#elucien is regency coded

[goldenivy0]

They lost their minds. I can't believe that E/riel having regency couple vibes is a thing now, oh no, I'm losing it I- 😂😂

*clears throat and insert sound*

"Nobody!! Is better than the original." 🗣🗣

[azrielsfavoriteshadow]

Jane Austen would ship Elucien and that’s a fact.

[harperbrynne]

“I claimed Lucien as my own—named him emissary, since he’d already made many friends across the courts and had always been good at talking to people…” (ACOTAR, pg161)

But I tried to smile, if only for Elain, who flitted about the room, personally greeting each guest and dancing with all their important sons.(ACOTAR, pg268)

What happens when good at talking to people meets dancing with all their important sons? It’s called flirting, banter, jealousy, and pining.

Lucien thought he was good at talking before every word began to taste like ash in his mouth at her tongue twisting beauty. Elain believed she had danced with many important men in her life until just grazing his skin lights her on fire unlike anyone she had ever touched before.

[labyrinthlover22]

Elucien

sorry to the haters in the back 🫶🏻

[yennas-stuff]

Multiple degrees in the field??

More like Elain's legs will be bent in multiple degrees in a field of tulips in the Elucien regency coded book. Thank you.

[carolcarebear]

I’m rewatching Bridgerton again, and all I can think is… Elucien is painfully, perfectly regency coded

[lovemyromance]

Eluciens running around claiming that Elain & Lucien are so regency coded and they're going to "brush fingers" and "share glances"

while saying

Elain & Azriel's explicitly called out "brushing of fingers and shared glances" in ACOSF

is basically just "SIBLING BEHAVIOR" or platonic

......

like that's a CHOICE lmfao ....

[saraannereads]

Elucien is totally regency coded.

Lucien is Mr. Collins and Elain is Elizabeth Bennett.

[sad-scarred-sassy]

Gold rush is an Elucien song

Not even taking into account the IMMACULATE aesthetic, I love seeing it from Elain’s perspective.

This song exudes reluctant lovers energy. Talking about how everyone desires this person, how scary it is to fall in love when you know it will only lead to breaking bones, how you don’t want to go through it again even though it will probably be all that you ever wanted.

But I don't like a gold rush, gold rush

I don't like anticipating my face in a red flush

I don't like that anyone would die to feel your touch

Everybody wants you

Everybody wonders what it would be like to love you

Her being essentially jealous of other people’s attention while in the same breath saying she doesn’t like him.

Walk past, quick brush

I don't like slow motion double vision in rose blush

I don't like that falling feels like flying 'til the bone crush

This is so regency romance coded it makes me SOB.

What must it be like

To grow up that beautiful?

With your hair falling into place like dominos

If this isn’t a Lucien Vanserra description i don’t know what is.

My mind turns your life into folklore

I can't dare to dream about you anymore

Please I need to get inside this woman’s mind. Headcanons of Elain just gathering information about Lucien is raging right now. Also, Lucien being essentially the epitome of fae, I imagine to Elain he came out straight from a fairy tale.

[acourtofthought]

SJM didn't even realize she was setting up Elucien to be the Regency couple of the year when she wrote ACOTAR

"A rake is a particular type of romance hero—a loveable scoundrel whose goal in life is to enjoy being single"

“Ah.” Lucien chuckled. “Well, Tam’s not the only one who gets to perform the rite tonight. Once he makes his choice, we’re free to mingle. Though it’s not the Great Rite, our own dalliances tonight will help the land, too.”

A cork popped, followed by the sounds of Lucien chugging the bottle’s contents and chuckling with a muttered “Brushed.”

“I’ll have you know that while you two were dancing with the spirits, I was stuck on border patrol.” Tamlin gave a pointed cough, and Lucien added, “With some company.”

"Many a Regency heroine has gone to London to have a ‘season’ in the hope of finding a husband.

“We can’t afford a dowry,” I continued, and though my tone was firm, my voice quieted. “For either of you."

But we had nothing—absolutely nothing—to entice any suitor to take my sisters off my hands.

“Isn’t that right in the middle of the season?” The socialite season, which had ended a few weeks ago, apparently, full of parties and balls and luncheons and gossip, gossip, gossip. Elain had told me all about it at dinner the night before" / “And I’m surprised you don’t have a line of suitors out the door, begging for your hand.”

