#malenia: is still asleep

[arx-aru]

Malenia:

Finlay: i-

Malenia:

Finlay: i would cross continents for you. i would carry you across them. the depths of my devotion-

Maleigh Marais: HEY QUEEN I COLLECTED YOUR OLD PROSTHETICS UWU

Finlay:

Malenia:

Elemer: I would stab him for you?

[fellomen]

Do you think Malenia was simply comatose between the nuking of Caelid and fighting the Tarnished, or was there something more to it?

She has Miquella's Needle, which seemed to replace the one she broke so she could bloom (likely given to her by Miquella before he left, or by Finlay once they returned to the Haligtree) so I don't think it's the rot 100% that's keeping her there. I know it's meant to be different from the Unalloyed Needle we get from Millicent, but I imagine it would still help, even if to a lesser degree. It certainly didn't stop her from recovering enough strength to beat our asses.

I could see St. Trina wishing to keep Malenia asleep for as long as she could after finding out Miquella's plan for godhood and what that would require. It would stop her from leaving to finish off Radahn and (potentially) going after Mohg, ultimately pathing the way for Miquella's ascension.

Trina was left in a terrible state after being discarded, so I doubt she had much power left for... well, anything. Especially being in the Land of Shadow, far away from the Haligtree. With the spell waning as Trina withered away, it makes sense that the Tarnished splish-splashing their way through Malenia's arena would be enough to wake her up

[maranull]

HELLO MARAAAAAA!

If you're still doing them, do you have any head canons as to what kind of pets the Elden Ring crew would have? And if so, how do they spend time with them?

HELLO!!

Still doing them, I just rarely think about Elden Ring on my own anymore (aside from Meli, I always think about Meli). Asks are always helpful in getting my butt to think and write for them more so ty!!

~

Melina

She would have a medium to large mixed dog. Just a puppy she found on the road one day and it stayed with her for the years to come. I think Meli walks a ton, so most of their time together is long walks and occasionally trying to tire each other out. Like, Meli might just go into a sprint, or the dog grabbing something that she doesn't know its safe or not and running away from her. Stuff like that.

Ranni

A maltese dog and a white persian cat cause girly is nothing if not loyal to a theme. Time together would be mostly just sleeping tbh. Occasional walks with the dog, but she'd mostly leave the... caring for parts of having a pet to Blaidd. Not that she wouldn't do them if he wasn't around, but it's easier to just let him do her job for her.

Polyanna

A pomeranian mix. They are doing everything together. Reading? Miss doggo will very carefully observe the shapes on the page for as long as Poly does (or until she falls asleep on Poly's lap). When on long walks she flops down on Poly's shoulder and takes a rest there. On walks with auntie (Meli), she would also rest on top of Meli's dog as they all continue their walk. Malenia always claims that's a bird in a dog's body and Poly hasn't found sufficient arguments against that :P

[cinderflower]

Removing the sheet, Miquella stares at his dusty reflection in the cracked mirror. If he does not look closely, he can almost imagine his former self is the one looking back at him. But that is not who he is. Not anymore. Wiping away the dust with his hand, he is forced to face who he has become. He had imagined this moment so many times, wondering what he would look like after freeing himself from his curse - it was supposed to be a moment of celebration. But there is neither joy nor sadness as Miquella looks at who he has become. It feels more akin to staring at a stranger than himself. Soft rays of sunlight begin to rise over the horizon and fill the room, illuminating it. In the reflection, Miquella's eyes are drawn to the vibrant scarlet of Malenia's hair just before her arm wraps around him and she rests her head on his shoulder. Her eyes drift shut with a quiet hum, still half-asleep. A gentle warmth fills his chest at the gesture and how freely Malenia acts in these quieter moments. There is no pain in her movements, no hesitation in the way she embraces him. It is reassuring that she still treats him in much the same way she did before. She strips him of his godhood beneath her touch, unburdening him so that he is allowed to simply be Miquella.

