#feyre already acts like she knows whats best for elain but for the whole fandom to do that ...

[thecw-unicorn]

*SPOILERS FOR ACOTAR SERIES*

This is a bit of a rant post because I see WAY too much Elain hate in the fandom. I understand that some feel we don’t know Elain enough to form an opinion—and that’s totally reasonable. But many times I see people who swear their hate up and down for her and I can help but feel a good portion of it is internalized misogyny, especially with how she’s treated in comparison to other characters, specifically male characters. I’m going to do my best to break down many of the anti arguments that are used for Elain and why they simply don’t make sense.

“Elain is useless”

This is quite simply straight up not true. Sure, she wasn’t helpful in the first book, but she’s changed so much. She convinced Nesta to help Feyre and the IC in Mist & Fury, and welcomed Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel in, despite her obvious fear towards them. And let’s not forget in Wings & Ruin. She told the IC about the betrayal of the queens to Vassa, Koschei and his lake (and his mysterious box?), warned about the ravens, and most of all, she killed Hybern. Elain killed him. Not Nesta.

“Elain abandoned Nesta”

This is also obviously not true. Nesta was lashing out and acting toxic towards her, so in my eyes, Elain had every right to take a step back and focus on herself. It’s also mentioned in Frost and Starlight that Elain had attempted to visit Nesta in her new apartment, but was rebuffed, and also in Silver Flames Nesta had seen Elain walking about in Velaris and ignored it. It’s also important to note that we haven’t gotten Elain’s POV so we don’t know what other visions she may have gotten, and with that assessment it’s possible she knew it was the best decision for the time to take a step back from Nesta’s toxic behavior.

“Elain should’ve planted vegetables instead of flowers”

It’s first important to acknowledge that the flower seeds were gifted to her by Feyre. Feyre, who had gotten them for Elain because she knew growing things and the act of gardening brought her job so she gifted her the seeds. She didn’t have to do that. And Elain certainly didn’t have to gift Feyre the paints either, but they were in poverty and doing whatever they could to find some form of joy. Speaking of, it wasn’t just the Archerons who were poor, just about their whole village was impoverished and starving. Nobody would be casually selling vegetable seeds in that condition, and certainly not at a price that Feyre could’ve afforded. Growing flowers is NOT the same as growing vegetables as well, and later on when Feyre was visiting her sisters, Elain mentioned wanting to start a vegetable garden once she learned more.

“Elain doesn’t belong in the Night Court”

This argument has never made sense to me, mostly due to the fact that it stemmed from a dress that didn’t look good to her. By the point of Silver Flames, Elain has established herself filming in Velaris. She has a job, tending to and helping others around the city with their gardens, and has made friends with Nuala and Cerridwen. She isn’t going to just up and leave the Night Court simply because she doesn’t look good in a dress. Also worth mentioning that scene happened at the Court of Nightmares, a place NONE of the IC like, so I don’t understand why Elain’s discomfort is singled out here. Even before, she said herself that her home was at the Night Court and she would do whatever was within her power to protect it.

“Elain treats Lucien terribly. She needs to reject the bond already”

I feel like people need to understand Elain’s POV in this situation. She was to be married to a guy she genuinely seemed to love, only to have it ripped away from her in an instant, have her body drastically altered without her consent, and to have a male she’s never seen or met before tell her that she is his mate. Of course she isn’t going to want to be with him right away. Once again, we don’t have Elain’s POV so we can’t know her complete thoughts, but it’s not impossible or crazy to think that Lucien most likely reminds her of the worst trauma and experience of her life. Regarding the bond, the talk of rejecting one was only ever discussed between Feyre and Rhysand. It’s not a stretch to think that Elain most likely isn’t even aware of the act of rejecting a mating bond, much less how to go about (this is really the only time it’s mentioned so it’s not like WE the readers are aware of how it happens). It’s important I feel, that we remember what Elain said—and that Lucien is not entitled to her time or her happiness simply because of a bond.

This was a bit longer than I had intended, but I hope it gets the point across. Elain has so much potential for her story arc, and I honestly can’t wait for her book to come out!!

#acotar #elain archeron #elain #acotar series #acotar elain #pro archeron sisters #pro elain #pro elain archeron #acotar fandom

[acourtofthought]

You agree there’s no evidence Gwyn is lying or hiding something but we know Elain is sneaking around. That’s the whole point. You are treating the situations like they’re the same when they’re not while also trashing theories that your fellow elucien shippers came up with btw. Just admit you hate Gwyn already it’s obvious you don’t have to pretend

Elain isn't "sneaking" around. Cassian noted she might not be going to the gardens like she said but that could mean so many other things.

