#elriel-month

[nikethestatue]

@elriel-month

Art: diielliee

[wingedstargazer]

Peace and Quiet

The training ring felt hot and humid, the grovel under Cassian’s feet crunched with each step. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, continuously looking at Azriel. His brother looked worse for wear; Cassian knew that he had not been sleeping properly for months. He looked at the ground and clenched his jaw.

When Azriel had finally broken the news three weeks prior that his mother was ill and dying, it felt like time was suspended and stood still. Cassian knew how seldom his brother mentioned her and when he tried to hug him, Azriel had shrunk away and retreated into his shadows, disappearing for days. Since then, he had been a shell of himself, his gaze was distant, and his body coiled tight. His shadows were in a constant state of agitation, whipping and hissing around him and lashing out whenever anyone came too close to their master. Noone had been able to properly talk to or come near him. One time Mor had darted towards the Shadowsinger, but she quickly retreated defeatedly, not being able to withstand the storm of shadows which had swarmed her. Azriel had not even glanced at her then.

Rhys tried to be there for Azriel by sending him food and liquor, however both was left untouched. He did not come to family dinners and only communicated via messages. During one breakfast Nesta had said to Azriel that letting go of someone was hard but sometimes the best for the soul, to be able to breathe again. He had looked at her in such a cold and haunted way that she physically started shivering and had to leave to the room. He had avoided all breakfasts with her since then, not that he was at the House of Wind often anyway.

Cassian exhaled and watched the last of the priestesses pack up, readying themselves to leave the training ring. He looked back at Azriel, who stood as rigid as a statue, all muscles tense, and his body wired as if ready to attack any moment. He looked thin, his eyes were sunk in, and he had permanent dark circles under his eyes. He continuously ground his teeth and Cassian wondered when the last time was, he had smiled. The Illyrian looked back on the ground and sighed, crossing his arms.

It had been almost a year since they had last seen Elain. She had disappeared like a raindrop in the ocean on the night of Nesta’s and his mating ceremony. It had been such a beautiful celebration but the sheer amount of people and obviously the alcohol had hazed them to not notice her slipping through their fingers. Like catching a snowflake in your hand, she had melted away quietly into the night.

Azriel had gone insane when he noticed her absence, he went looking for her for weeks but nothing. First, everyone thought she had been taken again, however it turned out that she was able to winnow, to everyone’s surprise. Nesta tried to scry for her but without any luck. Feyre was worried just as sick and tried to use her powers to find her sister too, but to no avail. Rhys broke into Lucien’s mind but couldn’t find anything to give them a clue. Family dinners had never been the same since.

After some months there was a strange shift between the sisters, the tension about Elain had dissipated and a calm had settled in Nesta and Feyre. Nesta was not angry and frustrated with her sister anymore but seemed to have come to an understanding and had come to peace. However, once a week Feyre and Nesta have a sisters’ night together where no one is allowed to disturb or join them. Neither shares nor breathes a word about what happens during these meet ups, claiming it is an Archeron sister’s secret.

Cassian counted the seconds until he looked back at Azriel, who remained rooted to the spot. Rhys had asked them both to be at the training ring at dusk, why he had no idea. He watched as Azriel’s shadows grew darker, more jittery and overactive with each passing minute, he however stood stoic in the middle of the storm’s eye. Cassian turned his head to the side, where he detected the rhythmic sound of Rhysand’s footsteps coming towards them. The sun was setting, and the sky dusked with the shadows growing long and hard. He was just on time. Cassian turned fully to his brother, the impatient question of why he requested them to meet dying on his tongue.

Next to Rhys stood Elain, hair unbound and blowing gently in the wind and rosy cheeks. She glowed, full of health and her big, brown eyes were open and friendly. She breathed quickly, as if she had been running for miles and she gave Cassian a timid smile.  He did not waste a second and ran to lift her in a bear hug, crushing her body to his. He kissed her on the cheek and her hair, breathing her in and whispered, “I missed you”. She put her arms around his neck and giggled, whispering back “I missed you too”. Rhys smiled at them and put a hand on her back, as Cassian set her back on her feet. She gave them a dazzling smile, showing her dimples but her eyes quickly averted to the Shadowsinger.

He stood still and gaped at her, his face showing no emotions, but his eyes shone like Cassian had not seen in months, maybe even a year. The amber in his eyes glowed in golden hues and his breath came in short bursts. He suddenly squinted his eyes, as if in pain and his shadows swarmed him so rapidly, they covered him in complete darkness. Cassian thought that Azriel was going to disappear, Cauldron know where, for whatever reason. Was he not happy to see Elain after so long?

