#Elain is complex and dynamic

[viridianevergarden]

“Elain is weak”

“Elain is plain”

“Elain is boring”

“Elain has no personality”

Really? I’m convinced that people either glaze over the page any time Elain’s name is mentioned or they completely forget out of their own ignorance and convenience.

(This is long so read at your own peril, mainly a lot of receipts from the books for proof)

This is where the internalized misogyny really becomes externalized at this point.

I mean- Elain is the epitome of the common woman at the moment. Of course she’s not some battle hardened warrior. Of course she’s not some head strong fighter that actively goes into the face of danger to save the day as a hero.

She’s a woman who wants a normal life, or at least, the most normal she can have it.

She wants to love and be loved by someone of her choosing. Thats normal.

She enjoys more “feminine” hobbies or activities. Thats normal.

She helps the people of velaris by acts of service. Thats normal.

She wants to help her family any way she can.

She is normal.

Normal is good. Normal is relatable.

I think that some people’s brains have been plagued by the case of “every female main character should be a strong warrior” disease and hate Elain because she doesn’t currently fit into that mold. Thus she’s deemed uninteresting.

They want another Feyre or Nesta copy out of her. They want her to wield a sword and have the power to dominate whole territories and rule a court or two. Yet Elain doesn’t want that.

But even then Elain isn’t weak. She’s not boring. Elain has a voice.

Every rose has its thorns to protect itself.

Here’s a few big examples:

ACoTaR, ch. 40

Context: The queens just left the sisters’ manor after their first negotiation.

And it was Elain—Elain—who sighed and murmured, “I hope they all burn in hell.”

Omg she cussed. Elain showing outward hatred and opening her mouth about it? That’s new.

ACoWaR, ch. 21

Context: About tracking the cauldron, Elain claimed she will find it if Nesta cannot. Nesta protested immediately.

“Why?” Elain demanded. “Shall I tend to my little garden forever?” When Nesta flinched, Elain said, “You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”

Elain cut in sharply, “I am not a child to be fought over.”

Elain finally bearing her fangs to Nesta? Nesta flinched at her words.

ACoWaR, ch. 74

Context: during the war, Elain saved Nesta and Cassian’s life from the King.

Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

Weak huh? I mean if she was weak, I don’t think she would’ve wielded the blade. Let alone step out of a shadow with it. Yet she had the courage and will to do so. (She will protect what she holds dear even if it means she has to kill for it, even if she doesn’t like spilling blood or causing harm).

ACoFaS, ch. 18

Context: Feyre talking Elain about Lucien, Elain standing her ground on her decision.

Those doe-brown eyes turned toward me. Sharper than I’d ever seen them. “And that entitles him to my time, my affections?”

“He doesn’t know me.”

Her mouth tightened, the only sign of anger in her graceful countenance. “I don’t want a mate. I don’t want a male.”

She has boundaries and she sticks by them. What a surprise. Using her voice.

ACoFaS, ch. 58

Context: Nesta finally came to solstice on her own accord per Cassian’s request. Elain greeted her and pleaded that Nesta does not upset Feyre since it’s her birthday. Nesta cussed Elain out without a thought.

And then Elain burst out laughing. Howling, half-sobbing laughs that sent her bending over at the waist, gasping for breath.

Elain held up a hand, wiping her eyes with the other. “You’ve never said such a thing to me!” She laughed again.

Elain being elated that Nesta had the balls to cuss her out? To be mean to her? Must’ve been a breath of fresh air from the suffocating overprotection. If anything, I’d feel intimidated that she laughed. Confused like Nesta. Elain has never laughed like this before.

ACoSF, ch. 76

Context: Feyre on her death bed during childbirth.

And when Elain began praying to the Fae’s foreign gods, to their Mother, Nesta bowed her head, too.

Elain was desperate enough to pray to The Mother and the Fae gods for help. For comfort. Shows some semblance of development in her journey of acceptance of her new life. (I don’t know why people think she refuses to accept her new life, the NC is her home)

ACoSF, Azriel’s Bonus Chapter

Context: Solstice night, Elain gifts Azriel earplugs with a humorous meaning.

Azriel unwrapped the box, glancing at the card that merely said, You might find these useful at the House these days, and then opened the lid.

Elain’s mouth twitched into a smile. "Nesta wouldn't appreciate the joke.”

Elain has the humor for making sex jokes lol.

• • •

I could continue adding more but I think you get the point now.

I don’t want her to be like Feyre.

I don’t want her to be like Nesta.

Elain has a voice and she has used it time and again.

She has plenty of character and I’m sorry if you don’t like it. She’s shown hatred, assertiveness, compassion, elation, acceptance, and humor throughout the series.

Just because she’s soft spoken and less combative than her sisters doesn’t make her any less than them.

No one can make you like a character except yourself. However, if you’re going to bash a complex character and say there’s no sustenance to her when she’s been shown to have obvious development and presence, then that’s an issue lol.

She’s a very fleshed out character and we haven’t even gotten to her story yet.

Even without military or magical prowess like her sisters, Elain has personality and I find that a lot of people including myself can definitely relate to her.

SJM merely set the stage for Elain.

All she needs to do is begin her Act.

[bloomingdarkgarden]

Grotesquely ready for Elain Cestrum nocturnum Archeron who reeks of night blooming jasmine to enter her moonlit poisonous plant growing phase, whispering secrets from the void barefoot beneath a sea of stars.

[nikethestatue]

Reason number 94833575827 why Elriel and Nessian were always meant to be, and that once SJM started to write ACOMAF both couples were set in stone. Yes, that means no Moriel, no Mossian, and Nescien and no Elucien.

How do we know? Simple. The first Archeron sisters and bat boys meeting.

Because...why were the bat boys even there?

if not to meet their future mates?

Let's break it down, shall we?

When Rhys first brought Feyre to the Moon Palace, when she was still nearly human and pretty terrified, who did he invite over?

Mor.

Bubbly. FEMALE. Kind. Friendly. Non-threatening.

Wouldn't it have made much more sense to bring Mor to the meeting with the sisters? She is still Rhysand's third, she is a female, she is a warrior, she winnows, and she has all kinds of magical magic.

Instead, Rhysand (SJM) goes for total overkill. Why in the world did he need to bring not one, but two enormous warriors with him? What was the point of them at that meeting? None. They are huge, intimidating, maybe even terrifying, and not exactly known for their letter writing abilities. Rhys didn't need THAT much protection, even from any rogue elements from Prythian. He managed to handle the Attor quite well himself.

So, he drags these two huge Illyrian warriors to the human lands, to meet two human girls. Why? All they did was eat some dry human chicken, bickered, and left.

If Mor was there, wouldn't she have made everyone much more relaxed? She would've joked and laughed and teased. She was already friends with Feyre, so the sisters would've felt much more comfortable with her rather than two Illyrian-leather clad warriors.

But Mor wasn't there. The bat boys came instead. To meet their girls. To meet their future mates. And the dynamic for both couples was set right from that meeting. Nesta' and Cassian, both abrasive and bickering, two warriors egging each other on, their attraction raw and sexual. And Elain and Azriel, calm and quiet, seeking comfort in each other, polite, well-mannered, their attraction already wrought with complexities, but also undeniable.

