#( starter ; elinor frey )

[feveredblurs]

@apaise​​​ | ( continued. )

elinor would be lying if she said there wasn’t a small part of her that enjoyed the terrified look on the soldiers’ faces. there was once a time where she resented the way people kept their distance, avoiding her eyes but keeping her name on their lips as they whispered behind her back. with years of practice, she’s learned to accept it as a sign of power.

yet, for all the times elinor has reveled in her solitude, she finds she’s come to enjoy having beth at her side. the princess, despite her timid air, did not shy away from her as others did. she was always graceful and sweet when addressing even the darkling – never fearing her dark armor or the blood on her hands.

elinor wishes she was half as brave and dared to show beth all of her. the idea of her toll of death and destruction proving too much for the princess makes her breath falter, weak when faced with the possibility of finally losing something she holds dear.

despite her resolve to steel her features around the crown’s army, they soften easily at beth’s quiet remark. she holds elinor in too high regard – it’s addictive and dangerous, the darkling realizes as she attempts to will the warmth in her chest to go away. never did she want to be seen so desperately, knowing it could cost her everything.

she almost points out beth is the only one to think it a loss, but deems it a disservice to the other’s kindness. elinor gives a smile and a grateful bow of her own head instead. what must the soldiers see when they watch them from afar? two dignitaries exchanging pleasantries? would they be able to spot elinor’s subtle fidgeting, suppressing the urge to take the princess’s hand in her own?

brows raise at the remark that follows, surprised beth mentioned the bluebirds. it had been an afternoon in equal parts lovely and terrifying, with elinor offering her a secret so close to her heart. no one knew of her birds, not even her father. it was something she had always believed she’d carry to her grave, a softness she was not allowed. yet beth didn’t even spare it a moment of judgment – and there’s nothing if not gentless in her features when elinor dares meet her eyes now.

“ – i miss them dearly as well, ” she confesses, voice low and tentative. “ they’re quite independent, but i do regret not being able to ask one of the maids to look after them. ” despite being otkazat'sya, harys could command fear into the royal staff as well as any grisha general. they’d tell him of anything they saw out of place – including elinor’s own behavior. she’s lucky she can pass her meetings with the princess as mere courtesy.

“ i may stay a few more weeks, depending on how everything goes. ” as far as everyone knows, the general is here to oversee operations regarding the recent fjerdan attacks on the northern border. her letters to her father will detail whether the search for the sun summoner has proved fruitful after hearing hushed reports of a nearby sighting.

“ and yourself, your highness? ” elinor turns the question to beth. “ i’m sure your sisters will be happy to see you, but the soldier camps may grow quite dull after a day or two. ” she reckons the princesses are allowed to leave their post based on status alone... but elinor finds herself selfishly wishing for stricter rules, if it allows her to accompany beth during her stay instead.

#apaise #i am not immune to the elibeth hyperfixation #brainrot for them always #it's just *chef's kiss* such a good flavor #elinor is so weak for her tho :||| not even subtle abt it smh #( thread ; elinor frey ) #( starter ; elinor frey ) #( v. grisha )

[feveredblurs]

@apaise​

most of elinor’s life has been spent chasing a ghost. she’s heard countless tales of the fabled sun summoner, the one who would bring new light to the world. elinor never thought she’d be more than a myth, another saint for the lost ones to look up to     but after creating the sea of shadows that split the nation in two, she finds herself seeking out her power as well.

at first, she wanted nothing more than to undo her mistake. the fold had been a manifestation of her anger, her grief. her father saw something else. it could be an opportunity for them, a saving grace for grisha after decades, centuries of oppression. they could use it to their advantage and reclaim their rightful place at the helm of ravka.

elinor never wanted power. but she wanted revenge for her mother’s death. for all the grisha soldiers who became casualties in the petty wars of otkazat'sya. they should not have to bend to the will of a powerless king. and they never would again.

yet all those plans felt distant without the final piece of the puzzle. elinor’s father had put numerous resources into tracking down the sun summoner, but to no avail. every clue turned out to be a dead end, no more than baseless rumors... until one day, she appeared all on her own.

the girl had been right under their noses the entire time     an armourer of the first army. maybe elinor had even crossed paths with her in os alta before. she had let out a flash of light inside the fold ( ironic, that she was just where elinor needed her ), effectively keeping the volcra away and allowing for the skiff to cross safely.

though both father and daughter were eager to declare their search finished, they had to make sure this girl wasn’t deceiving them. it wouldn’t be the first time someone claimed to be the sun summoner if they thought it’d get them money or prestige. they couldn’t risk it when they were so close.

