#Elriel

[highprincessofthenightcourt]

🌸✨Beautiful portrait of Elain and Azriel ✨🌸

(Art by the very talented: celestialfaerietrove)

[ater-love]

Elriel from 2018😭

The throwing things series Elriel edition

ACOTAR fanart A novel by @therealsjmaas . . . . ACOFAS spoiler bellow!! I was good with both elucien or elriel, but i think there’s so much forshadowing about elriel and PROBABLY lucien with vassa in ACOWAR. That’s why i’m leaning towards elriel more

Since elain got more closer with az in acofas and it seems that they’re more likely to be canon, or best friends or whatever, I decided to make this elriel version

[shadowsatdawnx]

there always a lot of conversation and debate about what colors elain canonically wears throughout the books, i thought it would be helpful to post her full color palette throughout the series!

thank you @yandereplumblossom for putting these together 🫶

[nicawritesandwhines]

“The problem is the erasure of Nesta’s accomplishments and-“

Girl, shut up. Nesta has her own book of a series that has her victories and journey printed. It’s all there. If you want to read about her achievements, you can open the damn book.

Nobody is erasing a book character wins and loses because it is impossible. Her story was told, printed, published. You sound crazy, someone needs to tell you that.

If you have the nerve to try to correct the publisher, at least have the balls to admit you simply don’t like Elain having the spotlight mainly because it favors Elriels, the true Elain’s stans.

[dvinefem]

funny thing happened at work today & i just have to share.

background: i’m a hairstylist & i have some books on my station for clients to read while they’re processing. one of them being a copy of acotar bc i have no self control. plus it’s usually a good conversation starter these days.

SO my client goes “omg acotar! i just finished silver flames. have you read them all?” i was like “haha yep”

little does she know how deep this shit is injected into my veins.

then she proceeds to say “i’m excited for the next one. probably about elain, right?”

me: “yeah i’d say so” (lol)

her: “my friend and i think she’ll end up with azriel somehow. i love him.”

needless to say i gave my fellow elriel an extra long scalp massage lol 💆🏼‍♀️

[a-court-of-lust-and-stardust]

A smile bloomed on Azriel’s face when he stared at Elain’s fingers…….the same fingers he’s gonna put a wedding ring on in a few years time 🤭🤭

@sparkleywonderful @saessenach Tell me, am I complete trash for Elriel or is there an argument to be made for Maas’s use of the word “bloomed” when referring to a smile Elain caused Azriel to show??

[I’m NOT rereading for Elriel foreshadowing or anything OKAY. I’m not!]

[bright-side20]

I think that Elain and Azriel finally choosing each other and saying fuck it is going to be a very beautiful, emotional, and tragically romantic scene. They’re both so used to putting others’ desires first and suffering in silence. The proof? They lived for a whole year on stolen glances and the brush of fingers. Elain felt obliged to hide her growing feelings for Azriel because everyone expects her to finally give her mate a chance. And Azriel? He changed houses just to avoid acting on his feelings and causing a bigger mess.

So when they finally decide to put what they want first, when Azriel chooses to violate Rhys’s order, and Elain decides to reject the bond, they will be finally choosing themselves. Not their duty. Not the expectations. Not the roles carved out for them by fate or politics. Just love ,just that burning desire they feel for each other.

It will be incredibly emotional, especially considering the peace their family is trying to build a peace they’re actively helping maintain. And then there’s Nyx. Like this isn’t just about politics , it’s about risking everything, including the wellbeing of a child they both love fiercely.

Loving each other means guilt. Means wondering every night if this is the moment everything will fall apart. And yet, they keep choosing each other anyway. Yet their love keeps blooming ,growing stronger with every moment they get to live together.

That’s why I believe they’ll decide to keep their relationship a secret for as long as they can. And that secrecy will be delicious the tension of 'we shouldn’t, but we’re doing it anyway because it feels right.' I hope there’s a secret marriage. It would make everything even more meaningful, they’ll have the Mother’s blessing, and a quiet sense of belonging to each other that no one can take away. And deep down, they'll know what they have can’t stay hidden forever. One day, they’ll have to face the consequences of their love ,but they’ll do it together. And they won’t be afraid to stand by their choice.

