the BARE minimum for Elain as her “mate”.
Lucien is not “being a gentleman and giving her space/comfort” by living with the band of exiles. He’s AVOIDING her. It’s not polite, he’s literally just dipping out. Because it’s so painfully obvious that ELAIN DOES NOT WANT HIM. And honestly, there’s nothing in his actions to suggest he actually wants her either.
He’s not being a “good male” and thinking of Elain’s feelings. He wants out.
Him gifting her gardening gloves is NOT a good gift, If he actually cared, he’d know that Elain likes to garden with her bare hands. And in the Feysand BC it even says Elain has not used these gloves once. Also, the pearls he gave her? I literally cannot think of a worse or ill fitting jewel to give Elain. Like, he could have chosen anything and he went with pearls?? The jewel you’d give some stuffy old court lady. That’s a “safe” jewel you give to someone you DO NOT KNOW.
I’m just sick of these wild interpretations that Lucien is such a gentleman and a good mate, when he’s done nothing to deserve the title. Or the theory that Elain avoids him because she likes him sooooo much.
SJM has shown us time and again that Elain and him DO NOT FIT.
If Elain was not his mate, Lucien would not give her the time of day. Which he barely does already.
This is why I truly believe their bond is wrong/false in some way. If they were REALLY mates, Lucien wouldn’t be able to stay away like he is. And to an extent, neither would Elain. But they can separate for months without so much as batting an eye. It goes against EVERYTHING we know about mates.
Note- I’ve also been seeing from some El*ciens that “Azriel is like Graysen and that’s why Elain wants him”, and I cannot BELIEVE the reach. 1. We’ve gotten like one scene of Graysen and he was NOTHING like Azriel so where is this comparison even coming from? 2. It’s super disrespectful to Elain and her growth/healing to imply that she would do that. She’s into Az because of how kindly he’s treated her, how they’ve spent time together, and the romantic/connecting moments with her rescue and TruthTeller come ON.
“And that entitles him to my time, my affections?”
“But he is a good male.”
“And that entitles him to my time, my affections?”
“He cares for you.”
“And that entitles him to my time, my affections?”
No. No it doesn’t.
He could be a Saint and it still wouldn’t.
I’m tired of people glorifying this guy and ignoring what he’s done too.
I’m tired of people saying “she needs to give him a chance!”
She does not.
She doesn’t want him. It’s obvious.
The irony of people dick riding the whole entitlement schpeel regarding Az but when it’s L and E all the sudden he is entitled to her affections because he’s a “nice guy.”
I’m sorry I’m a little heated lol. This isn’t meant to be taken too seriously.
Elain and Lucien read to me like that high school: this boy likes you and all your friends are like go for it and you’re like hm no. But then the more everyone pushes the more avoidant you get because you don’t want to hurt their feelings or lead them on but also you don’t want anything to do with them and actually have a crush on someone else. Idk that’s my two cents.
Has anyone talked about the Elriel parallels in this song? It could literally be Az talking about Elain!
First lines out of the gate:
I just think about my baby/ so full of love I can barely eat// there’s nothing sweeter than my baby/ I’d never want once from the cherry tree
I know Az hasn’t been sleeping but he talks about Elain’s sweetness and how she smells in the bonus chapter so off the bat it’s already sounding like Az
Then we have the amazing bridge Hozier gifted us with:
When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth/ No grave can hold my body down/ I’ll crawl home to her
Like GAWD. Azriel- I’m going to get her back, get these chains off her even though I’m bleeding, tie me to a tree Rhys? I’m going insane with these lyrics (more than usual)
Then it’s wildly specific to Azriel and I’m not sure about Elain completely but it’s assumed at this point:
She never asked about the wrong I did
Then we have after the chorus:
My babe would never fret none/ About what my HANDS and my body done/ If the lord don’t forgive me, I’d still have my baby and my babe would have me//
And she put her love down soft and sweet/ Heave and hell were words to me
There’s a lot to unpack here: first I think Elain doesn’t judge or fear Azriels past or the jobs he had to do. I think she understands how he was used by Rhysands dad and even Rhys at times. She’s not stupid she knows he’s the spymaster. Elain is also the only one who doesn’t balk at him and calls his hands beautiful. His scars are obviously one of his biggest insecurities. So the hands thing is crazy spot on. Also the “if the lord don’t forgive me” could be two different things HL Rhys forbidding him to he with Elain and Az always questioning the cauldron which is tied to their faith (?) in Prythian. When Hozier wrote heaven and hell are words to me I feel a connection to Az asking if the cauldron and wrong and is basically like eff the bond who cares? Elain wants me and I want her.