Excerpt from Kintsugi 🦋

[katyspersonal]

Virgin Marika: *lets the fear of cursed power within Messmer get the best of her and abandons him so pwwecious ewwdwee is safe*

Chad Miquella: *holds onto Malenia despite the cursed power within her and even still keeps her in his Haligtree even after she discarded his seal (still sure he'd rather lose his consort than have continent and herself destroyed, at least back then when he was his true self)*

GIGAchad Miyazaki: And yet, despite Miquella doing the "right" thing, it backfired terribly and his Haligtree got rotted :)))) I hate hope and remember this falling asleep kids: all good intentions lead to more suffering 👍

[dragon-communion]

Soooo how are they actually going to address the fact that Malenia is a killable character.

Is she in the shadow realm when she's asleep? Is she still there even if her body dies, like Miquella?

Do we have to tell Miquella we killed his sister?

What happens if we don't do that?

Will there finally be an option to tell Malenia where her brother's body is?

This has the potential to be a really ghastly plot hole, so I hope they did something.

[miquellathekindone]

The gentle swaying of the cradle echoed throughout the chambers, along with the gurgle of a neonatal voice.

Consort Radagon reached for the edge of the baldachin, gently pushing it aside to reveal the state of the infants in the bedroom Queen Marika had created for them. Infant Miquella's hair glistened in the sparse golden light of the Erdtree coming through the tracery, though beyond making him rest with the same effect it had had on Infant Malenia, Infant Miquella remained wide-eyed towards an uncertain future.

The Cradlesong's Blessing seemed not to have had the desired effect that night.

The Consort held back a sigh, with some fear that the sound might disturb the sleep of the only one who was still asleep at the moment; and slowly made his way to the double crib.

His hands gently touched the carefully carved reliefs in the wood, waiting for the seals to be reactivated by his touch. These glowed golden for a few fleeting moments until leaving the alcove back in gloom, only the illumination of the Erdtree being enough to not be left in complete darkness that would frighten the Infants.

Tiny fingers reached up as if to touch the heavens. Consort Radagon held them down.

Infant Miquella was still awake.

It was strange. So strange that Consort Radagon's eyebrow rose, quietly observing the way the small body of Infant Miquella stirred in his cot, away from his sister's constricting embrace. Infant Miquella slept without a single complaint much of the time, as long as he could hear his twin's heart. It had been an easy decision to let them rest together from the first moment they were born.

Infant Miquella's fingers stirred in his soft grip, like tiny worms, and his golden eyes bore into Consort Radagon's as if promising a future war.

"...Cast not thine eyes upon me, child."

Finally, Consort Radagon released his grip on the little hand, letting it rest on the cot.

"Hast thou truly forgotten me?"

The gurgles coming from Infant Miquella's mouth became more insistent.

Infant Malenia stirred, though she did not awaken from her deep slumber. However, Consort Radagon had discovered some time before her light sleep, and he hurried to get Infant Miquella out of the crib in the same way Queen Marika did. Quickly, with agility. Consort Radagon's hands never dealt with something so fragile, not since the birth of his previous children, but Infant Miquella put up no resistance.

There was something in Infant Miquella's eyes that seemed different.

Consort Radagon cradled the baby against his exposed chest and raised a hand to touch the blond locks that were growing rapidly like the leaves of the Erdtree. The color mirrored that of his mother, very different from the bloody color of the mane of Infant Malenia, who more closely resembled her father.

"Why dost thou not slumber? Doth it vex thee to share thy space with another?"

Infant Miquella's brow furrowed, almost as if he could understand Consort Radagon's words. So stubborn from such a young age. Infant Miquella had been born for great things, just like his twin.

"Ah, thou art merely being obstinate," Consort Radagon muttered. The magic built up in the tiny body of Infant Miquella, a mixture of ancestral blessings and runes of protection, kept the palms of his hands covered in a golden aura that made them both glow. "Mayhaps a song shall aid thee, after all."

Consort Radagon did not have as good a voice as Queen Marika, his usual tone neutral and cold. However, from his throat came a spectral sound that made Infant Miquella's eyes stop searching the shrews for something, preferring to listen to what his father wished to sing.