Now imagine all of that only to discover, in the end, that the Cauldron was wrong. That they were always true mates. That they had the right to be with each other from the start. That no one has the right to evoke a blood duel or start a war. Azriel will definitely cry because he knew. He felt it from the beginning. She was his soulmate.

That’s what SJM is building toward remember it. Elain and Azriel will spend the entire book fighting for the right to love each other, only to have Koschei or some ancient creature reveal at the very end: you two were mates all along.

[blaircmorgan]

Numbers in ACOTAR

This is the first time I'm sharing a theory of mine... I had posted this before on tiktok and Instagram (November 24th, 2023) I am reposting it bc I wasn't satisfied with the layout and it wasn't as detailed as this one. Oh and also English isn't my first language so pls don't mind if theres anything wrong in the grammar or if im bad at explaining xx

There will be SPOILERS for the entirety of ACOTAR series and House of Sky and Breath aka HOSAB!

SJM is known for using numbers like 3, 7, & 13 as symbolic constants in her worldbuilding. They’re familiar, but they’re also intentional. She uses these numbers like most fantasy authors.

However, there are some additional numbers that she has used, which are unusual of her to use and that make them stand out. Let’s take a look at these numbers:

21 & 5

In ACOSF chapter 56 (I will get back to this number later on) Gwyn gifts both Nesta & Emerie a book at Solstice. She tells them both to look at chapter 21 and page 5 (will come back to this number too).

She then tells us that this chapter is about the Valkyries death & Rebirth (aka herself, Nesta and Emerie).

“At the top of the first page, it merely said, Chapter Twenty-One.”

Notice how Twenty-One is written in cursive? Coincidence? I think not. SJM wanted us to notice this.

I noticed the unusual use of number 21 & 5. This was the first time SJM had used these numbers, so I did as Gwyn said. I checked chapter 21 and page 5 of each ACOTAR books to see what the key points of each chapter and page were. Then I also did some research on the number (21) itself as well.

Symbolism of 21

The number 21 in literature isn’t just a number. The number has been found in various works like art, mythology and literature. The number has been used to serve as a symbol of “completion, transition, or personal growth.”  More so the number has also been used to portray “characters’ coming-of-age, spiritual evolution, or a turning point in the narrative.”

As we hear from Gwyn, she made Merill add the Valkyries in a book, in chapter 21. We see that there is a turning point in the narrative with the Rebirth of the Valkyries.

The number is also used in the Bible. It is associated with resurrection. Death and Rebirth.

Now let’s ask ourselves this: Which two characters are associated with Death & Rebirth in ACOTAR?

Answer: Azriel & Elain

“I saw the painting in my mind: the lovely fawn, blooming spring vibrant behind her. Standing before Death, shadows and terrors lurking over his shoulder. Light and dark, the space between their bodies a blend of the two. The only bridge of connection … that knife.” - A Court of Wings and Ruin

(Fawn symbolizes Rebirth)

CHAPTER 21

ACOSF

In ACOSF chapter 21 we see Nesta having a conversation with Elain. The conversation is about wether or not Elain should be scrying for the Dread Troves.

Elain wants to do it, but Nesta doesn’t want Elain to do it. With this they have an argument and Nesta says:

“Look at who decided to grow claws after all (...) Maybe you’ll become interesting at last, Elain.”

We see that Elain doesn’t want to just sit and be quiet anymore, she wants to do more, be more involved with helping. There is a turning point in the narrative here and perhaps even a hint at who the next book is about

Let’s also not forget the Feysand bonus chapter is right after chapter 21 so it could count as 21.5 & Feysand talked about Elain: “Let’s focus on helping one sister before we start on the other.” A hint to say  we will first read about Nesta, then Elain.

“I think she’s kind, and I’ll take kindness over nastiness any day. But I also think we haven’t yet seen all she has to offer (…) Don’t forget that gardening often results in something pretty, but it involves getting one’s hand dirty along the way.” “And thorn up by thorns” - Feysand Bonus

Feysand are talking about how there is more to Elain than we know.

ACOTAR

In ACOTAR chapter 21 we see Feyre at Calanmai.

“Everything about the stranger radiated sensual grace and ease. High Fae, no doubt. His short black hair gleamed like a raven’s feathers, offsetting his pale skin and blue eyes so deep they were violet, even in the firelight. They twinkled with amusement as he beheld me.”

