#ilken throne of glass

[sjmvillainweek]

Which villain from the SJM series Throne of Glass if your favorite? Tell us why in the notes!

Next week there will be a poll for Crescent City.

[shadowqueenjude]

Coming out with my truth 🙋‍♀️

So I read the Throne of Glass series before I read the ACOTAR series, and you know my favorite character is Lorcan (Chaol is a close second). And when Azriel was first introduced, I thought he seemed similar to Lorcan in many ways:

1. Being preoccupied with the same woman for 500 years

In Lorcan’s case, it was a little different. We don’t know when exactly Maeve took Lorcan in, but he reads as a teenager. Imagine being a poor kid on the streets, having these death powers you’re terrified of. Then this beautiful, rich queen takes you in and tells you you’re worthy and gives you a home and a life and a purpose. It’s only natural to develop an idyllic relationship and even a crush on them, especially when they’re actively manipulating you and abusing you using the blood bond. Unfortunately, poor Lorcan had no idea what the fuck love even was, so he thought it was love. Then he met Elide, his mate, and realized it was not.

In Azriel’s case, it seems like he’s convinced he’s unlovable and therefore he has latched onto Mor because he knows he has no chance with her (as she prefers women) but she’ll also never go away (or so he thinks). There are no stakes in going after someone like that, and so he continues to do it. When he finally stops going after Mor, he latches onto Elain instead, another unavailable woman. Because no matter how much he rants and complains about the cauldron, Elain is still Lucien’s mate and will never be able to give herself fully to him. I must confess I was genuinely shocked that Moriel at some point was endgame, but I am not at all surprised she retconned it because it would’ve been extremely icky.

2. Their mates are exceptionally well loved by everyone who meets them and they both have a cunty “mean girl” bestie who would literally die for them. Elide’s “mean girl” bestie is Manon, of course. Gwyn’s “mean girl” bestie is my bbg Nesta.

3. Both of them have strange shadowy “death powers” that are so rare and unheard of that no one really knows what they’re about.

4. Both of their mates have experienced some kind of SA.

Now, many characters have, but the reason it’s so important for these two characters particularly is how much it has affected them compared to other characters. Elide and Gwyn’s arcs, in many ways, revolve around their experience. Gwyn’s journey from being raped and rescued and brought to Night where she mainly lived in the library, afraid to come out because of what happened to her. Then later learning the mental and physical techniques of the Valkyries to eventually overcome it to an extent (but she still returned to the library at the end of ACOSF which shows she hasn’t fully recovered).

Elide’s SA in the Morath dungeons leading to her having difficulty believing in the goodness of men. In her POV saying that the only way she’d ever feel desire is with someone who she trusted so deeply all the horrors went away. Her finding that in Lorcan. Her journey from being a scared woman with some wits to being the bad bitch who lifted Lorcan’s axe to kill the ilken and came up with the plan to destroy Erawan.

Also a bonus: Azriel and Lorcan are the subbest men SJM has ever written😂

Things that we saw with Elorcan that I think we’ll see with Gwynriel:

In Kingdom of Ash, there is a scene where Elide watches Lorcan torture someone and she does not balk from it. I believe Gwyn will have a similar moment with Azriel.

With Elide, we saw her make the first move on Lorcan. Just like that, I think Gwyn will be pursuing Azriel.

We eventually saw Elide take up a leadership position as Lady of Perranth. I believe we’ll see something similar when Gwyn becomes the High Priestess of Prythian.

That was long. Anyway if you read this far thank you!

[acourtofthought]

Counter to all those Elain's book arguments

Contains TOG Spoilers

"Elain's book can't be next because she was barely in SF"

Throne of Glass - Chaol 492 mentions

Crown of Midnight - Chaol 604 Mentions

Heir of Fire - Chaol 400 Mentions

Queen of Shadows - Chaol 480 Mentions

Empire of Stroms - Chaol 12

Tower of Dawn - Chaols Book

The book before Chaol got his own he wasn't even on page. His name was only mentioned through other characters. Though he had previously had his own POV in other books, SJM chose to completely eliminate his POV in Queen of Shadows in favor of waiting until his own book.

"Elain's book can't be next because she isn't connected to the plot"

In Empire of Storms Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, and Lysandra rearrange a meeting with the surviving lords of Terrasen but they reject her as a ruler due to her age.

Witch armies fly to Rifthold so Aelin send Rowan to rescue Dorian while she leaves for the coast to gather allies.

Elide is hunted by Ilken.

Aelin wants an alliance with the pirate king.

There is a battle scene and Aelin is taken by Maeve.

If Elain can't have the next book because she's not connected to the plot then how was it possible for Chaol to have his own book when he had nothing to do with the plots of EoS?

Not to mention Elain is connected to some of the major plots of ACOWAR / FAS / ACOSF:

ACOWAR - She went on before I could answer. "I do not have much time left - before I must return to the lake. To him."

ACOFAS - But Vassa's freedom would end. Lucien had said as much months ago, and still visited her often enough that I knew nothing in that regard had improved.

