#MAMA LUCIEN HAS A PLAN

[flowerflamestars]

Effloresce snippet

Beneath the fear, beneath the hollow shape the world had taken, Cassian who could not longer see color or make sense of anything now but this: Nesta was hurt.   Nesta was not with him, now.   Feyre rushed forward, questions he did not hear bubbling from her mouth. It was Rhys, who called a wraith to find a healer, but Mor-   Morrigan, whose golden hands Cassian had let touch him- Mor, who he’d trusted for centuries- Morrigan, the shining light of truth, who reached with her greater power, and kept Feyre from her sister’s side. Wrapped both soft arms around her, restraint a mockery of embrace.   “It’s okay, Fey,” Mor said, cheek pressed beside the crown they’d put atop Feyre’s head, northern diamonds shining. “It’s going to die. It’s not her. We’ll find your sister, whatever they did to her.”   Color did not all come back at once, but in a wall.   Red, red, silently screaming red- Nesta was still bleeding and he could smell it, stinging iron and sweet immortal sap.   “That is Nesta Archeron,” Azriel’s voice was a dead thing, dark as the shadow still clinging to his body as he put him between Cassian and the room.   “That is a changeling,” Morrigan snapped, “Look at her face. Look at her, Az. I haven’t seen one since the war, but look at her. Beguilement. Enchantment. See how she compels you? Think. Humans don’t succumb to faebane poisoning.”   “Who,” Elain said, rising to her feet, “Said we were human?”   Cassian told himself not to move. He did not need to worry for Elain- Vanserra would no more let Morrigan hurt her than Cassian himself could allow even those people he’d considered family near Nesta now, breathing so, so shallow.   Just a whisper.   Hardly a sound.   “Our mother was,” Feyre shook her head, blue eyes planetary with tears, “We’re mostly human.”   “Fey,” Mor breathed, squeezing her shoulders, “That is not a mostly human creature. Listen. The wards are singing.”   Despite the journey, Elain wore still that shining, human dress Cassian had last seen her in. Ever flounce sunrise pink, sheer and dragging, it hissed over the stone. In torchlight, her hair caught nearly the same color, soft. Serene.   He could see the steel in her shoulders, every bit Nesta’s other half.   Hands linked before her, she stopped right in front of Morrigan. Tipped her head in light humans manners, the acknowledgment of equal. A bob, a nod, posture unwavering.   “Say it again.” Elain Archeron’s sweet voice entreated, so blandly polite Cassian got to see Mor blink.   “What?”   “Say it again,” A snap so quiet Cassian doubted anyone but himself heard it, hiding behind her rising voice, “Say again that my sister is a creature you plan to watch die.” 

“Mor doesn’t mean”-   “Feyre,” Rhysand murmured, midnight in a voice, and just like that, drew her away. Out of Mor’s grasp and into his arms, pale spangled clothes shining against the night sky he’d dressed himself as. He pulled her close.   They’d been having a dinner- while Nesta was dying in his arms.   The candles still burned. Pretty piled high platters and the simple silver Rhysand preferred, this whole regal blue room a mirror to stars and starlight. If they’d bothered to open the doors, it would have been the real thing.   “It is my duty,” Morrigan recited, “To see the truth.”   “Hard to do without using your magic,” Lucien spit.   “We are human.” Elain remarked, with a tilt of her head. Cassian blinked- thought, for a second, he saw sparks. “See, by your reckoning Lady Morrigan, even a drop of mortal blood is enough to taint. There are many, many of us who are forced to hide the legacy of bondage.”   Glass breaking, Mor sucked in a laugh. “That is not five hundred years of trickle down.”   “No.” Elain shook her head, gentle. Golden curls and yes, fire. Gilded red gold pink, pink, pink, shattered daylight sun danced up her bared shoulders. “That is my mother’s magic.”

And then, fae quick, she raised her palm and blew a shining cloud into Morrigan’s face. Beads, unbound by the bracelet Elain had broken to crunch two of their number in her grip fell to the floor, pinging off stone in time for Morrigan to crash down with them.

[offtorivendell]

Elain Archeron Week, Day 1: Visions

I've theorised before about how I think Elain's powers - specifically her Sight, but possibly other aspects of her magic, too - might work, with regards to her murky realm/the Void, the effects of light and even magical medicinals (could witchberries play a part instead of bloodbane?) so today I want to talk a little about why I think having such a useful power could be so meaningful for Elain.

ACOSF suggested that Elain was raised by Mama Archeron to have no independent thought; no dreams of her own, no goals bigger than her garden. She was to be the family's pawn on the marriage mart in their quest for power. Valued for her looks alone, not for what she could do.

Elain is pleasant to look at, her mother had once mused while Nesta sat beside her dressing table, a servant silently brushing her mother’s gold-brown hair, but she has no ambition. She does not dream beyond her garden and pretty clothes. She will be an asset on the marriage market for us one day, if that beauty holds, but it will be our own maneuverings, Nesta, not hers, that win us an advantageous match. Nesta had been twelve at the time. Elain barely eleven. She’d absorbed every word of her mother’s scheming, plans for futures that had never come to pass. - ACOSF, chapter 17

And then Azriel said this...

But Azriel asked softly, taking a single step over the threshold and into the sitting room, “What other?” Elain’s brows twitched toward each other. “The queen—with the feathers of flame.” The shadowsinger angled his head. Lucien murmured to me, eye still fixed on Elain, “Should we—does she need …?” “She doesn’t need anything,” Azriel answered without so much as looking at Lucien. Elain was staring at the spymaster now—unblinkingly. “We’re the ones who need …” Azriel trailed off. “A seer,” he said, more to himself than us. “The Cauldron made you a seer.” - ACOWAR, chapter 32

Besides the fact that Sight must be an incredibly difficult power to navigate at the best of times, I will always wonder how much it meant to Elain to hear she was needed for a skill. Something she could work at and contribute that went beyond the looks she was born with. Something that could - and did - allow her to prove her mother wrong when her own "maneuverings" saved lives at the end of ACOWAR.

Even before Elain understood what was happening, while she was still lost in her murky realm, she tried to use her visions to warn/help her family. One of her biggest contributions being her untrained doe eyes peering across the world, leading Feyre to the Suriel in ACOWAR, then of course everything that followed when she ignored orders to return to camp and ended up killing the King of Hybern and saving Nesta and Cassian, and massively weakening Hybern's army.

Our trembling fawn has a backbone of steel, I can't wait for her to shine and grow in her own book. 🌿

@elainarcheronweek

[shadowqueenjude]

SJM characters whose hate makes no sense

Lorcan Salvaterre: aight ik he's a cold-ass warrior but that Maeve thing is not as big a deal as it's made out to be ok. Y'all forget that Aelin was stupid hiding her plans from experienced war generals and that Lorcan never pretended to be loyal to Aelin. And he never intended for Aelin to go through that torture. Plus Maeve would've found them anyway! A little slower, yeah, but still. Nesta Archeron: ok, come on man. She said some mean words, get over it already pls. there are so many characters who did way worse and get no hate for it. Eris Vanserra: ok he called mor a slut. so what? he's playing a role, plus that bitch be spreading heinous lies about him. and he has shown more respect for mor by bailing her out of their marriage and saving her from her father keir, than the entire inner circle who subjected her to her abuser without even telling her. he's not sexist, he's a mama's boy! besides rhysand objectified feyre's breasts in front of a high lord so. Chaol Westfall: Aight bruh tf did he do? It's one thing knowing someone is an assassin and another thing seeing someone actually murder people. He had nothing to do with Nehemia's death, so don't even with that. Celaena was the one who tried to kill him after claiming to love him. What did you expect Chaol to be all sunshine and rainbows with her? Pls be fr. Besides he's Fleetfoot's number one protector so. Additionally, if you haven't read Tower of Dawn, you have zero content. Friendly reminder if you hate Chaol, Dorian AND Aelin don't like you. Nor do Yrene or Nesryn. Gwyneth Berdara: It's mainly Elriels who keep making up evil Gwyn theories and...stop. Just stop. I don't even gaf if you ship them, but don't drag Gwyn into this, ok? She's so precious and she's a r*pe SURVIVOR. LEAVE. HER. ALONE. And if you say she's lying about that and it's part of her evil plan, I will become the monster under your bed. Lucien Vanserra: If you call Lucien a pushover or an abuser, I will actually become violent. Stop blaming male abuse victims. Just stop it. It's ridiculous. Lucien did fight for her and got abused. Go back and read. He's a r*pe survivor too, because he took on the duties his High Lord wouldn't for the sake of his court. Also, if you're dragging him through the dirt because you're an Elriel shipper, the door is that way --> Bombastic side eye to haters of these characters. ESPECIALLY my favorite sassy redheads (Gwyn and Lucien). Maybe y'all are just salty all these characters have last names while half of your favs still don't.

[lovemyromance]

"I want what's best for Elain"

No y'all don't 😭 Quit saying that when in the same breath you say she's a fictional character and you don't have to respect what she wants.

Yes, she is a fictional character. We're all arguing about fictional characters here, we know that.

How can you say she's "just a fictional character" yet you claim to know what's best for her then? How do you know that? And yes, you can say it's your opinion. But if you're saying it's your opinion, then SAY THAT. Don't say "this is what's best for her according to what Cassian said, according to what Feyre said, according to what SJM 'forshadowed' about sunlight"

The only way we can gain insight into what a fictional character thinks/feels/wants is through their actions and words - if we don't have a POV from them.

According to Elain's own actions and words, she feels like she belongs in the NC. She has made friends here. She has shown desire for Azriel (And no, you can't argue this unless y'all are just walking around getting aroused for random people 🤨🤨) like not trying to be crass, but it was clear ELAIN wanted that almost kiss with Azriel on Solstice.

And yes, she is a fictional character. So why would I sit here thinking "Oh I know what's best for her" when her desires and feelings have been made clear already?

She avoids her mate. She doesn't avoid Azriel.

She is mending the relationship with her sisters. She is making friends in the NC. She is ready to train her powers.

And yet all that development, everything she has been doing and saying - all that is absolutely irrelevant when Cassian says she looks bad in black? When Feyre says she would like spring court because the flowers? The fandom is doing exactly what the characters are doing to Elain - ignoring her own actions and words and desires in favor of what suits their perception of her and narrative more.

Once again, antis are claiming to "want what's best for Elain" when they are ignoring that Elain has shown exactly she wants already.

She was literally raised by Mama Archeron to be a pretty little doll trophy. And that's exactly the plot/future Eluciens have planned for her when they say they want her to mingle in balls with Lucien and "be a diplomat". She's tired of being the meek pretty one! Is that so hard to understand? She is more than just a trophy!

You can't pick and choose what to respect out of SJMs writing. What to regard as reliable narration and unreliable commentary. What moments to keep and what moments to stubbornly ignore.

Read the books as they are. There's no need to read between the lines when the text tells you exactly what you need to know.

