#Dark!Rowaelin

[throneofsapphics]

I’m not dead!! life just got a little crazy and I got pretty sick, then sucked into gardening season, then injured butttttt I do have some poly!rowaelin angst cooking for polysjmweek and possibly some poly!ruhnlidia. I’m so excited to share it!!

[acourtofquestions]

He had killed his way across the world; he had gone to war and back more times than he cared to remember. And despite it all, despite the rage and despair and ice he'd wrapped around his heart, he'd still found Aelin. Every horizon he'd gazed toward, unable and unwilling to rest during those centuries, every mountain and ocean he'd seen and wondered what lay beyond... It had been her. It had been Aelin, the silent call of the mating bond driving him, even when he could not feel it.

[an-elveinthesky]

I didn't want to let go,

Dear god to save my life I couldn't let go,

But there was nothing I could do but cry in agony,

As you wrenched yourself out of me inch by painful

inch..

#quote #lovequote #heartbreak #love #pain #misery #poetry #Deathbed.

[nikethestatue]

I know sometimes it's hard to see the forest from the trees, and after the disappointment of last week, no news or updates, the revelation about what Gwynriels did to the IG Elriel Month Account, the bracket vote sabotage that they accused Elriels of and yet perpetuated themselves, the doxxing and the endless stream of abuse that they hurl on every platform, it's all feels quite discouraging.

But I think that it's important to remember, no matter how frustrating it gets, is that everything that they do, every desperate pathetic move, every ridiculous claim of 'but SJM is a MoThER!!!!!!!!!!! and she has a family!' (as if they ever cared about that before) all stems from one simple fact.

They are terrified.

They don't WANT any updates from the MoThER!!! SJM

They don't WANT any updates from Bloomsbury

They ignore every article and every mention of the next book

They attempt to erase any mention of Elain from collective consciousness because

THEY ARE TERRFIED

Because every single day brings them closer to the inevitable.

Elain. And Elain's book.

And they absolutely cannot accept it. Cannot deal.

I mean, hell, they couldn't even acknowledge Feysand's win in the brackets and reacted with a totally random Rowaelin quote (you know who). So all the GAs with their lists of names and their threats and their endlessly exaggerated stories of their own victimhood which borders on actual martyrdom! at this point--all of it is done for one reason and one reason only--fear.

Unlike them, we got nothing to fear. We got nothing to doubt.

Elain is still the only one for Azriel, his dream and desire. She is still the only one for whom he'd gladly die. She is still the only Made Seer. The mysterious Archeron sister.

Don't lose hope. Don't let the dark days win.

Elriel is coming.

[throneofsapphics]

angst. that's it. that's the ask. i don't care with who!

thank you 🫶🫶

kiss my knuckles before you punch me in the face

(part two)

Rowaelin x f!Reader

Summary: “My decision is final.” Her eyes were  full of pain, but no regret - only determination. 

Warnings: dark aelin/rowan, angst, mentions of suicidal ideation, implied violence, toxic relationships

Word Count: ~1.3k

A/N: this turned dark yikes please mind the warnings, but thank you for the request!

They never thought she would leave. They always thought it was enough, that they could be enough - despite all of the difficulties in the relationship. Love, everyone always said love was enough. They saw it play out around them, with their friends and family. Everyone made it work. 

Maybe she didn’t … didn’t understand the true strength of a mating bond. How far it would drive them, how much they would do to get her to stay. They thought that if love wasn’t enough, the strength of the bond would be. 

“My decision is final.” Her eyes were  full of pain, but no regret - only determination. 

“Why are you doing this?” Rowan asked. Hurt and anger rolled from him in equal waves. 

“All of those things you … didn’t do, didn’t say, didn’t fix. They have consequences.” 

Consequences. 

“What the hell does that mean?” Aelin raged, consequences - like they’re toddlers in need of a lesson. 

“It means you lost me.” Y/n’s lips set into a tight line. She doesn’t want to say this - Aelin can tell. But, she believes it to be the truth. Her eyes scanned them one last time, standing at the gate. A discreet, side one. Her mare was already saddled, saddle bags packed. 

Y/n took her reins, leading her out of the gate, out into the side path crossing behind the castle - to avoid the city. Aelin watched as she mounted, her heels digging in, and took off. 

She and Rowan stood in shock, watching her. She cast her eyes to the side once, looking at the castle, but not back at them. 

“Do we..?” She swallowed harshly. 

“No.” Rowan answered, and he shifted, soaring overhead. Aelin found Kasida, and took off behind her. A punch in the face, that’s what this felt like. Fixing the issues, resolving the problems, that can come later - after they get her back. She won’t let her mate go, no. Whether or not she understands it, this bond is for life and she won’t live with the agony of never having her. 

-

Her heart shattered with each movement, each bolt of the saddle. Every second felt like agony. All she wanted was to turn back and run into their arms. But, she knows her worth. Mates or not, she won’t let herself suffer. So many times she’d tried, so many damn times to get them to fix their actions. Each hurtful word, unintentional or intentional, struck something inside her she couldn’t rebuild. Not in their presence. 

She kept reminding herself that every step away from the castle was one step closer to reclaiming herself. To being her, not the King and Queen’s mate, but to be completely herself. Find the person she was before, and bring her back to life. 

The tears came and she didn’t fight them. Holding back would only make it worse in the long run. And she’d held onto them long enough already, already asked them to change the way they treat her. Each time, they would lighten up for a few weeks and she would finally start believing things were better, that this could be fixed. But, it was never permanent. Each time, she truly believed in it, and each time her heart shattered when it went back to normal. 

She stood on the balcony, several stories above the garden and contemplated what it would be like - to put herself out of her misery. Would that even work? She caught herself in the spiral of thoughts and turned, closing the door shortly behind her. That thought - of ending everything - that was the last straw. That night, she started planning her departure. Not from this world, but from the castle. 

She spotted a white tailed hawk above her, seconds before hearing the pounding of hooves, quickly she pulled her mare to the side, just as Kasida - Aelin’s beautiful Asterion, passed her and turned. Blocking her path. A flash of light, and Rowan stood beside her. 

What part of her message hadn’t been clear? Anger bubbled inside her chest - anger that they couldn’t respect her decision. They made theirs, she gets to make hers. 

“Leave me alone.” Y/n said through gritted teeth. “Go back.” Aelin slid out of the saddle to stand next to her. She didn’t move quick enough to avoid Rowan tugging her out of hers, bringing her to stand before them, on equal ground. She shoved at his chest, but only took a few steps backward, brushing against her horses side. Y/n quickly grabbed the reins before she could startle. 

Neither moved or said a word. Her frustration grew and grew. “Was I not clear enough?” She hissed. 

“You were perfectly clear.” Rowan answered. Stone, his face was pure stone. Unyielding. 

“You don’t get to run away. You can’t leave this.” Aelin picked up. Her emotions showed a bit more, but the same determination was there. 

-

“I gave you so many gods-damned chances,” Aelin watched as angry tears flooded her face. “You never learned. Things would get better for a few weeks,” she was yelling, her voice rising. “And it would go back to the same. Did you expect me to live like that forever?” 

Rowan was quiet and contemplative beside her, trying to figure out the best response. She was scrambling for words as well, but y/n kept going. 

“Did you know, a week ago, I stood on the balcony and thought about putting myself out of my misery? If nothing else will make you wrap your heads around how miserable I am, maybe that will.” 