Nine years later, people are still arguing about this. Yet everything was clearly set up during that first fateful meeting.

[callsigns-haze]

His darkness, my flame: The start

Azriel and YN ended things for good. Things that happened during her release may have been bad: Azriels lies were worse. Now he lies with another she is alone at night with her son until someone breaks into her home sweet home.

Pairing: Ex!Azriel x reader....Eris x reader

This series contains mature themes: Explicit depictions of violence, including physical and emotional. Themes of secrecy. Descriptions of difficult relationships, including strained familial and romantic dynamics. Mature sexual content. Themes of power, control, and manipulation within complex interpersonal relationships. Discussions of parenthood and the challenges associated with it, including postpartum experiences

Plays as a sequel of my series His Shadow or as a own fic!

The night enveloped YN in a shroud of darkness, the only sound being the occasional rustle of leaves outside her cabin in the mountain forest. The faint glow of the moon filtered through the window, casting a silvery light that danced across her room. She stirred from a restless sleep, her eyes fluttering open to the digital clock on her bedside table that glowed ominously in the stillness—2:37 AM.

A sense of dread washed over her as she turned her head slowly to the side, careful not to disturb the peaceful slumber of her three-year-old son, Knox, who was nestled in the room beside her. The weight of silence pressed against her chest, a reminder of the responsibilities that tethered her to wakefulness.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling the coolness of the sheets where Azriel used to sleep. Now he lies with that stupid high lady's sister Elain. The memories came flooding back—his gentle presence, the way he would wrap her in warmth, the way Knox had once cooed in his arms as a baby. But those days felt distant now, almost like a cruel dream.

Her fingers brushed against the rough wood of the drawer beside her, pulling it open with a soft creak. Inside, she found a small assortment of pills, a mix of painkillers and anxiolytics that she had come to rely on since fleeing the pleasure houses that had once held her captive. Each pill felt like a bittersweet promise of relief, a temporary escape from the haunting memories that lingered, reminding her of the choices she had made. She took a handful, her throat tight as she swallowed them dry, desperate for a moment of calm.

Rising from the bed, she moved quietly through the cabin, each step deliberate as she navigated the shadows. The chill in the air prickled against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the memories that filled her mind. She entered the small kitchen, seeking solace in a glass of water. As she poured the cool liquid, the sound of the stream echoed in the silence, her heart racing as the night seemed to whisper secrets she wasn’t ready to hear.

But then, a soft creak shattered the tranquillity. YN turned sharply, her heart pounding in her chest. In the dim light of the kitchen, a figure sat in one of the chairs, shrouded in darkness. The flickering shadows revealed the glint of a dagger as it twirled effortlessly in the figure’s hands. Panic surged through her, and she instinctively stepped back, her body tense and ready for a fight.

“What do you want?” she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

The figure leaned back, the dagger spinning to a halt in his palm. “We have the same goal,” he replied, his voice smooth, yet laced with an unsettling confidence. “Revenge on the Inner Circle.”

YN narrowed her eyes, her mind racing as she tried to place the voice. “Who are you?” she asked, her breath hitching in her throat.

With a fluid motion, the figure pulled back his hood, revealing sharp features framed by tousled hair and a piercing gaze that seemed to glow even in the shadows. “Eris,” he introduced himself, a smirk playing on his lips. “Son of the Lord of Autumn. You may have heard of me.”

Recognition flickered through YN, a mix of surprise and wariness. “What do you want with me?”

Eris leaned forward, the dagger still glinting in his hand, an unsettling charm emanating from him. “You have a unique perspective on the Inner Circle’s power plays. I believe we could help each other.”

As she stood before him, uncertainty clawed at her heart. The weight of her past decisions and the tangled web of loyalties and betrayals pressed heavily upon her. The night was still young, but in this moment, with a dangerous stranger offering a path toward revenge, YN realized that her life was about to take another unpredictable turn.

A/N: let me know if you'd like to be tagged

[bluiela]

You know what? Seeing some of the Elriels in TikTok comments really reminded me why I’m beyond relieved to not be part of that community. The sheer level of delusion and arrogance they constantly parade around is actually disturbing — and it’s always the same tired, toxic rhetoric:

“Gwynriels ship Gwyn and Az because they hate Elain.” “They just want Lucien to be happy.” “That one influencer brainwashed thousands into seeing something that doesn’t exist.” “Those thousands are just dumb and gullible.”

Do they hear themselves? The sheer irony of acting like their opinion is gospel in a book series that is literally subjective is laughable.

Most of them started shipping Elriel way back in ACOMAF. The same book that ends with Az almost dying and still protecting Mor and Elain being mated to Lucien. There was nothing substantial between Elain and Azriel then — they just latched onto it because it fed into their romantic fantasy. It’s been pure self-insert since day one.

Meanwhile, many Gwynriels were originally Elriels — until we started reading the actual text. We paid attention. We saw what the story was actually showing us. We grew with the narrative, not against it. But Elriels? They’ve been clinging to... potatoes and fantasies that Mor and Azriel have already had and done but better, ignoring canon development.

What’s truly disgusting is the tone — the condescending, cult-like idea that thousands of readers are too stupid to interpret the same pages correctly unless it aligns with the Elriel agenda. That’s not just arrogant — that’s toxic as hell.

It's rooted in superiority complex.

They genuinely think their interpretation is the only one that’s valid. That anyone who sees a different connection — based on the same text — must be an idiot. That’s not confidence in your ship. That’s arrogance masking insecurity. It’s the literary version of “if you don’t agree with me, you’re stupid.” That’s not fandom, that’s fascism.

2. It completely erases subjectivity.

Books, especially character-driven fantasy like ACOTAR, are meant to be interpreted. People relate to different characters and dynamics — that’s the point. But Elriels throw that out the window and label every opposing interpretation as delusional or “influenced.” So basically, they believe readers are incapable of forming their own opinions unless they match theirs. That’s manipulative and condescending as hell.

3. They ignore canon in favor of fantasy.

Most of them started shipping Elriel back in ACOMAF — a book where Azriel is still obsessed with Mor and Elain is literally mated to Lucien. But that didn’t matter to them. They clung to the fantasy of “shy girl x broody boy” and refused to grow with the story. Then Gwyn showed up — with actual, consistent chemistry and emotional development with Azriel — and they lost their minds. Not because it didn’t make sense, but because it threatened their fantasy. That’s not shipping. That’s fanfic delusion overriding canon.

4. They project and self-insert HARD.

A lot of this isn’t even about Elain or Azriel. It’s about readers projecting their own insecurities or fantasies onto Elain. They want to be her. And when someone prefers another character — like Gwyn, who is bold, brave, and actively healing — it feels like a personal attack. So instead of dealing with that discomfort, they lash out and accuse everyone else of “hating Elain” or being “brainwashed.”

Newsflash: Disagreeing with your ship is not hate. Seeing deeper, better-developed dynamics doesn’t mean we’re blind. It means we’re reading the damn books without a self-insert filter.

5. They attack fans, not ships.

I’ve never seen a Gwynriel mock Elriels as people. I’ve seen us disagree with the ship, yes — but the Elriels? They don’t just attack Gwynriel. They attack the fans. Calling us brainwashed, stupid, desperate, sheep. That’s not defending your ship. That’s cult behavior. If your argument only stands when you're insulting thousands of readers, maybe your ship isn't as solid as you think.