The ball my father was throwing in my honor was in two days, and the house was already a flurry of activity. Such money being thrown away on things we’d never dreamed of having again, even for a moment. I would have begged him not to host it, but Elain had taken charge of planning and finding me a last-minute dress,

Elain, who flitted about the room, personally greeting each guest and dancing with all their important sons.

"Known as the “Ton,” they were comprised of a few hundred wealthy families whose strict codes of conduct, fashion, and social customs dictated who and what was socially acceptable"

—a faint gleam in Tamlin’s eyes at that—“and being with females who were a far cry from the nobility of the Autumn Court.

“Lucien fell in love with a faerie whom his father considered to be grossly inappropriate for someone of his bloodline.

Though the tunic isn’t as pretty as a dress.”

Though she was bundled in a threadbare blanket, her gold-brown hair—the hair all three of us had—was coiled perfectly about her head. Eight years of poverty hadn’t stripped from her the desire to look lovely.

But once she did, she let that snowball roll down the hill.

"The idea that rakes are redeemable is their most attractive quality."

“You know it’s … hard for him, where females are involved,” I said neutrally. “He has been with many females since the death of his lover.” “Perhaps it’s different with you—perhaps it’d mean something he’s not ready for.” I shrugged, searching for the right words. “Perhaps he stays away because of it.” She considered, and I prayed she bought my half lie.

He’d always had a casual grace about him, but here, tonight, with his hair tied back and jacket buttoned to his neck, he truly looked the part of a High Lord’s son. Handsome, powerful, a bit rakish—but well-mannered and elegant.

I asked Lucien to escort me, and he’d been more than happy to do so, given that his own status as a mated male made him uninterested in any sort of female company these days.

“I’m a mated male now.”

"Clothing and shoes served as necessary survival tools in the 18th century as well as powerful ways to communicate status, ideas, and a person's role in society. Fashion was a very important way that people expressed their ideas and economic status during the 18th century."

He had to give Lucien credit: the male was somehow able to move between his three roles—an emissary for the Night Court, ally to Jurian and Vassa, and liaison to Tamlin—and still dress immaculately.

Elain … She’d taken one look at us in the swaying grasses outside that wagon, the legs and assets on display, and turned crimson

"I'll be right back," she murmured and hurried down the hall before I could explain that no one care if she showed up to dinner covered in flour.

Elain had let her golden-brown hair down tonight, and pinned it back with twin combs of pearl.

Gone was the ill-suited black dress from the ball, replaced by a gown of amethyst velvet, her hair half-up and curling down to her waist.

It wasn’t a formal dinner by any means—though Lucien, standing near the windows and watching the sun set over Velaris, was wearing a fine green jacket embroidered with gold, his cream-colored pants showing off muscled thighs, and his knee-high black boots polished enough that the chandeliers of faelight reflected off them.

"By the 17th Century (and beyond), ribbon usage was vast. It showed purpose in extravagant garments, hair accessorizing, and ornamenting furniture and linens. With the demand for the material rising, Coventry, England and Lyons, France became capitals for ribbon production and design."

Even during their squabbles in the cottage, fighting over who got clothes or boots or ribbons, it had never been like this.

"Regency's formal décor has recently made headlines and piqued interior designers' interest thanks to the series "Bridgerton." / The Regency period was one of elegance and opulence, luxuriousness and grandeur" / “The Regency is loud, glamorous, colorful, and much less stuffy "

Elain cut her a look. “This house has needed a woman’s touch for years.”

He tried to sound casual—comfortable. Even as his heart raced and raced, so swift he thought he might vomit on the very expensive, very old carpet. From Sangravah, if the patterns and rich dyes were any indication. Rhysand was many things, but he certainly had good taste. This entire place had been decorated with thought and elegance, with a penchant for comfort over stuffiness.

"Neither a lady nor a gentleman discussed private business in the presence of servants."

Possibly a factor in why we don't see Elain and Lucien interact when EVERYONE AROUND THEM US EAVESDROPPING! 😂

"A well-bred person maintained an elegance of manners and deportment."

Elain flinched again, her face coloring. Nesta snorted. “You’re living amongst beings who have none of our human primness, you know.”

Elain had blushed muttering about the impropriety of such things

He wasn’t sure if she truly meant to address him, but he said, “No, lady. I cannot.”

“I’m going to assume that one of those cups belongs to your sister.” “Do you mind if I help myself to the other?”

“There’s a plate of biscuits. Would you like one?”

The sound seemed to startle Elain, who swiftly set down her teacup. She rose to her feet, and Lucien shot to his. “I’m sorry,” he blurted.