they arrange for the girl to be brought to elinor once she’s been seen by a healer. though she could wait patiently in the little palace, elinor goes to her herself. she walks across the soldier camp with long strides, earning curious glances from grisha and otkazat'sya alike. the general was rarely seen outside of the battlefield after all. it’s good to remind them of her presence, her power.

she hears the girl before she sees her, an altercation between her and the grisha soldiers bringing her. clearly she was not happy about being found and brought to the darkling herself. elinor wonders why she hid. were the stories of her coming too big to fit her? did she only want a normal, quiet life? ridiculous. she could never be anything less than incredible.

the tent opens to welcome a young woman with starlight hair, her clothes dirty and tattered. she wears an expression of a mix of fear and anger, looking from the soldiers to her surroundings. had they met a few years in the past, she would’ve seen a different elinor     a girl sympathetic to her struggles, who would offer a gentle hand and a comforting word. but she has only the darkling before her now, composed and unwavering.

elinor steps out into the light, finally leaving the solace of the shadows. she eyes the other from head to toe, gaze finally setting on her features. “ the sun summoner. at last. ” there’s the slightest curve to her lips, a pleased smile. “ i must say, you’re very hard to find. ”

#apaise #this got long bc setup #BUT I WAS SO HYPED FOR THIS #HAD TO JUMP ON IT IMMEDIATELY #never thought anything good could come out of this cursed ship #but i'm on board now #hope the hcs for this are ok! #lmk if anything needs changing #( thread ; elinor frey ) #( starter ; elinor frey ) #( v. grisha )

[feveredblurs]

@apaise

it wasn’t unusual for cirilla not to be present at embroidery class. she was the princess, after all. her status allowed her to miss these types of meetings without anyone batting an eye     save for the occasional sigh from the ladies who wished she’d attend so they could try to win her favor. cirilla was often the target of the other girls’ praise and attention; meaning elinor, in turn, was the target of their scorn. they did not approve of someone of elinor’s standing ( far below theirs ) becoming fast friends with the princess     let alone a girl as quiet and meek, who faded to the background so easily.

why cirilla chose her as a companion, elinor had yet to understand. perhaps it was merely the princess’s gentle heart that had found a kindred spirit in her somehow.

elinor misses her company in class, too. she figures cirilla is out riding or with her cousin     if only elinor could join them... but she did not have the same privilege as members of the royal family. her duty was to attend as many classes and social gatherings as possible, in order to ensure a place in high society. it was all that was expected of her.

when the instructor returns to the room after a few minutes, she reveals the reason behind princess cirilla’s absence is nothing so mundane     she’s sick and unable to leave her chambers. elinor’s heart immediately sinks, heavy with the weight of her unseemly thoughts. how could she think to be jealous at a time like this?

worrying for the princess’s health, elinor finds herself unable to focus on her embroidery. had cirilla merely caught a cold? a stomach bug? what if it was something worse? elinor’s hands shake as she envisions every possible ( and impossible ) scenario... only to realize everyone is staring right at her.

she straightens up with a quiet peep, earning a frustrated sigh from the instructor. the woman motions for the maid at her side ( when had she gotten inside? ) and repeats explains that elinor has been summoned to the princess’s bedchambers. it brings equal parts relief and panic     did cirilla simply need a friend at her side? or was her illness something far more serious?

elinor exits the room with a bow and follows the maid across the palace hallways. every part of her wants to run straight to cirilla’s room... but she can’t let herself act so freely. she must match the maid’s awfully leisurely pace and fight the urge to pick at her skin.

when finally they reach their destination, the maid announces elinor’s arrival. elinor’s gaze instantly seeks out the princess     and finds her in her bed, accompanied by a few more maids; from where elinor’s standing, she looks to be all red, in cold sweats.

" ciri    ” for a moment, elinor forgets they’re not alone. she can’t speak to the princess so casually, using the nickname saved only for her. her outstretched hand returns to her side, and elinor promptly drops into a deep bow; she can’t be so careless to forego pleasantries in the company of others.

“ princess cirilla. ” her voice is much steadier now, devoid of any trace of its earlier panic. even an attentive eye wouldn’t be able to tell just how much she wants to rush to cirilla’s side. “ your maid informed me of your awful condition. how are you feeling? ”

#apaise #me like im not gonna write that much #and no surprise we ended up here instead :/ #it was for the setup!!! #and already planting the seeds of jealousy #and elinor feeling out of place #it's a surprise tool that will help us later! :))) #hope this works! #still getting her voice down #( thread ; elinor frey ) #( starter ; elinor frey ) #( v. patp )