ACOSF - He should have asked someone before coming here how much time remained before Vassa would be forced to return to the continent.

Koschei said, "Tell my Vassa I'm waiting"

Elain had always wanted to visit the continent to study the tulips and other famed flowers.

Elain is the only one who had visions of Koschei, the girls along with Vassa who are trapped at the lake, as well as visions of the onyx box that's important to him. Elain is connected to Lucien who is living with Vassa who is a captive of Kochei and who is the driving force of a lot of the unrest in their world, whispering on the winds to stir up trouble. Beron now wants to ally with him and that also involves Lucien and Eris as his sons. Az may have always hated Eris but he's Lucien's brother and SJM started building the idea that they'll be reconnecting back in ACOWAR and continuing through SF while SF basically had the NC using Eris as a pawn.

ACOSF - With a new war possible and Briallyn up to her bullshit with Koschei, we need a strong ally. We need the Spring Court's forces.

"No. But we need to summon Lucien." "We need to tell him the news and permanently station him at the Spring Court to contain any damage and be our eyes and ears."

Nesta's throat constricted, and she surveyed the swaying cerry blossoms overhead. Elain would love this place. / But Elain...The Spring Court had been made for someone like her. / Too bad her sister refused to see her. Nesta would have told Elain to visit this place.

So yes, Elain is connected to some of the most pressing concerns in the ACOTAR world. Not to mention with the peace treaty remaining unsigned, that's definitely more of an Elucien story than an Azriel one.

"Cassian and Chaol had Bonus Chapters and got the next book so Az will get the next book since he got a Bonus"

Cassian's Bonus hinted at his mating bond but it wasn't accepted until 2 books and almost 2 years later on the timeline. He didn't actually get the next book after his bonus because Feyre got the next book (ACOWAR).

Azriels Bonus did hint at his mating bond but just as Cassian and Lucien's bonds were introduced / hinted at but not accepted for years, it's possible Az's bond won't be accepted for years.

Neither Lucien or Elain needed a bonus to hint at their mating bond because their mating bond was introduced into the actual series.

Also, the Chaol bonus chapter had nothing to do with hinting at his endgame love interest and is different from either Cassian or Az's bonus because on the timeline his story picked up immediately after his bonus while neither Cassian or Azriel's did.

"Elain hasn't hit rock bottom"

Throughout SF, Elain faced pushback from Nesta. They had the worst fight they'd ever had in all their years, Nesta tried blaming Elain for their fathers death, she faced opposition from Nesta on choices Elain made for herself, and she dealt with rejection from Azriel, ending his bonus with hurt and confusion.

In comparison, Azriel began his bonus with feeling put out at his lack of a mating bond, jealousy toward Lucien, then mad at Rhys and himself. But by the end of his bonus he left feeling more hopeful and at peace. And in the actual book there was nothing to indicate that Az was at rock bottom.

I'm not sure either is truly at rock bottom (Elain already reached hers in ACOWAR and I don't think she's ever going back to that) but Az is definitely not worse off than her. Especially when his issues were a sum total of "why don't I get someone to love" while Elain's dealt with people calling her entire character into question.

"Elain isn't ready for a book, she hasn't had enough development."

Elain cocked her head. Didn't dissolve into the crying mess she usually became when Graysen came up.

Elain, surprisingly held her ground.

Challenge filled each word. Challenge - from Elain, of all people.

"Using me."

"You do not decide what I can and cannot do, Nesta."

"I am not a child to be fought over."

Feyre said to her, gratingly gentle, "It wasn't an easy choice for me to ask Elain to endanger herself like this."

"You think Elain is boring?" "I think she's kind, and I'll take kindess over nastiness any day. But I also think we haven't yet seen all she has to offer."

"Let's focus on helping one sister before we start on the other."

"Including Elain, who is more than capable of defending herself against the darkness of the Trove, if she chooses to. Don't underestimate her."

When Feyre had offered to let her remain home, Elain had squared her shoulders and declared that she was a part of this court - and would do whatever was needed.

Wasn't the entire point of the first half of the Feysand bonus chapter telling us all about Elain? How she surprised them? How she's probably capable of more than they had given her credit for? How Feyre didn't mention anything to her but thought how if Elain had accepted Lucien's gift (metaphor for Lucien himself), no harm would have come to her? How after they help Nesta they'll focus on helping Elain? Didn't SF also demonstrate the same?

People keep saying Elain needs to be more involved in the ICs business to have a book but Nesta began her journey refusing everything to do with the IC. And if Elain is not staying in the NC, why would she be majorly involved in what they're doing?

Elain herself said she's ready for more. Rhys and Amren confirm it as well. All that now needs to happen is her putting that into action in her own book.

"Elain isn't connected to the crossover"

First off, Az isn't connected to the crossover in the ACOTAR series, there were no hints that Truth Teller was part of prophecy in SF. I imagine SJM will eventually merge the two storylines but we don't know if that's going to happen in the next ACOTAR book. As it stands, these series are still marketed on Bloomsbury and SJMs websites as standalone series and SJMs website still says you can read them in any order you want.

