Every time I see completely biased hate directed at Tamlin, I get so angry that I go write another chapter of my original (or should I say book? Judging by the character count, it's more like a book)
The question is, should I talk to my therapist about this? 🙃
I ventured too far from the light so let me dissect this anti tamlin post (and let's be mindful polite haters here and not be rude to that person directly)
So first issue here is age, for sure fae aging is whack and unclear, but we do get narration from rhysand's pov during the war, so before he met tamlin. He seems to me about as mature as he gets for the rest of the books in that, so this emphasis on teen rhys is factually wrong and doesn't acknowledge that however young they were, tamlin was younger and rhysand was a full grown adult and battle weary general when tamlin was a child.
Secondly the weight of the high lord title is something that tamlin didn't expect. We do get inconsistent information on that, with tamlin implying that he only became high lord bc his brothers were dead and rhysand believing that tamlin would have gotten the title anyway. In any case the burden on tamlin and rhys is not really comparable bc there was no alternative to rhys becoming high lord and the pressure he seems to be under was the illyrian training whereas tamlin actively avoids being even suspected of preparing for high lordship.
I also think it's interesting how there is an implied role reversal here, with rhysand confiding in tamlin, when in canon rhysand always states that HE chose to reach out to tamlin, HE taught him. Rhysand is always the one in power over poor little blondie, whereas this post supposes a vulnerability from rhys, that he never admits. (The vulnerability is also a significant part of the tamsand truth, yes, but tamlin not knowing about velaris, e.g. shows that there wasn't complete trust from rhys at least.)
Here I'm mostly interested in the way this post poses tamlin as the mastermind planning and organising the murder of mom and sister night, when in canon text rhysand always accuses tamlin of passivity, of not stepping in or stopping the killings, rather then perpetrating or instigating them. Again we have a role reversal where tamlin's extremely passive role in canon is made to be more active.
I won't go deeper on my many opinions on those wings but it is always so strange to me that the only women we see with uncut wings are these two and that the Spring Court doing cruelty to women's wings is portrayed as so much worse than the casual cutting happening in the Night Court. Then we have tamlin again posed as the instigator making his family take the wings and the most interesting phrase "and burnt them". That is bc this half sentence skips drama discussed in three separate books of the wings being mounted on the wall as trophies in the spring manor, only for feyre to find out that tamlin took them off and burnt them. Rhysand recounts that as well and from his phrasing in acofas it seems that the burning is the kinder act compared to decorating a wall with them. He says he hates tamlin despite this attempt at righting a wrong. But this post skips that context and manipulates by omission, while also implying a reason for tamlin burning the wings, that isn't stated anywhere and even directly contradicted in canon. Tamlin does ask rhysand if he's been forgiven, he wants this forgiveness, he specifically does not want rhys to not find closure.
Here I'm mostly gonna bitch about the kindness of rhysand's heart. There is no kindness in why rhys lets tamlin live, there's pity and guilt in acofas and then political advantage in acosf. Rhysand and feyre both see that he wasn't the bigger person but petty when he went to tamlin first. His second acofas visit is fueled by guilt and need for tamlin as an ally, which lucien pointed out and rhysand directly recalls in text.
And then lastly I just don't like the dehumanisation, both the monster at the start and the thing here at the end. I find it tasteless and cruel and ugly.
Overall I have new thoughts on the greater active/passive, dominant/submissive themes and their inconsistent use in this series, bc this post seems to mirror that, but let's save it for another day.
I've been walking through the same park for work every summer for 4 years and now the first thought I had upon returning for that job today was "oh tamlin would like this park :)) it's so wild and green and secluded :)))"
Summary: Elain buys a gift for her sisters. Diana reminds her ladies in waiting why she does what she does and what they need for their future. Tamlin is forced to have fun with his sentries and not be a grouch. The archeron sisters have a sibling moment only for Rhysand to ruin it with Cassian's help. Lucien and Tamlin meet again.
Author's note: I wanted to show that Elain is subtly manipulative yet quiet. Also Albanarthan is albarn arthan, which is Welsh winter solstice.
This is my longest chapter and I barely edited it. I'm tired!
The aching feeling in Elain's heart did not disappear as time went on, rather she grew accustomed to it as one grew accustomed to a healed wound. The first week since the bond broke she tried to catch Lucien off guard awaiting days to see him but she never crossed paths with him and that made the ache felt worst. After awhile she would walk the walls like a ghost eavesdropping on everyone there and tried to wait for Lucien outside of Rhysand's office or the hall but it was useless. As the days became colder and her garden becoming more wilted, it became clear that Lucien was either using glamour to hid himself or short distance winnowing to avoid Elain. At least that's what she believes, for all she knew he didn't actually come to Velaris and chose to send letters to inform Rhysand now.
