#Anti elain

[wingsdippedingold]

Saw a Reddit post about how someone thought that the only reason SJM made Lucien Elain’s mate was because she needed him in the NC for the plot, and because he wouldn’t work out with Nesta like she originally wanted, she stuck him with Elain

And yk what…? As someone who doesn’t care for Elucien that much because I don’t see them actually working well as a couple in the long run(I don’t see Elriel doing that either though) it might not be that far off. Now you can argue that we just don’t know much about Elain, but I PERSONALLY don’t think they’d work out in the the long run based off of what we have seen from Elain.

I find their appeal to be short lived in terms of the characters. Lucien will help give Elain the freedom and space she needs, but after that I’d love to see Elain on her own idk. Like setting a bird free after healing its wing or something. He will breathe life into Elain, but I think it ends there and I think that could be beautiful. They truly are souls that would help each other, but their mate bond doesn’t have to be solely romantic and they can part ways having fulfilled that part of growth before then going on their own way. I think being alone would do a lot of good for Elain but that’s just me.

Instead of giving Nesta and Lucien the growth to fit together, which truthfully I think would work out well, she just stuck him with a new person. And she stuck Nesta with Cassian… who we actively see treat each other poorly and are mutually bad for each other…? Like in ACOWAR cool, but after that? Yeah their characters are not good for each other.

ALSO I DONT think Nesta would eat Lucien alive (that’s what she does to Cassian and he can’t handle it). I think it’s just part of the “Nesta is a an angry bitch” propaganda, because I think Nesta would thrive with a calm and humorous man who is emotionally mature, because Nesta herself is a peaceful person she’s just constantly provoked and that brings around anger. She would thrive with a calm partner.

[kataraavatara]

there’s something about a fourteen year old Feyre hunting in the woods for her family being absolutely horrifying to the inner circle but a fourteen year old nesta forced to use her body to seduce older men so she can get a marriage alliance for her family is just a funny little story for the inner circle to have a giggle over that gives them the idea that they should have adult Nesta use her body to seduce an older man into a marriage alliance. for her “family”.

[nestaians]

elain does not get enough lashings for nesta’s treatment

like feyre, elain isn’t naive or oblivious -funny how sisters are always called that to dismiss their treatment of nesta

elain has taken advantage of nesta’s protectiveness and used it to hurt nesta back

elain knows nesta will do anything if it means she won’t be dragged into it, that’s why ic is like do it or it’s elain and elain doesn’t stop them

elain pushes nesta and brings up their father despite nesta telling her to stop and when nesta has had enough, she makes herself the victim and says nesta isn’t trying? oh poor elain crying cause of her big sister. fuck u

elain was in on nesta getting locked up, yeah she didn’t have a vote, she did take part in it by going with it and against nesta instead for once fighting for nesta’s rights like nesta always fought for hers

when elain was mourning her human life, who was by her side? nesta

who put aside her own problems, her own trauma for elain and to look after her? nesta. feyre was too busy destroying another court over a petty revenge and when she came back she was busy with her mate

who let elain mourn and take her time? nesta. feyre was okay with them being forced into war

but who’s side does elain take?

the audacity of elain to come back in nesta’s life when nesta is “better” and everything is okay lool

elain fits perfectly well in inner circle

elain told ic about nesta’s dancing, which is connected to nesta’s childhood trauma and abuse she went through -i’d argue it wasn’t elain’s place to talk about it, about nesta especially to ic knowing nesta does not fuck with them- and ic used that info and made nesta do it again

elain is complicit in nesta’s abuse

[gwandas]

I’d be mad too if Nesta was the only Archeron sister whose friends weren’t paid to be around her 🤭

[youareatragedy]

I feel like no one talks enough about how Elain did Lucien so dirty in that bonus chapter by trying to make out with another guy when Lucien visited, because if it were the other way around, people would be furious at Lucien.