So yeah. I’m glad I’m not part of that delusional, toxic mess of a fandom. I’d rather ship something that’s actually supported by character growth and narrative development than sit around worshipping a glorified fanfic pairing from book two and pretending everyone else is insane for evolving past it.

The fact that Gwynriels don't even stoop to their level says everything. We don’t need to attack Elain. We don’t need to scream our ship is “canon” to feel good about it. We’re not insecure.But clearly, they are. And it shows.

[ofbreathandflame-archive]

i think its weird that the story has allll of this time to explore the archeron sister dynamics but never does. there's a good six years of time that goes by before the real rift between the sister starts (when feyre goes hunting). we know that papa archeron favored feyre and elain - why doesn't the story delved into what that may have felt like for nesta to lose her mother and then be placed in a dynamic where she isn't liked anymore. and then to add everything on top, they're poor, they've lost their status, everything that gave nesta value doens't exist anymore. and not only that - she's lost her only source of validation. the kind of cool exploration of jealousy and girlhood. that's a huge shift for all of the girls.

or how does feyre factor into this new dynamic. we can assume that for her formative years, she was neglected or isolated from her sisters. and while that allows freedom, in some sense, it breeds loneliness, and resentment. or even an eagerness to please. exploring how feyre may subconsciously looks for validation through martyrdom would be very interesting. it’s something i felt like was at least present on a surface level. the hunting doesn’t even have to be about love for her sisters, it could have been an aha moment; a moment where feyre realizes how she can establish value for herself in that household. think about it: no one ever saw feyre, no one ever saw her as valuable, it would make sense if the story played into the absurdity of feyre’s hunting. like it makes no sense logically to us as readers, but to feyre as a character it’s the only way she feels she can make her family actually see her. this could even develop into creating the idea that feyre's love language is through acts (which I think is actually something substantiated in the text). if we were to continue onto

and even the 'favoritism' that's shown toward feyre and elain is something to be explored bc its not something the sister's actually 'benefit' from. it just exists. its not like feyre gets extra meals bc papa archeron may like her better, and its not like elain benefits from that dynamic as well. it just obvious he's very offput by nesta - that he viewed nesta oftentimes as a woman instead of a little girl.

and then what happens with nesta, feyre, and elain have to grapple with the ways they’ve been abused.

during feyre’s formative years, she wouldn’t have received the physical abuse and harassment that nesta received from mother and grandmother so her understanding of nesta’s dynamic with their mother would have been more romantic. feyre may associate any type of attention as positive due to the result of her own neglect by her mother. so she would’ve gone on not understanding nesta’s turmoil.

on the flipside nesta would have romanticized feyre’s “freedom.” and grown jealous of the kind of free-spirited person feyre she perceives feyre to be bc of such. there is no fear of not following the rules, of being perfect, of having to sacrifice your happiness for a good match. and while some of this is true for feyre, it’s not necessarily positive. it doesn’t negate that feyre’s neglect was just abuse too. the book could even explore the jealousy nesta feels at not being to be ‘master of her own fate.’ and how her childhood made mental roadblocks that make it hard to just march to the beat of your own drum.

these are conflicts that can (1) still reiterate the theme of abuse and abusive family relationships. (2) this reads into an actual feminist lens in which these women are complex characters dealing with a complex sitituation. the expectation is not that nesta, feyre, and elain remain these morally good paragons of virtuousness.

we have elain - who arguably operates one of the most interesting portions of the sisterly dynamic by being the middle sister. i think that could breed a character that’s much more organically perceptive to the world around her. i even think the story attempts this initially at the end of tar before there was a hard reset in maf. think about it - she’s could be placed in situations that hallmark that gradual loss of self in this dynamic; how does elain feel about the arguments between feyre and nesta? perhaps she follows nesta bc there is jealousy? resentment? or does she envy feyre’s ability to take charge of her own life? i would have it where elain has to grapple with these false perceptions of her sister and how she can find her own spine. we could even argue that maybe the sisters (feyre and nesta) are tangibly holding her back (not just implied) and have the sisters deal with how they contribute to elain's initial lack of a spine.

the story could play it in so many directions. mutual jealousy between all three sisters, all envious of one another bc of how isolated they were to each other. if the story wanted to, it could even still play into the idea of an abusive nesta with this dynamic - flesh out her abuse in ways that still (1) emphasize the tragedy of these women and (2) establish that feyre is a victim in this scenario (see: azula). if the story moved away from moralization and just told a story the existence of an abusive nesta would not be this controversial (considering all of the male leads are kind of abusive). i also think the exploration of a tangibly abusive nesta could factor in a broad thematic discussions around abuse.

[separatist-apologist]

This … Ferye and Lucien have one of the most realistic friendship and relationship in this books especially knowing their foundation. People are always like Ferye is a bad friend to Lucien or Lucien is a bad friend to Ferye but how about they both had moments where they were bad and good to each other, and that’s okay, sometimes friendships are like that but at the base of it you can tell there is no toxicity.

She ate with that friendship and I think she wants to pull it with Nesta and Azriel but I don’t know if it hits as good.

Also don’t quote me but worst friendship being the batboys😭😂 wouldn’t touch that with a ten foot pole. Also Tamlin and Lucien are pretty close seconds. I don’t think SJM knows how to write male friendships. Power dynamics are always off.

Anon you said the one thing I am always privately ranting about this to @the-lonelybarricade. Lucien saying, "you were always a better friend to me than blah blah blah" is not the author stating it as fact, it is a man riddled with self-loathing and his own failures saying that because he is DROWNING!!! IN!!!! HIS!!!!! GUILT!!!!!!! OVER!!!! THINGS!!!! OUTSIDE!!!! HIS!!!! CONTROL!!!!! what is not CLICKING???? In Acomaf we are LITERALLY in his head via Feyre and she EXPLICITLY tells us all this and then all character analysis flies out the window when it's time to use critical thinking.

He is blaming himself for what happened in Hybern and his inability to stop it!!! For not recognizing what, in retrospect, feels like an obvious trap!! SJM is very much all tell, no show, so I'm not sure why this is always gets pulled out of context to prove Lucien was the better friend.

You're exactly right- they both have intensely shitty moments to one another, coupled with FIERCE loyalty. "Lucien is also Feyre's abuser" SHUT UP. "Feyre was worse than anything Lucien did for making fun of the Boe" SHUT UP. Shes JEALOUS. He's also being ABUSED. Its all he KNOWS, his whole life is dodging and managing being abused.

When Lucien thinks Feyre is being held captive against her will, he TRACKS HER DOWN to try and save her. He BEGS her to come home. And when Lucien realizes Feyre is about to destroy spring, he could have done ANTYHING to stop her. Literally ANYTHING. Tamlin trusts him implicitly- Lucien could have warned him. He literally watches her orchestrate these moments and says nothing.

When he wants to go through Summer vs Autumn for good ass reason, and she explains its too dangerous for her in Summer, he takes her into Autumn despite the inherent risk to himself. Feyre delays her own leaving Spring, when she knows the faebane is about to render her ability to winnow inert, because she realizes Lucien isn't able to free himself from Ianthe and needs her help.

