#badass elain

[violetasteracademic]

Golden Doe in a Valley of Shadow. Iykyk.

Read here on AO3

[littlefireling]

For @lucienweekofficial Day 4 - Lover

ACOTAR features a recurring theme of women being trained to become warriors by their mates (among others).

Elain doesn't need to be trained in combat to be a strong, independent baddie, buttttttt if the time ever comes in the future where she wants to learn, there's a certain sexy fox who'd be perfect for the job—and I imagine it would look something like this ✨

Art by: @wyyvoren

Commissioned by me (@littlefireling)

Tysm! You are so kind and made all my jumbled ideas come to life. I AM SWOONING. This is absolutely perfect <3

** Reposts are okay with proper credit**

[ramoneida]

In the next book I'm gonna need Elain to go back to being a little bit creepy, a little ominous, a little foreboding, a little spooky, a little off-putting, just a little.

I want her freaking people out, consciously and on purpose this time.

[nightcourtlady17]

I can’t wait to see more of her personality. I bet she’s actually hilarious and full of interesting thoughts we haven’t gotten to see yet

[sad-scarred-sassy]

Elriels covering as “pro Elain” want to push the narrative that Elain is not coddled or babied in the Night Court and its just ???

Yes her sisters were also helped, were also cared for… Thats not what being coddled or babied is referring to here. Elain is always undermined and thought of as incapable of doing anything on her own, thats where the coddling comes from them.

Coddling =/= getting help

Even Rhys and Feyre have a conversation about this in a bonus chapter and you mean to say I’m reading her character wrong?

Also, just read in the same sneaky post that accepting the bond with Lucien is the “safest” option for her? It is literally the most world shattering decision she could make. Its the most permanent, the most radical, the most vulnerable road. After having lost so much, losing her own fiance, her father, her whole life, you mean to say that Elain simply accepting the bond or getting to know Lucien is not the MOST pressuring road she could take? It would literally only have two outcomes: either she isn’t compatible with him or he is her one true soulmate and she will be with him forever. This after all that she has been through is not the riskiest most permanent path she could take???

Kissing Azriel without rejecting her bond first is what’s easy. As that person said, Elain is intelligent and observant, she probably knew Azriel was once (probably still is) in love with Mor. He never hid that from people around him and she was around them enough times to tell. How would the kiss with Azriel be the “tough” decision, the thing that changes her life and love and future? She knew what she was doing here and she obviously risked a lot by almost kissing him but it screams to me how she was in need to get a grasp on her own life again, on her own decisions. I respect that, but there were no actual stakes in kissing him, not the way there would if she wanted to try and kiss Lucien.

No I don’t think Elain is infantile. No I don’t believe she’s not capable of doing her own thing. No I don’t believe she can’t make decisions for herself because YES she is canonically the one sister that had the opportunity to pick and choose what her life was supposed to be like until being made fae and now having a mate, but nonetheless is still having all choices laid out for her to take.

Yes I see the way she is treated in the NC, as nothing more than a nice company to Feyre, as someone too pure to be stained by darkness, as someone who is trying to fit into the court but is forcing it, as a lap dog, as someone who cannot be exposed to things she WANTS to do for the sake of protection.

Sounds a lot like the way Feyre was coddled in the Spring Court, albeit in a less abusive and dramatic way.

Stop trying to gaslight people into thinking she is completely fine where she is and how she is treated. Like SJM did not put THAT much effort into telling Elain’s story and settling down her arc and her weaknesses and the people who are wrong about her and the one who is right for her because its so obvious it hurts😭 Like be for real, I get offended by the sheer disrespect of my intelligence

[mybestfriendmademe]

Chapters: 35/35 Fandom: A Court of Thorns and Roses Series - Sarah J. Maas Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Nesta Archeron/Eris Vanserra, Nesta Archeron/Cassian Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Forbidden Love, nesta getting the love story she deserves, Slow Burn, Revenge, Strangers to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience Summary:

A Neris story!