If you say Elain doesn't owe Lucien anything, you are wrong. She has had enough time to understand mate bond, and if she doesn't know enough about the bond at this point, it is due to her lack of effort to understand. She just doesn't want to. Selfish, isn't it? She could definitely just reject Lucien if she doesn't want him, and then freely hook up with Azriel, but no, I guess she just wants to keep Lucien as a backup. As an assurance that she won't be alone no matter what, because Lucien is gentleman enough to not reject the bond without legitimate reason. And just because Elain avoids him, I don't think Lucien can just reject something so sacred as long as Elain doesn't outright say it. So I think being in the good graces of the IC means no one can hold her accountable for anything then?

It's so easy for people to still like Elain and justify her when she treats her non-IC mate like shit, but there's an uproar because Nesta didn't immediately smile and nice to Cassian, because Cassian is a member of the IC.

(Example number infinity of ACOTAR fandom only favoring women who aren't a bitch to Rhysand. Nesta = Bad. Elain = Needs time bc she's young and doesn't understand much.)

[litnerdwrites]

Nesta wears revealing clothing when she doesn't want to, only to be objectified by Cassian, the same way she was by Thomas, her parents and the entirety of human society, based on their views of women. Especially when there's no point to it. The priestesses seem to be allowed to wear robes when they start training, and Cassian even tells them straight that he doesn't care what they wear.

Then, one of the most confusing things to me, is the court of Nightmares. Mor wears revealing clothes to piss off her parents, Amren, I'm pretty sure, just wore whatever she usually wears, and Feyre... She just likes the more revealing style, ig? Like maybe she sees it as fancy dress or something, idk. But the rest of the women wear more modest clothing.

Mor specifically dresses to make a statement, that statement being a 'fuck you' to her parents, and the women she abandoned when she was saved, while also opposing the culture of the place she was raised in, showing her distaste for it. But, from what I can tell, that culture is similar to human culture in many ways, especially for women.

So, in that case, the fact that they act like it's a mandatory dress code to dress somewhat revealing, knowing Nesta values her modesty just never sat right to me.

This, to me, seems like blatant disrespect for humans and their culture, despite what Rhysand says, and they do it in many other ways too, not just with clothing. I have exams going on right now, but after that, I might go more in depth into the way human culture is treated by the NC, if that's something anyone wants to read about.

[roxan1930]

Kinda tempted to writ a what-if fic where in Silver Flames, when Nesta is given the "choice" to either get locked up in the HoW or being send to the human lands with the expectation to die there, she actually chooses the human lands, saying death would be better than surrounded by obnoxious hypocritical narcisists.

Feyre and Cassian would right away try to backtrack and just want to forced her to the HoW, only for Rhysand to be, "done" and just winnow her to the border and leave.

Back at the NC Feyre and Cassian would be pissed but Rhys just tells them he'll have eyes (not Azriel(he doesn't and hopes she'll just die and plans to pretend the pragnancy made him forget, even while also lying to Feyre about that)) on Nesta, along with some more manipulation and gaslighting till they just give in.

Nesta meanwhile tries to avoid being seen, but soon get's discovered and has to run from a mob, only to get saved by Lucien and Jurian.

They take her back to their manor where she's just in time to see Vassa transform from bird to woman.

She explains what happened and the BoE is disgusted with Feysand and their groupies and offer Nesta to stay with them and she accepts.

Slowly she gets better as she's treated by respect by the BoE and becomes friends with every member in some way (meeting sassy Lucien, mocking spoiled human lordling sons and daughters they grew up surrounded by with Vassa and talking about SMUT books, training with Jurian on her OWN CHOICE after watching him a few times and being offered to join, and all of them just being sarcastic and teasing each other.

They'd also discuss and ask her opinion on political matters( since, like many say, she was right away more suited and courtier than warrior)

When The IC finds out, first Cassian tries to get her back, only to be denied by Nesta and when he doesn't listen to her, get's send away by BoE.

He keeps coming around but keeps getting send away and Azriel starts spying and constantly reports moments where Nesta's happy and Cassian feels jealous of Lucien and Jurian, Feyre of Vassa for being sister-like with Nesta, and Elain of Vassa and also Nesta for being close to her mate.