Somewhere between watching the last flowers of her garden wilt and the first drop of snow, Elain realised that the ache had dampened. She felt the loneliness of it still and wondered if Lucien felt the same or if he had learnt to live with it after losing his mate once.
She wondered if he missed her too. If he missed her own heart beat as well or if he had adjusted to having only feeling his heart beat once more.
It felt weird to her, just feeling her only her own heart again like she was human but that was an ungrateful thought. If the others knew she felt even the slightest ire of being fae they'd find a way to make her change her mind.
"Elain? You've been starring at those for awhile now." Mor called pulling the fawn from her thoughts.
Elain blinked in surprise, she remembered she was supposed to be shopping with the others for winter solstice gifts and was at the Velaris market. There were children playing around, stalls selling merchandise and winter music playing in the distance. Elain in particular was standing in front of a small stall selling bronze bracelets that look like flower vines braided together. She recognised some of the flowers, she had planted them back in her old life.
"Was just thinking of the right gift." Elain lied flawlessly as she touched one of the bracelets.
"For Feyre? I don't think these suit her. As Rhysand's mate and high lady she has to appear in the finest jewelry." Mor replied in a lower tone so the seller couldn't hear.
Elain was silent as she traced her finger on the iris flower bracelet gently, "for Nesta as well. I think they'd like it. Our mom said hydrangeas are the same colours as Nesta's and Feyre's eyes."
Mor's lips turned into a thin line hearing Elain's response, "I don't think you were given enough money to buy that for her. Remember you should use the money to buy for important members of your family first."
Elain looked perplexed as she looked to Mor, "what are you talking about? These bracelet only cost a little and Feyre gave me more than enough."
The golden haired beauty exhaled shakily, "after what happened...I just don't think it's a good idea to gift her anything for winter solstice. She hasn't apologised to Feyre for hurting her after all."
"Oh... i see." Elain didn't argue and placed the bracelet back. She looked at them for a moment and then to the seller who clearly needed the money. "These are beautiful, I wish I could buy them. Who knows... maybe I'll return." Elain said softly her voice like a siren to the seller before she and Mor walk away. The fawn's eyes lingered on the seller and bracelet as long as she could before they disappeared from view.
They spent hours at the market buying presents for everyone in the family except for Nesta. The eldest Archeron wasn't invited on the girl's outing since Mor said that they shouldn't bother her and everyone stayed silent. Just as the day darkened and the streets becoming more filled Elain had slipped away heading back to the stall she had seen but the bracelets she wanted weren't in sight. She frowned and was about to leave until she saw a shadowy vines extending the bracelets to her.
"Thought you might want to buy this. Kept them just in case." The seller said with a tired smile.
"Yes...yes I did." Elain said and grabbed the bracelets gently before pulling out several coins from her bag to place them on the table stall, "Thank you. Use the money wisely." She spoke gently and left quickly before the seller could refuse.
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The cave systems to the west of Velaris were occupied by citizen's of the court of nightmares as Rhysand calls it. There were of course a few villages or small settlements in the western part of the court filled with fae that weren't suited for combat but were common workers like farmers, lumberers and anything close to that sort. They were being overwork to keep the court from completely starving and they were also the ones usually used to trade for Hewn city goods since the weren't trapped. They weren't Faeries who chased after gold or power, most only cared for their territories since they preferred the darkness or were weakened by the light which made them perfect to be the middle person in trade deals. They were naturally protective of the land so they wouldn't leave but this meant the rising prices has started to leave them weakened and malnourished, they begged helped from ther high lord but as usual they were ignored.
They were always ignored and change always came too late.
In Hewn city, the faes in Thanatos'es mansion only received word from rumours and news papers. Lady Diana was the mistress of the mansion and all the workers were loyal to her not out of fear but kindness.
"The lower levels are in chaos, my lady. This would be the tenth noble they killed and consumed." An oread maid whispered to Diana as she placed some tea in the study room for her and the five lady in waiting.
"Can't we help them?" Miltia asked seating in her simple dark dress with a book in her hand.
"Not without endangering ourselves. Please Miltia, you cannot try to escape like last time." A rusty red haired maiden with dark brown eyes and pale skin spoke softly. She wore a simple black dress but she wore golden bracelets with red gems embedded.
"I just wanted to see what's left of my father's soldiers...They were his friends, Pyrha." Miltia blathered weakly.
