lorycsk

[lorycsk]

Some claim that SJM couldn't just come out and tell readers that Elain wasn't going to end up with Lucien so she lied in this interview.

But if that were true, why did Nessian end up together..... exactly as she said in the same interview?

And she didn't have to tell us she initially thought Lucien would be with Nesta but that would cause them both additional pain. She didn't have to tell us that Elain took both she and Lucien by surprise.

SJM gave extra details about their setup because it's something she was excited to talk about.

When E/riels admit to being aware of this interview that took place in 2016, I hope they fondly think back on the 4 books of build up Elucien has had when they're proven to be endgame rather than pretending it's shocking that they ended up together. They will end up together because Elain told SJM where she wanted her character to go, something that took the author herself by surprise.

[lorycsk]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I just realized how much the above influences Lucien's actions. He's so used to having things not work out the way he wanted, Jesminda, Tamlin's Court, Elain, that he hides what he's doing from others, "just in case", so they don't end up feeling disappointed as well because it's all he knows 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[lorycsk]

@lucienweekofficial Day 1 - Exile

Taking the prompt very literally for this one.

"What does the Band of Exiles even do?" The Band of Exiles:

(Based on this amazing stock photoshoot I couldn't get out of my head.)

[lorycsk]

@lucienweekofficial Day 5 - Family

I wanted to do different families Lucien had over the years. So we have: 1. Baby Lucien with his mom 2. Lucien with Jesminda 3. Lucien with Tamlin 4. Lucien with his Band of Exiles

[lorycsk]

For the style prompt, all @the-lonelybarricade and I could think about was Lucien and his cruel beauty.

As always, @vaieart delivered 🦊

@lucienweekofficial

[lorycsk]

🌻

So what happened here was I texted @witchlingsandwyverns two weeks before I needed this and said, hey you know that starry Feysand piece you did (which is gorgeous and my favorite thing ever created for this fandom)? Would you make the inverse of it for Elucien? And can I have it in two weeks?

And my girl said, "say less." I gave her nothing to work with but she's so talented and so wonderful, she still put this together and it's stunning.

@lucienweekofficial

[lorycsk]

@lucienweekofficial | Day 06: Romance

The sun is filling up the room,

And I can hear you dreaming.

Do you feel the way I do, right now?

I wish we would just give up,

'Cause the best part is falling.

Calling anything but love.

And I will make sure to keep my distance,

Say I love you when you're not listening,

How long, can we keep this up, up, up?

- Distance, by Christina Perri

 Art by: gabsgabx

Commissioned by: @melphss & @devaneiosentrepaginas

[lorycsk]

#lucienweek2023 | Day 6: Romance

“Their gazes locked and held.”

details ☀️ I'm obsessed with this art. I love all the details. Lucien's braids are my weak point, I admit. Elain simply fabulous.

commissioned by me, art by @gaditaah

(Please do no repost) 🦊 @therealsjmaas

@lucienweekofficial

[lorycsk]

Jude and Cardan 🥀

[lorycsk]

What anti's don't realize is that Lucien wanted to fight for Elain. He did meet her "just once" and he stuck around, even after realizing her thoughts were of Graysen.

He thought of ways to help her through her depression, insisting they get her outside. He asked to have a healer ensure her physical health. He wanted to be by her side but was prevented from doing so unless allowed by her sisters.

If she wasn't worth fighting for, he would have left after meeting her and not bothered trying to interact further.

Lucien wanted to fight for her.

However.....

It was only after he realized what she wanted and needed that he walked away and it turns out his instinct and knowledge of what Elain wanted was right:

Elain didn't want Feyre and Nesta fighting over her and she certainly didn't want Lucien fighting Graysen for her. Lucien knew that what she needed time to sort through her own things and that's fucking mate behavior baby! (sorry, got a little intense there 😂).

Lucien went against his instincts and against what he wanted when he went looking for Vassa. This is easily confirmed when he tries to hide the longing in his eyes when he leaves. What he wanted was to fight for her considering he met her "just once" and was still there. He only left after the sudden realization of what the right thing for her was ("stared and stared as if he'd never seen her before" <- there's the moment that was followed by his acknowledgement that he wasn't needed in the NC, that Elain didn't need him).

How in the world are people using this a way to discredit Lucien when he did what was best for Elain? Since WHEN is that a reason to make fun of a character?

Honestly, you've got two scenarios here.

1) Lucien pushes himself into Elain's space, puffing out his chest in front of Graysen, sending her flowers every single day letting her know "he's fighting for her" when it's 100% obvious she's still in love with someone else and wants to go back to him.

2) Lucien, despite his pain and suffering and desire to be near her, walks away so she can try to be with Graysen again.

He walked away just like Rhys walked away so Feyre could be with Tamlin. Rhys knew Feyre wouldn't have wanted him to fight for her and Lucien knew Elain wouldn't want that either. Both males realized the female had to come around to the idea in their own time.