This story will diverge from canon ACOSF. It begins when Cassian takes Nesta on the hike.

This is so so so so good. If you like Neris, are ok with IC bashing, love all the emotions, and the thought of Nesta coming into her own and Eris supporting her through it, then this fic is for you!

[gracie-rosee]

I love my ship but sometimes I just think Elain should kiss a girl. I think she’d like it. No I will not elaborate.

[daddyshadowhands]

“Shall I tend to my little garden forever?

You can’t have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life whilst also refusing to let me do anything greater.

I went into the cauldron too you know. And it captured me. And yet somehow, all you think of, is what my trauma did to you”

‘Elain has no personality’ MY ASS THAT WAS SUCH A BADASS SPEECH.

I totally do not know it by memory xxx

[karmaliciouslife]

When you look at this adorable pooky wooky and suddenly remembered that she once stabbed a tyrant king in the neck WITH NO HESITATION.

she

[maybeiwasjustjade]

I’m sorry, but Feyre hypes the IC up so much as these badasses, when they’ve collectively defeated no one worth mentioning throughout the series is genuinely hilarious.

Tamlin killed Amarantha. Elain and Nesta killed Hybern. Nesta killed Bryallin.

Nesta was the one that fought death to bring Feyre back to life, simultaneously healing Nyx. Nesta was the one that helped Bryce with the Mask. Who found the Trove, and received Gwydion. With the rate this is going, Koschei will more than likely also be a non-IC kill.

I get it; Feyre’s young, but she’s also not that young. She acts more like a 15 year old YA heroine instead of an adult (but a young one) of 19 in Acotar. The IC are her family and she genuinely believes in their supposed badassery…except it falls flat because they ALL suck at their respective jobs. Rhysand can’t lead; Amren does squat. The Illyrians hate Cassian. Azriel is a spymaster that constantly gets caught by a not-so-ally. Mor doesn’t do her job as steward of the CoN. Well, it’s no wonder Feyre fits in so well—they’re all as qualified as she is!!!

And if this was all there is to Acotar then fine. But Nesta isn’t written like this. Or Lucien. Or Eris. Or even Tamlin. It’s just the IC, yet they’re the main characters.

It’s such a jarring shift from ToG, because at least there the fae and witches felt immortal to me. Gavriel, Lorchan, Fenrys, Rowan, Manon—it was obvious they weren’t young and inexperienced. But with Acotar, it’s like no matter how old they get they still have the maturity levels of a 15 year old. But most importantly, the trio of main characters in ToG were willing to go war for change.

Aelin, Dorian and Manon—they saw the broken world and decided to fuck shit up and fix it. It took time to change minds, yes, but it never stopped them from trying. To go to war, to die for that new world if they had to. But with Acotar, it’s repeatedly slammed in our faces that of course wing clipping still happens, of course Illyria is still a war-torn poverty ridden land, of course the CoN are depraved monsters, and no we can’t kill Keir yet because change takes time. It’s been fucking centuries and nothing to show for it.

Because while yes, it would take time, the IC has shown zero interest in actually doing their jobs. So duh nothing changes; they dream, and dream, but those dreams go nowhere because it’s like they think they could just dream enough for the stars to grant their wishes instead of actively working towards it. And it’s so frustrating because this narrative choice makes little sense except that the average reader doesn’t care.

[mira-s-bookclub]

Beneath a Veil of Shadows

Azriel x Reader

Note: First time I've ever posted anything I've written, so be aware of that when reading hahsh. I'd love requests or tips <3

Warnings: Mature language, fighting, injury and blood, captives, drugs.

Summary: Y/n knows very well how Azriel feels for her; detest. What happens when Rhysand sends Y/n alongside Azriel on what was supposed to be a "normal" check?

Word Count: 2,7k

. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .

“Oh Gods,” I huff out. I wipe my sweaty palms down the front of my shirt. Having long forgone the idea of looking clean for the duration of this hike. I would not exactly call it a hike. Azriel did though.