Anyways if you made it this far thanks for listening to my rant on one of my song obsessions. I sometimes hear a song and think elriel bc I’m growing impatient with SJM lol!
A Hot-Take with a Psychological Foundation: Bonus Chapter Edition
Disclaimer 1: I understand these are fantasy novels. There is magic, fae, winged humans, nymphs, shapeshifters, and impossible circumstances that do not fit the generally accepted laws of nature. However, when I read the confrontation between Azriel and Rhys re: Elain, it seemed like Azriel was having a thoroughly “human" response. I couldn’t help but be a little shocked by the takes I have seen on this scene in the very controversial bonus chapter.
Disclaimer 2: This isn’t an anti any ship post but it’s definitely a pro-Elriel post. If that’s not your thing, no problem. Kindly continue your scroll.
I have seen a ton of speculation and takes out there about Azriel behaving ooc in the Bonus Chapter. I have been left especially confused about several takes on his conversation with Rhys, but I was taken aback to see some of the commentary labeling him as "toxic" and "entitled" to Elain. Some commentary I have seen has gone so far as to label Azriel as a "toxic incel." Truthfully, this is baffling to me and is not, at all, how I took this interaction. AT ALL.
One common theme I hear constantly as a professional and also as a friend and normal mortal human, is something we call the 'Just World Belief.' It's a common pattern of problematic thinking in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Pioneering psychologist Aaron Beck coined the phrase in his studies of cognitive distortions (thinking errors that often facilitate human suffering and exacerbate emotional distress). I would argue that the vast majority of people carry some element of this belief. It is one of a few beliefs that is not immensely culture-bound, and I have witnessed across genders, race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, etc etc. I don't believe in "good" or "bad" beliefs or feelings, but I do believe that certain situations can warrant some of our beliefs and perceptions to be "helpful" or "unhelpful.
The 'Just World Belief' or 'Heaven's Reward Fallacy' is the extremely common cognitive distortion that, essentially, good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. This is, essentially, the underlying premise of karma, that exists in different packaging or reframes in every religion or spiritual belief system. In general, it's my opinion that this belief is generally helpful. It perpetuates and potentiates good into the world. It holds us, as fallible humans, accountable to treat each other well and put positive and loving energy into the world. It also prevents us, sometimes, from being unkind because we believe that, somehow, karma will come back around and bite us. 'What goes around, comes around,' as they say.
Again, for the most part, this is a super helpful belief. It is programmed into us from an early age. We hold our parents' hands when we cross the street so we don't get hit by a car. We study for tests so we get stars on the top instead of red writing with corrections. We are kind to others and we make wholesome friendships. We listen in class and we get to be the line leader. We don't listen and we have to miss out on recess and get our name written on the board. We go to our places of religious worship and hear about these concepts repeatedly. See how this works? See how deeply entrenched a belief most of us are not always consciously aware of can become? See how influential this belief can be in our lives? See how a belief such as this can filter and color our experiences with others, ourselves and the world, at large? And this is just one of thousands upon thousands of "core beliefs" we carry with us through our lives.
