Here we go again:
People ask “why didn’t Az fight for his love for Elain?”
People ask “If he really loved her like elriels claim then why didn’t he stand up to Rhys?”
People ask “Why didn’t Az try to explain his view?”
I’ll tell you why. Even though it’s been said a million times.
✨Azriel hates himself✨
✨He thinks he’s unworthy of love✨
✨He thinks he’s unworthy of Elain✨
✨He thinks his touch taints her✨
It’s that simple.
Why the hell would he try to combat Rhysand, his High Lord, his dear younger brother and trusted friend, for something that he so badly wants but believes he should not have?
Azriel’s MIND trumps his HEART.
He feels so strongly but his mind is constantly barking at him going “you don’t deserve this”. Of course he’s going to believe that. Depression does that to people. Poor self esteem does that to people. If you don’t get that then you live under a rock.
And in the heat of the moment that solstice night, of course some part of him will have the thought of “maybe just this once”, “I can be selfish this one night”. In that moment, He was thinking with his heart. Not his mind.
He thinks he’s being selfish in allowing his heart to yearn and feel.
And people are dick riding Rhys with the “you feel entitled to her?” Comment?
Azriel doesn’t feel entitled to Elain. Not the way people think he is.
He’s envious of his family. He’s agonizing over it. Not entitled. He has every right to be envious, even though he loves them. He’s questioning his religion, he’s questioning his and her placement, and get this- with ✨logic✨
Observe:
Azriel ignored the question. "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.
You can’t tell me you look at 3 brothers and 3 sisters, 2 having been paired up, yet think that the remaining brother and sister aren’t going to be together?
“BuT tHaT’s CLiChe.” Yeah, and? SJM is a cliche writer.
That’s Azriel’s thought process. He’s thinking logically. If there are 3 pairs and 2 pairs of the 3 are mated, then why isn’t the 3rd pair?
That’s not entitlement.
He’s not looking at Elain and thinking “she should be mine”.
Because again, ✨he thinks he’s unworthy of her✨
And Azriel isn’t going to stand there arguing with Rhysand. I wouldn’t either, no matter how much I loved someone. Because that’s his High lord. That’s his brother. He loves and reveres him.
TL;DR: Azriel, despite his feelings, decided to once again put himself last and cast his feelings aside for Rhysand and for everyone else’s betterment. Partially out of loyalty and partially because he, again, thinks he doesn’t deserve Elain’s love. No matter how hurt he is.
He won’t fight for something he thinks he shouldn’t deserve.
Not until he’s proven wrong.