Every word was a jagged knife in her chest, slowly cutting a piece of her apart. Aelin suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. Her eyes grew wide, filled with fear. A fear she hadn’t felt in years. That she might have truly, permanently, lost her. That she was that close to losing her mate for the rest of her immortal life. 

Y/n turned her back, one foot in the stirrup, but Rowan dragged her back before she could. She yelped, flailing to try and get away from him. 

“No,” he growled. “No.” His arms wrapped tight around her, and Aelin knew nothing could break that hold. 

-

His arms were a cage. A hold I wouldn’t be able to break - not unless he let me go. He spun me around, letting me see the tears dripping down his cheeks. “I will not lose you.” Pure possession laced his tone. 

“I’m not yours to lose,” she screamed. She’s past the point of reason, of speaking calmly about this. He shifted so one arm held her close to him, and pressed on the small bite mark on the left side of her neck. 

“This says you are. Every part of you belongs to us, every part of us belongs to you.” 

His words weren’t any comfort to her, if anything they pissed her off further. “I’m not a possession,” she seethed. Panic began to sit in. Would they drag her back to the castle, kicking and screaming?

“What would it take,” Aelin’s voice was so soft, so gentle, that she couldn’t help turning to look at the female, “to keep … for you to choose to stay.” 

“Nothing. Everything.” She pounded a fist against Rowan’s chest, “let me go.” 

“I can’t.” The mask finally broke, and she could feel every single one of his emotions - the turbulence of losing someone he thought was his mate in the past, of nearly losing Aelin. Everything they’d told her, all about their past. It hurt her, knowing she was activating those memories, bringing those feelings to the front. But, it wasn’t her damn fault, they dug this hole and she’s climbing out of it herself. “I can’t,” he repeated, emphasizing it further. 

“You will.” She forced confidence into her tone, and brought another hand up - intending to try and push away again, but Aelin caught it, bringing her knuckles to her lips. A soft, gentle kiss that threw her off balance. 

“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, and in the next second she was unconscious.

[acourtofquestions]

And if he found her, if he freed her …

Rowan did not let himself think beyond that. To the other truth that they would face, the other burden.

Tell Rowan that I'm sorry I lied. But tell him it was all borrowed time anyway. Even before today, I knew it was all just borrowed time, but I still wish we'd had more of it.

He refused to accept that. Would never accept that she would be the ultimate cost to end this, to save their world

Rowan scanned the blanket of stars overhead.

While all other constellations had wheeled past, the Lord of the North remained, the immortal star between his antlers pointing the way home. To Terrasen.

Tell him he has to fight. He must save Terrasen, and remember the vows he made to me.

Time was not on their side, not with Maeve, not with the war unleashing itself back on their own continent. But he had no intention of returning without her, parting request or no, regardless of the oaths he'd sworn upon marrying her to guard and rule Terrasen.

And tell him thank you-for walking that dark path with me back to the light.

It had been his honor. From the very beginning, it had been his honor, the greatest of his immortal life.

An immortal life they would share together somehow. He'd allow no other alternative.

Rowan silently swore it to the stars. He could have sworn the Lord of the North flickered in response.

[fanwarriorfictions]

Not Again

Azriel x Rowaelin Daughter Reader

Summary: Azriel has a bad habit of finding random females falling onto the River House lawn. This time, the female in question catches him off guard, and she seems to be even stranger than the last.

Series Masterlist

-Part One-

There was a shift in the air, so subtle that it could’ve been passed off as a breeze through a cracked window. He would’ve thought just that if it hadn’t been for the keen wisps of shadows at his shoulders whispering in his ears, outside, someone’s here, outside, here, here, here, here.

The room filled with his family was non the wiser as the shadowsinger shifted towards the door, all of them talking and laughing by the fire place. Feyre and Rhys cozied up on the loveseat, little Nyx nestled in his mothers arms. Nesta sitting on Cassian’s lap, the sisters talking about the recent books they’d read, his brothers admiring their mates. Mor sipped on her third glass of wine, listening to Elain talk about her blooming garden while she absently fiddled with her still full glass, Lucien sitting comfortably by her side, content to just listen to his mate talk. Amren was nowhere to be found tonight, Varian presumably in town.

Azriel found it easy to slip out the back door, ready to deal with the supposed trouble without disturbing his family’s peace. His shadows didn’t seem alarmed, persistent, but not noting any imminent threat. Despite their ease, he found Truth Teller in his hand, ready to deal with whoever he found if necessary.

It was dark outside, the brisk night air dancing over his fire warmed skin. Calm, no sign of that subtle shift, nothing but his shadows urging him towards the garden, towards whoever was out here causing the small disturbance.

He wasn’t quite sure what he was looking for, what he was expecting to find. Maybe a drunk who wandered to far from the main streets of Velaris, maybe a curious young fae who just wanted a glimpse of the inner circle. He’d dealt with his fair share of both, gently warning them away from the home.

But whatever he’d been expecting it certainly wasn’t what he found. A female laid on the ground, clothes and skin covered with dirt and blood, her body sprawled like she’d been thrown down without care. He could sent fresh blood on her coming from a wound on her head, the stream of it dripping down onto the stones beneath her. Her breathing was steady, her heartbeat strong.

Azriel clenched the blade’s hilt tight in his hand, drawing closer to her slowly. Her scent drifted towards him on a phantom wind, pine and snow, like the mountains of Illryia. Despite his resentment of the people who lived there, the scent reminded him of home.

His shadows curiously trail around the female, finding more and more injuries, a cut on her thigh, bruising across her abdomen. Whoever she was, she had seen her fair share of violence. She was high fae, her ears arched into delicate points, though he could not discern which court she may belong too. Her clothes were to disheveled to detect a distinct style, black leather pants and a long sleeved green shirt beneath a leather vest sheathed with knives like a bandolier. Clothes that could belong to any court, maybe even from the continent.

So busy examining her he didn’t detect the change in her breathing until it was to late.

The female launched up with such speed he was almost to slow to block the attack. She’d pulled one of those knives from her vest, it’s wickedly sharp edge to close to his throat for comfort. Truth Teller blocked the blade, the metal singing against her dagger. The female was quick to pull back, not lunging again like he thought she would but reaching for a smaller knife at her ribs, it was flying through the air faster than he could blink, aiming for his eye with remarkable accuracy, Cassian would be proud of a throw like that. The only reason it didn’t take his eye was due to a shadow darting out to grab the blade midair.

The female is a blur as she lunges again, going for the arm holding his blade. He dodges back, the strike missing him by a hair. She’s fast, faster than most fae he’s fought over the centuries. He catches her next strike, a blow to his side that could’ve left him bleeding out on the floor. She pulls back and retreats a few steps, her stance shifting back like she might jump at him again.

“Stop,” he snarls at her.

She hisses, baring her teeth at him, teeth with unusually sharp canines, and then she speaks, a language he’d never heard before. And that’s when the pieces start to click, when his shadows start to whisper, not of this world, another, another world, another, another, another.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he grounds out, “not again.”

The female only snarls, reaching for another of those small wicked blades. She flips it, pinching the sharp tip between her fingers.

“Wait,” he says, sheathing his dagger at his side, “just wait.”

Her eyes track his movements, the ice cold look in them enough to make him shiver. It felt like the air around them tried to freeze under her gaze, the wind no longer a soft breeze but an ice kissed howl.