A dark blue eyed high fae with light brown skin and long black hair braided into a bun wearing a simple dark dress scoffed, "the faster you forget your old life the better it is for all of us."
"That's enough Saphira." A brown skinned high fae with short curly black hair and soft green eyes snapped. The green gems on her dressed glimerring for a moment.
"Tell me why then, Fluora." Saphira challenged.
"That's enough. All four of you." Lady Diana commanded her voice loud and clear as an aura of darkness washed over all five of her lady in waiting. The five felt intense pressure forcing them into their seats before it faded.
"It's not fair to you, lady Diana. You've been beaten five times this year because of her." Saphira states while looking at Miltia who was looking down.
"And how many times have I taken beating for you and the others?" Diana countered as she walked closer to her ladies poised perfectly as always.
Everyone was silent as they expected Saphira to answer but finally the quietest and smallest of them all, a high fae with light brown hair, redish brown eyes and fair skin wearing a simple dark dress spoke up barely a whisper. "Countless."
"Thank you, Carnelia." Diana replied and looked to Saphira who looked away from her, "I am glad that my lessons of loyalty and taking care of one another bears fruit but you cannot fight amongst each other. You must stay close and work with one another even after all five of you leave this place once you are married. If you fight amongst yourself then the change we seek will never become a reality. Am I clear?"
The five nodded silently but Pyrha grabbed the bracelet on her hands. "I don't want to leave..." She confessed.
"I promise you, I did my research and asked the workers in his manor. Lord Atreus is a good male, he won't harm you." Diana comforted placing a hand on the younger female's hands.
"But what about you? If I leave.... you'll still be here." Phyra reminded tightening her hands around her lady.
"You'll still be beaten regardless if we do something bad or not. You'll still have... him as a father. The only reason you take our beatings for us is so we remained untouched and scarless, because a scar means we are broken good and are worthless. This isn't fair to you, Lady Diana. You find us the best males to be our husbands yet you stay here." Saphira continued her fist tightening.
"And we can't fight back. You tell us to change from the inside, that we can raise a better generation but it takes too long. If we stay we'll be tortured... and if we fight we'll be killed." Miltia uttered tiredly.
Darkness washed over the room before green light shined through, "that's enough out of all of you! Lady Diana does not need a constant reminder of the horrible reality we live. Be thankful she's our lady , be grateful we aren't thrown to the lower levels or the mines." Fluora warned standing as shadows curled around her.
"Why are we learning about the beauty standards, dresses and cultures of the seasonal courts?" Carnelia asked changing the subject as she placed a hand on Fluora's shoulder to urged her back to her seat.
Diana took a deep breath, she felt overwhelmed for a moment and almost let her focus on her powers slip. "My father told us to learn thus... apparently many seasonal court nobles will be arriving soon." She explained but her hands glowed black as she glamoured the sound in the room, "truthfully however, that doesn't make sense. I know something is happening that will lead us to meet other courts but we need to stay on guard."
"Are we going to be visited by seasonal court emisarries or nobles?" Miltia asked concerned yet hopeful.
"I don't know. I just want all of you to be safe. Learn the politics of those courts but also learn how to avoid offending them. Now lets get back to our class." Diana ordered and ended the glamour to continue her lessons.
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The spring court manor was quiet as night time arrived, every room was dark with the halls being dimly illuminated by fae lights. Sprites and brownies slept in the potted plants hanging or attached to the walls while the animated furniture would occasional make rounds around the manor keeping guard. Every room was dark except for one which was the study where Tamlin was busy writing paper after paper but checking older fails in between. A small brownie fae walked in and teleported on his desk to give him some warm tea while jiggling his head as a greeting before teleporting back to the floor.
"Yer up late, princey." Archie pointed up as he walked in, his wooden leg supports squeaking slightly like usual. "Go to bed now, tinkles." The older high fae ordered the brownie as he walked out while his Bell jingles along the way.
"I'm glad you remembered his name, most of the fae working here can't even tell the brownies apart," Tamlin expressed as he looked up from the papers. "You're wearing a kilt, going back to traditions?"
"I'm trying. Houyi would be on meh arse if aye can't tell the difference. Sides, kilts won't tear when i turn into a wulver." Archie replied as he walked closer and tapped his finger on the chair in front of the table, "ye know. He's been on yer arse as well. Bout the violin. Bout the no show in parties. The lads are celebrating and planning how to prank those stuck up autumn soldiers soon."