They are complex, their friendship fraught and complicated but they love each other deeply. He didn't leave Spring and Tamlin just for Elain- he left for Feyre, too. He doesn't have to do anything for Rhys's court in order to be near Elain, he chooses to because he also loves Feyre.

[ladyefoxy]

I know this is going to be unpopular and maybe even borderline offensive to some people, but honestly, I need to say it: I find the whole Feyre vs Nesta thing so unnecessarily dramatic. Like, exhausting. Maybe it's because I’ve been through a rough period of depression myself and tend to be more pragmatic, but the way people romanticize Feyre's behavior while demonizing Nesta drives me up the wall.

Let’s talk about that period when Nesta was spiraling. She was very clearly pushing everyone away, drinking, isolating herself, refusing help. And everyone—especially Feyre—just kept chasing her down like it was some noble act of sisterly devotion. But here’s the thing: when you’re in that place, when you’re *actually* in that dark mental space, people constantly “checking in” or “trying to help” can be overwhelming as hell. You just want to be left alone. You want silence. And Feyre refusing to accept that—refusing to respect Nesta’s need for space—feels more like it was about *Feyre’s guilt* than Nesta’s well-being

And don’t even get me started on the money situation. If Nesta was such a horrible, selfish leech who used Feyre’s money to drink herself into oblivion, then why not just cut her off? Like truly, cut the cord. Feyre had all the power—if the money was the issue, she could’ve ended that without the endless guilt-tripping. But no. Instead, it’s this loop of “I just wanted to help” and “she wouldn’t let me in” and “she’s destroying herself with *my* money.” It’s this weird martyr complex. It’s performative. If you don’t actually respect the person enough to let them make their own choices, even bad ones, then maybe it’s not really help you’re offering. Maybe it’s control.

And the part that bugs me the most is that Feyre keeps pushing this idea that Nesta is the *problem* in the family. She’s the angry one. The ungrateful one. The one who makes everything difficult. And yet—why does Feyre keep showing up? Why does she keep insisting on being there for someone who’s clearly saying “I don’t want you here”? If my sister genuinely didn’t want me in her life and hated the people I loved and the things I cared about, I wouldn’t keep forcing the relationship. I’d let go. That’s not heartless, that’s healthy. That’s boundaries.

Even Elain, who’s constantly portrayed as soft and sweet, somehow had more emotional intelligence in that situation. She stayed out of it. She didn’t force anything. She just existed quietly and let Nesta be. And honestly, that’s probably the only respectful thing anyone did for Nesta during that time.

And yes, I like Cassian. A lot. But even he was stuck in this loop of “I’m so mad that she’s cruel to me, but I won’t leave her alone.” Dude, if she’s telling you she doesn’t want you, stop trying to provoke her just to get a reaction. Stop expecting her to match your emotional investment when she’s clearly drowning and not interested. That whole dynamic was just a storm of miscommunication and mutual hurt, and still people act like Cassian was this poor man heartbroken by the mean woman who wouldn’t love him back. Come on.

Like I said, I don’t think Nesta is some saint. She’s not. But she’s also not the devil people make her out to be. She was hurt. Angry. Deeply depressed. And she had the right to be. Like her refusal to engage made her cruel. That’s what depression *is*. And calling it “attitude” or “meanness” is not only reductive, it’s dehumanizing.

Sometimes I think about how different all this would feel if they’d just let Nesta be. Let her hit rock bottom if she needed to. Let her rebuild—or not—on her own terms. Maybe that's just the way I see things, being Latina and raised in a culture where when someone cuts you off, you *let them.* You don't chase them down to prove you're the better sibling. You let time speak. You let them come back if and when they're ready. And if they don’t, well—that’s life. if she wanted to kill herself? If she had enough courage to do that, you know?? what the fuck like if you say you've done everything, GO AWAY, FUCK, huh

So no, I don’t hate Feyre. I think she was young, overwhelmed, desperate to hold her family together. But I also think she was immature, and a little self-centered in her need to *be the one who saves.* And that’s okay—she was twenty. Who wasn’t a little dramatic at that age? But it doesn’t make her actions automatically right. And it doesn’t make Nesta automatically wrong.

Not every sibling relationship is meant to survive everything. Not every bond is sacred just because it’s blood. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is *walk away.*

And sometimes? All that drama could’ve been solved with one good fight and a clean break. just two sisters finally being honest, and moving the hell on. or just existing in different lives, what the fuck is it so difficult?

[hrizantemy]

Hm, I've been thinking about the High Lords. When the IC, both in canon and fics, try to justify why they're the only people who should have the trove, or the book of breathings, or that Nesta should trust. How they are the most trustworthy option in all of Prythian/ the only dreamers or people who want a better world. But why? Over, maybe, Beron, I guess. And I they have personal issues (that they share much of the blame for) with Tamlin. But then, there are four other courts. Summer, Winter, Dawn and Day, as candidates, so why not any of them?

Practically speaking, the Day court would be the best candidate. The only reason Feyre broke through the wards in Hybern was because she had borrowed Helion's power. The only one who could, theoretically, break his wards, aside from her, is Rhys (if we take the strongest HL thing at face value) or someone wielding the Cauldron, in which case, Night isn't really any safer. Especially given that they have Helion come to ward the mask anyway, but, his own court probably has more layers of those wards, and perhaps other, more complex ones too, so it'd still be safer.

Summer also kept the book of breathings safe for about five hundred years with no issue until Feysand came along. Something tells me they'll be updating their security after that.

Now, of course, the natural reason is that the Night Court is the home of our main characters (the Archeron sisters) and the ruling body of the NC are their family, which gives them a reason to become involved in politics to being with.

But, that leads to more questions. The main ones, for me, being why aren't there more nuanced HLs.

Beron feels like he's there just to add an inter-court threat, y'know? He's as much of a cardboard cut out villain as Elain and Nesta were in ACOTAR, but more extreme. One of the courts, other than Spring, needs to be hostile to Night so their politics seem more complex than they actually are, while also adding a road block here and there. So they picked a court, and gave it a tyrant as a ruler before calling it a day.

I've mentioned before how good people can be the worst rulers, and bad people can be the best leaders, historically speaking. There's so much complexity and nuance in politics, especially in fantasy and fiction that create wonderfully unique dynamics that I feel are missing in ACOTAR. All of the rulers, barring Beron and Tamlin, are portrayed as good people by the narrative, and even then, in Tamlin's case, that's largely due to the NC's bias and refusal to see their own faults, but point out everyone else's.

There are even other ways to complicate the political situation, making it feel more nuanced and delicate, than adding a single land mine, a couple of relationship dramas, and high key valid concerns that just get brushed under the rug anyway, rendering them moot. Even if the High Lords are mostly good people, creating a complex political situation doesn't mean turning any more of them into villains (if we had even one more Beron, I might scream. They don't need to be obviously evil and well hated to make them bad people/political issues!). Adding personal vendettas going back farther than UTM, or interpersonal relationships would add complexity that would be difficult to navigate.

For example, I've been reading a Manwha called 'I became the Tiger's adopted daughter'. In it, a nation of divine beasts is ruled by four rulers, each governing lands in one of the four cardinal directions, with an absolute ruler that they all answer too. There are also two guys who work in more bureaucratic/judicial positions who have, arguably, equal authority to the four rulers (and maybe the absolute, I can't remember) and essentially uphold the law, and make sure the rulers do their jobs right. The reason this otherwise straightforward system seems to work, is their characters and interpersonal relationships.