Elain let go of Cassian and started walking in measured but sure steps towards Azriel. “Wait Elain, he has not been himself. He does not want anybody close.”, he said to her. She just looked back at him and smiled assuredly saying “I am not afraid of the darkness.”

Rhysand and Cassian watched as she continued her pursuit towards Azriel, who was now completely shrouded in shadows, which bled into the night sky. Her steps did not falter as she reached them and she was swallowed up seconds later, her hair whipping around her petite form. Cassian held his breath and was about to go after her, when Rhys put his hand on his shoulder, holding him back. “Let her go” was all he said. Cassian was conflicted, he trusted his brother and knew that Azriel would never intentionally hurt her, however he knew that he had not been himself the past months and he hated the way Mor had been hurt after her failed attempts to reach him.

Some time passed when Cassian started to feel the whirring of Azriel’s shadows slowly calm and lift. A soft breeze started to pick up and the unmistakable scent of Jasmin danced around them, a promise of peace. Soon the shadows sizzled lazily like embers dying out and two figures came back into focus. Elain stood on her tiptoes and had her arms around Azriel’s neck, who stood hunched over with his head buried in her neck. One hand was cradled at he back of her head, fingers entwined with her hair and the other was clutching her back, digging into her dress. He held on to her tightly and she was stroking her fingers through his dark waves soothingly. Cassian heard Azriel inhale sharply and gulp down some air. He then released a shuddering breath and with that his wings lowered around them, hugging her in a second, more intimate embrace. 

Rhys clapped his brother a few times on the shoulder and smiled at the display. “How did you find her?” Cassian asked him but could not tear his eyes away from Elain and Azriel. “I am atoning.”, was all Rhys said and left it at that.

Night had settled around them, the cool air brushing along their features in a velvet caress when Azriel slowly lifted his head from Elain’s neck and looked at her properly. His heart was pounding like a racehorse against his ribcage as he took her fully in. Elain peered up at him and slid one hand from his hair to cup his cheek. Her thumb swiped along his hollow cheekbones, and she broke the silence with a quiet “food or sleep? Or maybe a bath first?” He drew in a breath and his lips quivered into a strained smile. He let out a ragged sigh and cast his eyes down in shame that she had to see him in this state. Elain, however, leaned to him and gave him a peck on his cheek and took his hand. She turned in the direction of the House of Wind and gently pulled him along with her. As a sunflower turns its head in the direction of the sun, his body followed her, and he walked one step behind letting her guide him into the house. Cassian followed smiling from ear to ear. Rhys had winnowed away, giving them space.

As they entered the House of Wind, Nesta was sitting curled up on her favourite lounge chair, reading one of her romance books. As she saw Elain, she leaped from her position and ran to her sister, crushing her in a hug. Elain kept holding on to Azriel’s hand and wrapped an arm around her sister, smiling into her shoulder. When Nesta loosened her grip, she had tears in her eyes but beamed brightly. She cupped her sister’s delicate face in her hands and kissed her on the forehead. With a shaking breath she released her, and Cassian was already standing behind her, wrapping his big arms around for support. She leaned into him, resting her head under his and looked between Elain and Azriel.

The latter was irrevocably focused on the middle Archeron sister, his shadows lapping from his shoulders and feet. Some wound their way from his arm down to where his hand was connected with Elain’s and entwined the space between them more. Elain looked over her shoulder to Azriel and he stared at her mesmerized, his eyes softening in the process. She tugged on his hand gently and up the stairs they went.

“She’s finally home” Nesta murmured, and he hummed both monitoring the pair ascending upstairs. “She knows what he needs” Cassian whispered into her hair, and she turned around to bury herself in her mate, hugging him tightly to herself, overwhelmed with emotions. “Everything will be alright now.” Nesta said and Cassian hugged her back.

Upstairs the shadows showed Elain the way to Azriel’s bedroom. Like little guides they pulled her gently on the seam of her dress and opened the door for her. She turned to Azriel and asked him “May I enter your room?” and he nodded, smiling shyly. He took a step forward until he was chest to back with her and nudged her with his chest to continue walking. Her breath caught in her throat, and she swallowed at the close proximity. She took a tentative step inside and looked around.