For the third time, we love this belief. We see this belief even play out on a macro level. When we see somebody get hurt profoundly. When we see a public trial of somebody who has been traumatized, for example, you will often see an institution that is set-up to not support hurt people. Why? Because on a social psychology level, our collective conscious cues this belief to an extent. We are collectively VERY uncomfortable with bad circumstances befalling people who weren’t doing things wrong. So we look for things they possibly did wrong. And it might look like this:
“Well, they created their own circumstances and they should have/should not have ______"
"Well it's a tragic situation, but she shouldn't have consumed that much alcohol or worn that outfit...."
The macro presentation of this goes even deeper on a sociopolitical level, but I’ll spare you all of my musings.
On a personal level:
"Yes well, I should have known better than to _____. I had this gut feeling but I still went. I didn't say anything and this happened. I'm such a fool"
Personally, I have never seen a trauma patient who doesn't grapple with this belief. This belief is a major hurdle in trauma treatment to work with, because it is so extremely entrenched on multiple levels. Entrenched to the extent that even when people were doing nothing “wrong” they will blame themselves and search for a rationalization.
If you've ever had the thought, "Why me?" This is likely a highly relevant belief for you. Honestly, who hasn't thought that? Who hasn't thought “why me?” when they got sick and had to miss out on something fun they were looking forward to? Who hasn't had that thought when they lost somebody they love? Who hasn't had that thought when they endured a difficult break-up? This isn't just relevant in trauma treatment. It is relevant in life! We basically all have this belief...and so does AZRIEL!
When I read this, all I could think about was the ‘Just World Belief’:
"The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another." He had never before dared speak the words aloud. Rhys's face drained of color.
“You believe you deserve to be her mate?" Azriel scowled. "I think Lucien will never be good enough for her, and she has no interest in him, anyway."
“So you'll what?" Rhys's voice was pure ice. "Seduce her away from him?" Azriel said nothing. He hadn't gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to.
Rhys growled, "Allow me to make one thing very clear. You are to stay away from her."
"You can't order me to do that."
-Sarah J Maas: A Court of Silver Flames (Bonus Chapter)
“He had never dared speak the words aloud”- because it is SO vulnerable to do so. To acknowledge that you’re questioning the very core of your beliefs! Not because he’s ashamed or entitled/thinks he’ll look like a jerk.
“You believe you deserve to be her mate?" Azriel scowled. "I think Lucien will never be good enough for her, and she has no interest in him, anyway."- here it is. That “deserve” word. The deserve word is so meaningful in this context. It is playing exactly into Azriel’s vulnerability.
My perception was never, "What an entitled creep!" My reaction was, "Wow...he is struggling immensely with his faith and his core beliefs are rubbing up against this situation with a lot of angst and struggle. Because what happens when we objectively have not been doing anything "wrong" (I'm using these terms I hate to make this more concrete- not because they're the correct terms lol), but I'm not getting the "right" outcome? I engage in self-loathing. I tell myself there is something inherently wrong with me. There is something inherently wrong with the creator, with destiny, with fate...with the cauldron. "What if the cauldron was wrong?" He wants Elain. Elain wants him. He has been purposefully staying away to give her time and privacy. He has been staying away from Lucien for the same reasons: to give Elain her space to make her own decisions of what she wants without the influence of his pretty face around when he cannot trust himself in her presence because he wants her so badly! He has been controlled. He has stayed away. He has done the "right" thing. What did his brothers do, that he didn't do, to afford them this beautiful blessing/gift he does not get to have? THAT is not creepy. THAT is not entitled. THAT is vulnerability. That is admitting to questioning the very essence of what his belief system tells him is true in life/his world.
Azriel tucked in his wings and left without another word, stalking through the house and onto the front lawn to sit in the frigid starlight. To let the frost in his veins match the air around him. Until he felt nothing. Was again nothing at all.
-Sarah J Maas: A Court of Silver Flames (Bonus Chapter)
And here's where it is complicated for somebody like Azriel, who has had an extremely challenging life: for somebody who has "sullied" hands and has killed, tortured, and been tortured himself. Who has struggled to find happiness. Who has been questioning his place in the world and his "entitlement" to happiness. He ALREADY feels he is a "bad" person who doesn't deserve "good" things.