His head cocked to the side, that was her, she was controlling the wind. The air swirling around them faster and faster, colder and colder.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said though he was sure she couldn’t understand him.

He held his hands up so she could see them, willing his shadows away so he could look as unthreatening as possible. When the last unknown female had landed on this lawn, she’d fallen right in front of him, he’d been able to get his blade angled to her throat before she had anytime to react, this female on the other hand, had managed to get the jump on him first, a fact that his brothers would never let him live down.

The wind bit at his wings, discomfort sooner turning to pain if it kept up like that. It felt like the moisture in the air was turning to ice, slicing into his skin.

She repeats her words, her voice hard and unforgiving just like the wind around them. A shield, he realized, a casing of wind to block all sound, to keep others out and to keep him trapped.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he says again, hoping she can understand the plea in his tone.

Her head tilts, examining him from head to toe, a predator studying its next meal. In that moment, Azriel had never felt more like prey in his life. She had an intensity that rivaled Nesta and Amren, like she knew she was the most powerful creature in the room and she’d be happy to prove it. This female was dangerous, strong, fast, and from another world just like Bryce Quinlann, he could only hope she’d turn out to be an ally as well.

Blood still drips down her face, the cut on her brow deep and jagged, like it had been ripped across a dull object. The scent of her blood filled his nose, laced with that pine and snow, and something warm, like an ember drifting from a fire. Again, it smelled uncannily like home.

Those cold eyes flare wide, the frost bitten wind warming a fraction. Something in her posture shifts, no longer in fight mode, but flight.

“Stop,” he pleads, “hold on.”

Her voice shifts when she speaks, lighter and less harsh, he still can’t understand any of it. His confusion must be evident on his face because she scoffs, lowering the dagger to her side, still not sheathing it. The wind fades away, replaced by a warm gentle breeze that thaws his near frozen wings.

Azriel sighs in relief and she cocks her head at the sound. Her eyes take in his wings, noting the frost on them that slowly melts away. The air seems to get even warmer then.

“Thank you,” he says, bowing his head to show his gratitude, all while keeping an eye on her.

Though she seems to be less hostile, he wouldn’t let his guard down for a second around her.

He felt it then, the gentle prying talons on his mind, ones he instantly let in. Showing Rhys exactly where he was and who was before him.

Not again, Rhys sighs.

That’s what I said, Azriel replies.

And then that night kissed power settles around them, the female’s eyes hardening back to ice, dagger already raised and ready to defend herself. Azriel was half tempted to tell her it wasn’t worth it, that there was little she could do against Rhys, but he kept his mouth shut as his high lord appeared before them. Giving the female that cool charming look that had most ready to eat out of the palm of his hand.

She didn’t have that kind of reaction, instead she lifted that dagger towards his high lord, a snarl on her lips, those vicious canines on display.

“Well that’s interesting,” Rhys says, coolly looking her over, “high fae, but not one of ours.”

She snaps at him, words he couldn’t understand but by the way she ground them out Azriel could tell they weren’t niceties.

“I’m sure that was her way of calling me a prick,” Rhys chuckles, “I’d recognize it in any language.”

Azriel eyes the two of them, he has no doubts that his high lord could defend himself against the female, but after the last encounter he’d had with a foreign fae he didn’t want to underestimate her. Rhys seems to agree, Azriel can almost see the invisible attack he launches, and he sees the exact moment Rhys hits a wall of pure ice around her mind.

His high lord hisses in pain at the exact moment a bright blue light flares from the female, a mark shining on her brow. The mark like those in the book of breathings, like the horn on Bryce’s back.

The female swears, free hand touching that mark as if she could will it back beneath her skin. Her dagger is aimed for Rhys, but her eyes dance between them both, watching for any movement from Azriel, ready to take both of them on in a heartbeat if it was necessary.

“Go get Amren,” Azriel says, “and bring one of those damned translators.”

Rhys is gone within a split second, and the female is angling that dagger at Azriel instead, a warning to stay back, she makes no move to fight nor flee, her frozen stare colder than before though the air continues to stay warm.

Azriel simply holds his hands in the air, “We mean you no harm.”

She responds in that soft swirling language, his shadows writhe in answer, almost like they could understand her. She frowns at them as they travel across the ground towards her, a soft snarl from her lips has them skittering back. Interesting, the way she seems almost familiar with them, he wonders if she’d encountered fae like him before, maybe like Quinlann’s brother.

Rhys and Amren appear in that night kissed darkness, the female’s attention snapping towards them. Amren curiously examines the girl, that mark that still simmers faintly in her brow.

“Are you collecting more strays?”

Azriel doesn’t respond to the jab, watching as Amren takes the small silver bean from her pocket and throws it towards the female without warning. She catches it with ease, glancing between it and Amren with a raised brow.

“Eat,” Amren commands, miming the action, taping on her mouth as she speaks, “to understand.”

Her eyes find Azriel’s, brow quirked in confusion. He simply nods, mimicking Amren’s actions. She seems to understand that, as she lifts the translator to her mouth and swallows it down.

And just like that she erupts, not with that ice cold wind, but with fire, hotter and stronger than that of the heirs of Autumn. Maybe even hotter than Beron’s himself. A shield from Rhys traps the explosion of power though he winces from the effort of keeping her contained. The fire rages, the earth below her turning to ash in an instant. She burns so hot that the flame around her starts to turn blue. She burns and burns and burns, so bright Azriel shields his eyes, so hot that the shield around her can barely contain that heat.

Rhys does not remove the shield until that fire stops its raging, until all that’s left is smoke and ash. She had collapsed on the floor, her dagger red hot against her skin yet it doesn’t burn her hand. That mark burns brighter as she glares up at them, vibrant blue that lights up the world around them.

“A little warning would’ve been nice,” she snaps, her voice tinged with that soft accent of her language.

“Hard to do that when we don’t speak your tongue,” Amren snaps back. “Who are you?”

Her ice cold stare is unsettling as it examines them all. She stands from the ground, that red hot blade lifting towards them, the air warping from the heat.

“My name is Y/n Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius,” her voice is steady, regal, “Crown Princess of Terrasen. And I’d like to know which one of you opened the gate that dragged me here.”

[danikamariewrites]

Happy Spooky Season! I was wondering if I could request a platonic Rowan looking out for Aelin's teen sister? I feel like he'd be a strict, but protective big brother by insisting on dropping her off at places, like the theatre, picking her up again, accompanying her into Orynth, guarding her during balls (if he's busy then assigning his former cadre to do it for him), etc. And she gets annoyed by it, until his behaviour comes in clutch one day when he spots her in some kind of sticky situation and helps her out.

Big Brother

Rowaelin x little sister!reader

Warnings: short but sweet

When Rowan first came into your and Aelin’s life you were very annoyed by him

He was always in your business and annoying you

But you annoyed him so things were even

You didn’t trust Rowan at first. Hell you didn’t trust anyone around your older sister, especially someone you could see her falling for

Aelin told you about Chaol and you hated him. Who was he to say that you and your sister were monsters?