The room was sparsely decorated with simple but elegant wood furniture. Everything was tidy, which she guessed was thanks to the house. She had seen his desk numerous times and found it in an organized chaos. Elain bit her lip at the memory and her eyes continued taking in his room. Azriel stood transfixed and couldn’t look anywhere else than at the angel standing in his private quarters. He noticed the pink tinge her cheeks had and counted every eyelash framing her beautiful brown eyes. His cataloguing was cut short by the sudden sound of water being turned on in his bathroom. He looked down at himself and heard Elain giggle, obviously the house was giving him a hint. When was the last time he had bathed?

He looked sheepishly at her and walked up to where she was standing. Their eyes collided and the world stopped. She scanned his face and took both of his hands in hers. “I am not going anywhere.” Azriel took in a few dep breaths and with a long exhale his lip started to quiver, and he scrunched up his face. He drew her close to him and again put his arms around her. His wings started drooping and he leaned his forehead against hers. He was fighting taking controlled breaths and shuddered when Elain nudged his nose with hers and slowly swept her hands along his back. Her lithe fingers travelled from his lower back, in between where his wings exited his spine to his shoulders and slowly back. He felt the soft pressure of her and so they stood, swaying gently in each other’s arms.  Azriel took deep breaths and with each one he inhaled her, her unmistakable Jasmin scent and let it wash over him, extinguishing the fire burning in his veins and loosening the tension. He felt the exhaustion heavy in his bones, urging him to rest.

Elain jumped and bumped her head against his, when their moment was interrupted by the loud rattling sound of teacups and kettle being dumped on his beside table. He sighed, silently chastising the house for ruining their moment together but then he remembered that he really should bathe. Elain smiled at him and slowly broke away. With another kiss to his cheek, she breathed “I’ll be here if you need anything.”, and he looked at her again, mapping every detail of her lovely face. She blinked slowly at him and assured “I am not going anywhere”. He fought with every fiber of his body against his instinct and walked into the bathroom, leaning the door, not closing it entirely.

He was greeted with warm humidity and fragrance and quickly bathed his aching body. His fae ears picked up on Elain shuffling in his room and his shadows informed him that she was drinking a cup of herbal tea, sitting on his bed. She said that she was going to stay, would she stay the whole night? He blushed at the thought, never had a female been in his room, let alone sat or slept in his bed!

Azriel finished up in the bathroom and was puzzled to only find his sleeping trousers, he shrugged and walked out realizing why his shirt was missing. Elain sat on his bed, propped up against his pillows, her legs under the covers. She was wearing his blue shirt and worried her lip between her teeth, looking sheepishly at him. “Your shadows gave me this, I assume to sleep in? I hope you don’t mind.” Elain chirped and gave him a timid smile. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. She flung back the covers and invited him to come to bed, patting the spot next to her and his feet moved on their own accord. As he walked in slow motion he took in the creamy expanse of her legs, which were now exposed thanks to his shirt, that only reached her mid thighs.

She gently pulled him down with her hand. She set a small pillow on herself and maneuvered him to lay on his stomach with his head resting on her chest. He wanted to set his ear directly over her rapidly beating heart, but the pillow was blocking the direct skin to skin contact. Azriel huffed in frustration at that, but it melted away the moment Elain threaded her fingers through his hair and gently started massaging his head. His arm was slung around her torso, and he slowly slid them under her shoulder blades. He couldn’t fight keeping his eyes open anymore and closed them willingly. Her fingernails scraped softly along his scalp, and he sighed contently. He extended his wings fully and let them drape over the bed, and willed his muscles to relax, which was happening on their own accord. Azriel synched his breathing with Elain’s and after a short time he was pulled under, peaceful sleep welcoming him.

A few hours later, he jolted upwards to the sensation of his shadows tugging on his hair. He looked around his dimly lit room and then zeroed in on Elain sleeping soundly under him. He could not detect any danger, even after his fae senses had immediately gone into overdrive. He grunted lowly at his shadows for waking him up, but they hissed back, snatching the pillow his head was lying on away. His head landed in Elain’s chest and with that she stirred and started turning her body to the side. He moved with her until they lay facing each other and he couldn’t do anything other than stare at the sheer beauty that was sharing his bed. He couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Elain had come back from wherever the hell she had been and on top of that, let him sleep with his body draped over her, cuddling him to sleep. His heart beat faster and faster and he could feel himself growing hot under the duvet. Her face was so close to his that he could feel each sweet inhale and exhale from her exquisite mouth. His mind started racing more when he continued staring at her delectable lips. His wings twitched every now and then and he flapped them once nervously, sending a whisp of cool wind down them, an attempt to cool off his body. Azriel could not stop the train of thoughts, making him spiral into a panic storm.