What was so tragic about that scene to me, and also so tension-building, was the therapeutic failure in this scene. Yes...failure. It was an attempt they both made to move into the gray and it failed. I think it set up so much more than just forbidden love, for both Azriel and Elain. Psychologically, it set-up a future corrective and healing experience between them. For Azriel, that he is, indeed, deserving of love. That love he is deserving of can defy "fate" and a "mating bond." For Elain, that she can create her own destiny and her own fate and not simply do what is expected of her; what she believes might disappoint other people. And so here they are, bringing both of their vulnerable selves together, and they BOTH had these deep insecurities, vulnerabilities and unhelpful beliefs confirmed in that moment. For Elain, when she takes the courageous step, she gets burned. For Azriel, it gets confirmed by his brother that he is "bad" and undeserving; despite Elain wanting him. Further confirmation of everything they both already believe. And that, my friends, is not simply tragic or creepy or weird…or toxic incel behavior. That is a set-up for growth.
The reality is, in treatment we don't strive to simply switch beliefs from one extreme to the other. We don’t strive to just indefinitely endure shitty circumstances even if those circumstances are outside of our control. We try to help people grow and develop out of their rigid attachment to these beliefs. The goal is what we call "Cognitive Flexibility." And man....the potential for growth here. The potential to see the "gray" of these circumstances. The potential to start to see: "I don't have to live my life to make everyone else happy. I don't have to be the ray of sunshine all the time. I can take fate into my own hands and employ freewill and define my own happiness. I can create it and nurture it and still be kind and not lose myself.” And to also see: "I'm a complicated and dynamic person who has had to do some questionable things for potentially justifiable reasons. I have had terrible things I have had to endure, but I am not a bad person. I am a good person in a messy and complex world and I, too, am deserving of good." THIS. THIS is why I cannot accept these takes that Azriel is a toxic incel. Or Elain is boring and undeserving of a book/story. I think most women can relate to being a people pleaser, just as I think we can all relate to asking "WHY ME!?" at times in life.
THIS IS A SET-UP FOR EPIC PERSONAL JOURNEYS AND GROWTH. FOR GROWTH TOGETHER. The End.
Not sure if someone has talked about this before, but Azriel smells like “night chilled mist and cedar” and Hunt smells like “rain kissed cedar” my question is do we think Azriel is a descendant of one of the princes of Hel? Like perhaps Theia and Aidas had a child and the child was hidden in Prythian? Azriel’s shadow singing, wielding Truth-Teller, and I think he says the Prison sentries know him. I just feel it’s weird he and Hunt’s scent are so similar and we now know that Hunt was a test tube prince of Hel baby. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts or feelings?
Disclaimer: I’m about to go off on a geometric rant so idk. Also this a pro-Elriel post ✌🏼
But, I can’t help but feel like…
SJM solidified Elriel when she decided to write Nessian. Two sisters are with two brothers. The third brother not ending up with the third sister is like a puzzle missing it’s final piece. A disruption in the pattern deeply prevalent throughout the entire series. Three trials. Three mountains. Three Death Gods. Three feet to the Cauldron. Three is a number of fate. A holy number. A pattern. And tell me, does this match said pattern:
Two brothers and two sisters.
One brother and [insert red-head of choice].
It lacks balance. And, interestingly enough, we learn about a symbol of balance in HOSAB:
“A six-pointed star,” Ithan said […] “It is a symbol of balance,” She explained, moving away… “Two intersecting triangles, male and female, dark and light, above and below… and the power that lies in the place where they meet.”
Now back to the world of ACOTAR. Where can we find two interesting triangles [see: a set of three, three “points”]? The three Archeron sisters. And the three batboys.
