Synopsis: A post completely dedicated to Viviane, talking a little bit about the character and bringing solid and real reasons why this woman deserves more recognition and appreciation by the fandom.
We meet Viviane in ACOWAR (chapter 43) at the High Lords meeting, she is described as "A Stunning Young Female" and is introduced to us as being the Wife and Mate of Kallias, the High Lord of the Winter Court. We also learn that she is Mor's best friend and it has been a long time since the two have seen each other. Viviane was born and raised in Winter Court. She was and still is Kallias' best friend.
From this excerpt, we can get a sense of what Viviane's personality is like:
“I tried to suggest she stay at home,” Kallias said drily, “but she threatened to freeze my balls off.” ACOWAR - 43
Let's take a look at Viviane's background story:
Viviane had not been Under the Mountain. As her childhood friend, Kallias had been protective of her to a fault over the years—had placed the sharp-minded female on border duty for decades to avoid the scheming of his court. He didn’t let her near Amarantha, either. Didn’t let anyone get a whiff of what he felt for his white-haired friend, who had no clue—not one— that he had loved her his entire life. And in those last moments, when his power had been ripped from him by that spell.… Kallias had flung out the remnants to warn her. To tell Viviane he loved her. And then he begged her to protect their people.
So she had. As Mor and my friends had protected Velaris, Viviane had veiled and guarded the small city under her watch, offering safe harbor to those who made it.
Never forgetting the High Lord and friend trapped Under the Mountain, never ceasing her hunt for finding a way to free him. Especially while Amarantha unleashed her horrors upon his court to break them, punish them. Yet Viviane held them together. And through that reign of terror—during all those years—she realized what Kallias was to her, what she felt for him in return.
The day he’d returned home, he’d winnowed right to her. She’d kissed him before he could speak a word. He’d then knelt down and asked her to be his wife. They went an hour later to a temple and swore their vows. And that night — during the you - know, Viviane grinned at Mor — The mating bond at last snapped into place.
The story occupied our time while we waited, since Mor wanted details. Lots of them. Ones that pushed the boundaries of propriet and left Thesan choking on his elderberry wine. But Kallias smiled at his wife and mate, warm and bright enough that despite his icy coloring, he should have been the High Lord of Day. - ACOWAR - 43
Amarantha reigned for fifty years, and we know that the Winter Court was one of the Courts that rebelled against her, unsuccessfully, but this did not stop Amarantha from unleashing her fury on this Court and its inhabitants.
But during all this time (fifty years), Viviane was a firm and strong leader, keeping her Court united and standing. I believe that the training she has received on the borders of the Winter Court has helped her in this moment. Because, in my opinion, you can't simply lead a Court without training. Kallias didn't beg Viviane to take care of his people just because he loved her, at that moment, Kallias wasn't just a man begging his beloved for something, at that moment he was a High Lord who would have to leave his Court, his people, his beloved and go under the domination of a tyrant. The High Lord inside Kallias knew that he could trust Viviane, because she was (still is) a good leader and received enough training on the borders.
We have to understand the situation that Winter Court was in, the situation that all of Prythian was in. Amarantha's reign was brutal, cruel and sadistic. The fact that Viviane led the Court alone and did not go crazy, but stood firm in her brave, fearless, righteous and even sweet personality, is reason enough for her to have more appreciation and recognition.
Now, here are excerpts from the chapter that show us a little more of Viviane's personality:
Here we see her talking about how she still hasn't gotten used to the title "Wife" of Kallias:
Here is when we discover that she and Kallias are not only married, they are Mates too:
From that moment on, Feyre was not the only one who began to like Viviane:
We cannot forget that she spoke an incredible truth to Beron in front of all the High Lords and was not afraid of his response.
And even though Mor and Viviane are friends, Viviane did not forget the seriousness of the meeting and behaved like a responsible and dedicated leader to her Court. Besides supporting her Husband and High Lord, she used her voice and didn't wait for Kallias or Mor to come to her rescue.
This excerpt was her response when Tamlim asked if they (the Winter Court) were willing to fight on Rhysand's side.
Now, I intend to answer this question and explain why I consider her as the First High Lady of Prythian:
Remembering that this post is not to diminish any character or to say that Viviane is better than Feyre. There is a big difference between doing that and making a post "Viviane Appreciation", which is what I am doing.
"But Ana, Feyre is the first High Lady, she has the title, Rhysand made the declaration and she is the Cursebreaker."
First, we are talking about the High Lady title, not other titles they may have.
Second, I know that Feyre is the first woman to have the title of High Lady.
Third, what is more important? Title or Attitudes?
Just as my wise queen @angelic-voice-1997 said a few days ago, the title is not so important when we see the attitudes.
Points that reinforce my point about Viviane being a High Lady and deserving recognition:
Viviane has experience leading a Court. And she did it alone and in one of Prythian's worst moments (it was fifty years).
She dealt with political situations, Amarantha attacks, probably had to earn the respect of the people, because honestly, do you think an entire Court suddenly started to trust her?
If we put ourselves in Viviane's place, we can see some real feelings like, fear of failing Court, failing Kallias, insecurity of starting to lead alone, great responsibility and above all, Viviane had to find strength within herself not to crumble.
Caring for an entire people is not easy. They were lives depending on her. For everything.
And even with all these obstacles, Viviane had a very good result and delivered the Winter Court stronger, united and resistant to Kallias.
To lead is not to sit all day long on a throne, we know that, to lead, the leader has to be ready to get her hands and sword dirty with blood.
Viviane did this, just as she also fought in the war against Hybern on Mor's side.
As Feyre noted, "Kallias' Army was the Army that Viviane kept standing."
And to conclude, a leader must be wise and seek what is best for her people. We saw that Viviane did this at the moment when she was the first one who said she was going to fight with Rhysand. She didn't wait for Kallias or anyone else. Thus being a determined and wise leader.
Feyre is High Lady. No one can deny it, she has the title, the recognition and appreciation. But what I am trying to say is that nobody will die if we finally understand the facts and see that it is okay to admit that Viviane is a High Lady, the first one. Feyre will not stop being a High Lady. And I really want in the next books Sarah to tell us that Viviane was given the title, because even if it's not the most important thing, it's only fair. Because Viviane deserves it.
I, particularly, just want to see the happiness of this woman, and I was quite happy when, in ACOSF, we found out that Viviane is pregnant!!!
Kallias and Viviane, also swollen with child and glowing with joy and strength. - ACOSF - 61
Thank you for reading this post, you are welcome to add more, just don't forget respect🤗
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