If you look back over SJMs interviews she once said she knew who the first two books of the spin-offs were going to be about but was leaving the third open (and was considering a book set in the past). She had already done research for Elain's book at that time which to me logically means the Koschei storyline was never going to extend past book 2 and she wasn't sure whether Az would have a spin-off book.

In another interview she said her initial pitch for the spin-offs hadn't changed and that SF simply expanded the world. You can interpret that a few ways but one of those interpretations is that Elain's book is still second as she originally intended and now that the world expanded she knows who the third book will be about (and any books beyond that). And that does mean Koschei could still be dealt with in the second spin-off, paving the way for possible crossover storylines to be introduced in the third (and later dealt with in any future ACOTAR books she may have signed on for). Remember, the point of SF was to try to stop another war in their world from happening, they are trying to prevent a repeat of ACOWAR.

Everything above is based on facts though my own interpretation.

This part is a complete personal opinion and not based on any fact but, I truly don't think Az deserves his HEA right now. He called Elain a mistake yet he gets to end up with his mate in the next book? That would be a little like Tamlin finding his HEA before Feyre after what went down in book 2. Az barely blinked at the thought of killing Lucien and is insanely jealous of him yet Lucien deserves to continue suffering for another book while Az gets rewarded?

I don't think Az is deserving of anyone until he realizes that Lucien is a good male and that he's happy for Elucien.

Cassian was jealous of what Rhys and Feyre had but he was still happy for them, still felt no one deserved it more. When it comes to Lucien, Az is resentful through and through and until he can see Elain happy with Lucien and not feel bitter, I don't think he's in a position to end up with his own mate.

Also, the series started with Feysand and I know some feel the series should end with an Archeron sister but that makes less sense to me. The series started with Feysand and the Night Court. The series should end with the Night Court.

Chaol's journey took us away from Aelin and Rowan to a part of the continent only he had reason to travel to then SJM brought all the characters back together in the final book in the main lands. It doesn't make sense to me to have an Elucien book that would end the spin off series in Spring, Day and the continent as I don't think much of their storyline will take place in the Night Court. To me it makes the most sense to step away from the NC in the next book then eventually bring it back to where Feysands story started. Az is part of the IC and I imagine his book will deal with Feyre and Rhys a bit more than Elain and Lucien's will.

Then if there is going to be a more major crossover storyline down the road, the current spin-offs will have ended with Feyre and Rhys in the mix of things (they represent the "Dumbledore" or "Gandalf" of the series, nothing new happens without their involvement).

I think either an Elucien or Gwynriel book is still a possibility but I don't agree with the arguments as to why Elain's can't be next. And I really hate the arguments claiming that anyone who thinks Elain could be the next book is delusional.

And it's not just about Elain. Lucien's story has been coming since book 1 and when the author talked about getting into the groove of writing ACOTAR 5, where she's got that feeling of having a crush, a possible Elucien book that would most likely feature Lucien (with fire in his blood), Helion (who she's weirdly obsessed with), Eris, Elain (who shares her own real life energy), Jurian and Vassa could absolutely be a reason for her to feel smitten. That is a book filled with a whole lot of sass, snark, and side characters who she'd finally have a chance to explore in greater detail.

[bookspine-lux]

🧟 Ilken 🌳 Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

[shallyne]

This or That TOG edition

Let's play a game: I give you two options of which you have to chose one. Comment or reblog your answers

Wendlyn or the Southern Continent

Witch or Shifter

Fire powers or Ice powers

Valg or Ilken

Damaris or Goldryn

Blueblood or Yellowlegs

Fleetfoot or Abraxos

Terrasen ruled by Aelin or Adarlan ruled by Dorian

Doranelle ruled by Maeve or Adarlan ruled by the King of Adarlan

Undercover in Morath or Undercover in a circus

Stone castle or Glass castle

[depressed-danger-noodle]

Elide, about to stab herself in EoS: Am,, Am I cake,, ?, ??

Vernon Lochan, pointing a gun at her: Always have been

Lorcan, in tears:

[con-alas-de-angeles]

I love you…I have loved you from the moment you picked up that axe to slay the ilken and I will be with you…I will be with you always.

Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)

[read-watch-listen-17]

SPOILERS - Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass book 5)

.

.

.

Dammmmn. Dorian you sly fox you. Also, very brave to tease a witch, but it fits because they seem to always be teasing each other one way or another. I’m glad he at least seems to be getting over Sorscha.

Damn Bloodhound and Ilken always ruining the moment.

Annnnd scene. So Fae males blood guides them to protect, serve, and cherish. I’m thinking that’s what Lorcan is unknowingly doing with Elide. Fenrys says what Maeve offers is a mockery of that. So if that version is all they know, then it’s easy to understand why Lorcan doesn’t realize it’s happening.

Anyway what do you get when you put two queens and a king on a pirate ship? So far information, possible alliances and bloodshed.🤣 Yes, we have a Witch Queen, King of Adarlan, descendant of Brannon, and Queen of Terrasen, also descendant of Brannon. At least two on the same side, possibly all three if Manon officially joins them. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t.