This is the moment Feyre meets Rhys. This is the moment where we the readers get introduced to him as well. With Feyre meeting Rhys, there becomes a turning point in the story and as readers we knew Rhysand was going to have a bigger impact on Feyre’s story.

ACOMAF

In ACOMAF chapter 21 we see Feyre at the Weaver’s cottage.

“I froze, the ring now in my pocket of my jacket.”

Feyre gets the ring Rhysand’s mother had given to the Weaver. Rhys’s mother had said only his bride would be able to retrieve it from the Weaver (Which Feyre ofc did) and this ring ends up being Feyre’s engagement ring. Rhys had told Feyre about the ring after she had retrieved it. When they got engaged this ring was important (It’s even on the cover of ACOMAF). Feyre become the first High Lady wearing this ring. A turning point in the narrative; High Lady of Night Court.

ACOWAR

In ACOMAF chapter 21 we see Nesta is starting to train her powers (after being Made) with Amren. Not only that, but we also find out that Feyre is going to the Prison.

“To find my sister and Amren. To see which of them was still standing after their first lesson” “The fewer people who knew about my trip tomorrow to see the Carver, the safer it was”

Nesta training with Amren becomes important for Nesta’s character arc in ACOWAR, but it also becomes important for ACOSF. It also can be seen as a hint given by SJM about Nesta potentially getting her own book (Which she eventually got and again her training her powers were important.

And with Feyre going to the Prison, we get a climpse of Feyre’s future. The Bone Carver shows himself as her son to Feyre.

ACOFAS

In ACOFAS chapter 21 we get into Cassian’s POV for the first time (If we don’t count Wings and Embers). We see that there is something going on between Cassian and Nesta (hinting on the next book is theirs as SJM said; She put breadcrumbs in ACOFAS for the upcoming spin-off books in this book)

“He remained staring after her, that present in his hands. Cassian’s fingertips dug into the soft wood of the small box. He was grateful the streets were empty when he hurled that box into the Sidra.”

Cassian throws away the gift he had gotten for Nesta as she rejects it. This gift was important enough for Cassian to give to Nesta, but when she rejects it, he gets rid of it (seems familiar to another moment right?) The gift gets brought up once again in ACOSF.

(Added: Oh, I just remembered this; let’s not forget Feyre’s birthday is on the 21st of December! And she is 21 when she gives birth to Nyx! Again, Feyre’s birthday was a turning point in the world itself, if Feyre hadn’t been born that day, Prythian could still have been under Amarantha’s rule. with Nyx’s birth, we get a turning point in Feyre’s story, she’s having her own family with her husband/mate and the kid is the heir of Night Court —> Next High Lord)

PAGE 5

Cassian throws away the gift he had gotten for Nesta as she rejects it. This gift was important enough for Cassian to give to Nesta, but when she rejects it, he gets rid of it (seems familiar to another moment right?) The gift gets brought up once again in ACOSF.

ACOTAR & ACOMAF

In ACOTAR, page 5 is where Feyre shoots the wolf (Andras) with her ash arrow. This becomes the beginning of the turning point in Feyre’s story. She shoots a Fae, which leads to her ending up in the Spring Court.

In ACOMAF, page 5 we see Feyre struggling and dealing after everything she had endured Under The Mountain. This also becomes a turning point in Feyre’s story, it’s important for us readers to see, to understand and feel with her. We see that she isn’t doing well mentally.

ACOWAR & ACOFAS & ACOSF

In ACOWAR, there isn’t any pages with the number 5 and that is because Part 1 of the book is there. The Part is called “Princess of Carrion” which is a title given to Feyre.

In ACOFAS, page 5 the twins Naula & Cerridwen get’s mentioned several times. (Who are they friends with? Elain. And who do they get trained by and work for? Azriel.)

And last but not least, ACOSF, page 5 does not exist once again. The fifth page is Part 1 of the book and the Part is called: “Novice”

Novice means: a person who has just started learning or doing something.

This is an indication to Nesta’s journey, her being a Novice in the beginning of her book.

NUMBER 56

(HOSAB SPOILER!)

Now let’s get back to this number before we conclude this whole theory.

Did SJM also give us a hint from HOSAB?