After Maeve and Erawan you worked out your differences with Chaol and Dorain

Speaking of Dorian, you had a massive crush on him but Rowan shut that down real quick

He also shut down your crush on Petrah Blueblood, “one person in this group being with a witch is enough.” Rowan had scolded. You just stuck your tongue out at him and stomped off to your room

Aelin and Rowan were like your surrogate parents

Your big sister had looked after you all your life

Aelin was your protector and made sure you never had to train to be what she was, but enough to fight and cause the most harm to someone who was trying to hurt you

You were a feral child around Arobynn because you always got bad vibes from him. You also hated the way he looked at your sister

Aelin did baby you, she still does and so does Rowan, but she never hid the truth from you

Once Terrasen was rebuilt, as princess, you started to get involved with the community. Your main focus being schools and the public library

When not attending his kingly duties Rowan was escorting you from event to event, making sure you stayed safe

“Ro, there has never been an attempt. I don’t need a babysitter, I can handle myself.” Rowan raised a silver brow at you. “There hasn’t been one because I’m good at my job, little sister.” The darkness in his voice sent a shiver down your spine and made you think about your security detail and how protected you and your kingdom are

During special events if Rowan can’t watch you like a hawk one of the Cadre is assigned to you

Fenrys is for low risk events; putting the two of you together is beyond chaotic. You two are the ultimate sibling duo and you always have fun with Fenrys. He absolutely sees you a little sister and loves having you as a companion especially after Connall

Lorcan is for high risk outings; Lorcan is scary dog privilege. He stares down anyone who even breathes in your direction. Lorcan stands faithfully by your side, arms crossed and weapons on display, for hours on end. As much as you would like to mess with him, you actually behave when Lorcan is around. You know if he’s escorting you it’s serious

Gavriel is just back up; He’s your uncle! Of course he’s more than happy to drop everything to be with his niece. Plus he spoils you to make up for years lost out on family time

As much as you find Rowan’s presence annoying at times there finally came a day where you were thankful for his protection

Heading out to a speaking engagement at the primary school you were trying to find any Cadre members to escort you instead of two security guards

Rowan has your schedule, so he should’ve been free. But alas, the buzzard was stuck in meetings with your sister

Uncle Gav was out doing you have no idea what, Lorcan was home with Elide, and Fenrys was away with Vaughn, who you still haven’t actually laid eyes on by the way

You opted to take two of your normal guards to escort you

But without Rowan to walk them through security protocols you were walking around without knowing about any threats

Everything was going smooth. You made it to the school, your talk with the children went very well! They loved to hear stories from you about the Queen and King. They loved to play with you and tell you anything that pops into their little heads

It wasn’t until you were on the way back to the castle that trouble found you

Your carriage was stopped abruptly, the horses neighing and rearing up on their hind legs at the danger in the middle of the road

“Stay here, princess!” Your guards shout, leaving you alone closed in the carriage. You weren’t afraid at first. Not until you heard shouting and fighting. You couldn’t hear much. The men who stopped you were a small group. They wanted revenge on Aelin for killing Dorian’s father. Who know loyalists to the former King of Adarlan were around

Before things could escalate further a flash of white light had you shielding your eyes as you peer out the window, the men thudding against the ground

“Take them to the prison!” You had never been so relieved to hear Rowan’s voice. You stayed locked in the carriage until he came and got you

When Rowan opens the door you fling yourself into him, wrapping your arms around him neck. “I have never been so grateful for you not minding your business.” Your brother laughs, hugging you back. “Let’s get you home, Aelin has been worried.”

[emmitaaa4]

Friendly, beautiful reminder for my rowaelin & elriel lovers

Elain smells of jasmine & honey.

Jasmine grows in a variety of conditions, and famously blooms at nighfall.

Nuala and Cerridwen just so happen to smell of jasmine as per TaR.

The 1st thing Feyre smells upon entering the NC is jasmine

In Velaris, “each night, I tumbled into a heavy sleep, laced with JASMINE-scented darkness.”

jasmine is carved onto the stone pillars of the Hewn City.

… ergo we can reasonably conclude that Elain smells of the NC.

For my ToG lovers whatever you do, do not remember that Rowan smells of Aelin’s home:

“Aelin awoke to the scent of pine and snow, and knew she was home. Not in Terrasen, not yet, but in the sense she would always be home, if Rowan was with her.”

Wherever they would end up, Elain smells of Azriel’s home.

He—a man who after 500 yrs said he doesn’t know where he belongs (MaF), a man who still has no place/house of his own—would always be at home with Elain. (I’m not crying you’re crying).

[shadowdaddies]

Here's my Throne of Glass masterlist! I'll keep my posts linked here🩶

✨= fluff

❤️‍🔥= smut

💧= angst

�� = action (ka-pow!)

Manon

❤️‍🔥My Girl (Manon x Reader)

✨Roar of the Wind (Manon x Reader)

✨Lead the Way (Manon x Reader)

💧✨ Balance (Manon x Reader)

💧✨Beloved (Manon x Reader)

💧✨ In Your Corner (Manon x Reader)

✨Lift Me Up (Manon x Reader)

✨Golden (Manon x Reader)

Dorian

💧✨❤️‍🔥King's Queen (Dorian x Reader)

💧✨❤️‍🔥 Masquerade (Dorian x Reader)

❤️‍🔥Phantom Touch (Dorian x Reader)

💧✨Distraction (Dorian x Reader)

✨The Bet (Dorian x Reader)

❤️‍🔥NSFW Headcanons

Aelin

✨All I Want for Yulemas (Aelin x Reader)

Aedion

❤️‍🔥Serenity (Aedion x Reader)

Asterin

✨Taking Flight (Asterin x Reader)

❤️‍🔥Get a Room (Asterin x Reader)

✨Getting Lost (Asterin x Reader)

✨Keeping Secrets (Asterin x Reader)

❤️‍🔥Stress Relief (Asterin x Reader)

❤️‍🔥One Bed (Asterin x Reader)

Vesta

✨New Beginnings (Vesta x Reader)

Gavriel

💧✨Always Yours (Gavriel x Reader)

✨Mine (Gavriel x Reader)

❤️‍🔥Every Part (Gavriel x Reader)

Fenrys

❤️‍🔥Wild Things (Fenrys x Reader)

���Anywhere (Fenrys x Reader)

💧💥 ✨Reunited (Fenrys x Reader)

↳ Part 2 Part 3

💧✨Hope Reborn (Fenrys x Reader)

Lorcan

✨Flawless (Lorcan x Reader)

❤️‍🔥So Lorcan DID (Lorcan x Reader)

✨When You’re Sick Headcanons

Elide

💧✨❤️‍🔥Solstice Confessions (Elide x Reader)

Poly Fics

✨Protective Instincts (Rowaelin x Reader)

✨Puppy Love (Rowaelin x Reader)

✨Get Clean (Rowaelin x Reader)

✨Better Mood (Manorian x Reader)

💧✨❤️‍🔥Attention, Please (Manon x Reader x Asterin)

✨ Cold Hands, Warm Heart (Manon x Reader x Asterin)

✨Any Excuse (Asterin x Reader x Sorrel)

✨Lucky Me (Asterin x Reader x Vesta)

✨We Have Now (Elorcan x Reader)

💧Meant to Be (dark!Manorian x Reader)

↳ Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

the beautiful dividers on my blog are by saradika-graphics

[aurana-i]

One thing to know about me is :

I wholeheartedly love Feysand with burning passion for years now. I’m their number one defender. They are the best book couple out there for me. Not even Rowaelin can compare to them. I’ve heard Poppy and Casteel are superior but I still haven’t read FBAA so I can’t judge.