Fenrys claims Maeve price is nameless. Aelin remembered, and I double checked, that Baba Yellowlegs also claimed nameless was her price back in Crown of Midnight when Aelin, then Celaena, was asking about the Wrydkey riddle. Then Aelin locks herself in the bathroom and vomits. Which I hope we’re not going down the road that was my first thought, because if we’re going down the baby rabbit hole I don’t like it and I don’t want it.

Eyllwe is burning 😭😭😭💔💔💔 I have to go see if they save it now.

[princessyuwa]

10 Fandoms, 10 Characters, 10 Tags!

Thank you for tagging me @inejjg 😄💕

Lucien Vanserra A Court of Thorns and Roses - Just marry me 💍

Tohru Honda 🍙 Fruits Basket - Who I aim to be like in real life

Zacharel Angels of the Dark - The ideal type of man I'd want to be with in real life, which is ironic cuz he's a general of a bunch of warrior angels, but hey I would never set my standards for a man so low 👉🏼👈🏼

Elide Lochan Throne of Glass - Home girl befriended 13 terrifying witches, destroyed Ilkens, and made the death incarnate her bitch, need I say more?

Tora Midnight Poppy Land - A gangsta gentleman through and through 😌

T'Challa Black Panther - Too pure man, too pure 🥺

Taiga Kagami Kuroko no Basuke - Keep shootin 'em hoops boyo 🏀

Tanjiro Kamado Kimetsu no Yaiba - Keep protecting your little sister and destroy all those demons 👿

Toph Beifong Avatar the Last Airbender - The greatest earthbender ever don't you ever forget it! Also discovered metalbending as well...

Mary Cooper Young Sheldon - Okay I HATE bbt but watching this show made me respect her as a character A LOT.

I tag @werewolffprince @water-sang-fire @feyrearcherons @archerons-arrow @gloomycamomile @the-bookish-deer @brycequin @nalgenewhore @boujeegoblin @theoldsea & anyone else who sees this and wants to do this!

[aelin-and-feyre]

A Moment of Silence

For Lady Marion Lochan - who sacrificed herself to save a little girl, to save her country, to save her daughter’s future.

For Rena Goldsmith - who worked her way to the top so that she could perform for the king, and then was beheaded while she recounted her dead.

For Sam Cortland - who loved a girl so much. Who was tortured and kills for that love, but did not regret one moment of it. Who would love her just as much if he had the chance to do it again.

For Nehemia Ytger - who deserved to live and fight alongside her friends, but instead lived knowing she would never see her country or her plans play out, and died with hope for a better world that has yet to come.

For the girl from Calaculla - who believed so fiercely that Nehemia was her salvation, and who led an uprising in the mines when her princess was killed. She was the first to throw her pickax, and we never knew her name.

For the orchestra after the massacre - who performed the song of each country who had slaves in those mines, and then for their own country in mourning for what they had become. Then were never heard from again. Brave, talented souls who are now lost.

For the demi-Fae outside Doranelle - who were tested on and ruined and tortured. For the girl in the cave that was so far gone, Rowan could not even pull the air from her lungs to gift her a swift death.

For Kaltain Rompier - who suffered so greatly at the hands of vile people, but was able to beat the darkness forced inside her and remembered the kindness of two fellow girls in similar cages. She is why Aelin has a wyrdkey, why the valg-witchlings are gone, and why a third of Morath was destroyed. From her sacrifice.

For Madam Florine and her dancers - who risked everything to help Aelin, and left their entire lives behind in pursuit of a better future. For the dance teacher who gave Aelin music when she needed it most, and promised that she would bring more whenever and wherever peace was found.

For Ress and Brullo and the rest of Chaol’s men - who were tortured by their prince and king, but stayed loyal to their true captain. Who did not break, not one, and were found swaying in the wind from the palace gates.

For all the mortals who were turned into ilken and inhabited by Valg - who were innocent souls, corrupted and violated and did not deserve their fate.

For the shifter turned Bloodhound - who may have been just like Lysandra, but had the unfortunate luck of being turned into a creature of nightmares.

For the healer who looked like Yrene - who did nothing wrong, who cried over a three year old she couldn’t save, and died for the purpose of a corrupt Valg that was bored. 

A moment of silence for the people in Throne of Glass who didn’t do anything wrong, and who deserved so much better.

[sjmvillainweek]

Villain Masterlist

For SJM Villain Week, running through 1st - 7th of October.

Throughout the entire Maasverse we come across a myriad of villains. From thieves and assassins, to kings, queens and tyrants. Each of them poses a brutal setback for the protagonist and effect the story in all their own ways.