The ruler of the Eastern Lands is the tiger, and the fmc's father. He comes off as rather cold, but I think might've had a relationship with the Absolute's younger sister before she died. Because of that, he and the Absolute seem to be on somewhat more casual terms than the other rulers, though she tries to remain impartial (and the judicial/bureaucratic guys are there to make sure she does anyway).

The ruler of the Sourthern Lands is young, and was born a Phoenix, which holds enough cultural importance that her supporters pushed to have the former leader ousted when she was still young, to place her on the throne based on her race of divine animal alone. She's young, doesn't really know how to govern at all, and struggled to look after her lands properly, leading to the divine animals living there suffering under her reign. Her heart is in the right place, though she doesn't take the initiative to learn how to govern properly, and tries to rope one of the judicial guys into walking her through it at every chance. She also demands special consideration for the struggles of her lands, despite it being her responsibility for a while at that point.

The ruler of the Western Lands is a wolf, who often visits other territories (mostly the Eastern lands) because he wants to avoid work. He can do it, he just needs to be forced into it. He's only the ruler temporary, since his brother, the former ruler, died and he needs to step in until his nephew is old enough to take over. He's intuitive, but irritating and somewhat childish (but in a more endearing way than the ruler of the Southern Lands), and dotes on his nephew often. He is knowledgable about his lands and culture, and seems to be ruling effectively, he just complains about it a lot, and comes across as immature and a bit of a slacker.

Finally, the ruler of the Northern lands is a snake who seems to have feelings for the ruler of the East, and sees the fmc (his daughter) as either her road to winning his heart, or an obstacle in her way. She stands up for her lands, but can prove difficult to deal with, given her conditions in negotiations often revolve around finding a way to worm her way into his good graces, or get time alone with him. Sometimes she tries to get into fmc's good graces, thinking that will win her dad over, but she sees through the snake's intentions. It also leaves the fmc distrustful of the snake, and protective of her father when she's around. The ruler of the Northern Lands often shows bias towards the Eastern Lands, likely as a way to win his favour.

All of these interpersonal relationships make the situation in each place complicated to navigate, but very interesting. None of them are evil, or villains, per se (except maybe the snake, idk yet) but can exist in antagonistic roles. The Absolute, especially, needs to be careful not to show too much favour to any given land, but does seem playful and mischievous at times, while others, she leans more towards murderous, if the situation calls for it.

We know how, UTM, Day, Summer and Winter rebelled against Amarantha, and had almost their entire lines wiped out, which is why the ones currently ruling those lands are those who weren't likely to initially have been chosen by the land. They weren't direct relations to their predecessors, but that's mostly, really, mentioned about Tarquin, rather than Kallias and Helion. Expanding on their goals, and lives before they were made into rulers would've been a good way to spice things up. Were the raised to rule as well, or are they completely new? If the latter, then did they take the initiative to learn? When? From who? How do their people feel about those who were, previously, nobles that had a decent blood relation to their royal family, suddenly being in charge? Were there disputes with other courts due to lack of experience, pushback from nobles and bureaucrats, and how well did they assimilate?

I love how, in A Place of Silver Silence, you give the Temple a position of power within Dawn. It adds nuance to it's government, making the situation, and by proxy, Thesan's position more complicated. He can't risk offending or earning the ire of the Temple, but he also has to maintain his own authority. Draw lines in the sand, if you will, so he doesn't turn into their puppet.

It would also affect other courts, who would have to take considerations not to offend the Temple, otherwise it might cause diplomatic or trade issues that even Thesan would struggle to avoid or remedy. It also gives other courts an opening to exploit, the way Rhys exploited the sanctity of a mating bond (in the Temple's eyes) to try and take Nesta.

Expanding on the leadership of each Court in this way also adds another layer of nuance and concern that needs to be taken. It adds layers distrust between Dawn and other courts, due to fear of the Temple's interference, despite Thesan's best intentions. It creates opening for foreign powers to gain influence in Dawn, should they do so through the Temple.

Even in your post discussing the place of the Temple in other Courts, you mentioned the importance of trade in Summer, and how it would matter more to Tarquin than the Temple's desires. This would show that merchants and trade companies would have more influence in Summer's politics than they would in other courts, and given their importance, it would force other courts to exercise more caution when handling Merchants who are from/trade with Summer. If those merchants have enough influence, they could force Tarquin's hand when it comes to certain policies and relations. Merchants also make for good spies, which adds a layer of distrust.

These are the kinds of complex, nuanced political situations that I love. Ones that feel like you're navigating through a maze filled with tripwires and laser alarms, trying to take note of everybody's needs while prioritising your own court's. It's incredible, and I can't wait to see more of it.

This is such a rich and layered analysis, and honestly, one of the most compelling critiques of ACOTAR‘s political structure I’ve read. You’re absolutely right—the IC’s claim to moral and strategic superiority is presented in canon and fandom as an almost given, but when you look at the actual world of Prythian with a critical lens, their logic quickly unravels. The Night Court-centric worldview is inherently flawed—not just in its self-serving bias, but in its disregard for the nuanced political and historical potential of the other courts. And that’s the real tragedy of the series: the potential is there. It’s just never meaningfully explored.

Let’s start with the idea of trustworthiness and power. The Inner Circle consistently claims the moral high ground, often to justify unilateral decisions that affect all of Prythian, such as the control over the Trove or the Book of Breathings. But what’s left unexamined is why they believe themselves the most trustworthy—beyond the fact that they’re the protagonists. This presumption sidesteps any meaningful engagement with the other High Lords, who, while imperfect, have proven themselves in ways the Night Court hasn’t. Helion, as you noted, lent Feyre his power without coercion or posturing. Tarquin kept the Book of Breathings secure for centuries without issue. Kallias’ rebellion cost him his entire court, and yet we’re never given any meaningful insight into how that sacrifice shaped his rule. And then there’s Thesan, who literally houses his kingdom’s version of a theological and bureaucratic watchdog within his court. None of these men are cartoon villains like Beron, nor are they irredeemable or incompetent—but they’re treated as less competent by default.

Your comparison to “I Became the Tiger’s Adopted Daughter” is brilliant. It demonstrates how layered, personality-driven politics can enrich even a straightforward power structure. Prythian could’ve done the same—seven High Lords with conflicting motivations, alliances, ancient histories, personal feuds, and court-specific interests. But the narrative flattens them, either by villainizing (Beron, Tamlin) or sidelining (Tarquin, Helion, Kallias, Thesan) them in favor of the Night Court’s moral monopoly. Imagine if instead, each court had a political identity: Dawn’s religious authority and internal theocracy, Summer’s economic diplomacy and trade dynasties, Day’s scholarly secrecy and magical innovation, Winter’s cultural aristocracy and bloodline purism. You could create entire plotlines out of the frictions between those philosophies—especially in a post-Amarantha world where every court is scrambling to rebuild and reassert itself.