She could be heading somewhere she's embarrassed to confess she's going.

She might not have needed to get up early in the first place and felt awkward at the dinner table because Az was there and she knew he'd been avoiding her so she made up a reason to excuse herself.

And Elain moving quietly isn't her "sneaking around" either (in a negative way). Just like Gwyn's "beckoning" song (which is the same language used when the Cauldron tried to lure Elain to it) doesn't mean her singing is manipulating people but you could see why some might make that case. I never said there wasn't evidence that could support Gwyn acting in a questionable way, I said I see how there could be (same as Elain based on one side of the fandom) but I personally don't agree with that interpretation. Cassian noted that he thought Nesta was lying to him but again, that didn't have a nefarious connotation attached to it.

A lot of the situations have similarities to them. And I'm noting what I feel are the similarities. You disagree but, are you telling me you're more the expert than I am? Should I not bother creating my own posts and simply defer to writing your ideas from now on? Or is it possible that we are both seeing different things and I'm also allowed to view things differently than you. I don't just randomly make up stuff, I usually have things from the book that I feel support my ideas. Without SJM confirming if I'm right or wrong, that's the best I can do.

Feel free to stop pressuring me into admitting I hate Gwyn anytime now. Because I don't hate Gwyn. I have been 100% honest that she's not my absolute favorite but I like her. Like I like Feyre or Mor or Amren. I probably like Nesta the least of all the females but I like her much more since the end of SF. And when you like one character and others don't, you definitely pick up on the negativity surrounding that character and how there are a lot of arguments against them. My defense of Elain and why I don't think others comparisons of her being terrible while Gwyn is great (because they're both good and decent females) is no different than when I see someone who likes Az then tries to tear apart Lucien as "less than" compared to him. I 100% hate how Az acts with Elain but I don't hate Az. What I do hate is when Az is made out to be better than Lucien and the arguments are unjust. So I then defend Lucien while giving examples of why I don't agree with Az's behavior. I don't dislike Gwyn at all but I do dislike when some super fans of Gwyn are really negative towards Elain which is no different than Gwyn fans hating how some E/riels attack her character in order to make Gwynriel less likely in their minds. And there's a huge difference between someone not being your favorite and completely trashing that character when there's evidence to support that the two actually share a lot of positive similarities.

[elriel-oblivion]

Okay here's the thing.. I respect everyone's opinions and they can ship whoever they want but like... For Elucien and Gwynriel... I literally cannot even see how. I would gladly ship them if someone gave me a valid reason. Elain avoids talking or even being in the same room as Lucien, and Azriel had one polite conversation with Gwyn. Az is just nice to her. As nice as he would be to any female. Elriel has foreshadowing & chemistry- The roses painted on her drawer and the rose necklace...👀

Strongly agree with all of this!! My main problem with anything that's not elriel is that a lot of anti-elriel shippers completely ignore or erase Elain. With these ships, it's always what benefits Elain does or doesn't bring. It's so misogynistic, people just ignore everything she's mentioned about her own heart and how she doesn't want a mate or the bond, she doesn't care for it, but oh Lucien's had such a hard life, he deserves his mate!!!!!

😒😒😒

Surely he deserves someone who wants him as much as he wants them, no?

Non-elriel-endgame with the canon we currently have would mean Elain's choices are stripped once again since she'd have to give up/lose the love she actually wants in favour of one she doesn't want that's attached to some cultural concept that means zilch to her and her human heart. I mean, sure sjm could spin it so Elain catches feelings for Lucien and they end up happily mated. But then what is the point of having Elain constantly avoid him for three books? That's not even setting up for a good relationship bc every time they interact/meet, the communication just gets worse.

While I can honestly see the potential of gwynriel bc platonic interactions can later become romantic, I still don't ship it bc it doesn't feel right the way elriel does to me. I can def see gwynriel becoming a strong healthy friendship, but if it's endgame then Elain ends up with Lucien, whom she visibly shrinks from and has been avoiding since acowar. She doesn't feel seen by him at all - as much as I love Lucien and truly do want him to have his own HEA, we can't deny that he's really just pursuing (I use pursuing in the loosest way since he's very respectful about it 😅) Elain bc of the bond. If we take that away, there's nothing between them imo and he probably wouldn't give Elain more than a passing glance for her beauty and that's it bc she's not the type of girl he's into.