“I’m sorry—if that unsettled you.”

"A lady did not engage in any activity that might give rise to gossip."

No wonder nobody knows what the hell Elain does or thinks 😂

"It was unacceptable to owe money to a stranger."

"I can't stand to be in this court and have your mate pay for the very clothes on my back"

"A well-bred person walked upright, stood and moved with grace and ease."

“I’ll do it,” Elain said, taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders. She didn’t wait for either of us before she strode out, graceful as a doe.

He’d always had a casual grace about him,

"A well-bred person was never awkward in either manner or behaviour and could respond to any social situation with calm assurance."

“Nesta, please,” Elain murmured.

She put a hand on Nesta’s knee, the purple of my sister’s gown nearly swallowing up the ivory hand. “Feyre gave and gave—for years. Let us now help her. Help … others.”

Elain crossed her arms and said calmly, sadly, “Feyre warned me this might happen.”

“I still wanted to come,” Elain went on with that focused calm, the quiet steel building in her voice. “I wanted to see you, to explain.”

The male had grown up alongside Eris. Had dealt with Eris’s and Beron’s cruelty. Had his lover slaughtered by his own father. But Lucien had learned to keep his cool.

Lucien threw him a withering look. “I’m not your enemy, you know. You can drop the aggressive brute act.” Cassian gave him a grin that didn’t meet his eyes. “Who says it’s an act?” Lucien let out a long sigh. “Very well, then.”

[queenlachimolala]

I need someone to draw Elucien as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. We all know that Elucien is very historical/regency romance coded.

Please 🙏🏽

A few ideas for the artists:

[nikethestatue]

What happened with Spotify and why is everyone talking about that?

I honestly don't know--it's comments or something, but it got GAs and Eluciens really triggered this past week. So between 'Elucien is Regency coded' that Taylor Swift song is about (not sure) Elucien and/or Gwynriel, to Gwyn's birthday is the same as Steph's, to some other stuff which I cant even remember anymore honestly, because it's like being trash pandas and digging out old disproven shite from the bin and then trying to make it a thing.

Who has the energy? Oh, they do!

All I think is that it' a last ditch effort to show that they have something to stand on? And bringing all these olden arguments from 2021 would somehow trick the new and gullible readers into jumping onto their ships? I am not sure exactly what the tactic is but that's what it seems they are doing.

[shadowqueenjude]

Hello~ I hope you're having a wonderful day! ^^

I absolutely loved reading your thoughts on my last question. Your responses always make me smile! It's not just that I agree and relate to them, but it's also so much fun talking with someone who loves and appreciates Elain and Lucien as much as I do <3

Let's keep the fun going with another question ^^

What AU couple(s) do you think has the most Elucien vibes?

Also, what are some of your favorite fictional couples besides Elucien (they don’t have to be limited to books)?

- Your Secret Santa 💗🦊

AHHHHHH HI SECRET SANTA

Sorry for answering late, I took a looong nap haha.

I’m not sure what you’re asking for on the first one, so I hope this is what you were looking for!

Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are SOOOOO elucien coded. Nick being sly as hell (and a literal fox??) and teasing Judy and Judy being prim and proper yet matching him for every stroke!

I shared this video here some time ago, but this is literally Elucien!

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider are SOOOOOO elucien coded! I headcanon Elain as a healer, and Rapunzel can heal. people. with. her. HAIR??? And Flynn being this snarky, smooth talker who’s rendered completely awkward around Rapunzel??? Magnificent. Flynn showing Rapunzel the lanterns 🤝 Lucien showing Elain the tulips

Lastly, Finnick and Annie are so Elucien coded! Imagining Elucien in the Hunger Games, I imagine it would’ve gone something like that! Elain is more resourceful than people realize, so she could’ve won just like Annie, but it would hurt her. It robbed her of her light. She becomes close to the Elain at the beginning of ACOWAR. Meanwhile Lucien being so fucking hot that it’s literally pointed out by everyone but he’s in love with only one person. And Finnick and Lulu are both SA victims 😢

As for my favorite ships…

I recently got into Star Wars and when I tell you I have the biggest Anidala (Anakin and Padme) obsession 😩they’re actually happily married and living with their twin children your honor.