“Fucking Hell.” I say, as my foot connects with the branch strategically placed to trip me. There is absolutely no way the male in front of me does not hear my huffing and puffing as we ascent up the hill. I lay in a dramatic Sigh to my complaining. Catching his attention.

Azriel stops beside a tree looking like it desperately needs water, I imagine I am not looking far from that, turning to look back at me.

“Ever occurred to you that complaining doesn’t help?” He mumbles. Looking all energetic and not-at-all sweaty like me. I had to stop during the first 10 minutes of the mission to change my leathers into a plain t-shirt and some knee shorts. I was not exactly the powerful, badass, beautiful-at-any-part-of-the-day warrior I had told the mirror in my bathroom before winnowing to the mountain range. I am fairly sure I did my makeup before leaving. Cannot focus enough right now to remember.

I stop by Azriel and swing off my pack. “Helped you stop, didn’t it?” I look up at him, smirking. He says nothing. Gods damned Illyrian warrior. Could not even bother to break a sweat.

We were sent by Rhysand to scout the area between the two south camps. There were a couple of ingrown roads leading between each camp. Illyrians may have wings and all that glory, but they are not capable of transporting heavier items or foods. The roads were not used by many, but Azriel managed to catch a lesser fae the other day, smuggling some other rather interesting items. It was not news that the Illyrians were importing questionable substances you would not in a thousand years find at the healers. I will give it to them, living in those camps would even make me resort to drugs. But I knew better, it could be poison. Poison for the brain, and poison for the body. It could be addictive.

“We’re close to the Camp, take a break, we’ll wait until nightfall.” Azriel said. Shuffling food and water out of his bag. Looks like we are resting in incline. I start packing out my own food and some fur to sit on. Making it rather cozy under the tree. My back to the tree, eating an apple, I watch him.

I did not lie when Feyre asked me before we left if I would be okay traveling with Azriel. It was not a secret how he looked at me, and how I looked back. I am sure, if he had any choice on the matter, he would choose any other companion. It hurt when he watched me. It felt like whatever I did would never be good enough, I was not good enough.

The Inner Circle all had their own little families inside the Circle. Feyre had Rhys and Nyx. Nesta had even settled down with Cassian and her friends. Her friend who also had, finally, taken the extremely subtle hint Mor had given her. Mor who had shrieked and hid under my blankets after I had convinced her to send out her Love letters to Emerie. Gods, even Amren had finally moved in with Varian and lived part time in the Summer Court. Rhys had even gifted her a healer prescribed sunscreen after she got badly burned. Elain had taken up Lucien’s offer to move to the Day Court, I had even heard rumors of a beautiful garden challenging even Tamlin’s. I was happy for them; I am happy for them. It could get a little lonely at times, but what could you expect? I was not even High fae.

There was a time when I had found solace in Azriel’s company, I like to think he did too. He became close, quiet nights in the library, breakfast at the nearby Café. He helped me a lot at the start.

I had grown up in Cretea, ruled over by Queen Miryam and her mate. An emissary from the Autumn Court had taken me in after finding me out alone by a brothel, abandoned he had told me later on. Neither of us could pinpoint exactly what I was, lesser-fae or mortal, it did not matter to me, he did not care enough to find out. I ended up in the Hewn City and later taken in by Madja after a dramatic incident resulting in Keirn’s broken arm. She had sought after an apprentice for quite some time, luckily for me.

As I watch Azriel I contemplate how my life would have worked out if I had stayed with Madja, and not taken up Cassian’s offer to train. Would I have met Feyre and Rhysand? Would fates have pushed me to Azriel? Or perhaps I would be inside now, safe, drinking tea and reading. I contemplate how Azriel has grown used to evading my every attempt to reconnect, he wasn’t mean per say, but he wasn’t friendly either. A wave of heat comes over me as Azriel bends down, way to close, to scavenge through his pack.