But people don't wanna think about how that makes Elain feel. This girl who previously felt seen by only one person - who then rejected her bc of that bond itself - and craves someone to see who she truly is, is being courted by someone who doesn't actually like her for her, but just the idea of what a relationship with her would entail. He's only trying bc of some divine belief she doesn't share. That must suck like hell. It's almost objectfying, the bond. And again, I don't blame Lucien at all, not even for trying bc it is something that's important to him and his culture, but it's not a mutual thing. If it were important to Elain too and she just wasn't cooperating bc of some stupid shallow reason, then I'd be angry at her. But that's not the case at all.

But with Azriel, the first person to see her since Graysen, there's so much potential for growth - for both of them. They make each other feel seen. And for all that antis say neither has grown in the time they've known each other, how did Az pluck up the courage to almost kiss Elain after having not done anything with Mor for five centuries? How did Elain initiate that kiss - ie have the courage to follow her heart again after having it torn and shredded by Graysen? And anyway, weve never seen into Elain's head so we don't know what she feels has changed within her; we can only detect subtle changes from other povs, but there might be some huge changes in her learnt from Azriel, maybe about her outlook on life/strength, that she's just keeping hidden for the time (or that no one has bothered to see bc Elain is invisible 😭). Same with Azriel. One little chapter isn't gonna tell us everything he's been thinking the past two years.

But either way, we know now that they both have feelings for each other. Why is a mutual healthy relationship shut down so quickly, one where both partners' choices are taken heed of? If Elain had said no in that moment, Azriel would've stepped back instantly, no questions asked. He probably would've have some huge internal conflict about his own self worth but he wouldn't have gone further without Elain's consent. He's already shown he respects her, he said they've been sharing looks and touches, and these are things fandom eat up, so I don't understand why it's suddenly wrong or unwanted just bc Elain makes up half the ship.

And there's so much foreshadowing/symbolism that antis seem oblivious to, which, fair enough, interpret the text how you want. But even if somebody doesn't see the spark or blooming feelings between the pair throughout the books (how do they explain away all the stiffness whenever one of them is mentioned or is in the same room or something though? Genuinely curious here), there's a lot of plot foreshadowing. The Blood Duel has now been mentioned twice, as has the idea of breaking the bond, maybe more. There's the issue with Koschei and Elain not being able to see things related to him past mist and shadow. There's all this potential conflict that could arise between the Courts if elriel pursue their love, and conflict is the driving force of any novel.

If gwynriel were an IRL couple, I wouldn't care if there were never any conflict, but if I'm reading their story, I want more than just them falling in love and having internal conflict about whether they should kiss the other or not. Especially if the backdrop is a fantasy world on the brink of war with many players. I saw a gwynriel post mentioning Merrill once and while I do think she has the potential to be a running antagonist, I don't see her as anything but a subplot/crony for/associate with another stronger villain. I don't think she could carry a whole novel at the moment. So Gwyn is tied to nothing in the overarching plot. Same with Az. Not to mention all the theories about the Koschei/Swan Lake/firebird folklore that is potentially inspiring this new series in the acotar world. Of course, this could all change as we get more info about the next book/s and all, but compared to elriel certainly, I don't think there's as much conflict with gwynriel.

Ultimately, I don't claim knowledge of the next books' content, so I don't really care what people ship, but the main thing I take issue with is how they treat Elain in the midst. A lot of gwynriel arguments I've seen portray certain acts in a romantic/positive light for Gwyn but either completely ignore or erase any semblance of romance for Elain or tear her down. Like, we shouldn't push the narrative that Gwyn as an SA survivor can't have healthy meaningful sex in the future (yeah, of course I agree), yet some of the same people who say that are also people who judge and make fun of Elain and call her too vanilla for Az without having a clue what her bedroom habits/preferences are 🤯 This is just one of many. There are so many double standards I've seen for gwynriel against elriel and I'm just tired of it. And even if they're not doing any of that, they simply hate Elain and don't want her to be with Az and so ship gwynriel as the next best alternative. Like, can they not push down Elain in favour of Gwyn, please? That's so misogynistic 🤮