"...May thy future shine as bright as the Erdtree,

And the shadows be banished from thy path.

O, Lord Miquella the Kind,

Take this song as both a forewarning and as a vow."

[death-rebirth-senshi]

Might make my paladin guy get frenzy flamed to save Melina. The thought of undoing that being the stakes behind defeating Malenia and Placidusax, and that after all that you're still alone without even the comfort of the frenzied flame, never really earning her forgiveness, is a lot of fun.

But so to is reluctantly turning away from it all, because she begs you. Going forward, knowing what's to come, too afraid to take the path that will save her but earn you her scorn. "Let me take your hand" and you fall asleep, then wake up alone, the deed already done.

[trashingfish]

More spoilers because I'm still thinking

I keep forgetting that Miquella doesn't desire to become a God. It doesn't fit with his plan of a "gentler world." It doesn't fit his ideals and beliefs. But I think he rejects it after he loses faith in the Erdtree/Golden Order. I think it makes sense if he was going along with it at the time, when he thought he could find a way to cure Malenia's rot. But he lost in faith because he found out it won't help to cure her rot. He had to find his own way.

He also had to strip himself of his flesh to travel to the Land of Shadow. Would this stop him from becoming a God? Or would it not matter? Has he found out a way to stop from becoming a God? Or has he accepted that he can't run from this? His great rune did shatter, but would that completely stop him from becoming a God?

EDIT: Watching through the NPC's questlines and reading item descriptions, it seems more like that Miquella is accepting being a God. He seems he did all this actually to become a God. But he did also discard his Great Rune. I feel like he was going to try to become a God for himself, as before it was for the Golden Order. It was his destiny bestowed upon him by his two fingers, but he has abandoned the Golden Order and their beliefs. Maybe he found a way to fit being God into his plan. I also wonder what happens to him after you kill Radahn. He has no consort, but he's still alive. He has to be. There's no extra dialog at the end of the fight and the whole battle only had Radahn's name attached to it. Oh Miquella, tell me your secrets please.

I just feel like he definitely has a plan and is trying his best to see that plan be achieved.

ALSO HIS ABILITY TO COMPEL PEOPLE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Along with the popular and accepted theory that's he's St. Trina. Which would also make sense if he's trying to stop himself from achieving God status. But I also feel like he could easily get his gentler world with St. Trina's sleep. He could definitely convince people to be put asleep, as it's literally called an ability and the that it makes him feared. It would make for a "gentler world" if everyone was in eternal sleep. I might be making Miquella too evil here, but I'm just thinking.

EDIT: So St. Trina is in the DLC and talks to you. She tells you to kill Miquella because God hood would destroy him. It would be the end of the Miquella everyone knew. She's also called "The discarded half," so I'm still kinda hoping she's related/part of Miquella. She does seem to have some kind of connection with Miquella. She spoke of him as she knew him as well. So either they are connected or they just know each other.

[izar-tarazed]

Izar falls silent for a moment. She had not previously considered the fate of the Haligtree… or Malenia’s, for that matter. ‟It’s sad to think of that tree, that place dying,” she finally mutters. ‟I liked it. From what I’ve heard and seen… it was meant to be a refuge, a safe space, and I know it means a great deal to the Albinaurics. But maybe something still can be done to keep it alive, even with Miquella gone. As for Malenia…” She pauses again, remembering the brief encounter, if it can even be called that. The Empyrean, rotting away, sat asleep close to the roots, and Izar and Ensha merely needed to exchange a glance to silently agree that they wouldn’t bother her. ‟Maybe she’ll never learn what happened? Truth to be told, I wouldn’t want to fight her. I feel like I’ve taken enough lives already as it is.” With a sigh, she empties her cup of wine.

"With Miquella gone... it is unlikely the tree will survive. And what will she think of us?"

He really isn't looking forward to meeting her again. If she finds out Miquella is dead, it's almost guaranteed she will fight, with nothing to hold her back anymore.

And the Lands Between really doesn't need another bloom...