And Beron—you nailed it. He exists as a plot convenience, a villain to make the other High Lords look “good” by comparison. But in reality, this is lazy worldbuilding. Why not create a character who’s corrupt but beloved by his people for bringing prosperity? Or one who is utterly rigid and lawful to a fault, causing massive diplomatic issues but never breaking his kingdom’s own moral codes? Villainy in politics is far more compelling when it’s ideological, not just abusive. Not to mention that if all antagonism stems from one person, it places no real pressure on the protagonists to adapt, compromise, or grow.

You also made a crucial point about post-UTM politics. Why was the fallout of Amarantha’s rule never given more weight? If Tarquin, Helion, and Kallias weren’t originally meant to rule, what were their qualifications? Were they second sons? Bastards? Scholars? Revolutionaries? Did they have to put down civil unrest when they took power? How did their courts react to these sudden changes in leadership? What does legitimacy look like in Prythian, anyway? These are the questions that could’ve made each court feel alive and rooted in its own internal logic—not just an aesthetic (snow, sunshine, sand, etc.) or a mood board. Instead, they’re treated like factions in a video game with a couple of lines of lore and then forgotten.

And you’re absolutely right about A Place of Silver Silence—what makes Dawn compelling there isn’t Thesan being good or bad. It’s the balance of power between him and the Temple. It’s the way religion exerts political force, the way his progressive leanings are curtailed by institutional forces beyond his control. That’s realpolitik. That’s what makes the world feel lived-in, dangerous, and real. In that world, mating bonds aren’t just romantic—they’re tools of leverage and warfare. Belief systems matter. Cultural taboos matter. And it opens up incredible possibilities for storytelling. Like you said, Rhys exploiting the Temple’s belief in mating bonds to get Nesta is more than a dirty trick—it’s a political one. What happens when a belief system is weaponized? What happens when personal relationships get wrapped up in religious diplomacy? That is the kind of storytelling that sings.

Summer, as you pointed out, could be ruled less by a High Lord and more by economic stakeholders. Imagine if Tarquin is constantly pulled between merchant guilds, ship captains, old noble houses, and foreign investors. His court isn’t weak—it’s decentralized. The threat to him isn’t betrayal or rebellion, it’s the quiet erosion of his influence by people who control ports, goods, information. You could spin an entire arc around one of his major trade partners being secretly aligned with Hybern, and his court slowly becoming complicit in treason without realizing it. And he’s not evil. He’s just overwhelmed. That’s the kind of nuance the IC never has to deal with.

Ultimately, you’re right—ACOTAR politics feel more like table settings than the messy, powerful mechanisms they could be. And that’s a shame, because Prythian is so ripe for it. What you’re describing—the layered complexity, the unspoken alliances, the grudges that last centuries, the balance between faith, wealth, power, and loyalty—is exactly what makes fantasy politics great. And it’s not even that hard to do. As you’ve laid out, even small additions to personal relationships or court-specific pressures can open entire veins of story. I would love nothing more than to see this richness brought into Prythian, whether in canon or through fics that aren’t afraid to let the IC not be the center of every moral and strategic decision.

[fuckyeselucien]

Creator Highlight #14 - @zenkindoflove

Today we'd like to highlight @zenkindoflove! Not only is she a kind soul in the community, but if you've ever had the pleasure of reading her work, you know she is a talented fanfic writer known for creating tender and spicy Elucien goodness.

From multi-chapters to oneshots, @zenkindoflove has a natural gift for writing emotionally driven stories with interesting plots that center Elain and Lucien's exploration of falling in love, the mating bond, and navigating the complex dynamics of their friends/family. Oh and on top of all that, the smut is simply gorgeous. Her romance is top tier storytelling. (Be careful- you may also find yourself falling in love with her Eris x Male OC Alexius in some of the works.)

Check out some of our favorites from her below, or check out her masterlist HERE:

Summer Heat

Summer Court is hosting the Summer Solstice Summit and the Night Court is sending their best emissaries to attend. It will be Elain's first time mingling in another court, and it's a good thing she has an expert guiding her: the mate she's been ignoring for the last two years.

Meanwhile, Eris has been sent to the summit to spy on Summer's developments. What he doesn't anticipate is entangling in a steamy, forbidden romance.

Our Hearts Still Beat the Same

She stood on the bridge for a few minutes, hoping that the rain might wash away the seething anger and bottomless anguish that crackled under her skin. More, more, more, repeated again and again to a steady beat. His heart beat.

Elucien, Two-shot, Post-ACOSF. Part One is Cozy Tension. Part Two is all smut.

Kneel Before Me

Lucien arrives at the House of Wind, only to be drawn into a sparring match with none other than the Inner Circle's own Shadowsinger. Things get out of hand and Azriel discovers whether he really can defeat Lucien easily.

Want to nominate someone? Fill out the form HERE

[shadowsingcalore]

I don't understand why people are so adamant about the idea that SJM would/could change her entire writing style, love for fated mates, and patterns for Elain and Elain only.

Like, why? Why does everyone suddenly care about the "ethics" of a mating bond or the "wants of the character" just when it comes to Elain? Why do people suddenly stop loving fated mates, forced proximity, strangers to lovers, etc. when it comes to Elain? Why do people suddenly believe that her love story with her mate could overshadow her own growth and development when that didn't happen with Feyre or Nesta?

I don't understand why people in this fanbase treat Elain with this random ""autonomy"" that was never given to Feyre or Nesta. It's giving such infantilization for a character that these people swear up and down is underestimated (true) and yet they do the exact same thing the Inner Circle does, but in real life.

"Elain doesn't like Lucien!"

1. We don't know that. We don't have her POV, and she's only ever said that she doesn't want a mate, not that she has an issue with Lucien. We need her POV to know for certain how she feels. If you don't think we need that and her "body language" or "observable reactions" are enough, respectfully, nothing you say about Elain is going to be worth my time. If you can't acknowledge that a character can have more complex internal feelings that don't match her external expressions, especially considering how Nesta and Feyre behaved with their mates prior, then I don't want to hear any of your analysis. It seems surface-level at best, and I'm not interested in starting and ending character analysis at their surface-level, external behaviors.

2. Okay, say for instance that she doesn't like Lucien.

And?

Did we not all read Feyre going through not one but two enemies to lovers, forced proximity dynamics with both Tamlin and then Rhysand?

Feyre quite literally referred to Tamlin as her captor, and built traps in her room because she didn't feel safe in his manor.

Did any one of those same people give nearly as much of a shit that she didn't like either of them or wring their hands about it to this degree?

I can tell you one thing: I shipped Feylin during ACOTAR and then Feysand during ACOMAF, as I'm sure plenty of people did, too. And a majority of these people adore Feysand.

What about Nessian during ACOFAS and ACOSF?

Did any one of them give a shit that Nesta didn't have a "choice" either when SJM wrote a forced proximity love story for her character? When Nesta kept pushing away Cassian and told him to leave her alone? And Cassian believed that she wanted nothing to do with him? Shouldn't that greatly upset those people?

It didn't upset me because I like enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes. I didn't question the morals of ethics of the tropes or the mating bond during their book. And if those same people didn't either, then I raise them all, as well as generally most of the fanbase this question:

Who cares if Elain doesn't like Lucien? Elain is a fictional character written by a fated mates and enemies-to-lovers author.

Like...what do you guys think you're reading? Do you not expect her character to change and evolve and thus feel differently about things?

