Rumor is some people think the Elriels assign too much importance to and are too obsessed with the potato scene. Truthfully, we have not given it enough attention. There are no small potatoes in Prythian, so here we go.
We will start with a breakdown of various moments from the iconic scene.
“Don’t,” Elain said flatly, starting once more into a walk, veils of steam drifting past her shoulders from the roasted rosemary potatoes in her hands, as if they were Azriel’s shadows. “She won’t listen.”
It is notable that Maas chooses to compare the steam of the potato to both veils and Azriel’s shadows. It connects Elain to wedding imagery and then to Azriel himself.
But the others came barreling in from the sitting room, Cassian kissing Elain's cheek in greeting before he nearly lifted her out of the way to get to the dining table. Amen came next, giving my sister a nod, her ruby necklace sparkling in the faelights speckled throughout the garlands in the hall. Then Mor, with a smacking kiss for either cheek. Then Rhys, shaking his head at Cassian, who began helping himself to the platters Nuala and Cerridwen winnowed in. As Elain lived here, my mate gave her only a smile of greeting before taking up his seat at Cassian's right.
This scene is notable as a contrast from how the others act around her to what happens next. Anyone could have take the potatoes that she was carrying, but nobody did. They’re more casual in their behavior with her and she with them.
“Azriel emerged from the sitting room, a glass of wine in hand and wings tucked back to reveal his fine, yet simple black jacket and pants. I felt, more than saw, my sister go still as he approached. Her throat bobbed.”
Elain goes still at the sight of Azriel. Cassian went still at the sight of Nesta and Azriel went still at the sight of Elain earlier on in the series. Now she goes still at the sight of him. It’s a romantic pattern. Then Elain’s throat bobs showing she was nervous or excited about seeing him. How cute. Their reactions to each other as mentioned earlier, contrast against the earlier interactions with the others. There is a tension that their Maas clearly wanted to highlight.
"Are you just going to hold that chicken all night?" Cassian asked me from the table. Scowling, I stomped toward him, plunking the platter onto the wooden surface. "I spat in it," I said sweetly. "Makes it all the more delicious," Cassian crooned, smiling right back. Rhys snickered, drinking deeply from his wine.
This interaction again sets up to provide contrast for what happens later on.
“In time to see Elain say to Azriel “Hello”. Az said nothing. No, he just moved toward her. Mor tensed beside me. But Azriel only took Elain’s heavy dish of potatoes from her hands, his voice soft as night as he said, “Sit. I’ll take care of it.” Elain’s hands remained in midair, as if the ghost of the dish remained between them. With a blink, she lowered them, and noticed her apron. “I—I’ll be right back,”
Mor tensing is interesting. She has interesting reactions when it comes to Elain and Azriel more than once. I wonder why. Maas took care to note that Azriel’s voice was soft when he spoke to Elain. So sweet. Additionally, Look at him relieving her burden like a true partner. Then Elain freezing and blinking is so interesting especially since many have theorized her blinking means she had a vision. I’ve long wondered if she saw something. I also find it so cute she got self conscious and ran off to calm down and pretty herself.
Azriel set the potatoes in the center of the table, Cassian diving right in. Or he tried to. One moment, his hand was spearing toward the serving spoon. The next, it was stopped, Azriel's scarred fingers wrapped around his wrist. "Wait," Azriel said, nothing but command in his voice.
Mor gaped wide enough that I was certain the half-chewed green beans in her mouth were going to tumble onto her plate. Amren just smirked over the rim of her wineglass. Cassian gawked at him. "Wait for what? Gravy?" Azriel didn’t let go. “Wait until everyone is seated.”
In the earlier interaction, Maas only says Feyre plunked the potatoes onto the table. Here Maas specifically says Azriel places the potatoes in the center of the table. She chose to note he gave them a place of honor. Then Azriel making everyone wait for Elain to eat is absolutely husband material. Everyone’s reactions here also show that this was an atypical choice from Azriel to highlight how special it was he did this for Elain.
“Elain swept in apron gone and hair rebraided. “Please don’t wait on my account”, she said taking the seat at the head of the table.”
Awww she prettied herself up for him. It’s also notable that she sat at the head of the table in the townhouse, a place typically reserved for the owner or head of the household. How interesting. Is that foreshadowing for it being HER home one day. Coincidentally it is the place where Azriel carried her over the threshold like a bride and groom.
Now let’s look at the dish itself. Roasted Rosemary Potatoes:
Looking at the rosemary. There’s the obvious rose in the name which is another rose connection, but that’s low hanging fruit. Some sources claim rosemary was believed to be able to reveal your true love. It had also been associated with rememberance, faithfulness, and fidelity in love. Then the potatoes of it all. Potatoes were served the day Elain and Azriel met. Potatoes have been considered a symbol of resilience (Elriel can survive anything), life, and hope (a hope theory tie in). Many also consider potatoes a comfort food. So in a way Elain was giving Azriel comfort.
An addition fun fact is that potatoes have been present from the very start of Elriel. Potatoes were one of the dishes at their first ever meal together.
*A faint smile bloomed upon Azriel's mouth as he noticed Elain's fingers white-knuckled on that fork, but he kept silent,
I sighed through my nose and yanked the lids off the various dishes and casseroles. Poached salmon with dill and lemon from the hothouse, whipped potatoes, roast chicken with beets and turnips from the root cellar, and some casserole of egg, game meat, and leeks.*
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