[ae-neon]

Nesta Archeron // Pallas Athene

Nesta Archeron as the Goddess Athena

While I'm not the biggest fan of warrior Nesta

I think Athena fits her in a perfect way as she's not the goddess of the physical art of war but of strategic warfare. In the same way, Nesta's first and greatest weapon was always her mind.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, handicraft and is a protector of the city of Athens. In acomaf and acowar Nesta is largely motivated to work with the IC in hopes of saving as many humans (and Fae) as is possible. She also calculates the amount of boats needed to evacuate the populace.

Athena took the name Pallas after her friend who died when Zeus interfered in their sparring match, which distracted Pallas and caused Athena to fatally harm her. In a way this parallels the death of Clare Beddor, Nesta's friend who died when her name was given in place of Feyre's.

Athena is a bearer of the aegis, a powerful item capable of mythical levels of magic. In the same way Nesta uses the Dread Trove.

In many accepted versions, Athena is a result of parthenogenesis and has no mother, having been birthed fully-grown from Zeus's forehead. This can be paralleled by the absence and namelessness of Mama Archeron. As well as Nesta's emergence from the Cauldron, not just surviving its attempts to kill her but taking from the primordial power pool of the world itself.

In other versions, however, Athena is the child of Metis; Zeus's first wife and advisor and the personification of wisdom and council. Zeus fearfully swallows the pregnant Metis after it is predicted she will bear a son who is wiser than his mother and more powerful than his father.

Nesta, in many respects, is exactly that. Even able to rebuild the family fortune in less than a year by investing the money Tamlin offers. Paired with the knowledge and skill needed to calculate the evacuation plans. She also defies a High Lords' glamour as a human, advises Feyre to follow her heart and return to Prythian, sways the tide in the meeting of the High Lords etc.

Athena is often represented by snakes (medicine) and owls (protection and victory) many soldiers would be comforted by the sight of an owl over the battlefield. While Nesta is referred to as a viper and tied very closely to the winged people of Illyria, even saving a squad from the blast of the Cauldron.

Athena is also often associated with olive trees. In popular culture, olive branches are symbolic of reconciliation which is a prevalent theme for Nesta, especially with Feyre.

But Nesta and Athena also contrast in many ways. Athena is always aligned with Patriarchy and men.

She is Zeus's favourite child and allowed to bear his most powerful weapons including the aegis and lightning bolts despite the prophecy of her birth because she is not seen as a threat because she is a woman.

But in contrast Nesta is the most openly hostile towards her father, rooting him at the centre of her fear, anger and frustration despite his disability and circumstances.

Nesta is also very defiant and dismissive of the male authority and male figures around her with far less leniency than others grant to "nice guys" like Lucien, Cassian and Rhysand.

Nesta aligns herself more often with women and traditionally feminine but not "submissive" or performative traits. Her modesty is a choice and a shield more than a performance set to attract male attention or respect. Even her participation in the Rite ultimately boils down to her choosing to protect her friends more than to achieve something which would gain her love and respect from Cassian and other Illyrian males.

SJM's inconsistency and poor handling aside

Athena is Zeus's favourite child and patron goddess of the city of Athens not despite the ancient Greeks misogyny, but because she conforms to male ideals.

Nesta on the other hand, takes the power of the Cauldron for and by herself, she is often described as a queen and offered great power and titles associated with powerful men but rejects these not out of love for another but out of personal principle.

[achaotichuman]

What do you think is the reaction of everyone that saw Tamlin's Female form for the first time? Shock? Disgusted? Proud? In awe? Curiosity?

This is one I've been thinking about!!!!

We'll start with Lucien. Lucien would've been insistent about seeing her in female form. He would've dragged her out to go shopping. Hyped her up with cheering and whistles. Helped to teach her how to put on corsets (since professional bodice ripper Lucien would know his way around a corset). Lucien would be Tamlin's biggest supporter. And definitely would daydream about her, would've already been daydreaming about Tamlin in male form, but female form? Corsets and dresses to rip off? My man would be swooning.

Now Andras. Andras would be the biggest supporter second only to Lucien. He would immediately put himself into the overprotective brother/bodyguard role and anyone who dares talk smack about his High lady would get a beating so bad Azriel would look the other.

Rhysand wouldn't know how to react. He would probably taunt Tamlin for not believing High ladies could exist when she is in female form. He would most likely observe Tam really closely and accidently come across as leering. He might ask uncomfortable questions not realizing they're making Tamlin uncomfortable. Ultimately, I think he would secretly decide Tamlin is smoking hot and if this was before he met Feyre, he would be jumping all over her.

Eris would be super supportive. He himself experiments with crossdressing so he would most likely steal some of Tamlin's dresses and would recommend different places to shop. He would join Lucien and Tam on their outings.

Tarquin is in love. Tamlin just has that effect. Tar would accept her immediately and would be trying not to blush whenever Tam gets close. Lucien would be really jealous and hold Tamlin whenever he gets the chance around Tarquin, just so the Summer Lord knows to back off. I think it would just be a little crush that Tarquin would eventually get over, but overall he is always there is Tam needs to vent, he's a great friend.

Cressida sees Tamlin, squints, looks her up and down, tells her to give her a spin. Tamlin's spins, her skirts flaring out, Cressida looks her up and down again and says, "damn looking good, Spring." Tamlin is left blushing and giggling for the rest of the day.

Viviane grabs Tamlin's hands and starts gushing about all the places they could go. The parties they could throw. She's already planning girls night. Poor Tamlin who isn't incredibly social is mentally preparing to be dragged into a lot of parties. Viviane helps Tamlin to explore her femineity and build up the courage to appear in Court as a woman.

Alis is proud of her. Alis used to catch Tamlin admiring her mother's dresses, she knew she had a fascination for things considered 'girly' or feminine. Alis knew, she was waiting for when Tamlin would finally have the confidence to go into the world as a woman.

The Lady of Autumn admires her, she respects the bravery it takes to go out into Prythian and face the world as someone who directly challenges the gender construct. Mama Autumn has a lot of respect for Tamlin, she hopes she won't face much backlash from the citizens of Prythian.

Cassian is a little confused. Especially when Tamlin shifts between genders, he is very taken aback when he sees Tamlin for the first time. It takes him a while to understand that depending on what form Tamlin is in will change what pronouns she is using, but he tries his best.

Azriel thought Tamlin was Morrigan when he first saw her. Then when he realized she was in fact not Morrigan he tried to hook up with her. When he was told that she was Tamlin, he did not make eye contact with anyone for the rest of the night, Tamlin and Lucien mocked him relentlessly.

Morrigan didn't really care at first. The LGBTQIA+ in her was celebrating that this was a monumental step forward for people like her. But overall she didn't care that it was Tamlin. She did get very annoyed when Azriel tried to hookup with Tamlin and has begun to view her as competition.

Helion thought Tamlin was hot as told as much. Lady of Autumn made a 'like father like son' comment. Lucien's face was red as his hair at that comment.

Thesan just gave her a thumbs up and said, 'Cool dress.'

Kallias said he respected Tamlin for having the courage to show who she was and not hide it. He said that Winter would be on her side if any of the other Courts, or other Faery Territories gave her a hard time.

Amren does not care. Amren does not know Tamlin is there half the time.

Varian just gave her a thumbs up and said, 'Cool dress.'

Feyre was shocked and taken aback when she saw Tamlin. There was a little hostility from her. Mostly due to the fact she in under the impression that Tamlin is a misogynist and therefore cannot understand why she would want to be in the body of a woman. Ultimately, because of Morrigan's distinction Feyre would not be outright hostile, and I do not believe she would mean to be hostile. But she would not understand it, and it would take a while for her to accept that Tamlin is genderfluid.

There would be backlash in Spring. It would be the Lesser Fae and pixies that would accept Tamlin for who she is and still consider her their leader. But the High Fae would most likely try to rebel, perhaps even try to execute her under the guise of witchcraft. They wouldn't get far as all the surrounding Courts would flood Spring with support and cut out any potential threats to Tamlin's life.

Please feel free to add onto this and add anyone I missed. These were the just the people I thought of off the top of my head. Thank you for the question! Have an amazing day!

[nikethestatue]

Öncelikle merhaba, ben fandomda ve tumblr da yeniyim. İngilizcem maalesef yok bu yüzden ana dilim türkçe ile size yazıyorum. Şunu söylemeliyim ki sizin bloğunuzu yeni keşfettim ve çeviri yaparak takip ediyorum. Düşünce tarzınızı ve konulara pragmatik bakış açınızı çok beğeniyorum. Fandoma katılmadan önce instagramda sürekli karşıma gwyn ve azriel resimleri çıkıyordu ve kitapların hepsini okuduğum halde bunun nereden çıktığını anlayamadım. Tarafsız bir gözle iki çift hakkında yazılanları takıntılı bir şekilde okumaya başladım. Fandomun gwyn ve azriel olan kısmıyla ilgili ilgimi çeken ilk şey gwyn'a fazla önem vermeleri ve elain'in hikayesini ve duygularını hiç umursamadıklarını fark ettim. Bonus bölümü okuduktan sonra neden bu şekilde düşündüklerini anlıyorum ama elain hala oradayken sanki bir anda hikayeden çıkmış ya da bir arka plan karakteriymiş gibi onu ciddiye almamaları bana göre en büyük yanılgı. Azriel'in gwyn ile birlikte olduğu bir senaryo elain'in hikayesini çöpe atar ve elain/lucien hikayesine büyük bir darbe vurur. Azriel'in elain yerine seçim yaptığı ve başka bir seçenek kalmadığı için lucien ile birlikte kalan elain'in hikayesinin ne kadar sorunlu olduğunu göremeyen herkese çok şaşırıyorum. Bunun sebebinin elain'in sevilmediği bu yüzden önem verilmediği olduğunu düşünüyorum ama sarah'ın böyle düşündüğünü sanmıyorum. Bu bir elain/lucien hikayesi olacaksa bunun bir sonraki kitap olması gerek çünkü elain'in seçimini elinden aldığınızda sarah'ın onunla ilgili yazdığı her şeyi çöpe atması gerekecek. Her neyse umarım beni anlayabilirsin. Bu arada yazdığınız kurgu harika <3

Hello,

(this is the translation of your ask)

First of all hi, I'm new to fandom and tumblr. Unfortunately, I do not speak English, so I am writing to you in Turkish, my mother tongue. I have to say that I just discovered your blog and I am following it by translating. I really like your way of thinking and your pragmatic approach to issues. Before joining the fandom, I was constantly seeing pictures of gwyn and azriel on Instagram and although I read all the books, I couldn't understand where this came from. With a neutral eye, I began obsessively reading about the two couples. The first thing that caught my attention about the part of the fandom that was gwyn and azriel was that they cared too much for gwyn and didn't care at all about elain's story and feelings. After reading the bonus chapter, I understand why they think that way, but it seems to me the biggest mistake is that they didn't take her seriously while she was still there, as if she was out of the story or as a background character. A scenario where Azriel is with Gwyn throws Elain's story in the trash and deals a big blow to the Elain/Lucien story. I am very surprised to everyone who can't see how problematic Elain's story is when Azriel chooses over Elain and stays with Lucien because there is no other option left. I think it's because Elain is not loved and therefore not given importance, but I don't think Sarah thinks so. If this is going to be an elain/lucien story, it has to be the next book because when you take away Elain's choice, she'll have to trash everything Sarah wrote about her. Anyway, I hope you can understand me. By the way, your writing is amazing <3

I think generally speaking, the difference between the two ships is very simple: Elriel is canon, and Gwynriel is fanon.