Maybe have Eris coming over more often too and flirt with Nesta who flirts back, making Cassian worse.

At some point, Cassian get's told by Lucien he's a worthless matee who doesn't care about Nesta and will always easily put the IC over her, and Nesta confirms that while she likes (or liked?) him, he's not what she needs until he actually changes

She also, since she doesn't need to rely on the NC for protection, tears into Feyre for her I-always-did-everything-while-my-sisters-did-nothing attitude, mentioning all kinds of things she did that Feyre ignored and how she's become a selfish obnoxious hypocrite that flaunts money and laughs at those less fortunate.

Also at Elain for always sitting on her ass and being useless and trying to act like the victim after always having Nesta take care of her and protect her, yet turning her back on her as soon as she needed Elain to take care of her for once. Maybe also tear into her for being a bitch to Lucien and saying he deserves better than her.

In the end ereryone does get better but I don't know how yet.

[hugevanserrass]

the amount of times nesta is told by her sisters and cassian how she "isn't trying" to get better is kind of ridiculous especially considering how all of them behaved after their own traumas. feyre was wasting away in acomaf and couldn't get out of bed, elain wouldn't eat and was basically in a catatonic state throughout acowar, and cassian admits it took him years to get over the aftermath of battles/war. nesta is the only one who isn't allowed to fall apart. and the worst thing about this is that nesta takes their words to heart, internalizes them and then hates herself even more after every single one of these interactions.

[coffeebooksrain18]

no one will change my mind, I hate Elain.

Reason 1, she is treated like a infant by the inner circle and thrives off of it.

Reason 2, She and Feyra watched as Nesta went into a deep and dark depression but when Feyra and her went into them Nesta was the first to defend them and take care of them.

Reason 3, she berated Nesta until Nesta fought back verbally and then acted the victim and bad-mouthed her to the inner circle not giving Nesta a chance to say her side of the story even though Nesta wouldn't bad mouth Elain.

Reason 4, she isn't interesting! the only thing that was going for her was her sear abilities but nope she gave up training on that and now can't even do it anymore.

I know my blog is mostly HotD but this is my blog and I'm gonna make commentary as I see fit instead of feeling guilty and deleting the post. so YAY TO CHARACTER GROWTH

[slytherin-pen]

needed to share this breakdown about the Archeron sisters. Nesta is not a cruel sister, she is a scapegoat.

[theegemini92]

This is video does get the job done depicting Elain as how I see her or had seen her from the beginning. I don’t know why people like her so much. I never did. I’m sure sjm will give her a sob story but it won’t change my mind about her.

After she clocked Nesta, I KNEW. Elain has always hidden by strong people who will defend her or protect her. She hides behind that dainty state of hers. She chose the next best thing to a king when she happily enjoyed Tamlin blood money. I’d always stand by this, just like Nesta she knew it was magic but she didn’t care if feyre was ok or not. She just was happy to be back to people adoring her. Then she becomes fae and her mate is a broke ass poor exiled son, no land no title no home and doesn’t even look powerful. Even if I was Elain I sure as hell ain’t going back to my rugs and shacks 🤣🤣 living in the human land with their bland food 🤣🤣 F no 🤣

So who does she latch unto? The most oblivious SUCKER of the IC , Azriel. He’s rich, he’s powerful and he protects her. Now Nesta can’t do that and she needs to suck up to feyre who’d protect her and we all know Feyre has misperceptions and the only one she was mostly fighting then was Nesta. So even if Elain slapped her in the face it’d be Nesta fault.

[wingsdippedingold]

I really hate the whole “Oh Elain doesn’t notice that kind of thing” “she’s not cruel just unobservant” excuse as to why she never helped out

Because… we know she’s not. She was shown to be the most outgoing and socially talented of the sisters. She is clever and intelligent. Obviously she noticed they were impoverished, but you cannot sit here and tell me that the thought never occurred to her in 8 years that there was anything she could do to help. She’s not a fucking idiot. At least SJM let Nesta be aware and just tried to make her mean.