In HOSAB there is someone called BansheeFan56. Now look at the username/address once again... Number 56!

Again, this isn’t a number SJM typically uses and for some reason this number stood out and then I noticed something...

In what chapter did Gwyn give the Solstice gift of Chapter 21 to Nesta & Emerie? (and basically us)

Answer: Chapter 56.

I guess SJM do love to use numbers as a hinting tool

CONCLUSION

Now with everything we know about Chapter 21 & page 5, we can come to the conclusion of who the next book is going to be focusing on.

In ACOSF chapter 21, Nesta notices that Elain is growing. In the bonus chapter 21.5, Feysand talks about how they will focus on helping Elain, after helping Nesta. Nesta’s self healing journey has been written, but her journey may not be over yet. I do think we will see more of her, but I don’t think there will be huge focus on her again like in ACOSF.

It’s time for us to focus on Elain now and there is a lot to discover about Elain.

SJM did say each book in the spin off will focus on a couple and Nessian has had their book now, so I’m certain that Nesta won’t get another book or trilogy.

Numbers has become a pattern in the ACOTAR series.

3 brothers, 3 sisters, 3 stars, 3 peaks, 3 mountains, 7 courts, 7 High Lords etc, but now we can also add 21 & 5 into this.

Chapter 21 gives us a hint for something important that is happening or going to happen

page 5 shows us some turning points as well.

The 21st chapter becomes key to the book and the upcoming one. And the 21st chapter of ACOSF hints for the upcoming book to be Elain's and most likely have Azriel as the love interest since he got a bonus chapter in ACOSF, like Cassian got a bonus chapter in ACOMAF.

Plus both Bonus chapters are focused on Elain as well.

With all that said, I want to say thank you to my friends who has helped and supported me with this theory. And also thank you (reader) for taking your time to read about my theory about SJM’s use of numbers. I hope it makes sense for you guys as it does for me and I hope you enjoyed reading this <33

I also like to thank our Gwynie for giving us the hint that the next book is focusing on Elain <3

[lovelyfawnxx]

Kingslayer

🎨 art by coralie.renards

[nikethestatue]

For all those who never participated in Elriel Month before, just a few pointers of what expect and what to do.

First of all, Elriel Month is FUN

Second of all, Elriel Month is filled with LOVE

It's not the time for stupid anti Anons, fights or disagreements. Even if you see any negativity on any of the platforms, don't engage. Don't explain. Don't defend.

Elriel Month is a time for CELEBRATION

We celebrate Elain and Azriel, their potential, their story, their canon, and our hopes for the future.

What to do:

PARTICIPATE!!!

Yes, it is a WHOLE month. So we have 31! Days.

React, reblog, reach out, read.

CREATE!

it doesn't matter what it is--fanfics, sketches, commissions, mood boards or anything else that you want to contribute. Everything and everyone is welcome (not the haters though).

DON'T involve any other (anti) ships in Elriel Month.

It's Elain and Azriel. That's it.

It's not a place to discuss Elucien or Gwynriel or Bryceriel or Azris or Azriel's and someone's dead relative.

It's Elriel Month.

Be prepared to have incredible art, fanfics, headcanons and good vibes all around. It's an extremely positive and energizing experience.

Most of all have fun! Meet some new or old Elriels and hopefully, we'll be in this together when we get the Elriel Book Announcement!

@elriel-month

(I am NOT one of the organizers, so please don't ask me specifics. I am just a fan, who's been doing it since it's inception)

[ater-love]

Gentle reminder that Azriel has already knelt before Elain when he rescued her in ACOWAR

[elrielss]

in case anyone needed a reminder ;)

“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.’” — from acowar

+

“and Elain—Elain—had taken up Azriel’s dagger and killed the King of Hybern instead.” — from acofas

art by itswilbell_art on instagram.

[shadowsatdawnx]

”bloomsbury should be doing a better job controlling the narrative around the next release, it’s the publishers entire job!”

…yes. yes it is.

that’s literally what we’ve been telling you, you just don’t like the narrative they’re telling.