Elriel is based on text, on what SJM wrote, on what her thoughts were and where she wanted to take the story of bot ust Elain and Azriel, but the rest of the characters, and how it all intertwined. Elriel is SJM's vision. It's pretty clear, and in her own words OBVIOUS.

Gwynriel is a creation of the fandom. It's not SJM's creation. Gwynriel is fanarts on Insta, it's headcanos, it's TikToks, it's aggressive arguments. It has very little to do with SJM or her vision, or her story. It's things like 'Azriel's shadows love Gwyn so much, they call her mama'.

With Elriel, we don't really need any 'extras'. We don't need to make up things about shadows, mysterious paternities, 'maybe she is Tamlins/Eris/Lucien's daughter' or making up things like 'Fate' and how Gwyn is connected to it. We don't need to create an entirely new character in order to make Gwyn 'fit' with Azriel. We don't need to borrow any of Gwyn's characteristics or traits for Elain, because the thing is that of course Azriel likes Elain just as she is. And Elain likes Azriel. THe story is already there, embedded in SJM's writing.

It's Truth Teller and 'I am getting her back' and 'sit down. I'll take care of it' and 'oh, it's from me' and Azriel's joyful laugh, and Elain calling his hands 'beautiful', and quiet conversations, charged glances, and touches and glances.

We write fanfics and headcanons for fun and to flex our creative muscle, but if we didn't do any of it, the story of Elain and Azriel would still be there. Just like the story of Lorcan and Elide, or Feyre and Rhys.

And as you said, SJM has no need or reason to not write the continuation of that story.

The obsession with the tertiary (and not very interesting) character like Gwyn will never not be weird. T

The good thing is that people are finally coming to their senses. Lastly, and I said it about a million times, but SJM does not write FFM love triangles. Two traumatised women aren't going to fight with each other over a guy. SJM is not going to do that to Elain, and won't do that to Gwyn. SJM isn't perfect, but it's ALWAYS, ALWAYS MMF triangles. ALWAYS. SJM won't make Gwyn Azriel's 3rd choice, because the other two chicks that he liked said 'no' and she won't take choice away from Elain.

[darklove9314-blog]

ACOTAR Series Spoilers/Theory

Okay so I have quite a few theories on where the series is going. And I really wanted to share them.

So I’m convinced the next book is going to be Elain’s book, there’s just a lot more set up for a book about her then a book about Azriel and honestly I’ve already shared how I don’t think her and Azriel are endgame. SJM has talked about both their books as separate books. She’s referred to her future books as an Azriel book and an Elain book, but two characters she’s never mentioned getting a book despite us knowing a LOT of things about them and having a lot of set up for stories that may involve them are Lucien and Gwyn.

Honestly, Lucien has way too much set up surrounding him not to be a love interest in one of the future books. He’s not only a secret love child to one of the High lords of Prythian, but he’s also that High Lords sole heir. He has spell cleaving magic just like Helion and he’s friends with the band of Exiles, one of which is Queen Vassa, who not only has a spell placed on her that needs breaking but also is one of the very few people who was with Papa Archeron for his very last days along with you guessed it Lucien.

Vassian is also a ship I don’t think will happen. Despite the fact that Lucien seems at ease with Vassa. I personally see how SJM is setting up Vassa and Jurian to be Queen and King of the Human Lands, they both have a fierce devotion to the humans and work together all the time, (Not to mention SJM hinting at the fact how they’re always at each others throats gives me SJM enemies to lovers vibes) and it’s obvious to me that Lucien, despite feeling like he’s a part of this group also feels like an outsider of it as well. Just like how Elain is part of the Night Court but they tend to exclude her in a lot of things until she demands to be a part of them.

But another theory I have when it comes to Elain’s story is Kosheci. I’ve seen a lot of people discuss a big betrayal coming in the next ACOTAR book and I’m guessing it’s coming in the way of Papa Archeron. Going back to ACOWAR, Papa Archeron had to make a bargain with Koschei in order to release Vassa from the lake long enough for them to win the war, but things like that have to come at a hefty price, and so think that price comes in the form of one of his daughters hands in marriage.

Now I don’t have a lot to support that theory, but it doesn’t mean that it still can’t be a possibility. (I also have quite a few theories that I put in my fanfic Symphonia and how I think that Mama Archeron is also linked to Koschei. And how Nesta may be his daughter but that theory doesn’t go hand in hand with this one. This theory is just in case Nesta turns out not to be Koschei’s daughter.but if she does that would also be a big betrayal)

Also some other betrayals I think could be in future ACOTAR books is this thing with Eris. Now I’m not saying that Eris would betray the Night Court and go back on his deal with them, but there is something suspicious going on between him and Keir. Not only did Rhys allow access to Velaris for Eris, but he also did it for Keir as well. Now we all know that Beron has been trying to stir up trouble. But what if Keir is working with him?

I think Keir is playing Eris, making Eris think he is on his side when he still supports his father and is feeding information back to Beron. I believe that they are both waiting until Eris challenged his father to acknowledge that Beeon had known about it for awhile and I do believe that Beron will not only declare war on the Night Court for Aligning with Eris and planning to over throw him, but I think his strategy for trying to defeat the Night Court will have to do with aligning himself with Keir and the Court of Nightmares but also Illyria as well. ( We already know there’s plenty of unrest in both areas and how they feel like they don’t get the treatment they deserve from their High Lord. And both areas don’t like him nor Feyre.)

But those are my theories. Do you guys think any of this will happen? And what are some of your theories for how the future ACOTAR books will go?

[feyreswaterybowels]

okay, so im so obsessed with your lucien fic! fey and rhy’s sister so so funny together and I love the relationship between her and lucien.

i was wondering if you planned to give the sister a name? also why did you choose the nicknames he calls her?

Oh, hi anon! Thank you so much for this question!

First, I’m glad yall are enjoying the relationship between Rhys’ sister and Feyre—I really wanted them to have a funny, fun, sister/besties relationship and I’m so glad yall are picking up on that!

I do not plan to give the sister a name. She’ll be addressed by pet names like Lucien does or a title like “Princess/Princess of Night Court/Velaris’ Princess” etc!

So, funny story about the nicknames I choose. Pretty girl and sweet girl are just typical for me when writing a more dominant character with a more submissive character (though dominant and submissive didn’t totally matter. I have a scene in the next chapter where she calls Lucien her sweet boy and in the first chapter she calls him her handsome mate).

However with, Princess, Lucien uses it both as a pet name and a title. In my mind he actively addresses her as Princess in their day to day lives as he would with any High Lord or a Lady. Our LuLu baby has good manners okay, his mama raised him well.

But as I’ve been writing (because I’m considering possibly doing a prequel, if the people want it, of how their relationship came about and how he finds out who she is), I’ve been thinking about when he first met her.

We know with his metal eye he can see through glamours and things like that. I haven’t went into much detail but she is heavily glamoured, possibly put on her when the wards were placed on Spring to keep her trapped inside, in turn glamouring so no one would know who she was and run back to tell Rhysand. I think Lucien immediately saw through her glamour and had most likely seen her in passing at some point in their lives with both having dads as high lords.

So he sees her and he’s like she looks familiar where do I know her from then like…what the fuck, aren’t you dead??? Obviously he doesn’t say that. But I do think he confronts her about it one day and Lucien being Lucien started calling her Princess sarcastically before it became something he called her respectfully and lovingly 🥹😂

Read Here

[flowerflamestars]

For the backstory asks: the fairy and merchant grandmothers from Effloresce and mama Archeron also from the same fic. Your Vanserra family backstory since more of the brothers are dead and Sorcha is the Vanserra and Beron married in. Your version of Rhysand's mother and sister, because I love the previous posts about them. Llewellyn in both the soul mate aus. Ellie as well. Just the magic system in general of the universe. Where Jason got the idea of the "I love you×10000000" flower language bouquets. What happens to the time lines after Nesta and Lucien are sent back. What is Lucien's deal with Helion in lucnes affair fic? How is the human lands fairing in any of the acotar fic? Sorry if this is a lot! Thank you!

No apologies necessary, I love abundance!

Murder tree Grandma and Archeron Grandma both get to have relevant plot fairly soon in Effloresce's timeline, so minor spoilers from here on: Mama Archeron was a faery princess. Think the little mermaid but more flighty and impetuous. Those legs were meant for frolicking, and that's what she did, right up until her death. Her mother, off in the Blooming Country, is very interested in finding her murderer.

Calista Archeron- merchant grandma- lived a very expected life until she was about 45. She was the unnamed head of the family. She protected her vassals, loved her land, made absolute heaps of money. And then, one day, her healer told her those little pains, strange aches she was having, indicated a lethal condition. Years left, maybe. If she was very lucky.

Calista looked at her prosperous, respectable life- her fun, not a love match gay husband, her well-educated and happily married son, next generation already born, her well-hammered out contracts- and decided to live. For herself. For just a while. A faked death later (her husband absolutely helped), the untouched fortune she brought to her marriage secreted away, Calista set out to find the dreaming city all her ships had long sailed to.

My tract with the Vanserra backstory is that Sorcha is Autumn Faery Elizabeth of York, basically. Beron's a conqueror. He married her greater claim, and remade Autumn into what it is now. I do different brother stuff in different stories, but a through-line is the desperate, violent fighting for favor under a monstrous father. Who may never even die. The longest long terms plans and the haunting futility of really trying. Lucien being the youngest is an incidental saving grace, this has all already been doing on for centuries by the time he was born.

I've said it before, but by almost any measure, even in canon, Rhysand's mother and sister were both about 10x cooler than he'll ever be. For fun, I like to reject the bad marriage proposition- the writing there is also just. SO weak- I think Rhy's mum was cool and hot and wild, to a degree that her ancient traditional faery husband probably couldn't keep up. His true love gifted chaos gremlin. If Rhys is most of his own parents bad qualities (reckless, too invested in his own power, ect.- by accident almost certainly, the books DO make a firm argument for this point for both him and Feyre), than his sister gets to be a different mix. Maybe she was better at understanding her restrained father. Maybe her mother foresaw her absolute break with tradition that her existence implied.

Llewellyn! He's a trauma surgeon by most recent training. He was born in 1919, which makes him older than almost everyone he loves and, conversely, an absolute cute little infant of a witch. He's Thomas O'Malley the alley cat but grumpy, about to scowl his way through sweeping all of Dick's siblings under his wing. He's the only au character who had a good childhood. His most natural magic is a creeping, crawling, consuming bloody control that he has very, very stubbornly pivoted into being a doctor. His hated of Nazi's is deeply personal, seconded only by his distaste for his first magical mentor, the reason he ever had such experiences in the first place. Whereas Dick is like, candy coating of charm stretched over a league of extreme competence and HOPE that almost hides a nuclear core of rage- Llewellyn is all scowls and stubborn enjoyment of being truly excellent at things, but the love is right beneath the surface at all times.