We have compiled a list of the villains found throughout the Maasverse to make things easier to remember. If you can't see your villain on the list, do not hesitate to tell us and we will add them to the list.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Amarantha

Attor

Amarantha's other Daemati (or Davemati from @acotarmemes)

Brannagh & Dagdan

Bellius

Beron

Briallyn

The Daglan

Ianthe

Keir

King of Hybern

Koschei

Lanthys

The Raven Twins

Tomas Mandray

Throne of Glass

Arobynn Hamel

Cain

Cairn

Clarisse

Erawan

Elide's Uncle

Blackbeak Matron

King of Adarlan

Maeve

Valgs, Ilkens

Crescent City

The Autumn King

Asteri

Harphy

Micah

Pollux

Sabine

The Stag King

Sandriel

The Viper Queen

Greatest Villain Of All Time

Paperwork (The most heinous of them all)

Soon our villains will be in the spotlight, we cannot wait to see what you all create. We'll see you in October.

[tothe-stars-wholisten]

Throne of Glass tag

Tagged by @aelin-and-feyre, ahh thank you so much!

Rules: Answer the questions below, add one of your own. Tag people!

1. Which Throne of Glass book is your favourite and why?

Okay this is tough, I love Queen of Shadows and Empire of Storms both so much.

I love Queen of Shadows because we finally get to see how incredibly smart Aelin really is. Of course we see her bravery and sass and compassion in the previous books, but QoS is where all her scheming reveals her crazy intelligence. 

I love Empire of Storms for the same reason, but for Elide’s intelligence. Yes, it’s seen in QoS, but her ability to manipulate others and their perception of her throughout EoS is way too impressive. I mean, come on, she tricks that Ilken like a total badass. All of Aelin’s surprise reveals in EoS are also fantastic.

2. What character is your favourite?

Manon. I know she’s a total problematic fave, but her character arc is incredible and her ability to go against so much of what she’s been forced to believe in in order to protect those few people she loves is amazing. 

3. What character is your least favourite? (don’t choose a villain, that’s too easy)

If I have to choose someone, I’d say Ren is my least favorite. It’s not like I hate him or anything, I just don’t care too much about him. 

4. Who is your favourite villain and why?

Maeve because I haven’t really figured her out yet. You’ve gotta love a villain that keeps you on your toes. 

5. Who do you think will die in Throne of Glass 7?

I hope Maeve, Iskra Yellowlegs, the Blackbeak Matron and Erawan will die, and really hope they won’t but realize there’s a good chance that members of the Thirteen, Gavriel, Ansel, Nox, and/or Lorcan could die.

6. Would you rather be a magic wielder or be a witch and fly with wyverns?

Magic wielder. Obviously having raw power would be awesome, and if I had to choose something specific I’d say ice and wind like Rowan has would be cool or shapeshifting.

7. What continent/kingdom would you like to live in? Why?

Terrasen because after Aelin and Rowan rebuild the kingdom with their kick-ass court and awesome allies it’ll be fantastic. 

8. Think of your favourite character. If you had one day to spend with them, what would you do?

I cannot express how cool it would be to fly around with Manon on Abraxos and explore. Manon wouldn’t want to talk often, which would be great, and we could stop so Abraxos can take a nap in a field of flowers while Manon teaches me how to fight like the Thirteen.

9. Which character do you identify with the most?

Elide. Even though she can be very quiet and is used to being alone, she does love the few people she trusts fiercely, which I totally relate to. Her tendency to people watch and change who she is depending on who she’s around is also something I do. 

10. What is your favourite scene?

Wow okay, either the Rowaelin reunion in Queen of Shadows in the alley or the Rowaelin reunion in Empire of Storms in Rolfe’s office. They’re both great in their own ways.

11. What are your guesses on what the final book will be called?

King of Ruins? Kingdom of Flames? no clue, but I’m way too excited.

12. What do you think will be Dorian’s reaction to Chaol being married?

Shock, confusion, happiness, more confusion, then a little bit of anger and demands that he can organize both a bachelor party and ceremony that he can be best man at.

13. What character from earlier books are you looking forward to seeing again?

NOX. Every book after ToG I’ve been waiting for him and I’m so ready to see how he plays into ToG7.

14: What is your otp from the series and why?

I think Elorcan because there’s something really endearing about two such unique people realizing the strength in being both individuals and a team. Lorcan taking care of Elide while she was on her period also made me inexplicably happy and set my expectations irl way too high.  

New Question: 15: If you could only choose one character to have guaranteed survival in ToG7, who would it be and why?

Tagging: @mydarlingwhitethorn @aelinfireheart-shadowhunter @queen-fireheart-galathynius @feysand-trash @the-heir-of-terrasen

[feysandherondale]

I think Elide is so under appreciated in throne of glass. I mean she has no magic, no iron nails or teeth and yet she is the smartest of them all:

she outsmarted one of the Ilken, killed two and found her queen from across a whole kingdom.

With what? Her brain. Elide is the most amazing character of them all.

[ships-and-saints]

Pale Skin and Onyx Eyes [5]

[Throne of Glass] [Elide x Lorcan] [W.I.P.] Chapter Word Count: 1709 words

Summary: Set after Empire of Storms, Elide Lochan and Lorcan Salvaterre are traveling with Rowan and Gavriel in search of Queen Aelin. Will Elide ever be able to forgive Lorcan for betraying her and her Queen? Where will they go next?