But Elriel have such a potential to top any couple… Choosing LOVE over MATING BOND? The angst? The longing? The sleepless nights? The forbidden love? The politics? The spymaster and the seer? The secret meetings? JEALOUSY ? Two introverts finding peace in each other? Healing each other? LIFE AND DEATH/ LIGHT AND DARK AESTHETICS? THE BOY WHO HAS NEVER BEEN CHOSEN AND THE GIRL WHO HAS NEVER GOT TO CHOOSE? BOTH CHOOSING EACH OTHER? Omg 😭❤️‍🩹

Sign me tf up 🙂‍↕️ I need these like I need air to breathe.

Sarah (but mostly your editors) please don’t fumble this 🙏🏻

[delulu-is-the-soluluh]

Scars of Flames and Wind | Chap 1

Previous Chap: Prologue

Next Chap

A Dark!Rowaelin x afab!Reader

(Temporary) Summary:  Aelin and Y/N shared a deep bond since childhood, growing up together in the royal courts of Terrasen as their innocent crushes hinted at a future romance. However, the invasion of Adarlan shattered their world. Aelin was forced to become Celaena, while Y/N stayed behind, joining the rebellion and becoming their most lethal spy, never ceasing to look for the princess. That is until she accidentally meets with a famous assassin who’s eyes she knows for so long.

Author's note: This chapter is set one month before the events of AB.

Warnings: death, bar fight, daggers, mediocre writing.

Chapter 1 | Echos of the past

y/n pov:

After that fateful night, King Orlon and his court were slaughtered. Princess Aelin was presumed dead a few days later, as survival from her fall into the Florine River seemed implausible. The once vibrant magic of the land vanished entirely as Adarlan declared Terrasen under their dominion and the land was marred by despair; hundreds went missing, and thousands perished. Countless faes lost their minds without their magic, poverty gripped the families who had relied on their abilities for sustenance and hundreds were now trapped in their animal forms, gradually forgetting their true selves. 

For eight long years, Aedion had to rise through the ranks of Adarlan’s army, gaining their trust, securing a position of power, orchestrating battles, and inflating body counts. All this to aid the rebels hiding in the Staghorn mountains. I trained as a soldier, after relentless begging for Aedion and Darrow. Soon, I proved myself as a military strategist and a well trusted spy, with “lethal combat skills despite being human” to Darrow’s headache and “a specialty on being annoying” according to Aedion.

All this to find her. 

We often bluffed about her being alive to give hope to the rebels. And even if it was a dangerous gamble, it helped to ignite the spark of resistance. But I have never believed otherwise. Some part of me was certain that she was alive, that she’s surviving in her own way. Darrow often called me delusional and I often blamed him for his lack of will on tracking her. And even when Aedion tried to dissuade me, I couldn’t stop searching for clues. Looking for a familiar face in every woman I know. She could have changed her entire appearance, but you can’t hide those eyes. Those turquoise eyes with golden hues.. 

And working as a spy for them had me traveling around the continent: gathering information about the court, to recruit more allies, leaving favors to use in the future, tracking some groups to see if they’re doing any improvement, and to...seize threats, whenever needed. 

Sometimes I wonder if she would feel disgusted of me, of Aedion, after so much blood in our hands. Some of them were innocent who accidentally got involved.. Just thinking that she might be repulsed by this path I took, terrifies me.

I just never thought my path would lead me to the most hideous and filthy part of Rifthold. 

The smell of waste and sewage burned my nose, making my eyes water. Not even the night or the salt air could mask that stench. Each step through the narrow alleys and dimly lit streets painted a picture of despair and disgust.

I pulled my hood lower, trying to blend into the shadows as I navigated through the labyrinth of decay. The muffled clamor of a filthy bar nearby reminded me of my goal. The distant shouts, the clinking of bottles, the occasional scurrying of rats through the streets... Fuck this was disgusting, with all the blood money this kingdom has, I expect them to afford a little bit of soap or something. 

Finally, I reached the abandoned house, the wood rotting and the stones cracked as I entered. Hunter and Louis were already there, their faces tense in the dim light. Hunter was pacing while Louis leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

“So,” I greeted, pulling down my hood. “Any news?”

Hunter stopped pacing and looked at me, relief flickering across his face when he saw me. “Someone is trying to ditch us.”

I winded my eyes slightly in alert waiting for to continue  but it was Louis, who pushes off the wall and nodded “One from the Finn’s group got caught by the guards talking to Lady Balanchine and was.. bribed by to be their informant on us” 

“Bribed as beaten up, huh?” He nodded as I furrowed my brows “And Archer thinks the little fella knows about our contact on Eyllwe and wants her gone?

Louis went quiet as Hunter sighed “We just want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Having a royalty in the castle will be more efficient than a healer”

He was right. Sorscha has been doing a great job, but if we get a princess in there..

I bit my cheek in annoyance “And deciding, alone, to kill off the problem, will solve everything? Without giving a flying damn about how this will affect the other’s trust in the rebellion?” 

Louis walked to me, handing me a dagger “Just make it look like a bar fight.” He shrugged his shoulders “Nicky was always volatile anyway.” 

I looked at him in disbelief. What kind of people Archer has been recruiting? How can he be so nonchalant with this?

“It’s a life, Louis. A person. And, yes, she fucked up and I agree on this” I said pointing to the dagger with my head “but pull this shit and again I’ll show how volatile I can be.” I said, grabbing the bladed weapon and adding into my sheath. “Anything else?”

“It’s said Celaena Sardothien is around” Louis said walking past me

“Ah, the Adarlans Assassin” I smirked as I fixed hair into my hood. “She’s quite famous isn’t she? Love her style. Gotta be lucky to stumble on her, though.”

“I’m serious YN. She didn't get this title by nothing. She’s deadly, and if you get hurt, Aedion will kill me” Hunter said in annoyance.

I rolled my eyes, a smirk tugging at my lips. “I’m perfectly capable of surviving,” I said, striding to the table and grabbing a bag of coins. “Sardothien or not.”

Hunter sighed, his eyes serious as they met mine. “Y/N, this isn’t just about your survival. If Nicky says anything about this princess being involved, it could jeopardize everything we’ve worked for. We need solid intel, and we need it without drawing attention.”

I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. “I get it, Hunter. But we’ve handled tough situations before. We’ll get through this too.”

Louis crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “Just remember, if you encounter Sardothien, avoid her. Gather information and get out. She’s lethal, and we don’t need unnecessary risks.”

Adjusting my leather vambraces, I tightened the straps of my boots and pulled my hood lower over my face. My garments were dark and form-fitting, designed for stealth and quick movement. “Yeah, Got it. In and out, no heroics,” I said, my tone light but my resolve firm.

Hunter placed a hand on my shoulder, a rare gesture of camaraderie. “Be safe, Okay? I like breathing but I would be sad to lose a colleague” he smiled softly

I returned the smile and gave him a nod, “I’ll be back before you know it,” I promised, slipping out of the building.

The bar was as dirty as I had anticipated. The stench of stale beer and unwashed bodies permeated the air, and the floor was sticky with fluids that I really don’t want to know what they were. My eyes scanned the room, seeking out for Nicky: Beaten up women, brunette, medium height, and a scarface. Easy target.

I located her by the final table on my right, defeatedly drinking her beer. Poor thing, already knows what to wait for. I bit my lip, thinking how I could rile up this place towards her. Maybe stealing drinks on her behalf or bluffing to the bartender that she caused me a huge default and would do the same here.. it wouldn’t be suspicious if she ended up stabbed. 