Ellie gets a more traditional shitty Gotham background (partially for Very Plot Relevant Reasons)- she's the only daughter of a teen mom. She has three half-siblings she's never met and looks a little too much like. She spent much of her childhood poor and clever and furious, being repeated rejected by bougie private school. She has connections to the irish mob. Her mom named her Eleanor Grace (REDACTED) in a hope of upward mobility. She's equally lost as Llewellyn is, and hides it almost as well. She went to Wizard Parliament and promptly punched someone in the face- (the fact that he was born in 1467 made this much easier, considering her limited reach). The attack dog on a chain ism of Jason/Elle gets almost immediately flipped whenever she really gets going- she is NOT ANYONE'S moral center, actually. Just a heart.

"I love you×10000000" flower arrangements- a name which is making me laugh, thank you- is a couple things. For one thing, Jason is a dramatic bitch in almost every possible way. He's also. DEEP deep deep deep deep down, got just a lil childhood shyness leftover that he covers with immense bravado and/or being an asshole. This has synthesized to make him a Gestures Guy. (see: knives, guns, eye-wateringly expensive lipstick and what he's going to do when he actually figures out her real family situation). He's also, it cannot be unsaid, a massive fucking nerd.

OOOO! Timeloop, okay. A constant, which you might recall drives Lucien very lightly insane at the start, is that the Archeron sisters die or drown. Always. Fae or death. Early death timelines are bad for everyone involved, and usually end in Lucien's shared premature demise or Hybern winning the war. When Nesta has time, they get more interesting. Dead Rhys causes, across several lives: Feyre as high lady NC civil war, HL Morrigan, Illyrian breakaway, Elain throwing up her hands and taking over with Eris, and so many Feyre breakdowns. Loop 25 when they all die causes massive civil war (spring + autumn team up never to be repeated in quite the same way) and the destruction of night. Loop 27 (Cassian murders Lucien and Nesta, in turn, rips out of his heart) leaves Feyre in a life where she's bound by death promise to a man she's left. I like to imagine she goes back to Spring.

Affair fic Helion involvement is to be revealed, but the basics are that he needs an heir. Lucien agrees to actually be that heir (and help kill Beron) in exchange for any help to save Nesta, a thing he does not totally understand a heartbroken Helion would have given to him for free.

So, in effloresce the human lands have much more complicated/normal governments, cities, populations ect. In almost every other story I tend to go with canon...which seems to be that it's a giant mess? Humans don't get to have religion or history, (equality for anyone but their...hereditary matrilineal monarchy?????), and all their queens rule...together? and are now missing and or/evil/presumed dead after the war? I like to think this triggers greater regional independence and societal change, but yeah. It's bad after the war. It has to be absolute chaos in the ruins beneath the wall.

[missfckingfortune]

"Listen, if you're not reading this super-sexy modern Elucien rockstar second-chance romance, I don't know what you're doing with your life. Elain and Lucien were high school sweethearts who had their lives together all planned out, until Lucien left to chase his rockstar dreams. Ten years later, he's returned home for Beron's funeral and once they're back in each other's orbit, they both can't stay away. Lucien is determined to win her back, but Elain is much more wary, even though the attraction is definitely still there. There's also a great big bro Eris, and Mama Vanserra finally has her freedom from Beron so she can maybe start something up again with hot French professor Helion...and also tell him about their child, who is also going to need to know about his true parentage." AHHHHHH. I'm so honored to be mentioned!!

my favourite ACOTAR fic by authors not on tumblr

I wanted to give some love to stories that aren't often mentioned on Tumblr and don't reblogged over and over because their writers don't have accounts here. (I also just want more people to read some of my faves and scream about them with me.)

A Court of Ash and Sunlight by aturner1205 (Elucien; complete)

This Elucien fic had me on the edge of my seat and making up wild theories while it was posting. (I was incredibly wrong in said wild theories.) Elain and Lucien start to get to know each other better when they both are mourning her father on his birthday, and she confesses to him that she's never felt their bond. They're getting closer, and then Lucien is sent off on a dangerous mission, there's an accidental pregnancy, and Koschei after the Archerons. Tons of twists and turns here!

Fury and Siren by hurricane (next-gen; complete)

Next-gen fics where the kids are already adults are sometimes a hard sell, but these two interconnected stories get you deeply invested in Nyx and his cousins (their parents are all still around too). The first one is Nyx and an Illyrian shadowsinger (hmmm...) who's secretly been avenging abused and clipped Illyrian females, and the second is Nessian's son Caden and the only female Darkbringer who's been sent to assassinate him. These boys are definitely their fathers' sons, with their charm and flirting, but their partners do not let them rest on their privilege.

I Miss You (When the Lights Go Out), I Want to Taste the Way That You Bleed, and I Am Done With My Graceless Heart by greenvelvet_couture (Nessriel; ongoing series)

Soooo much Nessriel smut that kicks off when Azriel returns from a mission injured and Nessian want to take care of him (physically first, then sexually). Also a lot about Nesta training her post-ACOSF powers and the dangers that go along with that. But the author is VERY dedicated to the smut, bless her. Part 2 has just started and picks up with Bryce in the Night Court.

A Long Way Down by becauseofreading (Nessian; ongoing)

This one is a tough read, but it does a beautiful job of showing the recovery process from trauma and a suicide attempt. Nesta is suicidal and has deeply convinced herself of her unworthiness. Cassian is taken to task for his treatment of her and the words he's levelled at his mate, and the Valkyries, Azriel, and Elucien rally around her as she tries to heal and love herself with proper therapy. Cassian is ashamed of his treatment of her and is allowed in to help her heal if he doesn't upset her.

Where You Used to Lay Your Head by loveL (Gwynriel; ongoing)

This one is a bit of a time mindfuck, so you have to just accept that the Archerons and the Valkyries were born much earlier than they were in canon. Sixty years ago, Azriel and Gwyn were happy in their secret 20-year relationship (the IC knew he had a partner, but didn't know who she was) when suddenly Gwyn up and left him. Now she's back in the Night Court with Nesta and Emerie after creating the Valkyries in the Day Court, and Azriel is finally going to try to find out what happened that made Gwyn leave and stay away for so long.

Forgive Me, A Court of Shadow and Smoke, and The High Lady, the Shadowsinger, and the Omega, Part 1 and Part 2 by darcyshandflex (Elucien, Azris, next-gen; ongoing)

This epic series starts with Elucien and explaining why Elain has avoided him for so long--but now she's ready to fight for him. In A Court of Shadow and Smoke, we have omegaverse!Azris finally getting together (Azriel's the alpha, Eris is the omega) and all of the emotional and political issues that causes. The final two parts span 30+ years with Azris raising their three girls. When the girls are adults, their future partners are discovered, and that has long-lasting impacts on multiple courts in Prythian. This one is still ongoing, and apparently the final part is going to be sad and I'm not ready for it.

And here are three writers I would have included on this list who have since gotten on Tumblr (I procrastinated on writing this post for THAT long, but they were on the original draft!):

A Little Bit of Light Reading by @infinitefolklore (Elucien; complete)

One of my all-time favourite ACOTAR stories that I have reread a bajillion times. Elain and Lucien are alone at the townhouse and start flirting, which leads to other things, including library sex, a sorta blood duel, a reconciliation, a solstice sex party in the Summer Court, PLUS a threesome near the end, as a little treat.

I Can Wait For You at the Bottom by MissFreakingFortune/ @missfckingfortune (Elucien; ongoing)

Listen, if you're not reading this super-sexy modern Elucien rockstar second-chance romance, I don't know what you're doing with your life. Elain and Lucien were high school sweethearts who had their lives together all planned out, until Lucien left to chase his rockstar dreams. Ten years later, he's returned home for Beron's funeral and once they're back in each other's orbit, they both can't stay away. Lucien is determined to win her back, but Elain is much more wary, even though the attraction is definitely still there. There's also a great big bro Eris, and Mama Vanserra finally has her freedom from Beron so she can maybe start something up again with hot French professor Helion...and also tell him about their child, who is also going to need to know about his true parentage.

Phoenix Rising by Vivienne1412/ @annaskareninas (Elucien; ongoing, complete with regular updates)

I need you to drop everything and go read this fic. Yes, NOW. No, I'll wait.

Beron has seized control over all of Prythian and has either killed or exiled all of High Lords and other powerful fae (Feysand and Nyx are in the Hewn City dosed with faebane everyday; Nessian escaped to Hybern). The humans have also gathered enough power that they're a dangerous threat to the fae. Elain has been working as a nurse for the fae resistance efforts, and her latest patient is the long-thought-dead Lucien, the only free heir of any of the High Lords. They go on the run to protect him, as there's a prophecy about him that makes him the last hope to defeat Beron and Autumn for good, and shore up support from the Continent to get a fighting force. This is an incredibly well-written fantasy story with crazy-high stakes and DRAGONS. Go read it.

[goddessesofeverything]

Of Ice Cream and Lights

A/N: This is a fic based within the universe of @tri3tri where the reader and Yandere!Malleus have a son, Lucien, who is starved for affection from the reader. So...I wrote a story in which the reader is transported from a different universe that has a loving relationship with both Malleus and Lucien. Thank you to Tri for letting me use her characters for this fic! Please check out her other works!  

Tagging: @tri3tri

Yandere!Malleus x Fem!Reader ft. Lucien 

You woke up and immediately opened your eyes to a familiar sight. The sight of you and your husband’s bedroom. The space next to yours was empty. To be expected, of course, Malleus had so many duties as King of the Valley of Thorns after all.

You slid the covers off and lept out of bed, ready to start the day yourself. 

Searching through the hallways, you attempted to locate the wayward Lilia to ask him about the latest reports of Lucien’s studies in magic. 

Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted Lucien hiding behind the wall. You turned to the hiding boy and bent down with a smile on your face. “What are you doing hiding over there? I’m not that scary am I?” 

Lucien ducks further behind the wall, uncertain if this was a trick or not. You frown internally at his hesitancy to approach you. Usually Lucien would come running into your arms as soon as he spotted you. Drawing slightly closer, you whisper to him, “Are you playing hide and seek with Lilia? Is that why you’re hiding?”

Lucien blinked and glanced behind himself to see if you were talking to someone behind him but there wasn’t anyone there. He didn’t know what to do about this development. You were smiling at him. You were speaking to him playfully. There was a warmth to your eyes looking at him that was never present before. But if you were speaking to him, he knew he should answer before the opportunity was lost. He quickly shook his head.

“In that case, can I get my good morning hug now?” You spread your arms and he bounded over to you as fast as possible. Little arms wrapped around you in a tight hug, face burrowed in your chest and hands fisting the fabric of the back of your dress. You set your arms around his trembling form, soothing whispers leaving your lips. “Did you have another nightmare last night?” 

Lucien shook his head against you and burrowed deeper into your embrace. This. This was the contact that he had been craving so much from you.  

You readjusted your grip in order to scoop him up so that you could carry him. You rest him against your hip before running your fingers through his hair. You placed a kiss to his forehead and his horns before gently lifting his face to look at yours. 