He knows that Marika once sent Messmer here, and that Aunt Rellana and Gaius joined him. He hasn't heard much since. He wonders if they are alive... seeing the Tarnished's track record, likely not.

[maranull]

SLEEPY TIMES

~

Melina: Cuddling. No matter how much you might kick and turn and sleepwalk, you will find her resting her head on you chest or back. Sometimes you wake up to her gently stroking your hair. She steals your pajamas.

~

Ranni: Also cuddles but only when she thinks you are asleep. Her natural coolness is extra helpful during the hot summer nights. And during winter you can throw 4 heavy blankets on and still be comfortable. Top tier bed temperature companion. She steals your slippers.

~

Malenia: Almost seems to not sleep at all, getting in bed far after you fall asleep and always being up before you in the morning. The mornings you find her working out, but one night you pretended to be asleep, you found her leaning to your side of the bed, meditating.

~

Marika: Kicks and bites and elbow blows. Normally you don't feel them, but there will be the occasional kick to the shin or bite to the neck that will wake you up. Every morning is like getting out of a war zone. Also every morning she insists to kiss your "bruises" so you're not sure if she does it on purpose or not.

[fellomenking]

Apologies offered for no reason... The only response he could offer was a simple wave of his hand.

He was silent. For a time. He sat upon his knees with his head bowed, his hands clasped together as though in prayer.

Sleep was not a thing that came easy for omen, for their slumber was rife with nightly terrors - spirits that haunt them behind shut eyes in the dreaming world. And so he would spend his night in meditation.

Rya had been quiet for some time. One could have easily assumed she had fallen asleep, but still she spoke. Inquiring about the statue of the two embracing figures.

"... What thou seest before thee, a statue that depicts the twin demigods, Miquella and Malenia," began the omen.

"The artist of whom carved this statue, I cannot say, for they are not known to me."

The omen bowed his head, exhaling a soft sigh.

Fight as they might, it would make no difference. The door leading into the heart of the great Erdtree is barred by impenetrable thorns, warding off all who seek the Elden Ring. And no, not even the demigods were worthy to take the title of Elden Lord...

Morgott knew the truth... But Margit was none the wiser. He and his nightriders would continue on their crusade, snuffing out that flame of ambition.

"Aye, for the Dung Eater is, himself, among the Tarnished," said the Fell Omen.

[golvio]

I am trying to familiarize myself with Miquella and Malenia’s lore to get more of the other side of the story of The Big Fight That Ruined Everything, and I am sensing some Ironic Parallels between Radahn using his charisma to gather soldiers in his little Tough Guy Sanctuary in the desert and Miquella’s creation of the Haligtree and its sanctuary for those abandoned by the Greater Will.

Especially funny/sad is how Miquella seemed to be one of Radagon’s favorite kids, given that two incantations of the Golden Order Fundies were basically a father-son gift exchange where Miquella wanted to show his dad what he’d learned in his studies.

...Miquella was also known for having a nurturing nature, even if he took it somewhat too far with his glamour that charmed people into staying loyal to him. Maybe he’s what Radahn could’ve become if Radagon had stayed with his first family. I still don’t know if Radahn or Malenia shot first in their fateful battle, but if Radahn was the one who challenged Malenia, I’m now very convinced that he was at least a little jealous of Daddy’s Favorite Son, but wanted to take down Malenia despite the ol’ Mutually Assured Destruction her rot promised because beating up an eternal ten-year-old nerd stuck inside of a tree wouldn’t have been as emotionally cathartic for him.

But, also, wow, poor Malenia. That statue of her hugging her brother in the Haligtree just broke my heart. She may not have even known that Miquella was taken when she first woke up. Or maybe she did, and that’s why she was asleep for so long, because despite everything she’d sacrificed and the rot nearly taking over her body and mind, it had all been for nothing.

Like...could the twins and Radahn ever have reconciled with each other? Miquella was trying to work on some way to stop the Outer God of Rot from turning his sister into a bioweapon that would overtake half the continent. Could Miquella have saved them both if he were awake, aware, and not being experimented upon by Mohg? Could he and his half-brother have found something in common in their caring natures and shared campaign against the Scarlet Rot and have become something resembling friends?