For all that this fandom flaunts the series being feminist with strong female characters, they sure do a good job in tearing down females who don't fit their definition of strong, despite even Feyre stating and acknowledging multiple times that Elain has a different kind of strength 😒

Gahhhhhhh. *exhales deeeeeeeeply* Sorry this is so damn LONG!! 😅😅😅😅😅 I did not expect to write a whole bloody essay lol but I hope it was fun/comforting to read at least 😅😆 I know I fall back on elriel posts when the ship war gets too intense bc I actually enjoy shipping elriel. They've become my otp, and I absolutely adore both characters of the ship; I think most of us elriels do. I haven't really seen any elriel stans who dislike/don't care for Elain and her welfare so it's nice being in this corner of the fandom where we can appreciate both Az and Elain equally. And of course, the other characters with their due respect. I truly do want Lucien to finally get his good life, but I don't think that's with Elain 😕

#elain archeron #elriel #azriel acotar #elain x azriel #Acotar #Acosf spoilers

[starcrossed-wildfire]

Temptress

Well... This is it! This is the first fanfic I’ve ever written for the ACOTAR fandom. (Hopefully not the last, depending on what you all think) I want 10000% honesty from anyone who reads this, either through reblogs, messages or anons, just- tell me what you think, I wanna hear!

~*~

“Is there anything you don’t find attractive?”

“Not when it comes to you, Temptress...”

~*~*~*~

Nesta had paced endlessly back and forth for the past hour. Truthfully, she paced all the time. Elain and Mor had the tendency to point this out to her whenever the habit became unbearable. However, perhaps I wouldn’t need to if I knew what the hell was going on, Nesta growled internally. She had picked back up after Mor had left the cabin, claiming she had ‘matters to discuss with her High Lord.’

Nesta hoped it had something to do with getting them out of this rutting cabin. She and her sister had been confined here since their transformations and she was beginning to feel trapped. She was finally accustomed to her new Fae body, though she formerly resented it, and was desperate to start making use of her new found strength. She had decided in the moments before she was plunged into the Cauldron that if the King of Hybern was going to destroy her world, she was going to return the favor.

“Nesta, please stop pacing,” Elain sighed rubbing her temples. She would do no such thing.

“She can’t just leave us like that. Elain aren’t you sick and tired of these-” Nesta paused, unsure of how to refer to them, “This court, keeping us in the dark? We have a right to know. What is going on? Where is our sister? When are we going to get her back-”

She was interrupted by the door opening, and a steely-smooth voice, “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor at that pace sweetheart.” Nesta spun around with preternatural grace, and came face to face with a chest covered in what must be fighting leathers.

“Hello Nesta,” Cassian greeted. The faint mockery in his voice made her scowl and want to punch the grin off his face. She refrained however, noticing the remaining bandages on his wings and the ragged scars they bore. Instead, she opted for a simpering smile.

“Hello Cassian…” she made sure to draw out every syllable, “To what do we owe the pleasure.”

Mor butted in, “Training. I talked to Rhysand, he agreed that you're both probably ready enough to start working with your powers.” Nesta was relieved and alarmed at the same time.

“No. That won't be necessary. Elain stays out of this.”

Mor’s face was set in stone, “We are training the both of you. She has powers as well. She should learn how to use them.”

How dare this woman come into their lives and act as though she knew what was best for them? Nesta felt her temper rising, “She won't need to use them. You will train me. But she is staying far away from any of this. She does not need to be anywhere near any fighting. Especially not until we get my sister back-”

“No Nesta,” came a soft but cold voice. All three turned to look at Elain, who now stood. “I can't let you decide for me this time. We are already a part of this- I am already involved. Feyre is as much my little sister as yours, and I fully intend on doing everything I can to get her back. I stood by and did nothing the first time he took her, and I refuse to make the same mistake again.”

The room became eerily silent for a few moments. Mor was the first one to react with a nod, “Very well then. Elain you're coming with me. Nesta, you're to work with Cassian.” Mor directed her attention to the male, “Don’t do something stupid.” The blonde left, taking Nesta’s sister with her and leaving the pair alone.

They watched each other for a moment. Even partially disabled, his presence consumed the room. Nesta took another glance at his wings with her arms crossed, “Your wings are restored.” Cassian gave a huff in response. “What? Are they not?”

His voice was void of emotion, “They can never be returned to their former glory.” She saw them briefly flex, “But they will do.”