I was about to put my plan into action when my attention was drawn to a commotion at a table with five drunken men and women,who were dressed entirely in black, masked and hooded, standing out among them. They were accusing her of cheating at their card game,their voices grew louder as I stood from afar.

 Perhaps I won’t be the one to rage up the bar, then.

"You think you can just waltz in here and cheat us?" a burly man with a scruffy beard shouted, his face flushed with alcohol and rage. "We don't take kindly to thieves!"

The woman, her masked face revealing nothing but the level of her eyes, remained calm and collected. She leaned back in her chair in feline grace, crossing her arms over her chest. "I didn’t cheat. You’re just upset because I’m winning," she replied coolly, her voice carrying an overly sweet edge.

A second man, tall and lanky with a sneer plastered on his face, slammed his fist on the table. "Don’t lie to us! We saw you slip that card from your sleeve!"

The woman's eyes narrowed, and she stood up slowly, her movements controlled and deliberate. "I don’t need to cheat to beat you," she said, her voice dripping with contempt as she leaned onto the table. "But if you want to make a scene, be my guest."

The tension at the table was palpable, drawing the attention of the entire bar. I leaned back against the counter, smirking in awe, my plan momentarily forgotten, as I watched as the situation escalated. Damn, she was looking for ‘fun’ tonight. 

"Enough of this!" the burly man growled, reaching out to grab her arm. But she was faster. With a swift movement, she twisted his arm behind his back and shoved him face-first into the table. The impact sent cards and drinks flying, and the bar erupted into chaos. The tall man lunged at her, but she sidestepped gracefully, delivering a sharp kick to his midsection that sent him crashing into a nearby patron. 

Another one, bald with full beard, likely a regular at the bar, staggered towards her with a determined yet unsteady gait. The idiot raised his fists, clearly intent on joining the fray. But the woman barely seemed to notice him. With a flicker of disdain, she sidestepped his wild, clumsy swings, delivering a swift, expertly placed jab to his ribs. He crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath, utterly outmatched. It only added to the mesmerizing display of her skill and power, deepening my fascination with her.

There was a primal elegance, a wild, untamed energy on her that seemed to ignite something deep within me. It was quite hypnotic as if she was dancing on the edge of a knife. Admiration mingled with a hint of something darker, that thrilled me as much as it intrigued me.

The masked woman smirked beneath her hood. "Come on, guys, this is too easy. What does it take for someone to have fun here," she taunted, her confidence unwavering, her blue eyes gleaming with savagery and rage. Blue eyes that seemed..

A bottle was thrown and smashed above my head, quickly bringing me out of trance.

The fight erupted into a full-blown brawl, as I shook my head to ground myself and seized the opportunity to move through the chaos undetected. I crossed the bar avoiding the people who were now fighting among themselves, ducking and dodging bodies and fists, eyes locked on Nicky, who was retreating towards the corner of the bar. Nicky's eyes were fixed on the growing fight, her body tense and ready to slip away unnoticed. 

I moved swiftly, coming up behind her and, with a precise motion, plunged my dagger between her fifth rib. “Sorry about this,” I murmured in her ear, my voice laced with sarcasm and a hint of pity, as I twisted the dagger and pushed even more inside her. “But it’s necessary. We can’t afford any risks.” Nicky’s eyes widened in shock, tears streaming down her face as she looked at me, her mouth forming a silent scream.

I felt my eyes soften a little. No matter how many I kill, this never gets easier. I’ll always remember them. Agreeing or not, won’t change the amount of blood I have in my hands. 

I took the dagger out of her and turned away without looking back. The soft tremor under my boots was the confirmation that she collapsed. The fight was still raging,  with the bar’s patrons, already on edge from too much drink, joined in. bottles flew, chairs were overturned, and the air was filled with the sounds of shouts and breaking glass as walked towards the secondary door 

The bartender still yelled for order,voice drowned out by the cacophony, when someone slammed into me from the side. Instinctively, I shifted my weight, performing a swift maneuver to regain my balance and avoid falling. As I pivoted, I found myself face-to-face with the person who had collided with me.

The masked woman. And her eyes were turquoise and gold. 

Even with smeared black kohl, it was unmistakable.

The world seemed to stop as her eyes widened, as if she recognized me.

Before I could react, she bolted for the door. I sprang to my feet, weaving through the crowd in pursuit. The night air hit me as I burst outside, the woman already disappearing into the shadows. But I won’t let her go, not again. I ran after her, with my heart pounding with the need for answers.

[throneofsapphics]

you're the venom, i'm the serpent prologue

dark poly!rowaelin x reader

summary: with each journal prompt, you couldn't decide if you lost or regained more of you. years dedicated to them, tossed away when you'd had enough. little did you know, Rowan and Aelin have a plan ... but even they can't decide if it's to get you back or make you suffer.

warnings: breakups, emotional turmoil, while this fic is dark and deals with dubious themes, the reader consents to everything that’s happening, which will continue to become clearer through the fic!

a/n: written for day 7 of @polysjmweek

series masterlist // chapter one (coming soon)

When did you realize you'd never mean as much to them as they do to you?

The words lingered on the page of your journal, the one your friends recommended. They said it would help, but right now … all you felt was pain. Pain at ripping open a wound that barely had the chance to close, if at all.

It would be a miracle if you made it through this intact. You were already shattered, like pieces of glass on carpet, hiding and waiting to strike at the right moment. In your pain, you drove away all but a select few who refused to give up on you. Those few would never know how much it meant to you. Thinking of their faces, the cautious hope when you'd accepted your gift, gave you the strength to return to the page.

When did you realize you'd never mean as much to them as they do to you?

Dipping your pen into the ink pot, you tapped off the excess and angled your head. Air leaving your lungs, arm tensing, teeth digging into bottom lip, you let yourself go back there. Pen scratched against paper.

One week earlier.

Rowan paced in front of the fireplace, wallowing in misery of his own creation. Even if it was perhaps the most honest thing he'd said to you in…months.

“We're mates, what did you expect?”

For some reason he hadn't expected your tears, didn't have time to set expectations.

“Thank you,” you'd said, tears running silently down your cheeks. He thought you looked beautiful like that, in a tragic way.

“Why?” He responded flatly.

Mouth pursed, as if you might regret the words that came next. Rowan wished you would, at least he'd know you're saying how you truly feel then.

“I know now,” your hand twitched, “that I'll never mean as much to you as you do to me. I always saw us as equals,” you sucked in the word like venom seeping into your veins, as if he was the serpent who'd struck sure, “but I won't stand here and beg for you. You can tell Aelin what happened.”

“Aelin would agree with me,” the words were instinctive but uncertain. He was treading in waters he'd hoped to never cross, but knew he always would one day.

You wiped your cheeks with the back of your hands.

Closing the book, you let tears drip down your cheeks, wetting the leather cover. Not a particularly emoting volume, but the ending got you. Rowan was there in an instant, as if he'd scented the salt of your tears on the winds he carried with him. Moving the book to the side, he gripped your chin with one hand, the back of his other wiping away the tears. He pressed a kiss on the tracks left behind.

“I don't like seeing you cry, beautiful,” he murmured.

“It's just a book,” you sighed, laughing softly as he eyed the book like he wanted to rip it and its author to pieces for hurting you. “Aelin wouldn't appreciate that, it's hers.” The look in his eyes softened at her name.