That is commendable behavior and it's really concerning when some in the fandom belittle him for it. He is putting HER first.

Do we have evidence of a time where Az put Elain first and did what was best for her despite his own feelings?

Was it best for Elain that Az didn't care whether Lucien killed Graysen?

Was it best for Elain when Az claimed he'd kill her mate with "little effort?"

Was it best for Elain that Az stood in the doorway at Solstice because HE couldn't stand the scent of her bond?

Was it best for Elain that Az avoided her for a year because HE couldn't handle the fact that the third sister had a bond with someone other than the third brother?

Was it best for Elain that Az was relieved he didn't need to get her a Solstice gift that first year?

Really, when has Az sacrificed anything for Elain because it's what SHE wanted though it's not what he wanted?

People are missing the obvious. That Lucien IS still fighting for Elain but in a subtle way that does not put pressure on her. He comes around at holidays and brings her gifts, trying to hide his longing for her and not mentioning their bond so that she can have the freedom to do whatever she wants even though it's obviously putting a strain on him.

That boy has done right by her and she knows it even if she's not ready for the next step. There is no chance he's not getting all the gold stars by the time their book comes around.

[lorycsk]

Oooooh..... Whatcha trying to tell us Sarah?

I'm not 100% on this but I do find it interesting that SJM mentions how fast Lucien is multiple times in the series, had him run all the way from the shore somehow knowing where Elain was after the war (through scent or their bond?), then we get this information in ACOSF:

Is it possible for the children of the LoA to share in the unique magic of the smokehounds?

I don't know if I really believe that because I always thought the above excerpt was hinting at an Eris / Mor mating bond however.....

I do still think it's noteworthy at how fast Lucien is, even if it has nothing to do with the smokehounds.

I love that with him being the son of a High Lord from one court and a mother from another, selected for her strong bloodline, it sets Lucien up to have a unique combination of powers (whatever they are).

[lorycsk]

Anti's in the fandom pretending that Lucien is unappealing in canon 🤔 :

Lucien’s scarred, handsome face

The brutally scarred face beneath was still handsome—

Lucien’s cruel beauty.

Perhaps you’ll get a handsome Fae lord as your mate"

set up the handsome one as High Lord of Autumn

Handsome, powerful, a bit rakish—but well-mannered and elegant.

Amren calls him handsome, Cassian calls him handsome, the King of Hybern calls him handsome, Feyre calls him handsome and remarks on his "cruel beauty", his power, his elegance. It doesn't sound like his scar or eye are hurting his appearance. In fact, it might just make him that much hotter, giving him a dangerous edge to his look 🤤🥵

Without further word, he slung me over his shoulder as if I were a sack of potatoes.

Despite my wriggling and shouts of protest, despite my demands that he get my horse, he held firm, and when I looked up, I found that he was running—fast. Faster than anything should be able to move

I lifted my head from his sculpted chest

digging into the hard muscles of his shoulders

the broad panes of his chest, his stomach.

I studied the broad, tan hand

he braced my waist in his broad hands and easily hefted me off the horse,

scrubbing a broad hand over his face.

and caught one with his bare hands.

There's a reason Feyre aka SJM can't stop talking about his hands and shows of strength, Elain's going to be the one benefitting from alllllll that. Catching slippery wet things in his bare ones with ease? He knows how to use them. Hard muscles? Broad chest? Lifting females like it's nothing? Running faster than anything should?

Maybe you could argue against one or two characters opinion of someones physical appeal but when multiple characters, male and female alike can't keep quiet about it, you can take that "Lucien is HOT" check to the bank and cash it.

[lorycsk]

Eris Vanserra, heir to the Autumn Court throne.

I feel like I've been sitting on this forever. Massive thanks to @vaieart for creating this for me!

Happy first day of @erisweek2023 to those who are celebrating!

[lorycsk]

Things said about Lucien by SJM (receipts available upon request "

"Lucien has always been one of my favorite characters"

Lucien - "My love <3"

Lucien was "originally based on Sam Heughan's Jamie Fraser" (SJM is obsessed with Outlander)

"happy to be out in nature the most"

"there is someone special for Lucien. At some point further down the road" (said in April 2015, before ACOMAF was released in April 2016)

"I always kind of thought he'd be with Nesta.... until I realized that he and Nesta would shred each other to pieces, and not in a good way - like in the kind of way that would only worsen the deep, unhealed wounds they both have"

"I realized that Elain was kinda the person both Lucien and I didn't see coming - and without getting too spoilery, there was actually a great deal of tension, growth and healing to be found for both of them (together)"

Three possible outcomes for those who are given a mating bond:

Rejected Bond -

There will always be a … tug.

The males … It can drive them mad. It is their burden to fight through,

But it will still be a bond, however weakened, that will trail (them) for the rest of (their) existence.”