Part I: The Search - Chs. 1-8 Part II: The Journey - Chs. 9-??? Part III: The Mission

Chapters: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [13 ] ... Read it on: [ fanfiction.net ] [ archive of our own ]

Elide

Elide knew this was a serious move and a gamble, because Rowan had been putting off the decision to sail west towards Wendlyn. He had been afraid of being too far away if Aelin showed up in Adarlan or, like they now feared, Terrasen. Although he could fly to her aid, it would be hard to come by news once they set sail on the ocean. The four of them were currently in Fenharrow, near Bellhaven, so they were still a couple days journey from the borders of Terrasen. Rowan and Gavriel alternated between surveillance and riding on horseback with Elide and Lorcan on lesser traveled paths to avoid unnecessary confrontation. The Fae males were also still searching for any clues Fenrys may have left behind.

Fenharrow had suffered due to its proximity to Morath, which was nestled in the mountains of Adarlan. They traveled due north towards Rifthold, giving Morath a wide berth and avoiding towns and cities as best as they could.

They had debated setting up camp, but had decided that there was too much open space and not enough dense forest to hide in. The Fae males would have been okay with camping out, but traveling with Elide made them consider staying at an inn in a forgotten town somewhere. They would be roughing it from then on, as they had to cross Rifthold and the Ararat Mountains while avoiding the damned creatures of the Ferian Gap.

Although Rowan, Gavriel, and Lorcan tried to keep their faces partially hidden, they still attracted some attention as they walked into a small town and proceeded towards an inn. The inn had seemed rather prosperous at one point, but now it appeared worse for wear. As they entered the inn, Elide's eyes adjusted to the flickering lamplights. The wooden boards used to build the inn had lost their luster, and the glass cups lining the shelves looked tired and worn down. The townspeople talked in a more hushed tone and appeared more guarded, wary. Soldiers often lightly brushed their swords, either for comfort or security.

Elide booked a room for herself and Lorcan with the local innkeeper, who didn't bother to ask who she was or where she came from. Although she was prepared to answer his questions falsely, she was still grateful whenever she didn't have to lie.

She had agreed it was safer to stay near Lorcan, although they hadn't explicitly discussed their sleeping situation. Rowan and Gavriel booked their own separate rooms, on the same floor as her room. After what happened to Elide at the last inn, they weren't taking any chances with her safety.

Instead of mingling down by the bar like she normally would have done, Elide went up to her room immediately, her head feeling a bit heavy. Perhaps she was catching a cold, so it was a good thing they were all trying to lie low, and Lorcan followed her upstairs to their room. It was unremarkable, set up similarly to the last inn they had stayed at. There was an old rug set in front of the fireplace, along with an armchair. Elide sat on the bed and took off her shoes. She wriggled her toes, and dutifully inspected her ankle. Silence stretched between them.

"Tell me where you came from," Elide said abruptly. Lorcan was crouched by the fireplace, and he paused at her request.

"Don't you already know?" Lorcan stalled. He knew he said he'd tell her about himself, but…

Elide wanted to know more. "Tell me again. I don't know the whole story," she coaxed.

Lorcan's black hair glinted silver in the firelight as he shook his head. "Ha! It's not a very good story. And I'm not a storyteller."

Elide waited. She half–expected him to change his mind, but then Lorcan sighed and sat in the armchair, in front of the fire.

"As you know, I was born a bastard on the streets of Doranelle. My mother was human – she died of disease when I was only a few years old. All I remember was that she was beautiful. My father was a Fae male but I never knew him." His eyes and tone were impassive. "I grew up in the slums, fighting in back alleys and stealing to survive. I knew I was different from the other demi–Fae and even from the Fae. The first time I discovered my magic, I was still a child. I killed a man with it, who wanted to sell me off as a slave to the highest bidder." Lorcan's eyes were hard, and Elide kept her face carefully neutral, wishing for him to say more.

"I believe it was my fear of dying that awakened the magic – my magic. When the dark magic flowed through me, I no longer feared Death, for my gift was Death. The man crumbled where he stood because I willed him to die so that I could live. My magic was dark and ancient, and no one knew what it was or cared due to fear. I was out of control for a while, until I mastered it, spending years training in the mountains to control and test the limits of destruction. The magic was born from my will to live, but I had nothing except for my will… Until Maeve found me and said she had a use for my gift. She offered me honor and glory, a reason to fight…" Lorcan's deep voice trailed off and his mouth twisted at the memory as he stared into the fire, flames dancing in his onyx eyes.

Elide thought she saw flickers of emotions as they briefly crossed Lorcan's face. Hatred… anger and… sorrow. Or regret? Elide held her breath, afraid that even the tiniest of sounds would dispel Lorcan from his reverie.

Lorcan's onyx eyes refocused on her and she held his gaze, alert and eager. His gravelly, almost–bored tone returned as he continued, "You know I served Maeve for centuries. I had my fill of honor and glory. I commanded Maeve's armies, slaughtered our enemies, burned cities to ashes, and then drunk myself into a stupor during the celebrations, only to do it all again the next day or week or month. The things she asked… We would all drink to forget, us warriors, because we had no way to disobey… Rowan was the same. Then Rowan met the fire-queen. And I met you, in Oakwald Forest."