Lucien had tears running down his eyes and he sniffled when you had him pull away. 

“What’s the matter, my little dragon prince? What do you need?”

Lucien ducked his head down and bit his lip. What if you turn cold again if he asks for you to do this? If he risks your anger, would you notice him more? He quickly glances up at you again to see patient eyes and a smile still on your face. Lucien pulled at the fabric that remained in his grip and tugged you back into the embrace. “Can you hug me more?”

“Of course, my little prince. Always…” you replied to him. You begin to rock side to side, bouncing him a little within your arms. You begin humming a little song as you card your fingers through his hair again. 

“Lucien?” you eventually say.

Lucien stiffened in your arms, waiting for the evitable moment that you’d let go, waiting for the coldness of your tone and face to make its reappearance. But it never came. Instead…

“Would you like to help me make some ice cream for your father? He’s been incredibly busy lately and I think this would be a nice surprise for him. What do you think?”

Lucien’s head shoots up from your chest, nearly knocking into your chin if not for your built reflexes from all the times you’ve dodged his head before. 

“Yes, please!” Lucien practically shaking from the possibility of helping you with anything. Not to mention, you were talking about father! You were talking about making a gift for him! 

You giggle at Lucien’s bright eyes and newfound energy. Often, you would have to distract your son from nightmares/memories of them and one of the best ways was to cook or bake something. Lilia would have to be kept from the kitchen though. Before anything else, you needed to locate the bat first. 

Shifting Lucien for a better grip, you found yourself nearly colliding with Sebek. “Your majesty!” Sebek immediately launched back before you two could make contact.

“Oh good! Sebek! Would you happen to know where Lilia is? I would like to have a word with him.” You smile at Sebek’s sputtering. It reminded you of all the times he would first get shocked from how casually you addressed Malleus. You waited for his sputtering to slow before addressing him again.  

“Can you please tell Lilia to meet us in the dining room? I would like to speak to him for a moment.” Heaving Lucien up into a better grip, you head off to the dining room. Along the way, you could hear the whispers of the passing servants wherever you went. It was no secret that the servants would love to gossip but it seemed that they were in more of a buzz than usual. You’ve since learned to tune out the chatter of the crowd. 

Soon, you were met with the smiling face of Lilia, himself. He eyes your hold over Lucien before facing your beaming face. 

“Good morning Lilia,” you greeted. “Can you please keep Malleus busy for me? I would like to surprise him with some homemade ice cream and…” you bend to conspiratorially to whisper in Lilia’s ear, “I believe it would be a great way to distract Lucien from his nightmares. I think he’s having some again.”

Lilia’s smile grew wider at your plans. If you were acknowledging your son and making Malleus a gift, this surely needed to be nurtured. Best to let you do as you pleased. Lilia could sense there was something different about you. A sort of magic that made you seem brighter than before. Making a mental note of it, Lilia only bowed and teased, “I’ll be sure to keep the King occupied, your majesty.” 

A nod of your head towards Lilia and you headed straight for the kitchen. While you had to let Lucien down, this was easier said than done. Lucien would not let go of you so you were stuck with a clingy dragon prince latched to your dress and face burrowed into your neck. 

“Lucien? Sweetie, I need to set you down now. We have to make Papa’s ice cream.” 

Lucien whimpered. You held longer than any other time he’s ever interacted with you and he was frightened that you’d never touch him again if he lets you go now. He’s had a taste of your warmth and affection and he was not going to lose it now. So, he takes what you’ve said about nightmares and uses it to his advantage. 

“Mama, I’m scared. You might go away like in the dreams…” Tears roll down his eyes and soak your dress once more. 

“My precious boy. You don’t ever have to worry. I’m here. I’m right here.” You stroked his head and kissed the top of it, right between his horns. “Mama is here. Mama loves you. So much. Daddy loves you too. We will never leave you.”

You set him on the counter before gently patting his cheeks with a handkerchief. Lucien’s hand still holding onto the sleeve of your gown.  

With tears still running down his face, you kissed his cheeks and wiped away the tears as best you could. “No matter what happens, Mama and Papa will always love you, okay?” You kiss his forehead and his cheeks before resting your forehead against his. 

Eventually, you had to pull away. Lucien let go. He knew if he pushed too hard, you might not hug him again. With a smile and another kiss to his forehead, you patted his cheeks with the handkerchief once more. You promised you’d be right back and Lucien released his hold on you. 

Flitting around the kitchen, you located all the ingredients and equipment necessary for the construction of the frozen treat. Everything laid out behind Lucien, you approached him once more and urged him to scoot closer to the ingredients. 

“It’s high time we made something new. Do you want to make mint chocolate chip ice cream for your father?” You grinned at Lucien as he nodded his head as fast as possible. 

“Yes, please!” 

You both set on your mission to make ice cream for Malleus. 

Throughout the entire process, you constantly looked over to Lucien and did your best to make him laugh. Tickling him, telling jokes, making funny faces, smearing some butter onto his face. Whatever it took to bring out that smile you loved. 

Lucien couldn’t believe the luck he had. His mother’s entire attention was on him and only him. Your focus and little actions of affection was everything. There wasn’t any other thing that could make this moment any better unless it was his father being there with them. 

Speaking of his father, Malleus had heard from Lilia of an unprecedented sight. 

Obviously, the king had to see for himself what Lilia had reported to him.

His wife, the constantly indifferent queen, was smiling and holding Lucien in her arms as if she’d been doing it her entire life. 

Having heard the squeals of delight and the unabashed laughter ringing through the halls, Malleus felt his entire being tremble from the sound. 

A sound that you haven’t made since your days at NRC. 

Malleus’s stealth was something to be desired at this time. His entire focus on that sweet sound he always wished to hear. It mattered not how long it had been, he will forever savor the chance to hear you happy once more. 

Peeking his head through the open doorway, he was greeted with the sight of his beloved with his son, smiling. There was no trace of the usual blankness that would typically paint your face. You were back, his bright light. 

Lucien spotted him first. Putting a finger to his lips, Malleus tiptoed his way to you. Your back was turned to the door as you continue to pour chocolate chips into your latest mixture. You were enchanting Lucien with tales of your youth so the sound covered Malleus’s approach. 

Malleus wrapped his arms around your waist and dropped a kiss on your neck. Brushing your ear with his cheek, he leaned over you to wink at his son. 

“Malleus!” You smiled and swatted at his arms with playful indignation. “You weren’t supposed to come down here yet. We were going to surprise you.”

“How could I not join? You were so beautiful and happy.” Malleus breathed in your scent, content in this moment in time. You weren’t squirming away nor leaning as far as possible without being impolite. On the contrary, you were leaning into his embrace. Going as far to caress his cheek with your smooth hands. 

Malleus melts at your loving touch. It draws out the deep, possessive purr from deep within his soul. 

With your smile at Lucien and your affection for Malleus saturating the air, he knew he would do whatever it took to keep you here. In this moment, in his hold, you would remain. However, it seems as if you’ve accepted your place by his side. 

And you, completely oblivious to the danger that surrounded you, hummed as you danced to grab the first batch of ice cream chilled in the freezer. 

Giving Malleus a kiss on the cheek and blowing a raspberry into Lucien’s, you set down the mint chocolate chip ice cream and produced three spoons. Father and son battling to be the first to spoon to dip into the luscious treat. Made by your hands, it was the best dessert ever. 

You giggle before scooping up some of the fruits of your labor yourself, unaware of the eyes that followed your every movement. 

In the quiet space of the kitchen, a family came a little closer together. 

[separatist-apologist]

will you share the plot of the regency Elucien AU? does it have a title?

I literally just sketched it out with @highladydawn this morning. I will tell you PART of what I landed with. And I've only written 1k words of it, so it has a long way to go. You can expect it to be set up like Dismantle. Repair where each chapter is 10k words. And right now I'm planning for 2 total parts but there is room to do 3. I want to make sure I'm wrapping up Exile and finishing Swallow the Sun, too. But I do love my fixations.

So it's basically this: Papa Archeron is dead and Nesta, upon going through the family accounts, realizes they are Broke capital B. The sisters convene. They can scrape together enough money for one dowry, at which point the ancient family estate because another mans problem.

They decide it'll be Feyre who weds. She brand new to the season and Nesta/Elain have been out for previous seasons. Feyre is fresh and they think Tamlin, a Baron, is interested. The three essentially pour everything they have into making Feyre marriagable.

MEANWHILE:

Lucien Vanserra is in fucking trouble. He SWORE to his mom he'd stop dueling (among other less savory pursuits) and he's caught again. His dad, the Duke of Dayton (HAHAHAHA this isnt even my worst pun), pulls all kinds of strings to keep Lucien from being arrested. Who is he dueling? Viscount Grayson. Why (you have to read to learn this)??

Mama Duchess is like, you said if I caught your dumbass pulling any more hijinks, you'd get married. So go get fucking married. And Lucien is like "okay" mom I will get "married". He has no intention of doing so. And when he meets Elain, he tells her as such and she's like, oh hey! me too!

Because I love to write idiots to lovers, the pair are like, lets FAKE court each other to get everyone else off our backs. Lucien especially likes this plan because Graysen wants Elain for himself and Lucien is a petty king.

I have my little sideplots, the bastard son of the Marquess of Blödshedd pursuing Nesta who is caught up in Eris Vanserra's shit (sorry but this is an anti-Neris zone), and the mysterious prince Rhysand from another unnamed country that takes an interest in Feyre.

[offtorivendell]

The Significance of Elain Archeron and Potatoes

Please don't screenshot this post without credit. 

Disclaimer: this is an analysis of the text as I interpret it, which makes no claims of accuracy. It's difficult to know whether the symbolism associated with certain items is widely accepted or not, so I've attempted to use a wide range of sources, and stick to what was more frequently mentioned. The following is purely hypothetical, and we won't discover the truth until we get Elain’s book. This is just a bit of fun!

Aside from being both delicious and versatile - boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew - potatoes appear to show (potential) significance, in the ACOTAR series, when it comes to Elain Archeron. This is very similar to Elain’s relationship with a cup of tea. 

Appropriately for Elain, who is frequently associated with spring, light, and rebirth, vegetation is said to symbolise the cycle of the seasons, as well as abundance and fertility. Potatoes themselves can also represent love, which fits with Mama Archeron's prediction that Elain will marry for "love and beauty." 

In dreams, potatoes are said to be associated with happiness and joy, achievement of desires, flexible natures, luck, and trust in your own destiny. More specifically, cooked potatoes can represent joy due to events unfolding as planned; if the dream is about potatoes that have not been worked on/prepared in any way, however, that can suggest laziness. 

The following post will attempt to analyse how and why the very few mentions of potatoes throughout the ACOTAR series are significant, and what SJM might be trying to tell us. It is fitting, no, that the character who became a Seer is written in such a way that makes us look for hints of her upcoming story throughout the books? 

The potatoes appear to suggest that Elain and Lucien will not pursue their bond 

ACOTAR, chapter 21

When Lucien discovered that Feyre had sneaked out to witness Calanmai, he understandably panicked, then carried Feyre back to Tamlin’s home over his shoulders, as if she were a sack of potatoes, before he dropped her on the floor of the manor hallway. 