Accepted but Poorly Matched Bond -

Many mated pairs will try to make it work, believing the Cauldron selected them for a reason. Only years later will they realize that perhaps the pairing was not ideal in spirit.

Sometimes, the bond is nothing more than some … preordained guesswork at who will provide the strongest offspring. At its basest level, it’s perhaps only that. Some natural function, not an indication of true, paired souls.

“My mother—she loved my father deeply. Too deeply, but they were mated, and … Even if she saw what a tyrant he was, she wouldn’t say an ill word against him."

My father was cold and calculating, and could be vicious, as he had been trained to be since birth. My mother was soft and fiery and beloved by everyone she met. She hated him after a time—but never stopped being grateful that he had saved her wings, that he allowed her to fly whenever and wherever she wished.

Soul Bonded Mating Bond -

“High Fae mostly marry,” he said, his golden skin flushing a bit. ��But if they’re blessed, they’ll find their mate—their equal, their match in every way. High Fae wed without the mating bond, but if you find your mate, the bond is so deep that marriage is … insignificant in comparison.”

Knowing what we know about SJMs personal thoughts on Lucien, which option is most likely? Would she give one of her "favorite characters", "her love", a male who she didn't want to end up with someone who would cause him more pain, her "Jamie Fraser inspired male":

1) A rejected bond that will always trail him and cause him suffering? Something he'd always have to fight through and that "CANNOT be broken"(confirmed by Amren and in the CC series) no matter what some anti's think Lucien will be capable of with his day powers?

2) A poorly matched bond where after giving things a shot he'll find out years later that Elain wasn't right for him?

3) A bond that is so deep, marriage is insignificant?

[lorycsk]

𝓣𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓨𝓸𝓾

I am happy to present this Elucien x Rapunzel art which was voted on by my Instagram followers to celebrate 10k! @: leticiavazlart was a pleasure to work with and did such a stellar job on the artwork with the clothes, the flowers, the lighting, etc!

Link to post here!

[lorycsk]

I will never stop loving that Lucien is based off Jamie Fraser.

Any attempt at casualness took a stumble when I finally found Lucien astride a black gelding, grinning down at me with too-white teeth.

"She listened, of course—but only after she made Tamlin bestow Lucien’s punishment. Twenty lashes."

He might have completed the Great Rite with Ianthe of his own free will, but he certainly hadn’t enjoyed it. Some line had been blurred—badly.

"Lucien’s red hair shone in the firelight"

"It was there he sat, wearing only a white shirt and trousers"

"Lucien, standing near the windows and watching the sun set over Velaris, was wearing a fine green jacket"

"He’d always had a casual grace about him, but here, tonight, with his hair tied back and jacket buttoned to his neck, he truly looked the part of a High Lord’s son."

🤯 You know what I just thought of?

Jamie ends up with Claire......who knows the future.

SJM mated Lucien to Elain....who can see the future.

Not to mention Claire is a nurse in the present / healer when she travels back in time and Elain rushed to Cassian's side after she stabbed the King then later Feyre wonders how Cassian was able to heal so quickly...

Nesta was watching them when I reached her and Elain at the tree-lined outskirts. Had she done some healing, somehow, in those moments after she’d severed the king’s head? Or had it been Cassian’s immortal blood and Azriel’s battlefield patching that had already healed him enough to manage to stand, even with the wing and leg? I didn’t ask my sister, and she supplied no answer as she took the water bucket dangling from Elain’s still-bloody hands, and I followed them both through the trees.

It's interesting that SJM has Feyre consider every other possibility except Elain.

Not twenty feet away, Cassian was on the ground. Wings—snapped in spots. Blood leaking from them. / Cassian mouthed at her to run, blood escaping from his lips and onto the moss beneath him. / Cassian grunted in pain, but lifted his bloodied hands—to cup her face!/ “You’re too heavy,” she pleaded, but still tried to raise him, fingers scrabbling in his black, bloodied armor.

Elain rushed to Cassian, but the warrior was panting—smiling grimly and panting—as Nesta twisted and twisted the blade into the king’s neck. Severing flesh and bone and tendon.

"Elain's still-blood hands"

[lorycsk]

“But if they’re blessed, they’ll find their mate—

"their equal, their match in every way."

"High Fae wed without the mating bond, but if you find your mate, the bond is so deep that marriage is … insignificant in comparison.”

“Take her to the sea. Take her to some garden. But get her out of this house for an hour or two.”

“There’s a bond—it’s a real thread,” he said, more to himself than us.

“No—I didn’t have time. I felt her, but …” A blush stained his cheek.

Only concern for her. And … sorrow. Longing. Page 260 ACOWAR

Lucien inclined his head in a bow, the movement hiding the gleam in his eye—the longing and sadness. Page 345 ACOWAR

Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. Page 601 ACOSF

It doesn't matter how long it takes them to come together, Elucien already shares a bond that according to the author herself makes marriage look insignificant.