[emeraldisleslainte]

Hey everyone! Not gune lie..I’m really very scared to be writing this 😂 I’m not an OG reader & only finished silver flames in Jan after being introduced to ACOTAR last year! So firstly…I’m sorry & I cannot imagine the sheer torture you have all had to endure waiting these long years! Fair fucks to all of you for being so patient! I hope for all of you & me (even though I’ve not had to wait as long as you guys!) that the announcement is in May!

So anyway…as a normal reader that has no fucking idea about the other books/ series & was just genuinely delighted to have found the azriel BC thought tumblr……I’ve never been more shocked in my life than when I saw the fan fics about gwyn/azriel & evil theories about Elain 😂 truely shocked & really made me question everything I thought I read / the characters haha

But had on heart I really think people are so caught up in not wanting to see 3 sisters & 3 brothers together, that they’ve let that cloud their judgement. I really don’t get how people couldn’t want Elain & Azriel to be together…I truely believe that out of all the couples (including feysand) they have the most to bring to each other & the most beautiful love story to unfold.

The narrative between the two has been building since he spoke to elain about the song of wind & showed her the garden - all things he didn’t have to do. He didn’t have to bother with her at this stage. But no. Azriel…not her mate…was the one who was able to put a name to what she was going through… A SEER. I honestly think people underestimate how impossibly beautiful it is to have someone put a name or some sort of explanation to what you’re going through.l when you’re struggling. Azriel did that for Elain ie. No Elain you’re not crazy or insane, you’re a seer. So powerful. Everyone else didn’t bother to understand, and that’s the point. Even on a friend level. Lucien may have described her as beautiful & tugged on a rib etc but even on the basic level did he try to understand or figure out what was happening with Elain? No. And genuinely, I know it wasnt on purpose etc but the point is, the one person who went & did anything about Elain’s behaviour was azriel. No one asked him too. No one pushed. Even Elain herself felt so consumed with her loss of human life & visions, that she didn’t bother to figure it out. But azriel. Azriel did. Because he felt something for Elain.

And then it progressed and progressed and progressed, until we got the BC. And my god I was floored. Hand on heart I think Elain and azriel will be the most beautiful story of them all. I think they’ll defy norms, challenge expectations, grow each other’s power & share a bond so strong that it’ll be legendary in Phrythian. And I think they’ll suprise us all in the bedroom 😂

I don’t wana get into ships cuz I don’t know the books as well as others. But in my mind, it says it all that azriel didnt rush into the blood rite to save gwyn, or anyone else. He just left them to it. And untimely that is not what a mate does based on my readings of all the books. They fight, and they risk everything. Just like azriel did rescuing Elain.

Anyway these are my immediate thoughts & I’m sorry if it offends anyone/ I’ve got anything wrong! But honestly, after seeing the unexpected fanfics, I needed to vent. I never thought after my reading of the book & the BC that there was anyone else for azriel apart from Elain, and despite the bond, no one else for Elain apart from azriel. The beauty of life & death, the contrast of dark & light, the importance of choice, the story of a lonely boy in darkness falling in love with a girl that shines like the sun….Everything he was deprived of. Both quiet & underestimated, both listeners, both noticing each others feelings without having to speak, both beautiful but only open emotionally with each other?! Not to mention the possibility that they will defy others to be together!

I just don’t know how anyone couldn’t want them to be together 😔 so yeh safe say that I will be devastated if azriel & Elain don’t end up together! Thanks everyone for the fanfics etc it’s been so great to see!

[nightofnyx8]

I think I very much misunderstood Elain's depression after she was turned fae when I first read the series. After all, in my view, she just got turned beautifully immortal, whisked off to a Court of Magic and Shirtless Batboys. Who wouldn't want that?

But the more I learn about her, the more I've come to appreciate how she views the world around her. As a gardener, she understands that everything has its season. She understands that mortality is only beautiful because it ends. She loved her life as a human because it was hers.

Now, she's mated to a male she's never met, forced to cope with powers and visions she doesn't understand, and suddenly has an eternity in front of her that apparently everybody else has a say in except for her. It doesn't surprise me that she found solace in the one person who just took the time to listen to her instead of trying to find ways to "fix her."

Everyone responds to trauma differently. And while Feyre and Nesta needed a purpose, needed healing through empowerment and general bad-assery training arcs, I don't think it invalidates Elain's healing of just wanting someone to sit and listen to her in the gardens.

It's a beautiful thought, when I really think about it.