A fast inhale results in my apple choking me. I cough. And cough. And cough. Looking up through my wet eyelashes I see Azriel looking down at me. His face is set in a mixture of uncertainty and humor. Like he is trying so hard not to laugh.

“Don’t you dare laugh.”

“I wasn’t about to.”

“I can see it on your face!” I can feel my cheeks redden.

Azriel loses the battle. He barks out a laugh and turns around, finding a cloth in his bag. “You have drool down your chin.” He snickers.

I snatch the cloth out of hand, drying my face. Azriel sits down beside me, back to the tree. There was an idyllic sort of silence in the mountain at this time, only birds and other animals out and about. This made it worth it - the hike.

“We’re going to slip into the current war-lord’s house and search it for the listed drugs.” Azriel hands me a slip of paper consisting of different substances.

“I didn’t know you write cursive.” I say, tracing his writing with my fingertips.

“Focus.”

“Yes, sir.” Azriel whips his head at me, hitting my head in the process.

“Fucking hell!” I scoot away and hold a hand to my head. “Fine, I know you don’t like me, but you don’t have to act on it?!” I watch his shocked face and wide eyes.

He puts a hand to his face. His voice is hard; “did you hurt yourself?” He looks up at me with those honey brown eyes, causing a shiver down my back.

“No, it’s fine.” I say, rubbing the bump on my head. “I’ve always had a thick head.” He snickers at the fact, though I know he thinks so too. It took me years of training to get to where I am now, it came to a point where even Amren said I was just being careful and considerate of my own body when training, hence why it took so long. But training did not mean being fit, which bites me in the ass on the rest of the way up, and the trip down this god forsaken mountain. Why we could not just take the road was beyond me. Feeling his eyes on me I turn again to Azriel.

I lift my brows. “You know a lot of females would call it creepy when someone is staring at them, especially when they don’t know.”

“You think I don’t like you?” He says. I do not know if I dreamed it or if his eyes were sad, mouth downturned.

“I know you don’t.” The painful truth is hard to swallow, but I have accepted it. “You cannot even find it in you to say ‘Hello’ to me in the morning.” I laugh, a little self-conscious that I notice this. His brows furrows even more and he leans forward.

“I do like you – “

“Gods Azriel, no you don’t,” I bite out, taking a bite out of my apple again. “Have you ever noticed how everyone, but you, compliment my food? Or even my training, which, God forbid, you notice occasionally has gotten good enough to challenge Nesta?” I feel deflated. There are not enough skills in the world to make Azriel look at me any different. I had begged Rhysand not to send me together with Azriel, using the excuse that I was feeling down. Did not support my case that I offered to go to the Mortal Realms to check up on Lucien and Elain, I could not be that sick. Either way, Rhys looked through me and told me that if it really was that bad, then they needed to find a solution to our problem. And I would never go to Couples-therapy with Azriel.

Azriel pulls forward and grabs my hands. “You have no idea, any idea how much you mean to me.” My breath hitched, and he is close enough to hear my thundering heart.

“You are lying.”

“You are delusional to think otherwise. There is not a day when it does not hurt to see you with anyone else, Cassian, Rhys, even laughing with Feyre.” His hair is messy, and his skin is glistening. I cannot help looking down at our hands. His hands, covered in calluses from years of training, scarred, but, oh, so beautiful.

He misunderstands and snatches his hands back, standing up. “You never speak to me, or even look at me. This does not make any sense.” I say.

“I look at you plenty.” He says as I stand up, towering over me.

“But Elain – “

“Elain was not like that. Elain was desperation, from both sides. It was a desperate attempt to get over you. She knew it too. We used to be best friends, you and I, but- “

“But we got too close.” When I look down, my hands are shaking. “Do you have any idea how much it hurt? Still hurts?  When you became distant and started ignoring me?” My voice cracks slightly at the hurt look on his face.

“It was never my intention, know that. I thought you did not want me like that, and when you and Lucien became friends- I could not watch you with anyone else, I would not have survived it.” My throat constricts, my breath comes in shallow gulps of air.