I love the Bridgerton TV show, but of course my favorite couple is Kanthony (Kate and Anthony)🥰. Ugh, their RAW chemistry on screen…you forget that Jonathan Bailey is actually gay😂

(also a bonus but Kanthony is regency Neris coded)

I loooooove Snowbaird! If I had a nickel for every time my blonde hair blue eyed blorbos fumbled a baddie and became a genocidal dictator, I’d have two nickels, but it’s weird that it happened twice.

My bio says Jurdan (Jude and Cardan), but Ima be real I’m not a huuuge fan of the ship because of how Cardan treats her in the beginning… I’m more just a Jude fan haha.

Elide and Lorcan from Throne of Glass has my whole heart! My favorite SJM couple that is confirmed endgame! Ruhn and Lidia from Crescent City is amazing too!

My first ever OTP was Percabeth (Percy and Annabeth) from Percy Jackson and they will always hold a special place in my heart even if they’re not my CURRENT obsession.

Maxon and America from The Selection is pretty great too!

And of course, I’m a P&P addict, so Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy has to be on here😍

A super niche one, but Queen Katharine and Pietyr Renard from the Three Dark Crowns series is so beautiful too!

[olenvasynyt]

Elucien is regency romance coded 💕

Jane Eyre x Elucien Parallels (In-Depth Meta)

We've been told SJM loves the book Jane Eyre and we know that she has made some literary references to the novel in her own writing. For example, the most commonly known Elucien allusion is the one below:

Elain in ACOWAR:  “It felt… strange,” Elain breathed. “Like you pulled on a thread tied to a rib.”

Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre: “I have a strange feeling with regard to you. As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave I'm afraid that cord of communion would snap. And I have a notion that I'd take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, you'd forget me.”

This parallel is a HUGE clue. Now, let me explain why the story of Jane Eyre is very well a map for what Elucien's central themes are likely going to explore in their book.

Could SJM be using Jane Eyre as a model for Elain's character and hero journey? Yes, I do. Here is why.

Let me describe Jane in a nutshell for you: she was someone who came from a difficult and isolated childhood and who used her meekness and reserved nature to fit into circumstances. However, we learn she is a smart, witty, innocent, stubborn, and feminine female protagonist. Despite all the societal and religious pressures to marry a husband, Jane was insistent she would only marry for true love.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Jane in Jane Eyre “Shall I tend to my little garden forever?” When Nesta flinched, Elain said, “You can't have it both ways. You cannot resent my decision to lead a small, quiet life while also refusing to let me do anything greater.”

....when I was reflecting on that, I was hit with a wow that is Elain Archeron if I have ever seen anything.

Jane Eyre is a story of Fate, Love, and Autonomy. Just like Elucien.

Without getting too wordy, let me summarize a few things for folks who never read the novel.

The connection described between Jane and Rochester is one of fate. Jane and Rochester fall in love from the start because he treats her as equal, but their marriage is thwarted because Rochester is still married to Bertha Mason (the madwoman in his attic).

Even though she loves him, she has complicated feelings about marriage. She is afraid of the restraints and expectations that will be placed on her if she were to marry.

She leaves him for some time and they endure a long period of separation. In that time she meets St John who will also propose to her, but is meant to represent dutiful marriage without true love and warmth. St John was described as a cold love, whereas Rochester was described as fire.

Eventually, she realizes she wants true love above all else, and returns to Rochester. He has lost his wife by then and it is only then that they are free to finally marry and live together as equals in love.

OKAY. That is definitely an oversimplification but I needed to lay it out for our road map. Let's compare now.

Elain and Lucien shared a fated connection created by the Mother with their mating bond. We also know that a long period of their relationship is defined by their separation where Lucien goes to find Vassa and maintains his distance from Elain out of respect of her feelings.

We know Elain likely has complicated feelings about the bond. She says to Feyre, "I don't want a mate. I don't want a male." She is resisting the bond with Lucien. While we don't have her POV yet, I imagine it has to do with resisting something that she doesn't understand, that is taking away her autonomy in love, and influencing her fate for her.

Elain is likely also going to have two marriage prospects, just as Jane did. We know of her engagement to Graysen, who was described as "kind enough" by Nesta and later rejected her horribly. This marriage would have been similar to St John - one more out of duty for status and safety and marked by coldness. Whereas we have Lucien, with fire in his blood, and a warm personality, which is what Jane described true love to be like.

What is keeping Elain and Lucien apart? Bertha Mason.

Bertha, Rochester's wife and mad woman in the attic, was a symbol of Jane's suppressed emotions and inner conflict in regards to Jane's marriage to Mr. Rochester. She represented what Jane feared the most of traditional marriage at that time--becoming trapped and isolated and mad by the female expectations of society and religion.