The high lord frowned, "I... I'm busy. The winter solstice is close and so is the meeting with... him... do you agree with this. With Shel's plan to enact the tithe so soon?" He questioned unsure.
Archie rolled his eyes, "ye forgot that young lass is smarter than she looks. Did ye forgot that unlike last time she ensured only those who are able to pay must do it. We aren't sucking the people dry unlike ye. Yer depriving your friends of yer presence. Ye haven't partied with us for 3 years now."
"I'm...b-busy." Tamlin stuttered confused. He tried to stand but stumbled over almost falling but braced himself on the table. "What...what did you do?!" Tamlin asked in a panic as he looked at Archie who stood there calmly.
"Taking out the, Prince." the older fae replied casually.
Tamlin's vision was blurry, everything was moving and in one moment he was completely engulfed in pink smoke. He felt warm and was confused until the pink smoke disappeared and he noticed the table had suddenly become large. "Wha..." he squeak and looked at himself who was still clothed then back to the room that had become larger than ever then to Archie who had become a giant. No. Archie wasn't a giant. He was, "YOU SHRUNK ME!" The high lord squeak loudly while stomping his beastly.
Archie shrugged, "you didn't want to go to the party. So we're taking the party to you." He said and before the high lord could react the older high fae grabbed him. "I CAUGHT HIM! GET THE BARREL READY!" He shouted as he ran with a mini struggling Tamlin.
A group of sentries rushed into the manor running with Archie until they reached the dining hall. They slammed down a barrel filled with hard fae cider and opened it before throwing Tamlin into the make shift pool for the now miniature fae.
Tamlin swam up and gasped for air, "what the hell are you doing?!" He shouted.
The sentries looked among each other before taking out small vials filled with red liquid. They chugged it and we're engulfed by pink smoke like Tamlin was before.
"Make space, Tam!" Bron shouted from the table as the majority of them had turned small. The sentries used the dining hall table as a jumping board before they jumped in.
"Canonball!" Hart shouted as he splashed hard cider on the high lord.
Tamlin growled as he was pushed to the barrel by the waves made from the sentries jumping in. "I'm getting out." He huffed and struggled to make himself some wings.
"We asked Shel to use ashwood poisonwith yours, we aren't letting you out so quickly," Houyi explained as he swam closer.
"You did what?!" Tamlin finally let his anger lose as more of himself became a beast. "Do you know how dangerous that is! If we were attacked now how many of our people would die! Have you forgotten your vows!" He scolded causing waves to push the other sentries away from him.
The sentries stopped splashing one another and just looked at the high lord before looking down with guilt. "We just...wanted you to have fun for once." A satyr spoke up from the back but quickly covered his mouth when Tamlin growled at him.
"That was before. We are preparing for war now. Did any of you even prepare if we're attacked now?" Tamlin interrogated only to splashed by a large wave of hard cider.
"Yes...we did ye oversized basket faced, no shoes wearing, gutter breath, rage mucking, trash making, Jessie oaf-making scooner, snivelling, narrow minded, weedy eyed fucker, fur shedding, yeast infested, bird nesting, mud tracking, filthy furred mutt!" Archie insulted for a minute straight silencing the high lord.
"Yeesh... how come he can say that to Tamlin?" One of the sentries asked.
"Cause aye fucking raised that damn weed whacker!" Archie turned his back to shout at the sentry then back to Tamlin, "aye for damn sure know he isn't supposed to be acting this way. Do you still trust us, Princey? Keep the people safe?"
Tamlin looked to the eyes of the sentries, he had doubts but at the moment he didn't feel any towards them. "Yes... intrust you all."
"Then stop acting like a wee baybeh! Drink up and have fun!" Archie ordered and swam towards the other putting an arm around his shoulder.
"What if we're attacked? Or if someone needs my help?" Tamlin asked worried.
"Then aye unshrink ye." A sun-kissed brown haired female answered holding up a vial outside of the barrel. She was still normal size and sat close by.
"Fiona? Why aren't you down here? Who even made all this potions?" The high lord inquired.
"I'm knocked up. The hubs been messing with me too much and now I've got a bun in the oven. Surprised there's only one in there to be honest. As for the potions, ye really gotta get more guards for the manor's garden. It's so easy to make potions with all those magical plants." Fiona answered.
"Told ya!" Houyi shouted before wrestling with a few of the sentries in the barrel using wooden cups and plates as boards to stay afloat.
"You're pregnant? Congratulations!" Tamlin shouted from the barrel before he was pushed down into the hard cider by Archie.