“I didn’t like Lucien; I didn’t like him like that at all.” I say quietly.

I look up at him and he gives me a sad smile.

“Would you back away if I kissed you? Runaway like the rest?” Azriel says softly, his face so open and sincere.

I walk the short distance towards him and take his hands in mine. Leaning up, “Never,” I kiss him. My heart had not felt this full in months, I am sure I would not be overreacting if I said years even. Something fell into place when I dragged my hand through Azriel’s hair, his hands sliding down to cup my backside.

“Azriel, I-” An arrow shot through the trees. My eyes widen as he spins us around, shielding me with his front, with his life. He grunts. An arrow protruding from the edge of his left wing, from the bone and meat around the elbow joint, an inch down and the arrow would have flown right through. My heart beats wildly. Azriel turns and pushes me behind him, shielding me from the position of the archer. What he did not take into consideration was the archer positioned behind our camp, shooting a series of arrows, hitting me. A whimper slips past my mouth and a look down at the arrow in my thigh. A green tint surrounds the wound, I must get the arrow out, fast.

“Y/n!” Azriel yells. He is across the camp in seconds, whipping out a sword, using his pack as shield as he sprints back for me.

“I’m fine!” My breath is fast and shorter by the minute. “Just a flesh wound. Behind you Azriel!” A male slip from the trees and runs straight for Azriel, firing arrows as he goes.

I limp for the trees on the other side, providing cover. Kneeling in the dirt, I grab a hold of my shirt, ripping off a piece, I find the nearest branch and bite down. Taking hold of the arrow, I keep my mind clean of the bloody battle happening just out of this bush, knowing I am of no use reduced by an Ash-arrow; I rip it out. I groan. Blood pools out of the now open wound, and I tie my shirt around my thigh. Blood is already seeping through in red specks on the white fabric. I turn around to watch the battle.

Azriel is locked in a fight with two males, one seemingly high-fae, his movements sloppier than his friend. Convincing me that somebody’s system is not very clean. Another male comes strutting out from the bushes on my right, I duck lower. This one with wings. His movements reveal him to be confident that I have left Azriel. Knowing he stands to win against Azriel three to one.

Seeing an opening I make my move. Sprinting to the left, picking up my knife from my pack, I aim for the Illyrian and throw. My knife hits target, catching his side. He whirls around, not fast enough to duck my punch straight for his nose, breaking the bone. I try for a series of hits and punches, landing some while he evades the rest. I duck and swipe my leg out to catch him as he throws a punch, seeing my mistake a mile away I prepare. His trap works and he catches my foot, throwing me on the ground and lays his weight on top of me.

I steal a glance towards Azriel. Seeing the drugged one on the ground crying out from a serious cut across his abdomen. Another losing in hand-to-hand with Azriel.

A punch to my cheek snaps me out of it. My own knife, swiped, coming to rest against my throat in warning. His face is red and angry, bloody from my hit. “You are going to be a good girl and follow my lead.” He spits in my face.

Knife to the throat, there is not much I can do. I stand still against the Illyrian, not giving me an inch of space to turn on him. “Drop your weapons or she dies.”

Azriel, letting go of the male, slowly turns with his sword yet again in his hand. Looking over him I cannot find any serious wounds other than his wing, knowing that it is not fatal, but must hurt like a bitch. His gaze settles on the knife to my throat. I try to beg him with my gaze to finish these guys off, no matter if my neck is on the line, literally. “Drop. The. Weapon.” He speaks behind me. Azriel stands unmoving, his opponent, laying at his feet, had been wounded enough that adrenaline had kept him going.

“It looks like your boyfriend does not want to cooperate,” He whispers in my ear, his harsh voice making me shiver. “And how can I motivate him?” His knife stabs my throat, and I feel my neck giving away to the knife. I squeeze my eyes shut as blood trickles down my neck. And I hear a clash, as a sword is thrown to the ground.

