𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒓

Elain offered a half smile.

- Quote from A Court Of Wings and Ruin.

Art by @/Raynb0w_811 on ig commissioned by me 🥰🫰🏻

◇ Characters Elain Archeron and Morrigan from @/sarahjmaas

◇ Don't Repost Without Credits

@elainarcheronweek 𝓓𝓪𝔂 2 | 𝓢𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓟𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭

So many people- both in the story and in the fandom- underestimate Elain. They think she’s meek, plain, boring. They look at her as a damsel in distress, who needs a man to save her.

But what if, in the next book, it’s Elain that does the saving? What if it’s Azriel that is the damsel in distress, lured in by Koschei, much like the Snow Queen retelling SJM has alluded to?

Thank you SO SO MUCH to @nykur0h for bringing this piece to life for us! It perfectly captures the menacing, foreboding aura we were looking for.

🎨 by @nykur0h

🌸 commissioned by @aoitavacorte and @lovelyfawnxx

Because he fears the absence of Elain more than the presence of Lucien.

What if he hates the bleakness that overcomes her when Lucien is around? More so if he himself is the reason for it?

What if the thought of his person not being his hurts but the thought of her merely shackled to someone else is unbearable?

What if the panic is so loud he can’t breathe? Can’t sleep? Can’t function right? What if he put physical distance between them because of it? Moved houses? Because he knows it’s not his place to say or do anything?

What if he’d rather stand by an exit than sit in a room with them in case he lost control and carried her out of there? In case he couldn’t breathe again under the weight of her longing for freedom and his yearning for her?

What if he’d rather die trying to save her than live through her absence? Give her his most precious weapon even though it causes him absolute panic without it?

What if he stares at her gift for a YEAR straight every night? What if he’s so desperate to get rid of his gift that he doesn’t even wait to return it—he gives it away?

What if it causes him anxiety to not keep tabs on Lucien like he does everyone else, just so she can maintain her privacy? To not know if she’s safe? If she’s forcing herself to fit into someone else’s box? If he’s treating her right?

What if he knows he doesn’t deserve her, knows he’s a monster, but something inside him also whispers he can do everything in his power to be her freedom?

What if he’s been so wrapped up in all this, he forgot his 500-year-old unrequited love? Hasn’t felt the need to look back ever since?

What if his brain knows Elain can’t be his but his heart indubitably beats for her?

Azriel

he always walks on the side closest to danger; it’s instinct. when you’re tired, he adjusts his pace without saying a word, matching your steps until your breathing evens out. he opens doors softly, holding them just long enough that you don’t feel rushed, never long enough to make it a performance. when you’re cold, you don’t notice his cloak until it’s already around your shoulders. later, when you try to give it back, he only says, “leep it. i’ll get it later.” he means: i’ll come back for you

Mor

she adjusts your coat collar before you step outside, fingers light, affectionate. she keeps spare hairpins, lip balm, a shawl; always offering them like it’s casual, like it isn’t devotion. when a conversation turns uncomfortable, she squeezes your hand twice: do you want to leave? when you’re dancing, she spins you once before letting you go, smiling like she’s proud to be seen with you. her gentlemanliness is softness disguised as joy.

Cassian

he offers his hand when you step down from somewhere high, grinning like it’s nothing, but his grip is steady, careful. when you’re overwhelmed, he positions himself so you’re half-hidden behind his shoulder, a quiet shield. he notices when you haven’t eaten and wordlessly slides his plate toward you, pretending he’s full. at night, if you fall asleep on the couch, he carries you to bed with such care it feels like reverence, not strength.

Rhysand

“I would die for you.”

“I would kill for you.”

okay, well..

i would be kind for you.

i would reject the impulses to indulge in my violent nature for you.

i would wake up and get out of bed an hour early every morning to make tea and breakfast for you.

i would be there for you no matter what.

i would leave the light on for you until you felt safe, and i would hold you so tight until you felt at peace.

sure, i can be strong if i have to.

i can fight if it’s truly necessary.

but when i think about the way that i could love you, it does not make me feel violent.

it makes me feel quiet and gentle and calm.

when i look at you, i know that i am not a violent dog and i will not bite.

az (without a mating bond) (allegedly): tweaking

And now that she finally got to write Elain (and Azriel), I think it’s telling that she couldn’t stop herself. She’s been plotting for years and now Elain’s story will be nearly as long as Feyre’s.

Think about it.

How many times have you seen a post that has nothing to do with Elain and Azriel, and yet, you immediately screamed internally 'ELRIEL!'

A brush of fingers

A cute cottage covered with flowering wisteria

A man tucking a flower behind a woman's ear

A man carrying a woman in his arms

A gentle kiss on the neck

A caress of a female hand over a male hand

A determined neck bite

A brush of male knuckles down her spine

A pretty house surrounded by lush gardens

A man resting his head in a woman's lap

A kiss that you just know is Elriel's kiss, especially if it's raining

A woman tucking a flower behind a man's ear

A man pushing a woman on a swing

Bare feet in the grass

A kiss over a display of pastries on a marble cafe table

A man handing a dagger to woman

Flour dusted fingers, laced together

A dab of whipped cream on her nose, licked off by him

A curve of her neck, in the throes of pleasure

A man carrying a bouquet of flowers

Peonies

Roses

Gardens

Cottages

Misty mornings

Mr. Darcy walking through morning fog towards Elizabeth

Gazebos

Cozy fireplaces and books

Steaming cups of coffee and morning buns

A woman's hand gently curled around a man's neck

A man braiding long golden brown hair into a plait

A bare thigh and his fingers gently tracing a pattern over skin

A whisper into his ear

Collarbones and a delicate rose necklace

Dark shadows and silhouttes

A couple waltzing

An exchange of looks

Elriel IS A WHOLE AESTHETIC

If Rhysand and Feyre are power, and Nesta and Cassian are strength, then Elain and Azriel are love

All I did to find all the GIFs was to type the word 'love' in the search bar.

What came up? Elriel

“….there he was, sliding the necklace around her. Letting his scarred fingers touch her immaculate skin. Letting them brush the side of her throat, savoring the velvet-soft texture. Elain shivered, and he took a damn long time fastening the clasp.”