Also, would Miquella have become as tall as Radhan if that unspecified Outer God hadn’t cursed him to eternal tweenhood and stolen his height genes?

[baerryjj]

Good morning everyone I just woke up for the second time and I had a fucking wild elden ring dream I wanna share . First I was like on this spaceship and I was like woo let's leave this country, and then I saw the Elden Ring manga updated I stopped the entire procedure just to read it. Anyway in this new imaginary chapter they expanded upon Malenias backstory and lore cus she was apparently gonna be the main goal of the tarnished (not becoming Elden Lord apparently LMAO), and I'm her youth she was a water fairy? She was *the* fairy that the blue dancer charm depicts, and the reason she started to rot is because the water in her body went still due to some curse and it began to infect her. As a matter of fact she was the vessel of the outer god of water, then the water went still and it became the outer god of rot. Then it went even further and suddenly she was A MERMAID (probably cus I fell asleep thinking about the little mermaid live action remake💀), for like no reason and I fucking panicked cus I love mermaids. And in the manga they drew her so pretty and they also expanded upon her and Miquella's relationship like I legit started bawling 😭 anyways I woke up and realized it wasn't real so I'm gonna go get out of bed now and think about mermaid!Malenia for the rest of the day

[prismatic-starstuff]

People over here like Ranni this or Fia that or Melina. And meanwhile, I saw Malania and immediately was like 'Yes my queen' as she ran me through. We come up to her elbow and I was weak. (That also means she's like 8ish feet tall.) Anyway, Can I get maybe romantic headcanons for her? Especially if her S/o is immune to her rot or went with her and her brother to the Haligtree?

Malenia With An S/O: Headcanons

First of all: yes, her partner does come up to her elbow. Yes, she finds this incredibly endearing. Yes, she affectionately calls her partner 'my smaller half.' (No, she means no harm by it.)

Before her rot afflicted her too badly, she would simply lift them in her arms to reach eye level, chuckling softly as she rubs her nose against their own. After, she can still lift them, but it's more of a strain; so she's more likely to bend to their level, hands gently cupping their cheeks.

...if they want her to carry them, she'll do it. She doesn't quite understand her partner's fascination with her height, but she's flattered, and she wants to make them happy.

Malenia is idolised by many; but there's no one she idolises more than her partner. She thinks the world of them, adores every little thing they do; they could do no wrong in her eyes.

She's extremely loyal by nature. If her partner needs to go somewhere, she'll happily follow, gladly be their sword if they require protection on the journey.

She is Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and she has never known defeat; and she is renowned and praised by many for that... but her partner's praises are the only ones that affect her; the ones that bring colour to her cheeks and fluttering in her stomach.

Since her partner is immune to her rot, she is less physically reserved around them than most others; she doesn't feel the need to maintain distance from them in fear of harming them, doesn't feel worried about touching them...

She isn't the most cuddly person in the world, preferring to show her affections through her deeds; it's not that she dislikes cuddles though, it's just her nature.

However, if her partner is the type to enjoy cuddles, she'll happily provide; taking them in her arms, running fingers through their hair as their head rests on her shoulder...

She enjoys holding them close as they fall asleep in her arms at night; softly kissing their forehead, quietly wishing them the sweetest of dreams.

And, although she's a touch too proud to directly ask for it... she really does enjoy it when her partner runs their fingers through her long red locks, when they rest her head on her lap and encourage her to relax for once.

She is a woman of few words, but she's very straightforward about her love, and open about it. She'll tell her partner how much they mean to her and how much she loves them in simple and honest terms, and it's always heartfelt and genuine.

Malenia is an extremely family-oriented person. If her partner shows an interest in helping her to defend Miquella, she'll be so very grateful; will pledge herself to return the favour in any way she possibly can.

Whether or not her partner is capable of handling their own, they'll always have a big tall demigoddess of a bodyguard right there at their side ready to defend them if they even look like they're in danger.