On a first read through, this just sounded like an appropriate simile, but if we look at the scene in a bit more detail, it would appear to be more… perhaps evidence that Elain Archeron and Lucien Vanserra were never meant to be romantically involved. 

As I mentioned above, potatoes that have had nothing done with or to them, like, say, a sack of potatoes, are said to represent laziness. Now, this is not intended to suggest that Lucien is a lazy person, but when it comes to his relationship with Elain, I believe that this is a hint that he won't do much about it. Alternatively, some say that to dream of someone else carrying a sack of potatoes is a sign that you will help them solve a problem; this could indicate Elain and Lucien solving their problematic bond. 

Compare the imagery in the above scene, with that of the following: 

ACOWAR, chapter 24

We have Azriel, Elain’s other potential - and now assumed current - love interest, carrying Elain, bridal style, in through the front door of the townhouse, and setting her down gently, rather than dropping her. Additionally, Lucien’s "ghostly pale" face, when he found a then-human Feyre out and about on Calanmai, brings to mind Azriel, who Feyre has referred to as Death. I believe that these two scenes were meant to be compared and contrasted, with Feyre, the original potato, as a stand in for Elain. 

This scene between Elain and Azriel, aside from being both much more poetic in nature, and suggestive of Azriel's inherent comfort with Elain, as his shadows were absent, directly preceded Azriel inviting her out to the garden, which was an important set up for their later window scenes; it also gifted us with Elain not balking from Azriel, and Azriel with colour "blooming" high on his cheeks at Elain calling his scar- and siphon-covered hands "beautiful." 

Not only did Azriel carry Elain inside as husbands traditionally did their new wives, but parts of Elain, her golden-brown hair, snagged across Azriel’s chest and shoulders. Where is a mating bond felt? In the chest. And what colour are the threads? Golden. The imagery here appears to suggest that there are golden brown threads linking the two of them.

I would consider this a stretch if Elain and Azriel hadn't then proceeded to display more mate-like behaviour towards each other than other canonically mated couples in the series (see here and here). If Lucien hadn't announced that Elain was his mate at the end of ACOMAF, there would be plenty more people wondering if Azriel and Elain were mates; it seems intentional, and it's not the only time that SJM has written scenes with the two of them that slap us with themes that scream proposal (by @solar-lilith), wedding, or mate bond acceptance. 

The next time potatoes are mentioned, Elain and Azriel are meeting for the first time, and sharing their first meal

ACOMAF, chapter 24 

Perhaps significantly, Elain first met Azriel in chapter 24 of ACOMAF, just as their first flight and garden meeting happened in chapter 24 of ACOWAR. The following symbolism is interesting, to say the least. 

Poached salmon - salmon is connected to water, and Elain goes on to hear the crashing sea. Salmon is also connected with prosperity, fertility and wisdom. 

Dill - dill is said to symbolise preservation, happiness, wealth and passion, as well bringing luck, and warding off evil, including witches. Witches have been mentioned in each ACOTAR book, but we have yet to see one. Has Elain become one since she was Made, or will she encounter one in the future? 

Lemon - did Elain grow these herself? She said she wanted to learn to grow her own food. Lemons are considered a symbol of longevity, purification, love, fertility and friendship; alternatively, they can be symbolic of bitterness and disappointment. Spiritually, lemons have been associated with fidelity, or as a feminine fruit with links to the moon. Christianity links lemons with the Virgin Mary, due to their fragrance, shape, healing properties, and as a remedy against poisons. I suspect that both Elain, and her journey, will be associated with many of these themes. 

Whipped potatoes - perhaps suggesting that, so far, events are unfolding as planned… before the Hybern disaster. 

As I mentioned in Part I of my Dusk Court Theory, Azriel's personal imagery, which is both contrasting and complementary to Elain’s own, is largely based around winter, which I suspect signifies the hibernating Dusk Court. Elain, being spring personified, will help to revive it. The fact that Elain and Nesta served seasonal food, whatever they had at the end of winter, could be a potential nod to Elain and Azriel’s future journey. Poetically, ACOSF ended at the start of spring - perhaps another nod to the sister who will most likely feature in the next ACOTAR book. 

The third mention of potatoes has the "veils of steam" being directly compared to Azriel’s shadows

ACOFAS, chapter 12 

Elain is described as bringing a dish of roasted rosemary potatoes to the table, to complement the chicken platter that Feyre was carrying for her. The symbolism here is getting less subtle, as SJM starts to leave whole slices of bread, rather than crumbs. 

Sage - wisdom, long life, esteem, immortality; Elain is canonically wise, and was turned into a functionally immortal being. 

Lemon - a symbol of longevity, purification, love, fertility and friendship; alternatively, they can be symbolic of bitterness and disappointment. Spiritually, lemons have been associated with fidelity, or as a feminine fruit with links to the moon. Christianity, links lemons with the Virgin Mary, due to their fragrance, shape, healing properties, and as a remedy against poisons.  I suspect that both Elain, and her journey, will be associated with many of these themes. 

Roast chicken - you may experience difficulties on the road to happiness, but you will get there. Elain has definitely experienced trauma throughout her life so far, but knowing SJM, she'll get her happily ever after. 

Steam - intense emotions, a release of anger or frustration; not unlike the screaming tea kettle that she was holding after Lucien’s visit, earlier in ACOFAS. 

Rosemary - remembrance, love, loyalty, fidelity. The Virgin Mary was said to have placed her white cloak on a patch of rosemary, and the flowers turned it blue - Elain dropped her blue cloak when she was kidnapped by the Cauldron, in ACOWAR. 

I mentioned earlier that wedding imagery often accompanies Elain and Azriel - the "veils of steam" that drifted past her shoulders were not only directly compared to Azriel’s own shadows, but also function to call to mind the veil that one might choose to wear at their wedding. 

We then have Cassian, both literally and figuratively, moving Elain to one side, so that he could get to the table; this, to me, read as Elain being moved to aside so that Cassian (and Nesta) could have their stories told in the next book, and they did. This was then mirrored nicely with Feyre’s suggestion, in her ACOSF bonus chapter, that they "focus on helping one sister before we start on the other." 

This passage also informed us that Nuala and Cerridwen had already winnowed plenty of platters to the table, so it was unnecessary for Elain to be carrying the potatoes, and Feyre the associated chicken, unless it was for a reason; like much of SJM's writing, there was intent in the wording. 

After everyone else had come into the dining room, Azriel's entrance received its own paragraph; Elain's actions, and his own, appeared to show us a new-found hesitance between the two of them which, to many, demonstrated their developing feelings for each other. Azriel might not have been aware of the extent of those feelings just yet, but I think he may have suspected, at least, by the end of the solstice in ACOFAS. 

Given potatoes are said to represent love, I believe that Azriel taking the roasted rosemary potatoes, then setting them in the centre of the table, could indicate that he has, or will, accept Elain’s heart, and it will both centre him, and be the centre of his world. It also acts as a foil to the heartbreaking scene in which Graysen cruelly dismissed both Elain and her love: 

ACOWAR, chapter 54 

After Elain was so brutally rejected, for a trauma she had no say in, and a bond to which she didn't consent - in a scene that demonstrated exactly how little people actually listen to Elain - it was poetic to see Azriel handle the potatoes, a metaphor for Elain's love, with such care. 

In addition to Elain and Azriel giving off shy young love vibes like the Suriel dishing the tea, Mor’s reactions to their interaction are described twice, and Amren’s once; do Mor, who frequently stills, hums, or gapes at situations that will have future significance, and Amren, who was the only one who could tell Feyre and Rhys were mates before they accepted their bond, know something that the rest of us do not? 

The final mention of potatoes linked Elain and sunsets… or Dusk

Throughout ACOSF, Elain was described in terms that were suggestive of the golden hour, the hour before the sun rises and sets, and the sunset in general, and its associated imagery, were ever present. For this reason, I believe that the sunset-bathed city that Nesta viewed represented Elain, and it accompanied Nesta while she ate her meal. 

Roast chicken - you may experience difficulties on the road to happiness, but you will get there. Elain has definitely experienced trauma throughout her life so far, but knowing SJM, she'll get her happily ever after. 

Rosemary - remembrance, love, loyalty, fidelity. The Virgin Mary was said to have placed her white cloak on a patch of rosemary, and the flowers turned it blue - Elain dropped her blue cloak when she was kidnapped by the Cauldron, in ACOWAR.  

Thyme - activity, bravery, courage, strength; Feyre has noted Elain’s bravery, courage, and strength as early as her return to the human realm in ACOTAR, and as recently as her ACOSF bonus chapter, and we have seen Elain act with all of these qualities throughout the series. 

Mashed potatoes - indicates that there may be a problem that needs to be solved, or that a loved one will make a decision with which you don't agree. 

Butter - associated with divine mystery, as it is "hidden in milk, and temperamental to produce." This sounds appropriate for Elain, who the Book of Breathings called both "fanged beast" and "trembling fawn," and whose name is associated with a divine meaning: my God has answered me. 

Green beans - can represent resurrection, reincarnation, spiritual growth and immortality. Beans are also said to be phallic, especially when green. Cooked green beans can also mean that there is a wedding ahead. Could these meanings represent Elain’s rebirth and hints of growth that we saw in ACOSF? Perhaps they're suggesting she's ready for a new relationship, after moving past Graysen? 

Garlic - due to its antiseptic qualities, garlic is a symbol of protection. I've always thought that Elain has combined her love of gardening with her abilities as a Seer, and acted to train and prune the timeline in a way that benefits Prythian. A guardian of the future, if you will. 

Not only have many of us come to associate sunset - the light at Dusk - with Elain, but it is also linked with Azriel - as shadows are longest - strongest - as the sun sets. Az was also brought to mind when Nesta thought of Windhaven, where Azriel both grew up and trained with Rhys and Cassian, and again when Nesta mentioned that Cassian was probably at the River House with his friends. 

*

If SJM initially planned for Nesta and Lucien to be mates, and this is fantasy romance, then Elain was always meant to end up with someone. If this analysis is correct, then it's yet more evidence that SJM has always planned for Azriel and Elain Archeron to be each other's love, if not mates, in the end. It might also suggest that Lucien was always going to have a rejected bond storyline, and end up with Queen Vassa, rather than Nesta.

As I said, I make no claims to accuracy, this is just how I've interpreted those tiny, potato-y morsels of the series. One thing is certain, though, and that's that I'm hungry for more, and can't wait to dig in to Elain’s book. 

[vidalinav]

Burning Questions I Still Have:

You know SJM really hasn’t given us too much substance in these book talks so I’m just going to put down these questions as my own way of expanding the topic of the book beyond Eris, Azriel, and the copious amount of sex they’re going to have (Nesta and Cassian) though all of that is very exciting. 

1. How much does Mor factor into this story? Are we going to see her at all or would she be more focused in on an Azriel story if we get one? 

2. Does Elain have any say in sending Nesta away? Will she have some involvement in Nesta’s healing? Will we see her in Illyria, visiting her sister perhaps, or will it be short instances? 