As if Elain had felt the nervousness and panic radiate off him, she moved sleepily and pulled his head under hers, encircling it with her arms and he was immediately calmed down at the close skin to skin contact as well as the sweet Jasmin and honey smell he inhaled. He leaned in more and buried his nose in the crook of her neck and felt his racing thoughts quieten and his muscles relaxed with each breath he took of her heavenly scent. He felt bold and hugged her body closer to his, Elain shifted in her sleep and glided one leg over his waist with his movement, like dance partners their bodies moved in synch with each other. Azriel pushed down his growing arousal and continued breathing deeply, letting her touch, smell and breathing sounds lull him back into a peaceful sleep.

The next day Nesta sat downstairs at breakfast with her mate, continuously looking at the stairs hoping to catch her sister and Azriel before training. “What has you all worked up in a tizzy?” Cassian asked her, shooting her a wink. “Aren’t you curious at all? What do you think happened last night?”, she whispered at him and stabbed her eggs with the fork absentmindedly. “My curiosity died pretty quick when it comes to Azriel, he doesn’t really share anything. Why do you think something happened at all between them?”, he goaded, his smile growing more. “Are you serious?! Did you not see the way he was looking at her? How he reacted to her? I would be more surprised if nothing happened between the two.” “Cauldron knows, he desperately needs someone close to him. I bet he wouldn’t mind Elain doing some touching though…” Cassian muttered under his breath. Nesta gasped at him and cackled loudly. She threw a piece of bread at him laughing “Don’t talk about my sister like that!” He got up chuckling “All I know is that she didn’t sleep in any of the guest rooms…” and quickly disappeared into the kitchen. Nesta wheezed at that, snapping her head to where he had gone when the table started rattling. She looked around confused and the lights started flickering too. After a few seconds it abruptly stopped and then as if the clouds had lifted outside, the sun streamed in through the windows and Elain emerged, walking down the stairs. She wore thick wool socks but her long thin legs were exposed. An oversized black jumper covered her torso and ended above her knees, her long hair flowed airily around her. She held Azriel’s hand, their fingers intwined and he followed her, his wings tucked in tight.

Elain beamed at her sister, shining brightly and chirped “Good morning”, walking to the table. Azriel nodded at her however his eyes were glued on the middle Archeron sister in a soft gaze, his dark eyebags had faded slightly and he looked rested. His hair was sticking out in different directions, as if he had been running his fingers through them all night and Nesta grinned at that. He wore his sleeping trousers and a similar jumper to Elain’s. She had never seen him so exposed and disheveled before and it suited him having Elain by his side.

Her sister sat down next to Cassian’s chair, and she looked up at him with her big doe eyes. His lips quirked into a tiny smile, and he leaned down and kissed her on her head, walking into the kitchen. Elain bit her lip and tried to hide her smile, filling her cup with some tea from the table. Nesta grinned devilishly at her and quipped “Nice jumper, is it new?” Her sister blushed but countered with “Nice hickey, is it new?” and both started giggling uncontrollably.

Cassian walked into the dining room and greeted Elain with a massive grin on his face. He sat down next to her on his chair and gave her a peck on the cheek. While sitting so close, he noted the undeniable mixture of her and Azriel’s scent on her skin and his eyes travelled over the black jumper, recognizing it as his brother’s. He chuckled lowly and shot Nesta a knowing glance, who was also smiling widely.

Elain asked Nesta about her training and chose from the variety of food to put on her plate. The sisters were chatting amicably when Azriel came out of the kitchen and stood where Cassian was seated, staring at him. The burly Illyrian looked at him questioningly and continued taking a bite from his toast. Azriel took a step closer and basically invaded his space. Cassian bunched his brows and tried to shove him away, but he stood rooted to the spot. He stepped closer and pushed on Cassian’s chair with his thigh, making the chair squeak on the floor. At that he shot out of his seat and muttered “What the fuck” and moved to sit next to his mate. Azriel’s shadows swarmed his plate and cutlery and dropped them ceremoniously in front of him. He then proceeded to sit down in the now vacant chair and looked at Elain.

She was listening intently to her sister and was about the spear a tomato with her fork, when Azriel wrapped his fingers around her armrest and pulled her closer to him. Her seat scraped along the floor, and she froze, her fork suspended mid-air. When their chairs were positioned right next to each other, he reached over and pulled her plate and teacup, so it was situated in front of her. Azriel then started piling his plate with food while Cassian gawked, Nesta smirked, and Elain looked at him in silence. The latter cleared her throat and picked up on her conversation with her sister.