Lorcan didn't bother sugarcoating his actions in the past, but he watched Elide's face all the same to measure her reaction. Lorcan wasn't sure he had ever seen a more carefully composed face when he told someone who he was. Even though Elide had experienced his magic firsthand and seen him perform inhumane feats of strength and destruction, a slightly surprised expression was all he could read from her face.

Mostly since Elide was still recovering from the fact that Lorcan had just strung so many words together. She ignored the urge to tease him about it, instead sifting through what he had just told her, which mostly confirmed what she already knew. She knew that Lorcan was terrifying and merciless, but to hear him list his past actions so casually, like items on a shopping list… Elide knew normal people would be terrified of Lorcan's track record, if they didn't already fear him from his savage, warrior–like appearance.

But Elide wasn't normal. She had been locked up in a gods–damned tower for ten, excruciating years, and she had resolved to embrace life as much as she could as soon as she had escaped from rutting Morath. So she wouldn't let anyone intimidate her anymore, not the ilken, not her uncle Vernon, and certainly not Lorcan. He may not be human, but his mind worked similarly enough.

Elide knew he didn't want her pity, but at the same time, she felt sad that he had never known normal circumstances before, things like homes, and family, and friends. Now that she had found her court, she had a goal– several goals. Find Aelin, destroy the Valg King and his armies, and reinstate Aelin as Queen in Terrasen. And Elide would have to think about being the Lady of Perranth, but she didn't dare think of that now, not when Vernon was still alive. She wondered what Lorcan desired from life, now that he was free from–

"I'm nothing like Maeve," Elide blurted out, but then she clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. "I– I don't know why I said that." She was avoiding his gaze and the flush on her lovely cheeks made her embarrassment clear as day. How could she hope to compare, anyway? Even though Maeve was so cruel, she was also eternal, powerful, and lovely, while Elide was somewhat–mostly human, barely educated, and lamed. She stared at the mass of scar tissue on her ruined ankle, the twin rings on her ankles, and blew dark locks of hair from her face. Lorcan's head had tilted to the side as he studied her intently.

Lorcan knew why she had said it. It was because he had told her that he loved Maeve, back when they were traveling with the troupe. And as he looked at her and saw the hopelessness filling her eyes, he loathed his miserable, wretched self for being such an idiot. For thinking he loved hatred and cruelty. He hated Maeve now for what she had done, but he carefully leashed that anger. Now wasn't the time.

Lorcan crossed his muscular arms and attempted to lighten the mood. "Isn't that a good thing? I don't know why you would want to be like Maeve at all after what happened."

Elide's eyes snapped to his, and she could see that this was his pathetic attempt to assure her that he didn't love Maeve anymore. Elide's gave him a half–smile. "That's true. Although, it must have been nice to have you as her errand boy for 500 years." Lorcan growled in warning but Elide just laughed.

The peal of laughter calmed something inside him, and Lorcan relaxed his stance, but edged closer to her. Perhaps he'd toy with her, for a change.

[shallyne]

So if the Ilken are 8 ft tall and are 1 ft taller than Lorcan, Lorcan is 7 ft tall

Apparently Elide is around 5 ft tall

That means, the height difference between Lorcan and the Ilken is less than the height difference between Elide and Lorcan

[winterfelliscoming]

Basically Aelin and Rowan become bestest pals. She returns to Adarlan thinking she triumphed over Maeve.

Maeve sends evil fuckboy Lorcan to hunt her down, so Rowan follows Lorcan. Aelin catches Chaol making a deal with Arobynn and this deal is never explained, turns out Chaol is now a rebel leader. Aedion is in the dungeons, his execution set for Dorian’s birthday.

Lysandra, Arobynn’s personal sex toy, arrives and Aelin threatens to kill her but doesn’t bc there’s a child there. (Some assassin, right?)

Aelin and Lysandra become friends and rescue Aedion from the palace and his execution. Aelin tries to kill Dorian, who is enslaved by a valg prince. Chaol understandably calls her out for it. Aelin acts like a child but what’s new there.

Manon, the witch, is forced to make decision. Either die or give up her witch covens to be raped and bred like animals to the valg and ilken (other types of demon). You meet Elide and there’s hella gay chemistry between Manon and Elide but of course this is ignored. (Can you say QUEERBAITING)

Rowan and Aelin met in Rifthold. Lysandra is revealed to be a shape shifter. Aedion’s Dad is Gavriel, part of Rowan’s old cadre.

There’s heaps of disgusting sexual tension between Rowan and Aelin. Lysandra kills Arobynn, slitting his throat in the night.

Aedion and Rowan get all puppy-fan boy, because Celaena Sardothien has returned, and they’re worried she has no emotions and had to live like that for ten years.

Lysandra is kidnapped and taken to the witches since Arobynn apparently knew she was shifter (again, never explained.) Chaol makes a rash decision upon seeing Dorian and is ensnared by the witches.