"Can't believe you're going to be a mother, lass. Who knew the she wolf is going to be mother wolf soon!" Archie shouted before Tamlin grabbed his shoulder pulling the older fae down. The two wrestled before other joined in getting drunk and being idiots while they were shrunk.
"Aye aye. One of the wulver had to. You weren't going to be married anytime soon, Archibald!" Fiona jested and leaned back watching as the sentries play around. When they began to drink too much or doze off she'd fish them out and place them into a flower bed to let them rest.
This was a peaceful time, why not enjoy it for a bit. Mother knows when they'll have some time for peace again.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Winter solstice was nearing as everyday the temperature drop little by little until frost could form on the window panes. In the evenings like this everyone would be doing different things when they could, not that Nesta was ever invited anymore since she dared challenge Feyre in her own studio. The eldest Archeron was rarely at the house of wind or the river house anymore, not that the other paid any mind to her unless they wanted something. Only Azriel knew she would be at the house of wind on some days or would be resting at the library or at one of the rooms Emerie prepared for her.
Cassian let her be, both of them were talking but it was clear there was a rift between them. Cassian was too focused trying to become general again that he barely noticed the silver flamed fae.
"You made all this?" Elain's gentle voice pulled Nesta out of her thoughts. The eldest Archeron stopped the sewing machine and turned around to see her sister at the door wearing a soft blue dress. In the room Nesta was in was boxes after boxes of clothes she had made to gift to the Valkyries, even on the sewing machine was a dress specially made for Emerie.
"Not all but I adjusted most of them." Nesta answered curtly and stepped on the sewing machine's paddle to start it up again.
"Why not ask the help of the seamstres? I doubt you could finish all this in a few days." Elain pointed walking into the room without permission like always.
"That takes money and unfortunately, Cassian doesn't give me enough since he's worried I'd spend it all at a bar or some in. As if I'd been drinking. Thankfully mother dearest prepared us to be wives of lords." Nesta answered roughly and slammed her hand on the table, "I'm busy, unless you intend to snitch like a baby to Rhysand that I'm being a good dog I suggest you leave."
"I'm not... I didn't come here because someone told me to."
"Then why?"
Elain was silent for a moment gripping her skirt tightly wore looking away, "I need help." She spoke barely louder than a whisper.
"As if I'd help you. Ask Feyre for help, she's the one who's giving you all this." Nesta replied and stood up gesturing to everywhere.
Elain thought for a moment, Nesta was still angry at her or maybe at the fact that her own mate didn't give her enough to buy gifts for the people who actually matter to her. Elain guessed Mor likely had something to do with it.
"I...I need advice...I messed up, badly." Elain confessed her voice brittle while she made her eyes teary. A trick she learned to garner sympathy, useless amongst human men but also her sisters.
Nesta sighed deeply, it would be easy to just tell her to fuck off but the oldest Archeron always had a soft spot for Elain. "What did you do? Rhysand got mad you aren't following orders anymore?"
"I think...I broke the mating bond... the one I had with Lucien."
".... what?"
"I said I broke the mating bond with Luci-"
"No no I heard you..." Nesta replied and looked shocked as she staggered back into a chair before taking a seat. "I...I heard it was possible but you actually did it?"
"I didn't mean to..." Elain mumbled looking guilty.
"You need to tell Feyre. She'd know what to do. She's the only one who's actually happy with her mate." Nesta urged getting up taking Elain's hand to lead her deeper into the house to see their youngest sister.
"What about you? You have Cassian." Elain pointed out but the eldest stayed quiet. The house of wind was quiet since everyone was away but Nesta knew her baby sister would be in the house, she always was. When they reached the master bedroom where Nesta once stayed in, she knocked gently and waited for Feyre to invite them in before entering.
"Nesta? Elain?" Feyre asked in shocked seating on the bed in a night dress watching Nyx who was on the floor wrestling with a huge bat plushie on the floor.
The baby bat saw his aunties and immediately babbled making grabby hands at them.
It had been awhile since the sisters talked let alone were in the same room together. It was awkward and deafeningly silent as the tree starred at each other, Nesta wasn't sure what she could say to Feyre who she accused of having a part in turning her into fae and Feyre didn't have any words for her older sister, she herself forgot to buy gifts for her.
Elain couldn't take the silence so like back in the cottage she blurted out something to change their focus, "I broke the bond between Lucien and I." She confessed and immediately covered her mouth.
"You did what?" Feyre squeaked in surprise.
Nesta stepped aside letting Elain step through, "I know I know... I just...it happened so quick. I didn't even know it happened until it happened." Elain ranted while fidgeting with her fingers.