After they had finished breakfast, Azriel rested his arm along the back of Elain’s chair and listened to the conversation happening around him. Often his eyes remained on the exquisite female next to him, their mixed scents from having spent the night cuddling beckoning him to get closer to her. She was his personal drug; her presence calmed and grounded him immensely and his shadows curled lazily around his and her feet. Like cats they wound their way around their ankles and sometimes travelled up a calf and then slid back down. He couldn’t and didn’t want to restrain himself anymore, so he leaned down and buried his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the feel and smell of her, the warmth of her lithe body and rested his forehead there. “Are you leaving for Rosehall today?” Nesta asked and at that he opened his eyes and peered down at Elain. Her eyes were already trained on him and between them a silent conversation took place. She nodded and said gently “Yes, we are leaving soon. We ought to get ready.” With that she got up and after reaching for Azriel’s hand they left again, walking up the stairs, Elain smiling over her shoulder at her sister and mate, giving them a small wave. “Do you think she is staying for long?” Cassian asked and gave her a kiss. “I believe so. Do you think Azriel would let her go anyway?” “No, not after what we witnessed just now.” he said laughing and shook his head. Nesta looked back at the spot where her sister and the Spymaster had been sitting mere minutes ago and smiled to herself, warmth and peace filling her chest. 

[honeymist51]

Once upon a dream

This is an excerpt from a one-shot fanfic I wrote for the prompt ‘fairytale.’ Hope you enjoy it!

Remember, this is only a dream.

Or at least, that’s what I used to tell myself every morning, upon waking from those ambiguous dreams that dared to seize my consciousness on odd-numbered days—amid sweat and the disorientation of glimpsing a mysterious face.

In those dreams, the handsome stranger who had taken up residence in my mind like a parasite would wait for the village lights to dim before emerging from his shadow-filled hideout to torment me.

I always saw the same face, the same dark hair, the same piercing eyes that seemed to know every hidden corner of my soul; the same unsettling and yet mesmerizing wings; and the same scene, replaying endlessly, over and over again.

I tried to stop thinking about that dream. But it was useless. It kept haunting me relentlessly, like an echo in my mind that refused to fade. It wasn’t the first time I’d had dreams like that, but usually, they happened only once and, more often than not, came true.

This one was different. For three months, every odd-numbered day, I dreamt the exact same thing. The same damned dream. The same damned scene.

Except last night.

Until then, he hadn’t spoken a single word. He merely appeared—tall, muscular, and, though I hate to admit it, devastatingly attractive. He never said a thing. We would just dance, spinning in a hypnotic silence, until dawn broke.

But last night, in that place where fantasy and yearning intertwine in my mind, the stranger finally spoke just before the vision faded:

I’m coming for you.

@elriel-month

[mrspettyferr]

Shy Glances + Restricted Touches

(Mood Board series for Elriel Month)

Azriel's fingers lingered at her nape, atop the first knob of her spine. Slowly, Elain pivoted into his touch. Until his palm lay flat against her neck.

It had never gone this far. They'd exchanged looks, the occasional brush of their fingers, but never this. Never blatant, unrestricted touching.

[rosenecklaces]

@elriel-month day four

ELAIN ARCHERON & AZRIEL | WELCOME TO ROSEHALL

...Never seen his hazel eyes so bright, the hues of green amid the brown and gray like veins of emerald.

The first time the women he loves, more than life itself, met eachother, was at the exact moment dusk was settling on the horizon. His little fawn glowing in forever vivid golden brown curls and pale long gown while his mom, the lady of Rosehall state, solemnly held her soft hand on hers, smirk forming on her lips with dark eyes shining as she asked "would you like me to show you my garden?"

— peace & quiet

[stargirlwindreader]

The way I am refreshing AO3 and eating up all these elriel fics I AM BEING FED !!!

@elriel-month 💖💖💖

[nikethestatue]

Elriel for Elriel Month

[nikethestatue]

Peace and Quiet

Death and the Maiden

Elriel Month (2025)

This is one of my favorite scenes and probably the moment I fell in love with Azriel and Elain. The idea of them finding solace, peace and quiet with each other is so beautiful. This coming from Feyre, in the moment where she probably fully fell in love with Rhys is especially poignant.

I tried to make my own version of what it would look like.

Art: nikethestatue

Likes and reblogs are appreciated

@elriel-month