I'm tired of these lukewarm, inconsistent takes that only prove that people just don't want her to be with Lucien because he isn't "as hot" (when everyone in the series remarks on how handsome Lucien is) or broody like Azriel is. I'm tired of people projecting themselves onto Elain and claim that they want what "she wants" when not a single one of us know for sure what she wants, and it's just an excuse for people to feel "correct" or "just" in their preference.

Everyone wants something for Elain if you have skin in the game for her endgame ship. Because you have to. Elain will never be able to choose her endgame for herself because she is a character, and SJM or fanfic authors writing her decide for her.

That is just how writing works. Love to break it to you.

Yes, she wanted Azriel at one point. But he rejected her by calling their almost-kiss a mistake, and then she gave back the necklace. There are no interactions between them on page after this.

We no longer know for certain what Elain "wants". We only have the last time SJM put on page what Elain currently feels toward Azriel and Lucien from other character's point of view.

Elain's character deserves better than the infantilizing stans that treat her as if she's somehow so beleaguered and victimized. She's not. She's a character with trauma, just like her sisters. She's a character that people will villianize or adore, just like her sisters. She's a character that gets both warranted and unfair criticism, just like her sisters. She's just a character.

Everyone's love or appreciation or disdain for her is real, but Elain herself will never be real. And some people really, really need to internalize this.

[nikethestatue]

First deep thought of 2024

We've all heard the same thing over and over again: SJM has changed her mind!

Name a ship, name an event, name a plotline--SJM has changed her mind. Originally, it was supposed to have been....whatever. Fill in the blanks.

I genuinely think that she doesn't change her mind about anything. I think she considers options--which we all do, if we write--and once she puts it on paper, she realises that something isn't working.

No, I don't think that Feylin was ever going to be intended as an 'endgame'. She didn't just change her mind, and then put Feyre with Rhys. Once Rhys was created, it was always going to be Feysand.

No, I don't think that Moriel was ever going to be a thing. Cassian x Azriel x Mor dynamic was always strange. I think that maybe she initially considered Mor and Cassian, but I also think that the sisters--Nesta and Elain--were there from the very beginning. She was going to pitch and sell their stories. It wasn't a 'sudden' thing--she obviously pitched a whole new universe of stories about the sisters to the editor, not just a vague promise of 'I have novels about the sisters'.

Which brings me to Lucien and the sisters.

We've all read/heard SJM's interview where she said that she initially considered Nesta and Lucien as a potential couple. But then, she knew immediately that it wouldn't work between the 2 of them, and she switched Lucien to Elain.

So the question is--what WOULDN'T work between Nesta and Lucien? Romance? Why not? They are both snarky, disliked by their families, have complex relationships with their siblings, have awful relationships with their fathers, both feel out of place in the world that they occupy. So why exactly wouldn't it work between them? they'd actually make a great couple, if you think about it.

And that brings me to my final point: Lucien's story with the sisters (regardless of which sister it was) was always about the breaking of the bond. Lucien and Nesta didn't work out not because SJM couldn't write their romance, but because she couldn't write a believable bond breaking between the two of them. Because we all know that Nesta would just be like 'no'. And that's the end of that.

Therefore, the bond breaking (or whatever you want to call it: unsuccessful bond, false bond, unwanted bond) was moved to the more diplomatic Elain. Because knowing Elain's personality, her desire to please, her need to be the peacemaker wouldn't make her just say 'no' to Lucien and the bond, unlike Nesta.

The story between Lucien and the sisters was never about 'love'. I absolutely believe that there was and is never any intention on SJM's part to have Lucien end up with any of the sisters. I think that the story of Lucien was always about an unsuccessful bond, and finding love with a human (let's remember how much he hated them in ACOTAR).

That's why I truly believe that Elriel was always going to be endgame. Just like Feysand, and then Nessian, Elriel was always in the cards. And I think that SJM pitched a Nessian and an Elriel stories to the publisher, not a Nessian and an Elucien story. That's why the hints were there from the very beginning 'Elain would wed for LOVE and beauty' and 'love would trump a mating bond'. Love. Elain's story was always going to be about love, and not a bond. Elain's first love crashed and burned. The love that she found and chose herself didn't work out. Then she was given a bond, which, as it turned out wasn't what she wanted at all. And her story will be about finding the strength within herself to go after what she wants, which is love, and Azriel.

[elainsgirl]

"He hasn't gotten that far with his planning, certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured him to."

That has got to be one of the most misunderstood thing that has ever been written.

It's not that Azriel doesn't want a future, it's that he feels like he can't have it, thats why he doesn't see it! People are so stupid to see the real reason behind it and uses it as an argument just so they think their ship is better. Its ridiculous.

Its just another example of antis twisting canon/context to fit their narratives,

Rhys doesn’t ask Azriel about his future plans w Elain. He asks about Lucien specifically, “what about Lucien?” And to THAT he replied how he hadn’t gone that far with his planning. Which we know its true, Azriel has done nothing to Lucien or even affect elucien hence no plan to remove Lucien out of the equation has been made -> he hasn’t gone that far into actually doing anything. He’s just minding his business, staying away from Elain despite how down bad he is for her.

and here’s the thing, another example of antis x inconsistency-> They call Azriel entitled for questioning the cauldron yet criticise him for not planning an entite future with Elain…when that would literally be the definition of entitlement especially as he did not know for sure how she felt about him.

If elriel wanted to get together, the next step could be a bloodduel which Az was ready for. What else did they want him to say or do bcs im afraid anything else would’ve come across as arrogance & again, entitlement. Could you imagine the riot that he would have caused if he had said, “yes I’ve planned an entire future with Elain. She will obviously break the bond for me, we will have x many children and live in this place and she’ll do that and I’ll do this” THAT is what you call toxic and controlling especially as there is no imput from Elain.

The thing is - I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, antis hold elriel to a higher standard then every other ship bcs they hate the idea of two consenting, interested individuals getting together. Idk what they expected. A love confession!? A proposal!? Az to march up & wake Lucien and demand a blood duel? Their expectations are lowkey ridiculous whichever way you look at it.

And yh. This man did not know the full extent of elains feelings for him. He did not know if his feelings were returned or one sided, the man whose crush chose his brother over him with 0 explanation, the man who still hides his scars - is not going to think he is worthy of someone he is interested in. Azriel would feel the same about any Love interest. Mor, Elain, Eris or Gwyn - his insecurities and low self worth would remain. Difference is? Elain chose him over her mate. Showed him how much she wanted him. Took his scarred hands without hesitation. Never showed fear at him or his shadows.

Gwynriels in their HCs have this same dynamic. Az has a moment where he feels unworthy and Gwyn makes him feel better. Guess what? That WILL happen with elriel, it already has as I pointed out above. Its also a common trope/issue within romance books so idk why antis are acting as though its something so bad. They’re always yapping about how much they’ve read romance books yet can’t recognise this simple, common trope?

Thing is - when your ship is so undeveloped that it has no issues, yh it’ll be perfect. But thats now how romance is written, especially not how Mass writes her romances. Every single couple has issues, insecurities and fears they overcome. That’s what makes them special. Unique. Complex.

[acourtofkindness]

Thank you for sending in all the stories, here you can find the collection! Some of these are one-shots, some are longer stories, just click your way through them and also check out their other fics!