Manon is momentarily ruined by her praise for Aelin. Dorian, emerging from his demon prison, flirts with Manon in an attempt to kill her. Also, Elide has run away at some point, and Kaltain blew up half a mountain and killed herself so that Elide could give the wyrdkey to Celaena.

Aelin uses the wyrdmarks to outsmark Manon and they run away. Rowan gets shot in the shoulder and Aelin realises they’re mates (ew). Rowan is patched up and all is good.

Dorian and Aelin kill the king, the clock tower is blown up, and a wall of glass is basically hovering over the city of Rifthold.

Aelin and Rowan finally kiss *gag*, Chaol’s spine is broken and he is sent away to the Southern Continent with his FWB Nesryn, who is named Captain of the Guard now that Chaol is disabled. (sigh) Aelin’s gang sets off for Terrasen.

That’s the end of QoS

Empire of Storms begins with Elide. She’s run off into the jungle and is trying to head North for Terrasen.

Lorcan basically pedo-stalks her and they end up joining a circus to escape ilken who’ve been sent by her uncle to bring her back to Morath.

Aelin and Rowan keep trying to fuck everywhere and its awful. Lysandra and her basically adopted daughter are adorable. Aedion is really shitty and posessive.

They make it to Terrasen and Darrow, her uncle’s ex-lover (let’s villanise the gays, shall we?) refuses her claim to the throne, rightfully so. Aelin has a temper tantrum and cuts herself to threaten them. Lysandra’s ‘daughter’ and Aelin’s dog are left behind in Terrasen.

Aelin, Aedion, and Lysandra take a boat to Skull’s Bay. Rowan flies to Rifthold to save Dorian from a witch attack.

There’s some really unrealistic fight here, Rowan cuts off Manon’s breath for like... two seconds.... and she’s instantly like fucking playdough. Manon kills a couple of witches because she wants to bone Dorian for some reason.

Rowan and Dorian escape and head to skulls bay. Aelin burns a man alive from the inside out. Rolfe, the Pirate Lord, basically tells Aelin to go fuck herself.

Aelin calls him out and had yet another temper tantrum. He agrees to give her his army in return for the title of “King of Pirates” or some shit. There’s a big battle between the ilken, Lysandra turns into a sea dragon. Aedion basically forces her into agreeing to a marriage proposal. The boats head towards Ellywe.

Meanwhile, Manon faces a trial in Morath for killing those witches. Asterin is sentenced to death as Manon’s punishment.

Asterin survives and Manon attacks her grandmother, who says she’s half Crochan half Blackbeak and also the las Crochan Queen(do we really need anymore royals?) Manon takes Abraxos and runs away, injured.

Elide and Lorcan are starting to have a thing and it’s kind of disgusting.

Manon meets up with Aelin’s team and is locked up in a cell on the boat. Dorian and Manon have kinky sex (she’s technically a prisoner of war, this is an abuse of Dorian’s power and totally not okay).

Aelin and Rowan (finally) have sex and basically cause a weather meltdown. Then they KEEP HAVING SEX and Rowan thinks Aelin’s probably pregnant. Turns out she’s the “Chosen One” and has to die in order for them all to survive. Aelin basically turns into White Coloniser, its pretty gross.

Maeve whips Aelin to near death and kidnaps her. Rowan sets off to find her. Aelin has planned with Lysandra that Lys will be forever shifted into a physical replica of Aelin’s body and secretly sire children with Aedion (all without his knowledge of course, because thats not disgusting) so that they look like “Ashryvers” Galan Ashryver arrives with an army, looking for Aelin. so Lysandra shifts and pretends to be her, making Aedion (understandably) even more angry.

Tower of Dawn reveals that sex and magic can heal disablities. Chaol cheats on Nesryn with Yrene, who met Aelin in The Assassin’s Blade. Where Aelin blames Yrene because she (Yrene) nearly got raped while at work (and y’all call this series “feminist”? Fuck off).

Yrene is some super speshul healer but refuses to heal Chaol because he is an adarlanian soldier (fair enough, i guess?)

Chaol basically tries to bribe his way into getting an army for the Khagan, whose kingdom and royal titles are Totally Not ripped from aSoIaF/GoT, or anything. Psshhh.

Nesryn discovers Lysandra’s (possible) shape-shifter uncle. She is also basically a fucktoy for the prince of the Southern Continent (which is just called that, it doesnt have a name. ‘worldbuilding kween’, BITCH WHERE) They also discover that Maeve is a VALG QUEEN and altered the memories of everyone thousand of years ago, shes not related to Mab or Mora at all. Ew. Erawan is her husbands brother and is currently trying to take over the world and bring Maeve back to the Valg Realm.

Chaol and Yrene get together. There’s a gay woman who Sarah J Trash instantly villanises and calls her ugly... and she’s the only gay character in the series. Great.

Chaol and Yrene have some weird human mating bond and its kind of gross. They get the army they were after and head back to Terrasen.

Gross.

spoil the rest of the t0g series and acofas for me

im halfway through h0f and i was suffering with this shit book and series. but i gotta know the shit that happens. mind spoiling the series for me from h0f on? lmfaaoooo