3. Does Nesta make new friends? Assumedly she does, but right now it’s looking very established character centric, but you know with these lack of spoilers. (rolls eyes)

4. Will the witch concept brought up in ACOWAR come up in ACOSF? Is Nesta technically a witch? Because her power extends beyond her natural reserve “technically.” Will we see other witches? Witches vs Illyrians... Maybe?

5. What is the main conflict in Illyria? And how will it be resolved? So far we know it has something to do with rebellion, but how do you fix that realistically? 

6. How will the women in Illyria gain some autonomy, because lets be honest, everyone learning to fight is and is not going to fix everything? 

7. Where is Bryaxis? 

8. Eris has a deal with Rhysand to help him kill his father. How would that work? Does it involve Nesta, does this then involve her more in the Inner Circle’s antics in which she’ll gain a job in some way? Whether she wants to or not. 

9. How does Nesta suffer? We know emotionally, yes. Power, yes. But how does that come about when there’s so much potential conflict in this book. 

10. What is the main conflict of this story? There seems to be many, that I’m sure will be extended to the other books that come out, but to what to extent does this book extend to the others. Will we see all of the same characters in the books after this one? 

11. Eris’s mom and Helion; Helion and Lucien. Enough said. 

12. Nesta dealing with her father’s death. 

13. Cassian’s mom, who is supposedly dead. (Jury is still out on that one; no dead body, no dead)

14. What’s that shadowy evil substance that Mor discovers by her estate?

15. Will Mor get a story? Especially since if she does then she’d be the first LGBTQ character from the SJM universe to have their own book... I think. Don’t quote me on that. But she’s got a lot to deal with too and I think she deserves a book. She’s a very interesting character. She reminds me of a mixture between Aelin and Bryce and the more secretive aspects of Nesta. 

16. Will Elain ever get a mate or significant other? Honestly, I’m on the fence with this. Mostly because one, Elain is purely side-character to me. She’s interesting, but not enough right now to warrant a whole book. I also just think that right now she’s kind of useless, and I don’t mean that to be mean, I just mean that she doesn’t have a purpose yet and most of her personality right now is purely fodder. It’s her main personality I say. Maybe not the honest to god deep one, but she’s got at least the surface level personality with hints of iceberg feelings. 

Interestingly enough it makes more sense I think to have the next book centered on Lucien and Azriel if they’re going to settle that conflict. Even though I hate love triangles in any sense, but none of them love each other right now anyways... And I think that it would be hard to figure out these three relationships when they’re already linked together in ACOWAR and ACOFAS. 

17. Will we ever know why Amren and Nesta got into a fight? Will their relationship be fixed? Also where she at in this whole conflict of interest that is this book and Nesta being sent away? Will we see her often? 

18. Will Rhysand have a good amount of time in this book? What is his involvement with Nesta--his sister-in-law lol? Will their relationship reach some level of understanding? Will they hate each other for ever? Will they have some semblance of mutual respect and a common denominator that is the love for Feyre and their protectiveness for their family? 

19. What are Cassian’s conflicts? To be quite honest, I feel this book is very Nesta centric, and I do hope that Cassian is not just thrown in there for romance and that’s it. BUT we know the Illyrian conflict, the Mor/Azriel conflict, the issue with being born a bastard, not belonging with his people. The Nesta conflict, the war probably. But like besides Nesta, all of these conflicts have existed for as long as he’s lived. So is that really a conflict or an issue to be dealt with... A lot of this will be resolved through the “Powers of Love” lol and whatever else they can do in Illyria, but then what else? Internally, I don’t feel he has too much to deal with because well... a lot of his problems center around other people. 

20. What will Feyre being doing? Let me be honest, I don’t like the thought of Feyre being pregnant. I understand her body her choice, but this girl literally went from let’s spend time with each other to let’s have a baby, because maybe it won’t happen in a few hundred years. But let’s be honest, if I was her I would not be thinking that it would happen in a few hundred years. Things happen in the most inconvenient times, and right now with all this, it’s very inconvenient. I also think I really don’t like it because right now she is really playing into that role of a wife and not as everything we know her as. I mean she’s allowed to relax, to be loved and what not, but I don’t know. Lame, I think, that she became high lady in name, but probably not in any sort of empowerment way, and I think that’s sad because she could do an awful lot of good, and should do it, because right now her court has soooooo many issues, even issues that Rhys kind of just puts in the back burner and hopes for the best. She is the equal to Rhys, but so far she’s not seeming so equal and she also seems to have lost some purpose. So I’m also wondering if this want of a child and planning for it is Feyre’s way of being useful again... because she spent so much of her life taking care of other people. Which again..... ehhhhhh. 

21. What the f*** are Nesta’s powers? What do they do? I hope it does not end in some vague inclination like Mor’s truth power whatever. But like, she should be all powerful, death god status. I want to see Nesta as the goddess she is. 

22. Koschei??? The stealer of the hero’s wife or whatever as he’s referenced in Russian lore... I think? Is he going to be more involved in Vassa, or Elain even (because Elain right now has always been the damsel) or Nesta, because of the queens and “their powerful ally.” Wouldn’t he be the best teacher for Nesta’s power really, when he’s a powerful sorcerer in the book/death god that has worshippers and what not and collects women.   

>>> My theory is that if Elain and Lucien are the next pov’s then maybe Nesta will be kidnapped by Koschei at the end, and Elain gets to really show what she’ll do for her family, and what she’s made of. But it also keeps the story going without cutting it off completely, and we keep the bigger conflict which is that there’s a whole world of problems and rulers and that Nesta’s story can’t really end at this book, because again she’s suppose to be all-powerful, cauldron incarnate, the wind has heard of her, spreading the news around, and that she does need to learn her powers and I doubt anyone can really teach her, but she for sure probably can’t teach her self. 

23. Will the love triangle situation not be between Elain, Lucien, and Azriel, but Vassa, Elain, and Lucien, or maybe a love square like A Midsummer Night’s Dream? That would be kinda cool. I just don’t really know if Azriel will be a love interest for Elain, even if he has that fondness for her. Azriel has a lot of problems, but he’s also like... I don’t know. Off topic. 

24. The Queens--what the hell? What about that one who turned old and is now immortal? They were chilling in Vassa’s kingdom. Where are they so Nesta can beat their asses? Also, these human kingdoms--what? What are they doing now that their queens are just in hiding and that allied with Hybern to be fae? Do they know? 

25. Magical humans--fae blood sometimes trickle into human lines from that one fae whoever she is. Doubt she’s the only one. Probably will have magical humans, realistically. 

26. Vassa--all of Vassa. Maybe Vassa and Mor.... You never know. I doubt they’ll get that curse reversed and she’ll be completely human, so maybe she’ll a be a shifter of a sort. If I can remember she’s like the only successful experiment. So maybe she got some fae blood and she can live for a long time and can be with Mor. I certainly hope Mor does not give up her immortality for her love interest, which I’m assuming you can do like in TOG. 

27. The fae kingdoms, that conflict needs be somewhat resolved. Doubtful. There’s three main ones I think. No one’s been signing treaties. How? That is all. 

28. Azriel powers, shadows, how did that happen? Does it elude to something bigger. 

29. Cassian’s background. Who the hell is he? Will we know papa? Mama? Past? He’s the most powerful Illyrian commander, he can’t be normal. The laws of fiction dictate otherwise. 

30. Last names? Middle names? Titles. Give me everything Sara. 

31. Eris. After daddy is dead, what next? Is his conflict so small and easily taken care of. He is very interesting to me. 

32. Did they actually take care of the cauldron? Miriam and Draken, will we see them again and their ideal world? 

33. Will Nesta travel? Because she should. She deserves to, it was her plan in ACOTAR, but then she stayed, and now she’s a shell. Please have Nesta see the world. With Cassian or without. Don’t care. Maybe both. 

34. How is a treaty going to be established, when humans hate fae, fae enslave humans, and the fact that there is so much more than fae that exist as we know????? Hmmm???

35. Oh Tamlin! Where he at? What he been doing? How will he help this conflict? Assuming he’s probably going to factor more in Lucien’s story, I’m almost positive he’s the next POV. It wouldn’t make sense otherwise to my fanfic writer/ obsessive reader brain.  

36. The objective of different worlds. I know SJM probably won’t get into it too much and it would probably be very complicated, but other worlds. Are people still coming in? Do some want to leave? Is it easy to travel between them--provided you know how? *whispers* can Nesta do this?

37..... I don’t know. I will add more if I can think of any, because I probably can. Honestly this was like therapy and made me feel so much better than any of SJM’s lives about the future of this series.

38. ADD YOUR OWN; unless I wrote almost everything. But doubtful!

[themonotonysyndrome]

The Queen’s Lynchpin

We’re getting to part 3 of the ‘Successors of the Future”! This week has gone back to being hectic so I could only write this part here and there for only a few hours. Still, I’m happy that I could finally finish it. 

And we have the names of MC’s and Yandere!Malleus children as well as his second wife and the other prince! Any piece of info from @tri3tri Second Wife AU is always fun to read! With that said, I’ll be adding their names into the 2 previous oneshots after this is posted so it’s all align. If you want to know more about this AU, please drop by at @tri3tri blog. Their content and drabbles are amazing!

Lastly, I think it’s alright if I don’t add the link and summary of the previous oneshots of this series in every new piece. The intro is just gonna be super long otherwise. But if you guys think that a link and summary it’s a good, please let me know I’ll be sure to add them in. 

-

“Uh Mama? Have you been hearing... noises in the middle of the night?”

“You mean your sister talking to her mirror in her room in the dead of the night? Then yes, sweetie.”

MC smile, deeply amused, when her son let out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, it’s just her talking to Ren.” 

“I’ll tell her to keep it down if she’s talking to Renata at night, don’t worry.” MC assured him with a pat on his head. 

“Thanks, Mama. Say, do you have any plans for today?” Lucien’s sudden question was a little odd to MC. The three of them have been staying in the house - only going out for a grocery run - lately, and she didn’t have any plans to change it. 

“Not really. I was thinking to catch up with some leftover work from the office before Monday comes. Why? Do you want to go anywhere?” MC inquire curiously.

Lucien is quick to shake his head. “Oh, no, no. Umm... Mama, you often look so sad lately. We know that having Ren away at Twisted Wonderland has been hard on you, so I just thought maybe we could all do something to help make you feel better.” He explains with a bit of hesitance, wringing his hands. It’s clear to MC that this is one sensitive topic that he didn’t want to unintentionally hurt her with. 

MC couldn’t help but smile at how thoughtful her little one is. Really, all of her children can be rowdy in their own way but at the end of the day, she always noticed that they tried so hard not to make her worry. But as the parent, it’s her honour to protect her children - not the other way around. Which is why seeing the hesitant expression on Lucien’s face tugs her heart. 