The six feet between you suddenly seemed like miles. Rowan was stuck in a vacuum as your lips moved, relaying the final blow he may or may not recall later. He would always recall the pain that struck right into his soul, that brought him to his knees as he watched your hand close around the doorknob, heard it snick shut softly. You'd snuck into their lives, a soft and gentle calm, a summer wave, and left as a hurricane, destruction and chaos in your path.

Aelin found him, still on his knees, gaze fixed on the gods-damned door handle.

He was aware of her kneeling before him, of her taking his cheeks in her hands.

“What happened my love?” The words were a distant whisper.

Aelin's forehead pressed against his, turquoise and gold eyes digging into his own with a startling intensity. “What happened?” She repeated, more forcefully this time, fingertips digging into his cheeks, the soft hint of heat bringing him back to the present.

“She left,” he all but whispered, words leaving with the last of the air from his lungs as he crumpled. His fist hit the carpet. “She fucking left.”

“Who?” Aelin asked. He didn't answer. She knew.

He watched, eyes glazed, as she whirled towards the door, eyes on the doorknob. It had been polished just this morning, but now bore a smudge from clammy fingers wrapped around it, a slight streak where your fingers had slipped. In his delusion, Rowan thought you'd faltered, that there was a chance to fix this. He clung to the sign, burying it deep inside of him.

[leiawritesstories]

Horsey

Rowaelin Month 2024, Day 5: Birthdays @rowaelinscourt

Word count: 954

Warnings: so so SO much fluff teehee

inspired by the work of @sassyhobbits. i could not resist. enjoy!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Where’s the birthday girl?” Aelin crooned, pretending not to notice the big purple bow that bobbed behind Lorcan’s leg. 

“I right here!” The giddy exclamation was coupled with a blur of purple silk and dark curls as newly five-year-old Marion Salvaterre Lochan launched herself into her auntie’s arms. “Hi Auntie!” 

Aelin beamed and hugged her niece. “Happy birthday, Mari darling! Are you having the best day and eating all the yummy cake?” Marion nodded excitedly, clapping her little hands. She was a perfect image of her mother, but she had Lorcan’s sharp dark eyes. 

“Auntie Lyssie gave me pretty bwace-wet!” The small girl proudly held out her right arm. “See?” 

“Ooh, yes, very pretty.” Aelin kissed the top of Marion’s head. “Alright, honey, why don’t you go find your da? I think he’s looking for you again, birthday girl.” 

“Okay!” Marion ran over to Lorcan, her little purple silk shoes pattering on the tile of the Lochan manor’s sunlit ballroom. “Hi Dada!” Lorcan lifted his daughter into his arms, whispering something that was probably disgustingly sweet into her ear. Aelin chose not to let her Fae ears pick it up. 

Elide crossed the room and stopped to kiss her girl’s rosy cheeks before she came to Aelin. “Thank you so much for being here,” she said, beaming. “I know you’re terribly busy with running a kingdom.” 

“She has people for that,” Rowan murmured, just loud enough for them to hear. Aelin swatted his chest, sending him a long-suffering look. 

So uncivilized.

He smirked. That’s why I don’t take on court duties.

Maybe I should have commanded you to keep an eye on things while I went to my beautiful niece’s birthday celebration. 

And spent half the treasury on gifts? I think not. He dodged the elbow she angled at his ribs. Ah-ah, love. I know the way you move.

She gave him a saccharine smile. As do I, buzzard, she all but purred. 

Elide sighed loudly. “Will the two of you stop flirting with each other right in front of everyone’s poor eyes? It’s bad enough how disgustingly in love you are already.” 

“Says the woman whose husband willingly gave up five hundred years of warrior high life to play housemaid and change diapers,” Aelin returned, winking at her dear friend. 

The petite woman snorted. “Lorcan knows damn well he’s better off here than he ever would be whacking himself off in some army tent.” 

“Godsdamned right I do.” Lorcan covered Marion’s eyes and bent nearly in half to kiss his wife. 

Aelin groaned and covered her own eyes. “Gods above.” She tugged subtly on the blood oath before Lorcan could show her a vulgar gesture. “Now now, Salvaterre, there are children present.” At her side, Rowan snickered, amused at Lorcan’s grumpiness. 

“Why don’t we give our favorite niece her birthday present?” he suggested, smoothing over the situation before either Lorcan or Aelin could pester the other. 

Marion clapped and exclaimed her excitement. “Yes yes yes! I wanna present, Unc’a Ro!” 

Rowan laughed. “Alright, Mari. Should we go outside? I think there might be something out there for you.”

Led by Aelin, and with Marion still sitting comfortably in her father’s arms, the handful of them went out into the courtyard, where a small, intricately worked wooden trunk sat on the stones. Marion gasped and squirmed, and when Lorcan set her down, she ran over to the box and opened it up. Her dark eyes went huge with wonder, and she lifted a length of lavender silk and gauze out. 

“It’s a pretty dress!” she screeched, jumping excitedly. “Yay!” She brought the dress to her mother, who laid it carefully over one arm, and sprinted for her aunt and uncle, who showered her with hugs and kisses before letting her go back to her favorite spot in Lorcan’s arms. 

“There’s one more little present,” Aelin said, winking at Marion. 

The small girl’s eyes grew even wider. “Really?” 

“Really.” Aelin grinned conspiratorially. “Let’s go around the corner, shall we?” They walked towards the stables, and Rowan’s confusion crowded her mind. 

What did you get her, Aelin?

Something she’ll be able to love for a very long time.

That…is not very descriptive.

Of course not. She chuckled at his confusion and grandly slid the stable doors open. “Happy birthday, my little love!” All the sets of eyes peered into the stable, and shock bolted like lightning through everyone except the queen of Terrasen. 

Because there was an Asterion standing in the Lochan stables. 

Elide turned slowly towards Aelin. “Did you…No, you most certainly did not. I’m dreaming.” 

“Did you seriously get our daughter an Asterion?” Disbelieving, Lorcan asked the question Elide couldn’t vocalize. 

“She said she wanted a pony!” Aelin shrugged. “The royal stables have been taking wonderful care of our Asterions, and this young mare is three years old, fully trained, and probably the sweetest and most evenly tempered Asterion you could ask for.” 

“HORSEY!!!” Marion squealed, instantly in love with her birthday gift from Auntie Aelin. 

The simple, childish, gleeful declaration made the situation seem simple. Despite Rowan’s look that screamed we will be discussing this later, even he applauded when Lorcan set Marion astride the back of the young Asterion mare, which didn’t so much as twitch at the feeling of a passenger. She was so ecstatic that Elide just shook her head as she hugged Aelin. 

“You are far too extravagant, but we love you,” she whispered. “Thank you.” 