"Why not tell us from the start?" Nesta reasoned.
"Wait... I need something for this." Feyre said and summoned three chalices for each of the sister before a bottle of fae wine appeared pouring itself into their chalices.
It felt surreal for the sister to have something mundane as just time to themselves. Elain retold the story of what had happened that day, her visions with Lucien and basically blurt out everything she had been keeping inside for the past 3 years. It felt freeing to do so but more than that it felt nice being here with just her sisters. They rarely get along nor do ever spend time together since they all became fae but this mundane moment felt precious to her. She can't even remember the last time the sisters simply talked not about politics, world ending threats or fae bullshit. They were just talking about something any human woman will have problem with. Love.
"You knew about what happened? Why didn't you tell me?" Elain asked insulted as she looked at Feyre.
"It wasn't my story to tell, besides how was I supposed to know you were going to break the bond." Feyre defended with a slight smile almost spilling the wine in her chalice as she waved her hands around.
"Still... what happened to him. That must have been horrible." Nesta noted as she brushed Nyx's wings.
The young baby giggled "auntie Nest tickles." He laughed and kept flapping his winds while she smiled at him fondly.
"We have to help you fix this bond." Feyre suggested as she finished another chalice.
"Wait a minute," Nesta halted. "Does he even want this? Elain do you even want this? Can't you just let it be?"
"Nesta it's a mating bond. If we do nothing Lucien might go insane sometime in the future or worst he might call a blood duel." Feyre argued.
"It's her choice. I'm sure there's a way to stop fae males going insane." Nesta countered as she held Nyx close.
"Umm... I...I want this, I want the bond." Elain uttered weakly as she looked down.
"Are you sure?" Nesta asked for clarification.
"I think so...I don't know. It's confusing. I just... we're meant for each other aren't we? Like you and cassian, feyre and Rhysand. I guess I want it too. I don't think he's ready for it...and I'm not ready for it too but...we don't have time do we?" She asked her sisters.
The mood shifted, they were given a reminder that a powerful threat was foretold that would end their lives. "It'll be fine. I know we'll manage, we always do." Feyre comforted weakly placing a hand on both of her sisters.
"Let's just focus on this now, like what you can do?" Nesta suggested to take their minds off something else.
Nyx turned his head and his wings began to flap, "dad!" He shouted as he got up walking towards the door as Rhysand walked in. He smiled as he picked up his son while the sisters looked to him in shock.
"Don't fret Feyre darling, I know what Elain needs to do." Rhysand spoke to them as he nuzzled his son's cheeks.
"Were you listening to us, Rhys?" Feyre asked not realising how tensed both of her older sister became. Nesta reached for Elain's hand reflexively worried something might happen.
"We're mates, our thoughts and senses are one. There are no secrets between us," Rhysand answered as he walked closer, "I heard everything, Elain didn't I tell you can't break the bond with Lucien." He reminded coldly.
"Leave her alon-" Nesta interrupted until a strong arm pulled her back grabbing the chalice out of her hand. She was so focused on Elain she didn't realise Cassian was there shadowing Rhys.
"Why are you drinking, you know you shouldn't be!" Cassian scolded as he used his body to block her view of Elain and Feyre. "Don't you care! You were holding Nyx for mother's sake!
"That's enough, I'm not-" "don't you care?! We've been trying to help. Don't you realise this is why we treat you the way we do!" He raised his voice at her. Nesta would bite back but she was tired and she couldn't hurt Cassian not when he's still like this.
The two argued to the side as Rhysand put a finger under Elain's chin, "don't worry now. You want to be useful to your family don't you? Lucien is currently getting us that meeting, if you break that bond now everything will be for nothing." He urged.
"I-i.." Elain stuttered as she felt his claws dig into her mind. Usually they would falter due to her visions overloading their with information but her visions were gone. She was no seer, no sister, just a tool. She tried to fight it and looked to Feyre who only mouthed words to her. 'Trust him.'
"Don't worry. We'll get you, your mate back and we can end this. Moriggan will help." Rhysand's words echoed into her mind making her pliant. She agreed but she didn't want this.
She wanted genuine connection without being forced but her choices doesn't matter. Only Rhysand's and her sister would support him blindly no matter what, because Rhysand was the smartest, strongest and cunning high lord. She believed those words despite the disgust it brought her. She'll fix the bond with Lucien because that's what he told her to do.
