I’m doing this mostly because I have free will and I want to and I think there should be more t4t mlm relationships and because I think it makes some aspects of his character more interesting/ plausible.

I’m going to talk about that latter point in this post:

1. It makes his time and purpose within the Order more interesting

If Ivvain is born female, how he is treated at the Order changes. Instead of being raised as a fighter and tactician, he is treated as a sort of delicate flower, only to be observed by others and to be discarded (and used as a sacrifice to Arva) as soon as his purpose is fulfilled. This makes his choice to be a warrior a piece of his personality instead of something that is forced upon him, and something he is likely punished for. For all his life until he escapes the Order, Ivvain is treated as a sort of maiden, a good that can be damaged, and is told to be quiet and docile, which goes against his fiery and rebellious nature.

2. It makes his relationship with Phaize more interesting.

Since Phaize and Ivvain are now both trans, this gives them something in common, but also something that contrasts them. Phaize is more gnc with his transition, still dressing more feminine and occasionally wearing makeup. Phaize grew up without the burden of gender expectations, and thus feels that he can be less conforming in his gender. To Ivvain, conforming to masculine gender is the most radical and rebellious thing he can do, which is why he leans so heavily into it. As soon as he discovers that he can transition (which he does when he meets Phaize) he does. These dynamics remain the same later into both of their lives, and with their medical transitions. Phaize opts to keep the genitalia he was born with, while Ivvain fully has his body remade (this is literally done with magic). Phaize is very open with the fact that he is transgender, Ivvain only tells people he knows he can trust.

CONTENT WARNING: this next paragraph discusses sexual assault, kidnapping and rape. None of these discussions are graphic, but they are there.

3. It makes his abuse by Reindal Thorney more plausible.

Ivvains kidnapping and rape by Thorney makes more sense if he is born female. In the original drafts of the story, when this happens to him he is healthy and physically fit, albeit handicapped by serval mutilations (his being declawed and de-tailed). While what happened to him is still plausible, I think it is slightly more plausible. This also adds another layer of commentary onto the situation, as in Thorney’s ‘care’ Ivvain is again forcibly feminized by an abusive force in his life (the other being father Talgeren, who may become sister Talgeren since I feel that also may make their relationship more interesting.) and that gives the whole plot line a reason to exist.

4. Conclusion