#right now it’s just character arcs and vibes but also koschei

[acourtofthought]

It's not really a new thought for me because I've considered it for Elucien but now I'm wondering we'll see the same for Gwynriel.

SJM doesn't really do massive time jumps once she gets her series rolling. There was 2 months between the ending of ACOWAR and ACOMAF. Another 1 -2 months between the ending of ACOMAF and ACOWAR. Maybe 4 months between ACOWAR and the novella.

And yes, SF picked up about 9 months after that but....SF was the introduction of the spin-offs that (while following individual pairings) are connected to an overarching theme. It was the book that started the current events.

When SJM introduces the possibility of a brewing war, she moves quickly. It's something we saw in TOG and ACOTAR (what with Rhys mentioning a war at the start of MAF and the war occurring about 10 months later in WAR.

The crossover takes place 6 - 9 months after SF and we'll be adding on to that timeline (depending on how long Bryce is in Prythian).

Does it make sense that this:

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

Or this:

My father went to the continent again last week. / He did not invite me to accompany him. / I can only assume the fallout is approaching.

Or this:

But you and yours have more important things to think about than ancient history. My father is furious that his ally is dead, but he's not deterred. Koschei remains in play, and Beron might very well be stupid enough to establish an alliance with him too. I hope that whatever Morrigan is doing in Vallahan will counteract the damage my father will unleash.

Or this:

Tell my Vassa I'm waiting.

Or this:

Gwyn, despite the Rite, had returned to living in the library.

Or this:

So they would keep training, until they were all well and truly Valkryies.

Or this:

"The Illyrians are going to be furious about our winning, you know."

Have all just ceased to be important in 6-9 months? The bad guys don't just sit around waiting for the good guys to relax and enjoy life for a bit before pursing their evil deeds (also I just cannot imagine another awkward Solstice, especially for Elucien) 😂

Maybe the vibe I picked up in the crossover is wrong but the IC seems fairly relaxed for a group of people worrying about an upcoming war. Feyre arrived in painting clothes, Rhys had his smirky High Lord persona going on, Nesta was all but smacking Cassian up over the head.

I realize I'm reading into a few paragraphs but I'd think if Bryce had arrived in Prythian while everyone was really concerned about Koschei, Spring, etc., the IC wouldn't be in the right frame of mind to deal with her in CC3 or they'll come off a bit frazzled, wrapped up in their own problems that they have within their own world. Not to mention it is a bit of overkill in terms of things for them to worry about (adding the possibility of new villains being able to enter their world when they're already dealing with unrest in the continent, the courts, the human lands and issues with Beron and Koschei is excessive).

(I cannot stop imaging the spin offs to Captain America Civil War and the crossover to Avengers Infinity War / Endgame)

But what if CC2/CC3 is set in the future for all the characters, AFTER the ACOTAR spin-off series is complete? What if the crossover and the signing of the new books is SJM telling us where she's going AFTER the Elucien and Gwynriel books?

What if SJM will now be writing the next 2 ACOTAR books in the timeframe that exists between SF and CC2/CC3 and neither of them will actually mention the events of CC? (since Elucien and Gwynriels journey's deal with very different things, they could easily run on parallel timelines, things happening within the NC and things happening in Spring / on the continent).

I could see Elucien and Gwynriel having their romantic arcs where they deal with Koschei, the Illyrians, the treaty, Spring, yada yada, and where they put a stop to the civil war setup before it happens. Where by the end, all the characters are happily living their best lives with their partners only for SJM to introduce the real threat heading their way, and those books would feature multiple character POVs.

I think the crossover stuff is going to be too big a deal for us to read about it in someones romantic arc and I think if the Asteri do try to make it to Prythian, it's going to involve all the courts, human lands, continent (and therefore more POVs than the ones an Elucien or Gwynriel's books will provide). Can you imagine a book after the spin-off series that features everyone: Feysand POVs, Elucien POVs, a Helion POV, Nessian and Gwynriel POVs, an Eris POV, a Mor POV?

To me, the spin-offs don't feel like SJM is building up to one couple being the big closer. I have a hard time imagining Elain and Lucien getting the grand finale but that's because I don't think any of these romantic pairings seem to rise above the other, that any single couple should get the big end scene especially not in the book where it's centered around their romance (Feysand got together in book 2 with the war in book 3). It's almost like it's a chess game and SJM is getting her pieces into position. Nessian as the generals of the Illyrians and female fighting units. Whatever roles Gwynriel will step into, and Elucien as the leaders of (Spring)?

And once those pieces are in position, then they can all join together for a reason that unifies them all.

There was a fire burning in the townhome at the end of CC2, a place that is supposed to be sitting vacant. What if Gwynriel is already living there? What if Elain wasn't mentioned because she's already in Spring / Day with Lucien?

I don't believe CC3 would spoil anything if that were the case, I don't think we're going to have any real idea of who is with who romantically aside from the already established couples.

If Elain shows up in the crossover, still living with Rhys and Feyre than it shuts down this theory all together. But if she doesn't make an appearance or is casually mentioned as being elsewhere, it could be hinting that she is with Lucien already.

And yes, SF ended where Elain and Lucien weren't interacting and Az was obviously not completely over mor but MAF started with Feyre engaged to and in love with Tamlin, only to end up as High Lady of the NC and in love with, mated to Rhys within 6 months. Based on SJMs writing style, if CC picks up 6-9 months after SF, that does given both Elain / Lucien and Az / Gwyn time to have their character and romantic arcs especially if they're running on a parallel timeline.

[houseofhurricane]

I’m working on some Elucien fic (yes I’m finally getting around to that Elucien accidental pregnancy fic!) and realizing that this poem by Ada Limón basically represents my theory of their relationship:

Also, it’s a really great poem.