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On winter solstice's eve or as spring court calls it Albanarthan, the citizens were preparing. Parents who bought gifts for their children and friends were still awake either still wrapping gifts or busy decorating their homes. The spring court manor was no different, as flower sprites and brownies worked together to cover the outside in white flowers weaved together into the shape of snowflakes or baking cookies to be given away tomorrow during celebration. Times like this, the high lord would usually be at the manor helping prepare or doing a final round of checks before enacting the tithe the day after tomorrow but he wasn't.
At the border where the wall once stood, Tamlin walked out of the overgrown brambles that kept humans out and Faeries inside. The plants moved without question recognising their creator as they let him pass.
On the opposite just outside the wards was a cloaked figure, most wouldn't be able to figure out who he was but moonlight was reflected on his golden prosthetic eye.
"I have to say, when you said you'd help Vassa's kingdom I didn't expect given her a small army of spriggans and using glamour at her borders to scare away enemies. You've grown bolder." Lucien teased with a smirk.
Tamlin walked closer and stopped just inches away from the invisible ward separating them, "I only accepted to see you because of Shel. Do not waste my time." He replied curtly as he raised his hands and closed them into fist as gold and green magic shined from it. The sound of the forest immediately died down as both sound and vision was glamoured by the high lord.
Lucien's smile immediately dropped, it was hard to not tesse or joke with someone you know for over 300 hundred years. Their fights no matter big or small would always end up being forgotten or silently forgiven in days or weeks. "Right... then I believe you know why I'm here." The fox turned serious ready for a hunt to capture its prey, a beneficial deal.
Tamlin pulled out a letter with spring court's emblem pressed into the red wax seal, "this is an official invitation to the rulers of night court for negotiations. A no-harm pact will be implemented, remind them of that. I know you want to end this conflict but we both know the outcome won't change."
"Maybe...I may not agree with what you're doing but I know you."
"You don't. Not anymore."
"I do." Lucien replied confidently. The two just starred at each other for a moment, "I don't agree with what you're doing with Beron and the other courts but I know you won't hurt anyone who's innocent. You're not a murderer or a conquerer. I know you're already planning something to stop Beron and Rhysand. I know you won't kill them." He stated his eye reflecting his iron will.
"I will only give you this letter for a deal. When war comes even if you have to do it by force you'll take Elain and possibly Nesta away. Save anyone you can but you need to get out of that court when armies arrive to Velaris, go to day court and take refuge there. Do you accept this offer?" Tamlin ignored the others words and offered. He wanted to get this over with.
Lucien sighed and placed his hands at his hips, "I can't..."
Anger boiled within Tamlin's guts threatening to spill, "for cauldron's sake why?! Your success as emissary and your ability to befriend anyone makes you a valuable asset to any court or kingdom. Regardless of your current reputation."
Lucien grit his teeth, "because I am not sired by Beron. I am bastard."
Tamlin became silent as he processed the words, "what?"
"You knew... I can cleave that I can use a bit of light magic. That's how I made a hole at the wall and how I broke the binds the king of hybern placed on us. You assumed it was because one of my grandparents might have been a noble from day court but it's not... I am a bastard." Lucien explained looking away as if he was confessing a shameful secret.
Tamlin thought for a moment, "and if you go there. If you are claimed by one of day court's nobles your mother's life would be endangered. Beron would have her head for her betrayal."
"I can't go there, Tam. I'll do what it takes to keep Elain and the others safe but I can't go to day court." He pleaded.
Tamlin took a breath with his eyes closed then starred at the male in front of him, he owed Lucien a debt for what had happened to him with Ianthe. He needed to pay. "I understand... do you... know who your sire is? A relative of the previous high lord of day i presume or maybe..." he wondered but the idea was too scandalous. Helion wouldn't dare to sleep with a married female. When would they even have the time? Tamlin pushed those thoughts aside.
"Get Elain and Nesta out when the armies march towards the night court." Tamlin reminded and floated the letter through the wards towards Lucien which he gladly caught.
"You know I could cleave and burn these wards away right?" Lucien joked and pulled a small wrapped gift out of his cloak before placing it on the ground. "Happy Albanarthan, Tamlin. Have a good one."
Lucien turned around to walk away not realising the high lord had grabbed his gift and unwrapped it. A book of folk songs from the fae realms, Lucien knew he'd like it but he also knew something was wrong with Tamlin. He heard many rumours but one thing stuck out, he hadn't heard Tamlin play his fiddle for years now even after he turnt back.
The tree bristled around him before a branch slowly lowered itself holding out a rapier towards Lucien with a tag tied to a ribbon around its handle.
'Happy winter solstice, Lu. Take care of yourself.'