It was only once Bertha was gone that they could have their Happily Ever After. (It's important to note she perished in a fire.) Her absence was a physical representation of Jane losing her reservations about marriage and fully becoming sure of herself in confidence, status, and her DECISION to pick to true love.

Which tells me that Elain will return and love Lucien only after her own reservations of the mating bond are addressed. Maybe fire will even be involved/symbolic burning of their obstacles (which would be so fitting for our fireling). I think there is also an added layer that Elain wants more from life than what is expected of her by the Inner Circle, which is hinted at throughout ACOSF.

SJM told us herself in an interview:

“I’m not going to say if I am exploring it in future books or not, but it definitely offers a wealth of things to explore with this concept of freewill and what is true love. Is it something that’s destined? Or is it something that you make? Is it both?”

If she is truly influenced by Jane Eyre, we know the answer. When it comes to Elucien, it's both.

Other Symbols of Jane Eyre in Elucien

A few more interesting parallels I found:

Mr. Rochester gifts Jane a pearl necklace upon his first proposal. Jane refuses to wear it and even leaves it behind. "I left that; it was not mine: it was the visionary bride’s who had melted in air." Notice she rejected not because she doesn't like Rochester or the gift itself, but because what it symbolizes. A bride.

Lucien gave Elain pearl earrings for Solstice. She could barely thank him and we never know if she wears it. I am going to infer that Elain rejects the gift (with silence and indifference) because she is terrified of what it represents...of her accepting the bond between them. I found it so interesting SJM chose to use pearls and have them react very similarly.

Jane Eyre is filled with literary symbols of Fire vs Ice, with fire representing passion and true love, and ice representing duty and cold love.

Lucien could very well be a living symbol of fiery, passionate love ("Autumn Court males have fire in their blood—and they fuck like it, too" anyone??) Graysen and Azriel could also be symbols of that "icy, cold" love in comparison to Lucien.

We also cannot forget that Mr. Rochester waited and waited for Jane to return. Just as Lucien is waiting for Elain to be ready.

In Conclusion...

Let me leave you with one more piece of evidence to convince you. In Jane Eyre, Jane says this of Rochester once she has finally decided to be with him:

"All my heart is yours, sir; it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence forever.”

In ACOWAR, we have this moment between Elain and Graysen:

"I belong to no one. But my heart belongs to you.” Graysen’s face hardened. “I don’t want it.”

Elain will eventually realize her heart belongs to Lucien Vanserra. And he will give her the true love, peace, and happiness she has always wished for her entire life.

“When I sleep,” she murmured, “I can hear your heart beating through the stone.” She angled her head, as if the city view held some answer. “Can you hear mine?" He wasn’t sure if she truly meant to address him, but he said, “No, lady. I cannot.”

Lucien's heart already belongs to Elain. Likely since the moment their bond snapped, which is why she can hear his heart.

In their book, Elain will give her heart to Lucien, as it belongs to him. And has likely always belonged to him.

[starsreminisce]

Thank you so much for the honor!

I've been proud to be an Elucien from the moment Lucien said "that is enough" when Elain was brought out. I am happy to share that love with other Eluciens out there and hopefully help provide some perspective for those who are curious about the ship or who don't see it.

I see SJM's vision for them so clearly, and I really can't wait to read their slow-burn, regency-coded, I-won't-say-I'm-in-love story that has me in a chokehold.

Creator Highlight #5 - @starsreminisce

Welcome back to Elucien Creator Highlights!! We want to take a moment to recognize the amazing individuals in our fandom who kindly use up so much of their free time and creative energy to share their work with us!

Today we want to highlight @starsreminisce! Not only are they an incredibly talented writer, but starsreminisce is also responsible for a lot of the really lovely meta coming into the fandom lately! Her passion for Elain and Lucien is infectious, and her creativity so fun to read!

If you haven't checked her out, try a few of our favorites!

Style: Lucien receives his Day Court attire, which appears to be a prank orchestrated by the two High Lords. However, the reaction he receives from Elain is entirely unexpected.

Out of Spite: Elain was reeling from her rejection post-solstice and felt the need to find someone to blame and apologize to her. Lucien wasn't going to be the scapegoat in this situation.

A Kiss To Pretend: Elain volunteered to be Lucien's date to intercept information from an agent of Koschei. She played her role with a bit more commitment.

Check out the rest of their masterlist HERE