That idea plays into the infantilization of Elain too much and the whole “oh she’s just too sweet and gentle” “look at poor baby Elain” for me to see any reason within it

She was still the same age as Feyre and Nesta and should be held to the same standards y’all hold them to. It sounds like a copout to excuse Elain’s inaction while demonizing Nesta’s

This isn’t anti-Elain at all, but rather me annoyed at how it reduced her character when we’re already given so little

[starscreambbymama]

I remember a bunch of theories about Elain bringing back spring to the spring court and becoming the high lady or new ruler and...

That's a choice, and it leads me to ask. Why? What has Elain done to warrant her to rule the spring court? Because she likes flowers and gardening and it'll fit her aesthetic? Because it's a "vibe?" What would make her a better ruler in comparison to Tamlin?

You don't have to like Tamlin but you can't tell me he didn't care about his court that he didn't have the interest of the spring court at heart.

[kataraavatara]

“nesta needs her karma for favoring elain over feyre” SHE GOT IT. nesta poured her whole self into elain. didn’t leave her side for WEEKS when she was catatonic. she was always the closest with elain, thought Elain understood her more than anyone. and as soon as the going got tough elain jumped ship without a second thought. she literally packed up nesta’s things to send to the house of wind. she came up there when nesta was depressed and told her to her face she “doesn’t need to be so miserable about it.” being locked up against her will. she brought up their father and then nesta very clearly told her not to bring up their father and to get out. what did elain do in response? bring up their father again and does not get out. then she acts shocked when nesta snaps after she violated clear set boundaries, runs away crying, and complains about Nesta “not even trying to get better.” when has Elain once stuck up for Nesta? never. All the time, effort, and care was never reciprocated. Yeah, so Nesta got her karma for playing favorites and then some. Acting otherwise is being purposefully dense.

[stargirlfeyre]

Feyre being hated for speaking on her familial trauma/abuse to the Inner Circle will always be insane to me.

“She painted them out to be bad people and her the poor little victim” No they painted themselves out to be bad people and all she did was express how their actions hurt her. For a series that’s heavily focused on trauma and healing, I can’t believe people are so upset because a female character spoke on her own experiences.

Feyre didn’t paint herself out to be a victim. She simply was one. You can’t look at that Cabin situation and boldly say that Feyre was not a victim.

[youareatragedy]

I think more people would like Elain if she hadn’t treated Nesta the way she did in ACOSF. For all her flaws, Nesta at least cares deeply for Elain. Nesta single-handedly took care of Elain when she was almost catatonic in ACOWAR. Nesta was always there, but then ACOFAS showed Elain basically siding with "the good life" with Feysand, and in ACOSF, she makes it seem like Nesta is now an inconvenience to her. Elain seems so conceited because she’s remained Lucien’s mate for years while also trying to kiss Azriel. She could grow a backbone and tell everyone to stop babying her, but she didn’t. She could tell Nesta not to do things for her, but she didn’t. She lets everyone make decisions for her and, for some reason, doesn’t seem to want to fight for herself, letting others do whatever they think is best.

And honestly, I keep seeing people, mainly from one of the ships Elain is in, complaining whenever she’s left out of Inner Circle fanart, especially if Nesta is included. Just because Elain is living in Rhysand’s 154th mansion with Rhysand and Feyre doesn’t make her a part of the IC. She doesn’t contribute anything to it. Helping with food and gardening all of Rhysand’s mansions as a hobby doesn’t equal IC membership. Nesta isn’t an IC member either, at least not willingly but she is Cassian's mate.

Elain’s stans, I swear, are one of the most entitled sections in this fandom, and they don’t deserve to be this entitled when Elain has barely spoken or done anything across five books. And I don’t care about the ship wars, but my disgust for the IC would grow tenfold if Elain ends up with Azriel—especially after Azriel acted like a fool for Mor for centuries, even though she had slept with Cassian and still gets lingerie from him (meaning that small group is too incest-y already ew).