Feyre and Rhys: The Leaders, or top of the Triangle. High Lady and High Lord. “Love me.” Night Triumphant and the Stars Eternal.
Nesta and Cassian: The Warriors, one side of the triangle’s base. Lady Death and the Lord of Bloodshed. “Touch me.” The General of the Illyrians and the Commander of the Valkyries.
Elain and Azriel: The Spys, the second side of the triangle’s base. The Seer and the Shadowsinger. “Sing me.” Death and the Lovely Fawn.
Together they are the foundation of the six-pointed star. They are a part of balance. An intersecting of power. Elain’s story is tied to her sisters. It’s tied to the third mountain. To the Night Court whose sigil is literally three stars. It’s tied to her transitioning from the trembling fawn to the fang beast. And her story, like both her sisters, is tied to a bat boy.
SJM made the bed with the three brothers x three sisters trope with Nessian. It only makes sense, or shall I say is rather obvious, that she will move forward and complete the pattern, achieving balance.
Until a man whispers to himself 'I am getting her back', willingly gives up a siphon, knowingly weakening himself against a great threat, shadows into an enemy camp, sneaks into a tent that houses a magnificent treasure, picks that treasure up in his arms and gently drapes her arms around his neck, and then bursts into a run, while being shot at with arrows, gets attacked by demon dogs and gets his wings shredded, while never releasing his treasure from his arms, and then flies away, bleeding from his torn wings, and stumbles back, clutching her to his chest, his first thought and request is not to tend to him, but to get the chains off her, so he could feel her and sense her near him at all times...
So we can all agree Taylor Swift’s Daylight is totally Elriel from Az’s POV? Like I used to think love was burning red (Mor) but it’s Golden like Daylight (our sunshine queen Elain)?
Elain and Azriel sort of patched things up after the fateful Solstice and he's been coming to dinners more frequently.
He hasn't been avoiding her as much as before either.
She, in turn, has been feeding him. A lot. Any time he is around, she is offering his cookies and scones, tea and soup. She is making him hefty Illyrian sandwiches to take with him to work. At dinner, she is piling his plate with roast chicken and green beans and mashed potatoes. There are platters of beet and goat cheese salad near him at every meal.
Azriel is loving it and eats everything, but he also feels like she is killing herself in the kitchen for him.
One evening, he confronts her.
"Elain, it's not that I don't appreciate all the wonderful food you've been cooking but why? You know I'll devour everything you cook anyway."
"What am I doing wrong?!" she cries out, exasperated, tears in her eyes.
Azriel is in a panic.
"About what?! You are doing everything right!" he assures her.
"No I am not!" she insists. "It snapped for me. And I've been trying to give you food so it would snap for you too. But it's not snapping!"
He is staring at her with wild eyes.
"All this time?" he murmurs finally. "All this time you've been feeding me hoping it would snap?"
"YES!!!" she yells. "Why is this taking so long?!?!?!?!"
He pulls her into his embrace.
"Stupid girl. It snapped for me back when we first met. When you were still human. And you fed me salmon."
I just saw a post calling Elain cottage cheese and the rage I felt 😤😤😤 some people do not read beyond what’s at face-value. Just cause she’s quiet, an introvert, and likes to help people, doesn’t mean she’s boring! We haven’t even been inside her head yet.
Just because she chooses to cope with all her new surroundings and all the changes in her life by baking, gardening, helping out the people of Velaris, and being kind does not mean she’s boring!!
She was engaged for goodness sake! She had her life planned out for her since she was born by her mom and Nesta. She made the best of it anyways. She fell in love anyways. And when she thought she finally found happiness, it was all ripped out in seconds! Ofcourse, she needs time to heal! She’s still trying her best to learn about her new home, their customs. She made new friends, she helps out her community, she spends time with her new family and still her family is still trying to tell her what to do (be with Lucien). Elain’s journey is about her finding her own voice but just because she’s not outspoken (yet) doesn’t mean she’s boring!!!!
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