A Court of Vice and Victors

by @wishcamper Acosf rewrite where Nesta actually gets help and she and Cassian have a healthier dynamic, plus an Illyrian murder mystery

Pages Turned

by @climbthemountain2020 A character study on Nesta Archeron, the hardships she's faced through her life, and how they've shaped her as a person.

Could You Love Me While I Hate Myself

by @witch-and-her-witcher Humans have just been freed from servitude to the fae after years at war on Prythian and times are desperate for Nesta Archeron. With Feyre MIA and Elain a shell of herself, her options are becoming increasingly limited. When one of the young fae warriors, Cassian, who has carved a name for himself on the battlefield proposes to her after recognizing a mating bond between them, Nesta doesn't see any choice but to agree to take him as her husband and move herself and her sister to his home Court and the wilds of Illyria. War brings them together, a bond binds them - but is that enough for two broken people to find love with each other?

Firm and Fragrant Still the Brambleberries

by @foundress0fnothing When Nesta became a nurse at the start of the war, she could not have predicted a patient as challenging as Lieutenant Cassian Davies, nor he a nurse as captivating as her. As the same war that brought them together threatens to tear them apart, Nesta and Cassian must navigate the complexities of love and duty to find the way back to each other. A WWI historical AU.

Wreck My Plans, That's My Man

by @c-e-d-dreamer Drummer for the Bat Boys, Cassian has a large following, but sometimes Nesta doesn't appreciate fangirls calling themselves "Cassian's future wife."

It Looks As Though You're Letting Go

by @Darkcat18 (on ao3) Everyone is born with an arrow on the back of their hand which points to their soulmate at midnight on their eighteenth birthday. After her parents' disastrous marriage and her father's subsequent depression following the death of her mother, Nesta realized a soulmate is nothing more than guaranteed heartache and ruination. On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she packs up her car and leaves her family and life behind forever. What she doesn't count on, however, is having a soulmate like Cassian, who may be the one to prove to her that a soulmate is what she needs.

I Guess It's Half Timing (And The Other Half's Luck)

by @moodymelanist Nesta and Cassian have a steamy one-night stand while out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, but their lives are changed forever once Nesta realizes her period is late. Follow along as Nesta and Cassian navigate preparing to become parents, balancing their other life stresses, and figuring out their feelings for one another!

Amidst the Madness

by @This_Immortal_Hope (on ao3) Love and war have always followed the same rules: Quick to ignite, slow to extinguish. There aren't many things Cassian has dared to openly want in his 500 years of existence. Not even the position he currently occupies as Lord of Windahaven (far too lofty a spot for nothing more than a well-blodded bastard, if you ask the other Illyrian Lords), but from the second Nesta Archeron stepped foot in his camp, the entire world ebbed into a single truth. She is his. He is hers. Everything else - the war he is meant to lead, the people relying on him, the legacy he should be fighting to protect, cease to exist the second his eyes are caught in roiling silver flames. There is pain in this female, his female. And retribution will be exacted. Rhysand has his war, and now so does Cassian. Whether the two align ... only Nesta can give that order.

Sweetest Con

by @separatist-apologist Nesta Archeron has been trapped in witness protection for the past five years, hiding a secret no one can ever learn. All she has to do is wait out the criminals back home determined to punish her and her sisters for a lie they told years before. She can handle anything- even the new agent sent to keep her safe.

The Whole Truth

by @TheTeaQueen (on ao3) A beautifully heartbreaking story about what if Papa Archeron used/sold Nesta back in their village, and the IC learning this truth. It features Rhys and Nesta sibling bonding over their respective SA traumas. And Cassian helping Nesta to heal and feel comfortable with touch again

The Nesta Variation

by @persegrace (on ao3) A modern AU where Cassian is a military vet and Nesta is a former ballet dancer. They're both dealing with trauma, and meet in AA.

Ultima Ex Nobis

by @fieldofdaisiies Six years into a global pandemic which was caused by a mass fungal infection that turns hosts into zombie-like creatures and makes the whole of Prythian collapse, the former army general Cassian Cadell is tasked with one very special mission – escorting Nesta Archeron, one of the few immune survivors, across a post-apocalyptic Prythian to a group of people of the name L. Their identity is unknown but they can make an antidote.

you make my motor run

by @wilde-knight When Nesta and Cassian are set up on a blind date, neither of them can imagine their families feeling whole again. But with sparks flying between them, will they finally be able to imagine the road ahead?

[queer-ragnelle]

Your comment about liking Amurfina was very intriguing to me! I tend to pass all Arthurian female characters through a mental filter that scales back the weirdest mispgynistically-motivated elements (ie if Guinevere treated Lancelot awfully after the Elaine thing... no she didn't). But I couldn't manage it with Amurfina. I think because Heinrich writes so movingly about assault elsewhere in the text (Guinevere), it makes her actions feel so much more real. I'd love to hear why you like her!

There’s no complex reason really it just stems from an interest in any of Gawain’s partners/wives that get to have decent page time, a name, and their own motivations. I mean, she gets her own chapter title!

Plus I like problematic women. Amurfina has Morgan le Fay vibes. She sent her handmaiden to fetch Gawain for her or else she threatened to kill everyone.

This politeness coupled with descriptions of intense violence reminds me of Gawain himself. He talks just like that. Here’s a quote from Béroul’s Tristan.

Obviously I’m comparing two different texts, but the point being there are threads I can connect which make for an interesting dynamic, one that’s viable even if one were to extract Amurfina from her source material and utilize her elsewhere. Hint hint.

Anyway everyone go read The Crown.

[curiousity-cell]

the worst part for me about nesta stans is how they’ve used her book now to make lashing out and hurting the people around you an excusable thing to do if you have trauma. that was not the point. if that’s what you gleaned from nesta’s book, stop fucking reading.

i understand very well what it means to lash out and aim verbal daggers at other people to keep them away. i get it more than most, i was an extremely mentally ill teenager. that is no excuse. just because you are hurting doesn’t mean you get to treat other people like shit.

that’s what nesta did. she hurt people. as they say, hurt people hurt people. but just because it’s a thing it doesn’t mean she’s ok to do it and everybody else is at fault for not wanting to put up with her. of course rhys doesn’t treat her as well as he does elain, of course mor is wary of her and is associating the people she was traumatised by with her. she was mean! she was cruel! and she continued to be mean and cruel throughout until she began to let cassian & the valkyries in (& everyone else will obviously follow.) but this is a slow process.

obviously she’s still going to have that knee jerk reaction to hurt people when she’s feeling not great and her traumatic experiences flare up. relapses happen. where we’re at in HOFAS is mere weeks after ACOSF, obviously things aren’t going to be automatically fixed. not with rhys, not with feyre, not with cassian.

so like. instead of every nesta stans knee jerk reaction being to hate everyone and bitch about everyone in the IC who’s still wary of her, let’s use our brains yea? let’s not excuse a bad thing just because you think it’s cool.

anywayz nesta archeron is a very cool character and deserves a better fanbase & better understanding of her character and a better understanding of the point of her character.

& just so everyone understands me: i’ve been both on the receiving end of a lash out and the person who lashed out. i understand both perspectives. both hurt in different ways. let’s not be dense about this complex character yeah. & all the complex character dynamics around her