There was another pause.

“It was honorable of you to protect him,” Nesta murmured.

He merely shrugged, “Azriel, is my brother… But I would have done the same for anyone,” he admitted. Perhaps she had misjudged the man, perhaps he meant well. Perhaps he is protecting the people he cares about, like you, a voice whispered in her head. Cassian seemed to shake off a trance, “But I didn’t come here for a pity party. Neither did you. You’re tired of being cooped up, and feeling useless. So, after you.” He swung the door open and gestured for her to step outside.

She glided past his hulking frame, wondering about the blood red stones atop his hands and turned to face him, “How are we going to get to your court if you can't fly?”

Cassian strode forward, tapping the stone on each gauntlet. Plates of thin armor began flipping out over his arms and chest, “We’re not. Your initial training happens here.” More stones, matching the others appeared on his armor.

“But-” Nesta cut her complaint short at the look he shot her way. “This close to the house?”

A translucent shield the same shade of red formed beside his hand, “You aren't capable of doing that much damage. Besides, the house is warded against magic.” He stood for a moment in a defensive position, shield raised, waiting.

Nesta hadn't moved. “What are those?” She asked, nodding to his wrists.

“Siphons. Every Illyrian wears at least one to control their killing power. They hone the energy.” Nesta counted seven on him. “Would you like to tell me why you're stalling sweetheart?”

Her anger flared, “I'm not stalling.”

Cassian stood up for a moment, “Bullshit. You're actually talking to me and you haven't hurled one insult this whole conversation. Did you want to train or not?”

“You're forgetting something Commander… I wasn't born with magic. I don't know how to use it. Or even summon it,” she sneered.

He reassumed his stance and told her, “Just think of the form you want your magic to take. Will it into being. I thought it would be easy with that iron determination of yours. Then again you did used to be a human female.”

Nesta snarled at his implications, and felt sparks crackle at her fingertips, “How dare you?” She tried to reign in her temper, “I suppose you tend to forget we’re not all born arrogant Fae bastards like you.”

He smirked, “You forgot handsome. And I suppose you're right, not everyone can be as lucky as me.” She could not believe any one person could be so cocky, and she was about to tell him so when he spoke first, “Come on Nesta. Unless you're scared.”

That erased the last shred of patience she had. The static at her fingers turned to a bolt of electricity she blasted at Cassian. A moment later it returned to encase her hands once again. He lowered his shield which had absorbed the shock.

“Nicely done. Now try to refine it.”

She channeled her magic into the first weapon she thought of and swung the blade of lightning at the shield again.

He deflected the amateur blow easily, “Not bad. We’ll work on technique and form later. Can you do anything else princess?”

Nesta smiled darkly, “Wouldn't you like to know?”

“Are you always this stubborn?”

“Yes. You’ll also find I have a tendency to let my temper slip it's leash, I can quite moody and a ruthless liar.”

Cassian sketched a brow, “You wouldn't be trying to capture my attentions would you dear Nesta? I must admit I find those qualities very attractive.”

“Is there anything that you don’t find attractive,” Nesta rolled her eyes.

A wickedly feral grin spread across the warrior’s face, “Not when it comes to you Temptress.” She swung her new sword made of flame at him again, her unpracticed stance wavering. He swiped her blade away, and she stumbled a closer to him. “I’m counting on that temper to keep you agile and aware in a battle. But you won’t last long with that fighting form.”

Nesta noticed their proximity as she felt the heat radiating off his body, such a stark contrast to the snowy atmosphere around them. She decided to see if she could bait the commander just a little. Leaning in, ever so slightly she asked, “Well then why don’t you show me,” she paused and her eyes drifted up to his as they flickered down to her mouth, she murmured, “Cassian...” She internally triumphed as she saw him move imperceptibly closer. She could have sworn she heard a soft growl.

He leaned toward her till his lips were beside her ear and his breath brushed her hair. The words he said next surprised her, “Nice try sweetheart.” She paused for a moment and then her sword was flung out of her hand. It landed a few feet away and extinguished instantly. She turned quickly and found the edge of his shield waiting, “The tables have turned haven't they?”

She jerked her chin away from the razor-sharp edge, “Bastard.” That stupid grin reappeared on his face.

“Not so fun when you're the one caught off guard and unarmed is it sweetheart?”

#acotar #acomaf #acowar #nessian #cassian #nesta