Exploring a concept of a free will?
(and what does that look like with a mating bond?)
Taken from the CHD podcast, this is what Sarah mentioned will be part of Elain's story.
To the surprise of... No one.
Elain's story is going to be about choice and agency. Not only in the context of the mating bond with Lucien, but with making her own choices instead of letting others decide for her. But obviously, the bond will be a big part of it.
What baffles me is that some people seem to think that the only way Elain can choose and exercise her agency is if she rejects the bond and ends up with Azriel.
In the course of the story about choice and agency, is it possible Elain could reject the bond and go with Azriel? Absolutely.
Is it also possible that Elain comes to realize that, regardless of the bond she didn't choose, she CAN choose to embrace Lucien and their bond? Absolutely.
Simply being mates is passive. But having a good relationship and working to maintain it is active. It is a choice.
Neither choice goes against those themes of choice and agency.
I've already seen people trying to discredit the potential of Elucien by saying things like "if Elain ends up with Lucien, it's only because she felt obligated" or "accepting the bond would force Elain to give up her agency".
If Elain chooses the bond and chooses Lucien, that is no less valid of a choice. No less valid an exercise of her agency.
Especially in a universe where we've watched Celaena struggle with her fate as Aelin, Bryce struggle with her fate as Theia's heir, Feyre struggle with her growing feelings for Rhys while she was still with Tamlin, and Nesta struggle with the reality of her own bond with Cassian.
Choosing to accept one's fate IS a choice. Not resigning oneself to it, but choosing to embrace it.
Elain will choose what is best for her.
But acting as if there's only one choice she can make... kinda defeats the purpose of choice.
That's the same as saying you can only be pro-choice IF you get an abortion should you have an unplanned pregnancy. Like if you choose to have a baby, you're somehow not exercising your agency and right to choose what's best for your life.
The agency does not lie exclusively in one decision or another. The agency lies in having the freedom and the knowledge to make an informed decision about what's right for YOU.
And that is what Elain will do, no matter who she ends up with.
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