salt, tea, & starlight

Elain wanted to go to cities on the main continent—full of art and learning and trade.

Let’s look at Velaris.

We all know Velaris is known for artists’ quarters—Rainbow of Velaris.

“Rhys said, “This is what Velaris is known for: the artists’ quarter. You’ll find a hundred galleries, supply stores, potters’ compounds, sculpture gardens, and anything in between. They call it the Rainbow of Velaris. The performing artists—the musicians, the dancers, the actors—dwell on that hill right across the Sidra. You see the bit of gold glinting near the top? That’s one of the main theaters. There are five notable ones in the city, but that’s the most famous. And then there are the smaller theaters, and the amphitheater on the sea cliffs … ” He trailed off as he noticed my gaze drifting back to the assortment of bright buildings ahead.”

And there is also trade in Velaris.

“The owner—a slim, dark-skinned female with lovely brown eyes—was standing behind my chair, chatting with Rhys about the latest shipment of spices that had come to the Palaces. “The traders were saying the prices might rise, High Lord, especially if rumors about Hybern awakening are correct.”

“There was a time when the Night Court was a Court of Nightmares and was ruled from the Hewn City. Long ago. But an ancient High Lord had a different vision, and rather than allowing the world to see his territory vulnerable at a time of change, he sealed the borders and staged a coup, eliminating the worst of the courtiers and predators, building Velaris for the dreamers, establishing trade and peace.”

Lastly learning. It is a new city for her—new world. Full of new information. Feyre is learning new things while they are walking on the streets. (I will add to this later in the post... keep your eyes on it 👀👀)

“Rhysand kept a few steps away, hands in his pockets as he offered bits of information every now and then.”

So was it a coincidence that Elain’s name’s first mention in acomaf is in that chapter and it is about how she wants to go to continent because it is full of art, trade and learning... and Velaris has all those things 👀

And let’s not forget...in acosf Nesta said this.

“Elain, mourn as she might for the life she would have had with Graysen, had found a place, a role here. Tending to the gardens of Feyre’s veritable palace on the river, helping other residents of Velaris restore their own destroyed gardens—she had purpose, and joy, and friends: those two half-wraiths who worked in Rhysand’s household.”

Okay turning back to town house gardens...

A chapter after feyre notices the garden in the Town House she thought this.

“Buttery sunlight that softened the already mild winter day, a small, manicured front lawn—its dried grass near-white—bordered with a waist-high wrought iron fence and empty flower beds, all leading toward a clean street of pale cobblestones.”

Town houses flower beds are empty. Nobody is tending the gardens. But... in acowar we have this.

Cassian’s dark brows narrowed. I dragged a hand over my face before going to Elain and touching her too-bony shoulder. “Can I set you up in the garden? The herbs you planted are coming in nicely.” “I can help her,” said Azriel, stepping to the table as Elain silently rose. No shadows at his ear, no darkness ringing his fingers as he extended a hand. Nesta monitored him like a hawk, but kept silent as Elain took his hand, and out they went.”

Elain planted herbs in the garden. She started to tend the garden of Town House.

Also when she first arrives at the Town House Azriel literally carrying her bridal style into the house. And they go to garden.

Azriel arrived first, no shadows to be seen, my sister a pale, golden mass in his arms. He, too, wore his Illyrian armor, Elain’s golden-brown hair snagging in some of the black scales across his chest and shoulders. He set her down gently on the foyer carpet, having carried her in through the front door. Elain peered up at his patient, solemn face. Azriel smiled faintly. “Would you like me to show you the garden?” She seemed so small before him, so fragile compared to the scales of his fighting leathers, the breadth of his shoulders. The wings peeking over them. But Elain did not balk from him, did not shy away as she nodded—just once. Azriel, graceful as any courtier, offered her an arm. I couldn’t tell if she was looking at his blue Siphon or at his scarred skin beneath as she breathed, “Beautiful.” Color bloomed high on Azriel’s golden-brown cheeks, but he inclined his head in thanks and led my sister toward the back doors into the garden, sunlight bathing them.”

Is this a foreshadowing for them? Is Elain living there and Azriel carrying her bridal style is foreshadowing of what’s to come? 👀

Okay, now that’s explained we continue with the “Roses? Bread?” part.

Elain’s always been connected with rose.

I slung off my outer clothes onto the sagging dresser—frowning at the violets and roses I’d painted around the knobs of Elain’s drawer,(Acotar)

“I started on the third. “I painted flowers for Elain on her drawer,” I said, sawing and sawing. “Little roses and begonias and irises. And for Nesta … ” The arrow clattered to the ground and I ripped out the other end.” (Acomaf)

“Devlon let out a grunt at the sight of her. But Elain wrapped her own blue cloak around herself, averting her eyes from all of those towering, muscled warriors, the army camp bustling toward the horizon … She was a rose bloom in a mud field. Filled with galloping horses.” (Acowar)

She plucked another figurine from the mantel: a rose carved from a dark sort of wood. She held it in her palm, its solid weight surprising, and traced a finger over one of the petals. “He made this one for Elain. Since it was winter and she missed the flowers. (Acosf)

“The golden necklace seemed ordinary -- its chain unremarkable, the amulet tiny enough that it could be dismissed as an everyday charm. It was a small, flat rose fashioned of stained glass, designed so that when held to the light, the true depth of the colors would become visible. A thing of secret, lovely beauty. (Azriel’s bonus chapter)

And the bread part.

Elain stood between Nuala and Cerridwen at the long worktable. All three of them covered in flour. Some sort of doughy mess on the surface before them. The two handmaiden-spies instantly bowed to Rhys, and Elain—. There was a slight sparkle in her brown eyes. As if she’d been enjoying herself with them. Nuala swallowed hard. “The lady said she was hungry, so we went to make her something. But—she said she wanted to learn how, so …” Hands wreathed in shadows lifted in a helpless gesture, flour drifting off them like veils of snow. “We’re making bread.” Elain was glancing between all of us, and as her eyes began to shutter, I gave her a broad smile and said, “I hope it’ll be done soon—I’m starved.” Elain offered a faint smile in return and nodded. She was hungry. She was … doing something. Learning something.”

We all know how elain was after Cauldron. She was lifeless. But this is the first time we see her enjoying herself. She is making bread with Nuala and Cerridwen.

But I think the important part is the last part “She was hungry. She was … doing something. Learning something.” She is learning something... also I think it is important to add that sarah wrote learning in “learning something” in italics 👀

and when I was talking about Elain and Town house connection above I talked about how Elain’s name’s first mention in acomaf is when Feyre arrived at the Town House and it was about how she wanted to go to continent because the cities were “full of art and learning and trade.” As you can see Elain is learning something. She is learning how to bake bread.

“Breathed in the smell of the bread Nuala and Cerridwen had baked that morning with Elain.”(acowar)

“Elain straightened from the piping-hot loaves of bread she’d hauled from the oven, her hair half up, the apron over her rose-pink gown dusted with flour.”

in the second quote it is used for color but she is literally wearing a rose-pink gown while hauling bread from the oven...

Sooo...