“Oh, Luci. I didn’t mean to worry you and your sisters. It’s just that...” MC paused for a moment to think on how to properly express her feelings. “None of you has ever been separated from me. The issue with your father is one thing, but I can’t help but fret about your oldest sister. Is she eating well over there? Sleeping early on a school day? Oh, but then again, she does have a habit of waking up around 2 in the morning looking for a snack if she sleeps too early.” MC bit her lower lip, she should have told Renata during their last talk to keep some snacks in her room in case she gets hungry. 

Ever since Renata had first contacted Sherrie and taught her the communication runes and she in return, taught her and Lucien on how to draw them on any mirror in the house, they all have been talking to Renata through the large, hanging mirror in the living room every day. 

“We can ask her if she’s been waking up in the middle of night after our dinner, Mama.” Lucien assured their mother. He took her empty tea cup and pour some tea from the still hot pot and push the porcelain cup back to her. They were having tea and a light meal in the kitchen after he had woken up from his nap. 

Sherrie passed on their invitation since she’s too busy livestreaming her latest game in her room. From below, they could hear her muffled voice. 

MC took a sip and hums thoughtfully. “You’re right, Honey. I’ll be sure to do that. Anyway, you mentioned a family activity - what do you have in mind?” Perhaps a distraction is just what she needed to get her mind off Malleus and the inevitable danger he’ll bring. 

Lucien’s eyes brighten in delight. Happy that he could do something to cheer her up. 

“I found this recipe recently and I was hoping that we can all cook together? It’ll be fun I promise!” He pleaded. Among all her children, Lucien is the only one with the knack for cooking. Sherrie can make simple meals whenever she wants. 

Renata, however, needs to be supervised even if she wants to boil a pot of water. 

“Sure! I’d love to. So what’s this recipe you want to cook?” 

Much later when it’s almost dinner time and Sherrie wrapped up her livestream, MC and Lucien are already in the kitchen preparing to cook. Curiously, she glances at the list of ingredients and steps for dinner that was left on the kitchen counter and her eyes bugged out at what they were going to make. 

“I feel like there are things that mankind should never attempt lest the price be their sanity. And this? This is it!” Sherrie shrieked, flapping the flimsy paper incredulously at them. MC is preparing the dough while Lucien makes sure they got all the ingredients out and ready. 

“What? Boba pizza sounds delicious!” Lucien rebuke with a small frown. “And beside, you won’t know if you like them if you haven’t try.” 

Sherrie just slap her forehead at his words, as if she couldn’t believe this. “I know you’re pretty crazy for boba teas but this is ridiculous! Pizza dessert for dinner? Can’t we have something normal, Mama?” She pleaded their mother. 

MC toss her a playful smile as she rolls the dough. “Well honey, it does sound pretty exciting when you said it. Pizza dessert!” When Sherrie’s face scrunched up in disgust, she tries to coax her daughter, “Aww, c’mon, honey. Look, you can order a delivery for yourself but come have fun with us! I’ll even let you toss the dough if you want.” 

Sherrie folded after that. Honestly, making pizza - of any kind - is always messy process, but her children are having fun with smudges of powder on their faces and MC felt her heart lighten just hearing them laugh. Dinner might be unconventional tonight, but it was worth it to see Lucien enjoy eating his pizza and Sherrie reluctant admittance that it tasted alright, if a bit weird. 

Once the kitchen is all cleaned up and their stomachs full, they settled in the living room. MC and Lucien watched as Sherrie used her old, red lipstick to draw the runes on the mirror. The surface rippled once, sinking the runes and reveal Renata in her pyjamas beaming at them. 

“Good evening everyone! How are ya’ll doing?” 

“Hi sweetie. We just had dinner.” MC said, glad that her eldest daughter still looks healthy and happy. 

“You wouldn’t believe what we had for dinner.” Sherrie interjects dryly. The 3 of them are sitting on the couch with MC in the middle. “It’s so weird!”

“But you liked it!” Lucien countered with a smug grin before turning to his oldest sister. “We had boba pizza! It was amazing!”

“Boba pizza!? Nooo! I can’t believe you all ate them without me! I’ve been wanting to try them!” Renata whines. “I wish we can pass stuffs through the mirror. Wait - I might be able to do something about that actually.” She goes on to mutter about needing to bully the headmaster again.  

The family traded what they did during the day, Renata assuring them that yes, she had a storage full of snacks in her room and that her favourite lesson so far is Flying class. Once that’s out of the way, MC asked her daughter, “How are your assignments? Is Leona-senpai’s son helping you out?”

When Renata told them that her History’s assignment partner is none other than Leona’s son, MC was a bit worried if he carries his father prejudice against Malleus towards her daughter, but Renata assured her that other than his funny attempts at posturing and warning growls, Bakari Kingscholar has been nothing but civil and helping out with researching and editing their papers. 

“Yup! We’re nearly done with our homework and I think we’re friends now? He’s a bit of tsundere which makes teasing him so much fun!” Renata giggled. “You know, just today we decided to have lunch together after our assignment and when I went back to my room and check my bag, there was a candy bar inside. He must’ve slip it in when I told him that I snacked often.” 

Sherrie immediately drop her phone. She was mindlessly browsing through her Twitter account while they talked, but her attention perk like a hound dog. “Whoa, whoa wait - he bought you food when you told him that you eat often? Me thinks he might like you, dude.” 

MC’s eyes widen and Lucien gape. Could that be true!? 

But Renata just rolled her eyes. “Oh please, I think he was thanking me for not making him do all the work. You know those tough guy acts? Yeah, it’s nothing special.” 

Sherrie tilt her head, clearly not believing it, but keep it to herself for now. 

“Being the only girl in a school for boys must be tough.” Lucien mused sympathetically. “I’m glad that you have a friend with you, Ren.” 

“Well, Diasomnia students has mostly been friendly yet distant with me so far. Probably because of this,” Renata twirl her fingers beside her horns to emphasise her point. “But it’s cool. So far, no one tries to bully me or anything. And by the way, I’ve been staying out of trouble, Cherry. I haven’t even landed myself in detention so far.” She proudly announced. 

“Yet.” Sherrie snickers. 

Lucien frowns at her. “Ren has been working hard, Cherry. She’s been sticking to your plans, right? I seriously don’t think she will mess it up.” 

“Nah, it’s all cool Luci. I’ve mostly been blowing off steam during Magishift. It’s super fun! I wish you guys could play too.” Renata said and then proceed to explain to her siblings what Magishift is all about. 

That’s another thing that MC had picked up as Lucien grew up. Despite how close her daughters are, they do bickers as sisters tend to and Lucien usually act as the mediator and peacemaker between them when things get too heated. 

MC couldn’t help wonder if her sweet boy would ever be like this if he was raised in Malleus’ castle.

The family talked a little more until it was getting late. After bidding each other goodnight and MC telling her daughter to keep herself safe, she ushered Lucien and Sherrie to their bed and tucked herself in. 

That night, she dreamt of a past memory. However in her dream, all 3 of her children are laughing and free as they grow in her world. 

-

Now that Lucien thinks about it - he doesn’t really know what Sherrie plan is exactly. He’s aware that they’re doing their best to help Renata avoid being discover by their father as long as they can and Mama told her to make friends with the children of her old friends since they helped her out a lot during her school life in Night Raven College but other than that? He doesn’t know what they would do once father found out about their oldest sister. 

That particular though came back in his mind when he woke up from his sleep because he heard Sherrie giggling in her room. With blearily eyes, he checked the time on his phone and groan. 

It’s 3.15 in the morning. 

He push himself out of his warm bed with great difficulties and slowly padded towards Sherrie’s bedroom. 

He knocked twice and groan, “Sherrie? It’s seriously late. Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” 

“Shit, Luci-chan? Sorry, did I woke you up? You can come in if you want. The door is not locked.” 

With a tired grumbled, he swings open the door and zombie-walk to her sister who is sitting in front of her vanity table, talking to Renata. 

“Hey Luci! Sorry that we woke you up!” Renata apologised quickly, guilty that they’ve disturbed their little brother. “I was just reporting to Cherry that I found several hidden and unmarked paths that connects to father’s castle and to the outside world of the Valley of Thorns. I thought it might come in handy so I wanted to share it with her.” 

That sounds interesting to Lucien. He’s a little more awake now. “Did you use your spells to scout the area?”

“I sure did! Haven’t been caught by anyone or any bat so far.” 

“What... what does father’s castle look like?” Lucien couldn’t help but asked. It’s hard to believe that he and his family are actually royalty. That his Mama and sisters used to live in a castle. 

It’s still hard to accept that he’s actually a prince. 

“Gloomy.” Was Renata immediate reply. All her previous good humour vanishes and her hard glare surprises him. “We hardly get any sunshine because father controls the weather with his temper tantrums.”

“Not to mention that we had to live with basically strangers.” Sherrie added. “I never really feel comfortable around the castle’s staffs. Sure we got the family wing all to ourselves but we still had to deal with them.” Both Lucien and Renata understand her unspoken words: having to deal with judgemental strangers is difficult. 

“What are you going to do once father founds out you’re in Twisted Wonderland, Ren? Are you going to go hiding?” Lucien asked. 

It’s Sherrie who answered him, “No. We’re going to make sure that he can’t forcefully take Mama or any of us back to the castle. I just need a little more info and we can act once the 3 of us are in Twisted Wonderland.” She explains. 

“We suspect that once Cherry hits sixteen, the Ebony Carriage will also pick her up and by that time I’ll be in my second year as a student here. If that’s the case, we just need you here and then it’s the second phase.” Renata took over explaining here. “Rumours spread fast in Night Raven College, but it’s not going to reach to father. He’s in an isolated country. Well, not until he’s here.”

Lucien blink, now lost. “He? Who’s he?” 

“We have a halfbrother - Victor. He’s the same age as you, Luci-chan. Looks like father didn’t waste any time getting his second wife pregnant.” Sherrie said with a smile that honestly send cold shivers up his spine. It’s sweet with a poison laced underneath. Lucien seen this smile only once. A girl from school tried to blackmailed and bullied her into doing her biddings. 

He heard that the girl was transferred to another school in a different state soon after when news broke out that she was selling drugs with her boyfriend to the students. 

Lucien would like to believe that the incident had nothing to with his sister, but he’s seen what she does for Renata whenever she lost her homework or to the English Literature teacher that had an issue with her. 

So Lucien needed to asks this. “Are you... are you going to hurt him?” His voice is soft and careful. 

Through the mirror, Renata eyed Sherrie in which his second sister leans into her chair and relaxes. “I won’t, don’t worry. After all, he’s not at fault.” 

Words are Sherrie’s favourite playthings and at that moment, Lucien hopes she means it. 

-

Funny enough, I’ve been calling S/N (Lucien) as Luciel because it means light and I HC that MC sees him as the unexpected light that Malleus gave her. Her daughters are a treasure but Lucien serve as MC’s light. It’s fate! 

So far for Lucien, my main reference for him are two people actually. Dead Master from Black Rock Shooter and Nisha Labyrinth from Elsword! 

Will expand more on them as I continue to write. Also, I’m shit when it comes to timeline and ages so here’s my rough idea so far:

Renata = 16 years old (first-year student)

Sherrie = 15 years old

Lucien = 13 yeard old

I’ll change the kids’ age if Tri reveal them on their blog.