“Anything for my favorite and only niece.” Aelin had a soft, faraway look in her eyes as she watched Marion gently pat the horse’s mane, dreaming of the day one of her own children might do the same thing. “We love you too.”

~~~

Tags:

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@superspiritfestival

@thegreyj

@wordsafterhours

@elentiyawhitethorn

@mariaofdoranelle

@rowanaelinn

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@tomtenadia

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@fauna-flora11

@cynthiesjmxazrielslover

[oristian]

Your wilful misrepresentation of Elriel theories is always astounding to witness.

Sarah J Maas confirmed on Twitter during an #ACOTARparty interview that having two mates is, in fact, possible. Some infer that she was talking about Rowan/Aelin/Lyria here, but she never said that, and that is never confirmed.

But, speaking of Rowan/Aelin/Lyria, everyone knows that yes, Rowan and Lyria’s mating bond was a sham. But that’s because everyone has finished the series. Before Kingdom of Ash was released, for MULTIPLE books, it was canon that Rowan already had a mate (Lyria). There was no indication—until many books later—that Rowan and Lyria’s mating bond was actually fake.

This means that if you were a reader in 2014 who picked up on the chemistry between Aelin and Rowan in the newly released Heir of Fire, your ship was cast aside by many, because “Rowan already had a mate.” As such, Rowaelin shippers instead believed that Rowan and Aelin would be together without a mating bond, that they would fall in love no matter what fate dictates.

Does that not sound familiar to you?

Of course, years later, Kingdom of Ash was released, and what was once canon, changed. Rowan’s mating bond with Lyria was revealed to be fake, and Rowan’s true mate was revealed to be Aelin.

This is the crux of Elriel theories pertaining to this: what was once canon, can change. That Elain and Lucien’s mating bond may seem real in canon now, but that. can. change.

Just as it did for Rowan and Lyria.

The common rebuttal to this is “well, Lucien felt the tug of the mating bond!” You don’t think Rowan felt intrinsic, biological signs that Lyria was his mate as well? Maeve tricked him using her dark magic, but to him, it still felt 100% real.

But, most of all, you’re missing the key evidence around all of this, and no surprise you left this information out. In Kingdom of Ash, when Rowan was reflecting on his mating bond with Lyria, and how in hindsight, there were always signs that they weren’t real mates, this is what he said:

“He'd come to love Lyria--that had been true. And the guilt of it ate him alive whenever he thought of it, but he could understand now. Why Lyria had been so frightened of him for those initial months, why it had been so damn hard to court her, even with that mating bond, its truth unknown to Lyria as well. She had been gentle, and quiet, and kind. A different sort of strength, yes, but not what he might have chosen for himself.”

Lyria was FRIGHTENED of Rowan. She was “so damn hard to court.”

This is EXACTLY like Lucien and Elain.

Rowan then referring to Lyria as “a different sort of strength” is also what is said about Elain, and Lucien even compares Elain and Jesminda (who we know he was canonically in love with) and how they are so different.

Best of all? This information was revealed in KOA in 2018.

ACOWAR, where we see Elain frightened of Lucien and the mating bond, where she was so dammed hard to court… was released the year prior, 2017.

For a group of shippers who love their parallels, it’s interesting to deny this one!

Give me a single reason as to why the Elain and Lucien bond would need to have been fake and I will consider your theory. However, that has yet to happen. All that I have heard from others is that the bond is faked and Elain has a real bond with Azriel—there has never been sufficient evidence, nor has there been a reason enough that makes sense narratively. You guys always think that you have pulled one over us, but that has never been the case.

Lyria was more than likely frightened by Rowan because he is not necessarily easy to get along with. He’s this tall, buff man, who is a seasoned warrior. Their personalities clashed and they, unlike Elain and Lucien, were trying to make this bond work. Lyria and Rowan were not compatible, hence why it was so awkward and uncomfortable. Elain and Lucien are compatible and share many personality traits and hobbies/interests. The difference? Lucien is not imposing himself on Elain and no courting has begun yet. I implore you to add context when you provide a quote next time.

Canon can always change, which is something we say often. Such as Feyre seemingly supporting Elriel in the third book, only to change her mind in the novella. However, per my previous post questioning the theory that Elain has two mates, that creates a major plot hole. Everyone, in turn, would have two mates. How could that be? Will Feyre and Rhys find out that there is actually someone else out there for both of them? Was Tamlin actually Feyre’s first mate and then Rhys swooped in? Why would the bond not have snapped/been observed between Azriel and Elain once he was healed? How did the Feysand bond snap if Feyre died UTM?

Sarah, in the Tweet, was most likely referring to Rowan and Aelin with the Lyria subplot. Again, no second bond that actually exists, just magic. Humoring you for a second, who would have been strong enough to cast such a spell on both Elain and Lucien? Hybern? Died, so that would have severed the spell. Rhysand? Feyre would have never forgiven him and that would completely ruin them. Lucien? Feyre was in his head and she had released Helion’s Spell-Cleaving in Hybern. Koschei? If Koschei could use magic such as that all the way from his lake, that would have been known in ACOSF.

There is nothing at stake that would warrant and require Elain to have a fake mating bond. It worked for ToG because Maeve planned such a thing before Aelin was even born, all because she needed to break Rowan and get the Wyrdkeys from Aelin—there was a motive. There is no motive in ACOTAR. On top of that, and some people really need to hear this, Elain’s story is not more important than Feyre’s story. Elriel, if it were to become canon, would not be more important than Feysand.

Sometimes, and I know that this may be shocking, things are spelled out enough where it’s easily understandable with no ulterior motive. Elain and Lucien are pronounced mates because they are. People simply do not want to believe it because they so desperately want their ship to be fated mates, or tied together by fate in some way. Azriel’s mate is more than likely Gwyn, anyways. There would be no reason for a fake bond, especially not this late in the series.

All of that explored in one single book? So, the Elriel book would have silence and no banter, Elain getting to know Lucien enough to reject him (meaning she’s spending a lot of alone time with him), Elain somehow training to be a spy, Elain and Azriel still avoiding each other (and how will that resolve if they don’t speak to one another?), Elain also training her Seer powers, somehow dealing with Koschei, Elain somehow getting both the Trove and Gwydion from Nesta (I’m sure that will go over well), Elain somehow being involved with the Prison and Illyria plots, Azriel and Elain somehow having quiet smut since they don’t need to talk, Elain rejecting Lucien, Elain and Azriel somehow having a secret wedding where Gwyn officiates and no one is invited (that totally sounds like Elain!), Rosehall and Azriel’s mother, Elain somehow becoming a Worldwalker (?) or an Oracle (?), more quiet smut, Elain somehow reviving Dusk and becoming High Lady, something with the Cauldron, Elain and Azriel realizing for no reason whatsoever that they are true mates and then Elain giving her blessing to Lucien to be with Vassa. Sounds like Elain will do it all! Shame she only gets one book. Shame Azriel gets almost no plot in that book.

EDIT — Why would Sarah redo one of her most popular reveals/plot twists? That wouldn’t make any sense at all.

[acourtofquestions]

Overhead, the stars shone clear and bright, and though Mala had only once appeared to him at dawn, on the foothills across this very city, though she might be little more than a strange, mighty being from another world, he offered up a prayer anyway.

Then, he had begged Mala to protect Aelin from Maeve when they entered Doranelle, to give her strength and guidance, and to let her walk out alive. Then, he had begged Mala to let him remain with Aelin, the woman he loved. The goddess had been little more than a sunbeam in the rising dawn, and yet he had felt her smile at him.

Tonight, with only the cold fire of the stars for company, he begged her once more.

A curl of wind sent his prayer drifting to those stars, to the waxing moon silvering the camp, the river, the mountains.

He had killed his way across the world; he had gone to war and back more times than he cared to remember. And despite it all, despite the rage and despair and ice he'd wrapped around his heart, he'd still found Aelin. Every horizon he'd gazed toward, unable and unwilling to rest during those centuries, every mountain and ocean he'd seen and wondered what lay beyond... It had been her. It had been Aelin, the silent call of the mating bond driving him, even when he could not feel it.

They'd walked this dark path together back to the light. He would not let the road end here.