“Let her go,” He seethes. “I am of more value to you. Rhysand is your problem, isn’t he?” Azriel says. “He stopped the trafficking of substances, but that is not why you are here, is it?”

“No, Shadow-singer. It is not.” His voice is softer, making me open my eyes again. Confusion clouds my mind. What could this mission be about, if not for piracy? I look at Azriel who stares at the male, his knife still against my throat. “You are coming with me.” And neither I nor Azriel is fast enough to respond to the hit, as we are both knocked unconscious.

. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .

To be added to the Taglists, comment:

All ACOTAR - 🌹

All Azriel - 🥀

All TOG - 🌼

[acourtofquestions]

I have never seen this scene with this vibe and oh my word I love it😂💅

Normally I read it as a brush off (both for her & him) with the tone of a dissociated/distant, guilt-filled, post-war shock; switching it to this bad-ass, shrug, vibe is AMAZING😂👏 talk about the power of tone!

Drawn by @velidewrites | Consider tipping the artist HERE

Today's coloring page follows the theme Fearless! Peep Lucien in those Illyrian leathers!

Make sure you tag us if you color the page!

2 Days Until Elucien Week!! 🌸🦊

[elainemg97]

Archeron Sisters || Winx Club AU

🎃Halloween Series Pt 1 🎃

🌸 Flora- Elain: Elain is Flora in another universe. She spends most of her time attending to plants, spending time with her friends, and being all shy and nervous around her crush. She will not hesitate to save her loved ones 💗

🔥Bloom- Feyre: Feyre has Bloom’s main character energy, which includes self-sacrifice, having a cool friendship group, and badass powers. She’s also not afraid of going after what and who she wants.

🎶 Musa- Nesta: Musa and Nesta will do everything to protect those they love. They can sometimes have their guard up and not show how they truly feel, especially in the love department. Both also have an impulsive streak and a love of music.

PS: I’ve been binge-watching the 4kids version of the Winx club for the past three days, and man, the plot is >>>>>

[dumpster-fire-sapphic-failgirl]

i feel like everyone that loves Brennan’s badass mom characters owes a big thank you to Elaine Lee

[lovemyromance]

I'm sorry I just refuse to believe there's an entire section of this fandom that wants Elain's book to be focused on patting Lucien's hand while he deals with his daddy issues?? Y'all want her to be an extra on Maury Povich or something?

Or sit there looking pretty while ... what? Eris takes over as HL?

Elains story will be about HER.

So can we please stop reducing her role to be Lucien's arm candy in her own goddamn book.

I ain't EVer seen an elriel say they believe Elains book is going to be about helping Azriel and tracking down his family and fixing his daddy issues. All elriel plot theories center around ELAIN.

That's like if ACOSF hadn't been centered around Nesta, but around Nesta supporting Cassian as he dealt with his rough life in Illyria. No mention of Nesta's own power, no badass Mask scene. No Gwyn or Emerie, just Nesta bonding with Rhys and Azriel only. Just Cassian being a hot mess and Nesta smiling and patting his hand.

These are spinoffs to ACOTAR. They will focus on the sisters. Elain has enough tying her to the main koschei plot and being Made. SJM is not going to waste all her potential to be Lucien's emotional support mate 🙄

[rosenecklaces]

The faster they realize he's loved BECAUSE he isn't the bad boy, dark playboy arrogant Booktok type that you would think he is at his first appearance in the book, the better

Upsetti Spaghetti

The people who are going to be most upset at the next ACOTAR book are the folks who projected an entirely different personality onto Azriel than the one the actual author gave him. Too many people have set themselves up for severe disappointment because they’ve created a version of him in their heads that probably isn’t going to match the true personality that SJM gives him. I just don’t know why we can’t appreciate what we’ve already been given instead of feeling the need to completely change things. I adore Azriel’s true, canon personality so much, and the way Elain’s personality complements his own beautifully. They truly are a Mother-made match.