tijana

But in general, this notion that couples need to challenge each other? WHY? where does it say that it's a healthy way to be in a relationship? Making each other uncomfortable, anxious and resentful is NOT a good way to be in a relationship. You can encourage and support, you can be the cheerleader, you can be the guide, but not the 'challenger'.

I don't know if SJM grew out of this bullshit notion by now, because you know, she is 40 and has been married for nearly 20 years. But the one thing I don't want to see in the next book is Azriel 'challenging' Elain to freakin' anything. I want to see him protect her, respect her, love her, cherish her. I don't want him to be pushing her in situations where she is in danger, or goading her into some unnecessary heroics.

I am just really ready for a mature, loving, supportive relationship. Maybe I am too old now, but I am not interested in some juvenile one-upping and pointless banter. I want to read about people who act their age. I don't want 'vulgar gestures' and sticking tongues out at each other. I don't want a YA book. I don't want YA behaviors. She is 25, she's been fucked over by life 100 different ways 100 times. He is 541. I need them to act like adults and treat each other with dignity and respect and kindness.

The most illogical thing in the world would be for Azriel who's been yearning for this woman and for whom he is ready to give up everything, to suddenly start putting her in danger or pushing her to 'test' her and her capabilities. If she is giving up on her bond for him, I expect adoration, protectiveness and caution. He better love the shit out of her and not drag her to some creepy bog so she could look for shiny things.

I truly believe that, besides the bonus chapter, one of the hottest, BDE, husband moments was when Azriel quietly, yet full of rage, said that Elain should not be exposed to the darkness of the dread trove.

Amren said, “We do not have the time to wait for Nesta to decide. I say we approach Elain tomorrow. Better to have both of them working on it.” Azriel stiffened, an outright sign of temper from him as he said quietly, “There is an innate darkness to the Dread Trove that Elain should not be exposed to.”

Or if not a nightmare then a surprise vision and maybe she has a panic attack because it caught her off guard or the content of it

It makes me squeal every single time.

“I’m getting her back.”

“Then you will die.”

“I’m getting her back.”

“Are you hurt?”

“You came for me.”

“Hold tight and don’t make a sound.”

The girl screamed, but Elain moved. As Azriel battled to keep them airborne, keep his grip on them, my sister sent a fierce kick into the beast’s face. Its eye. Another. Another. It bellowed, and Elain slammed her bare, muddy foot into its face again. The blow struck home.

“Azriel still cradling Elain to his chest. He dripped blood behind him the entire time—a trickle compared to the torrent that should be leaking out.”

“Azriel rasped, swaying on his feet, “We need Helion to get these chains off her.” Yet Elain didn’t seem to notice them as she rose up on her toes and kissed the shadowsinger’s cheek.”

We're T minus 5 months to D-day.

June is the month. I know it.

And not flipping to chapter 21 of ACOSF to see what it’s about.

Oh it’s about Elain! No wonder antis don’t finish figuring out what this clue means.

The Valkyries story is worth telling and it was told in ACOSF. Will they continue having their story told as a subplot in Elain’s book? Probably! Just as Feysand had a subplot in Nesta’s book.

But who has a story that was hinted at in chapter 21 that is also very deserving of being told? Who made it clear that she is ready to explore her powers and to find her when it’s time to begin? Whose story did the author show interest in telling on CHD?

Elain Archeron.

Here’s the link to the Elriel that originally created the chapter 21 theory 💙🩷

When I first saw pictures of the Alex + Ani Elain bracelet and looked closely at the watering can, I thought it was saw what might be a music note (purple) and the bottom curl of a treble clef without the line through it or a bass clef (cobalt), and @offtorivendell and I both also saw what looks like a bass clef on the other side (pink), and @offtorivendell and @psychologynerd saw these too and confirmed I was not crazy 🤣:

And then look at the handle of the watering can—is that shaped like part of a treble clef (upside down) without the line through again?!?

Are these intentional musical references on the watering can charm on Elain’s bracelet? Is it possible this is a hint that Elain is a Singer like I theorized here and @wingedblooms and @offtorivendell theorized here? Or is this possibly a hint at Elain’s future use of the Harp? Has @wingedblooms been right all along about Elain’s connection to song??

And not just Singing/the music of the land, but if the musical note is intentionally a quaver, which is an eighth note, could it tie, thematically, into the symbolism of the eight pointed star, Wyrd, and how, possibly, eight of them may need to come together to unchain and heal the land, as you and @wingedblooms have posted?

And the fact that musical notes appear on a watering can, could @lovelydreamlight be correct in that water nymphs and Singers are related? And what does it mean for other forms of water, like Prythian's underground waterways? Does the rushing music of that water source help to fuel the Song and magic of land? And the pool of starlight in Spring, what of that? Will the Archeron sisters and their bat boys sail the Void to free their world? Is the watering can actually a gardener's Cauldron, evoking the art Feyre saw back in book one?

So many questions! I need to stop word vomiting.

But mainly, I just love how the imagery that appears to be present seems to confirm that Elain being a gardener is not accidental, and could actually be central to the plot.

I do think we’ll see more of Elain’s quiet voice and strength in the next story.

She’s so connected to the land, and the land is full of magic. It has its own natural symphony:

All the world is a song. In the crossover, we learn the slumbering land’s awakening is compared to song:

Love me, touch me, sing me.

In acosf, Nesta Makes her own trove of swords, the act of creation accompanied by a song only she could hear. Feyre’s words in the original series foreshadowed this moment:

Truly a face that launched a thousand ships.

I don’t have any more poetic words to add that haven’t already been expressed, but there’s something significant in the fact that this Ilyrian Sword and Shadows cuff has an engraved Azriel quote related to the Nephelle Philosophy on the inside:

💫

And, yes, while I'm here, I just saw that cuff image on Instagram, and I find the phrase “Rise Into Your Power” an interesting choice of words. Does it mean anything? Maybe not. Does Alex & Ani know the plot of ACO6? Not likely. Is this intentional? Eh.

But I do believe we have two individuals, Azriel and Elain, who are closely connected to the Nephelle Philosophy, swords, twining shadows, and vines, as well as an upcoming story where both are potentially given the time and safety needed to rise into their full powers…together.

I'm neither lesbian nor bi but I have to admit... I might as well be for Elain... SHE IS SO FREAKING HOT! 🥵🥵🥵

Azriel, you are SO LUCKY! 🔥