Lucien smiled as he grabbed the sword. He could feel the magic inside of it reacting to his almost immediately. A fine blade with a golden guard embedded with red and green gems filled with autumn fire magic as well as spring wind magic respectively. The male gave it an experimental thrust and accidentally sent out a concentrated burst of wind that broke a large branch causing it to fall with a loud thud.
"Thank you." He spoke looking back but he didn't saw his former friend anymore. Just a high wall of flowery brambles.
End note:Presenting the jewels/lady in waiting of Lady Diana.
Some facts about lady Diana. She's been married thrice and her marriages lasted almost a century each but she was divorced each time due to always miscarrying. Her first marriage was to Mor's brother while her second and third marriage was to a general. After her third divorce she was considered broken goods and stayed at Thanatos'es mansion. When she was around 400+ she started taking an interest in reading and took ladies in waiting to train them.
Thanatos is the second most powerful house because of connections which he believes is his ability not realising its his daughter's work for always keeping contact with the consort of the lords in Hewn city.
She has a motherly relationship with all her ladies in waiting. Typically she's very popular and has always hosted balls for the lords which she uses to get new ladies. All her previous lady in waiting married well and even had love matches.
I named all 5 of her lady in waiting after gems cause they're precious to her. She'd rather sacrifice herself and take their beating then let them be hurt hence why her ladies are so protective of her.
Miltia is the oldest at 75, saphira is a year younger. Both pyrha and fluora are in their early 70s and both are already engaged. Pyrha is matched wit a merchant lord while fluora has found a love match with a general (Diana is worried for her since her previous husbands were cruel generals). Carnelia is the youngest being in her late 50s
All her previous ladies got married before they were 80. Diana is also a well known mid wife and healer, to avoid magical out burst she practiced healing and many visit her for heals, she's very busy.
much of the fandom portrays rhysand as silver tongued and eloquent whereas tamlin is seen as a bit dumb and not a great talker, but considering the high lord meeting tamlin very much has the skill to fuck rhysand and feyre up verbally. like I know it's supposed to be this show of rhysand's great power that he takes away tamlin's ability to speak but it reads as a last resort to me where rhysand can't win the conversation so he has to stop it outright and by force
Ignorance. Does not being a High Lady of other Courts mean not caring about what will happen to them?
The biggest proof that Feyre is ignorant and terrible at politics doesn't begin at the High Lords' meeting, it begins with the Springtime coup.
Old news, but I'm not going to talk about the fact that she helped Tamlin ruin the Court itself. Forget about that. I want to focus on the fact that she didn't think about the boundary that the Spring Court has.
You would imagine that with Rhys, Feyre's knowledge would have increased, and that, carrying the title of High Lady, she would be more careful and responsible with her actions... A great deal of lier. You know Feyre is incredibly ignorant when she doesn't think about the consequences for the borders and other Courts if Hybern uses the Spring Festival to expand... She only thinks about the consequences for the Night Court. The tarnished reputation, the people against them, etc... and that's okay, right? Because she's not the High Lady of the other Courts. And Feyre still has the audacity to go to Tarquin and tell him to take care of the people, as if he wasn't already going to do that, when it's HER fault (and Tamlin's for falling for the Court's manipulation) His court is in that state.
Feyre's biggest flaw is not thinking before acting. Cunning isn't the same as intelligence, because even an animal can surprise you with its cunning.
And it's funny how Feyre's plan is so good! I was amazed by the traps, the deceit, her manipulation, her acting practically like Rhys, except... She lacked intelligence for the rest. In this case, thinking about the consequences for innocent people and for a court had NOTHING to do with her failed engagement.Even Tamlin, who had made the BIGGEST MISTAKE, thought further ahead than Feyre. He thought about what was going to happen and prepared himself.
And what's worse than that is Rhys, who's older and should be less stupid, not even warning me... You know? It stressed me out. At least I don't remember him warning me about anything, which I doubt, because Rhys He seems more like Tamlin's ex than Feyre... This guy doesn't like the bone, but he won't let go either. Just like Feyre, who indirectly asked if she was betrayed in Calanmai. (And some people think it's bad that he didn't go because it doesn't make sense for Tamlin not to have gone and he was willing to let magic die... but anyway). Like the posts of @snarkformysanity Regarding Acomaf, things aren't over yet, and I'm remembering things from their perspectives, so I can't be 100% sure if Rhys tried to talk some sense into Feyre (I seriously doubt he did, since they're both... It has enormous flaws. Actually, I think it would be much better if they were a Dark Romance couple... Because they're not a "conventional" couple.)