(Partner has had to talk Malenia down on many occasions, assuring her that everything's okay and she doesn't need to fight anyone. Malenia apologises, murmuring that she just wants to see them safe.)

If her partner has any interest in learning to fight, or can already, Malenia enjoys sparring with them; enjoys seeing their progress if they're learning, enjoys being impressed by their ability if they're already a fighter.

After her rot takes more of a toll on her, she'll insist that they don't need to look after her; she doesn't want to put that burden on their shoulders, doesn't want them to think she's weak.

However, if they insist on helping her, on staying with her in the Haligtree... she'll be eternally grateful; will never let them go unthanked for their assistance.

And if they stay with her long enough to see her bloom... she'll take them in her arms and her wings, embrace them with such care, show them her true love rather than true horror.

All in all, she's a loyal and loving partner who'll defend the one she loves to the very last; who'll go to whatever lengths necessary to protect them.

[trashingfish]

I agree that Malenia doesn't want power or has a desire to rule, it wouldn't make sense when her main goal is to protect Miquella. But she can still be arrogant and not want power. She's arrogant because she believes shes going to win all her battles. This goes in hand with ensuring Miquella's safety. To me, Malenia would think being defeated means to failed to protect Miquella.

Her letting go of her sense of pride to measure up to Radahn is proving my point. It shows how low she will go to win a battle. She can't and won't accept defeat, that is not an option to her. Also we don't know why the Radahn VS Malenia fight happened at all.

I don't think Malenia knows or cares why the player is at the Haligtree. I think she saw us as a threat because Miquella is gone, we are a stranger in their home, and she was asleep for awhile. She doesn't know what's happening outside the Haligtree. She attacked on sight because she immediately saw the player as a threat.

Her words are a warning followed up by a boast. She's using it to scare the player. It also shows how important that she hasn't been defeated is to her character. I don't think Malenia would have let the player left without a fight either, she views the player as a threat and will treat the player as such.

Once again I agree that Malenia doesn't care about power, and that wasn't why she fought Godrick at all. He started a fight with both her and Miquella, and Malenia took that as her go to fight Godrick. She didn't take Stormveil, depose of his power, or claim his great ruin because she won the battle. That was all she needed. That was all she needed to feel like the successfully protected Miquella.

I agree with the 6th point. She doesn't consider herself a goddess because she doesn't want to be the Goddess of Rot. However, she became the GoR because otherwise there would have been battles she lost, which would make her not undefeated.

I don't count Millicent as a part of Malenia. Yes, they are related by blood in some way, but Malenia and Millicent are not the same person. I don't think they were intended to be view as the same person. Malenia has rot that can not be stopped. She has a brother to protect. Millicent has the rot but hers can be stopped with the unalloyed gold needle, unlike Malenia. Millicent also instead has sisters that she isn't worried about protecting. Their endings are also very different. Malenia refuses to die and be consume by the Scarlet Rot because it be both a defeat and failure to protect Miquella. Where as Millicent can be either killed by the player or takes out the gold needle to let the rot consume her. She doesn't have Malenia's mind set, goals, or personalty traits.

What you think her flaw is, is what I think contributes to the "She can't accept defeat and prides herself on being undefeated." She can't accept defeat because that's failure to protect Miquella. Her priding herself on being undefeated is her boasting about how good she has protected Miquella. She will try everything to ensure her win.

Also, the whole thing about her flaw is "She can't accept defeat and prides herself on being undefeated" is true. This is so obvious with the Radahn fight and when the player fights her. When she fought with Radahn, she used her Scarlet Rot Bloom because that was the only way she was going to leave that battle alive. When we fight her, right before the boss battle begins, she says, "And I have never known defeat." She prides herself on being undefeated and has such confidence she's going to win this battle. Then, the cutscene before her second phase starts she uses the Scarlet Rot Bloom and becomes the Goddess of Rot because she refuses to be defeated. Malenia will fight tooth and nail to ensure she is the victor, even if that means fighting dirty. I am sure this is also probably due to her wanting to protect Miquella and wanting to be there for when he returns, but her flaw is being arrogant.