One of the reasons why I don’t like the whole 3 brothers/3 sisters trope is because it goes against what SJM is trying to set up for Elain.
For most of her life, Elain has been sheltered and protected by Feyre and Nesta. It was something that she benefited from and didn’t question. However, when she was Made, it wasn’t either Feyre or Nesta who knew what she needed - it was an outsider, someone who wasn’t part of the inner circle, who literally came in and told them what she needed.
Feyre even talked about how much Elain loved to garden when Lucien asked about her as they made their way back up north. Feyre noticed how much Elain tried to let the sun in. Nesta talked about their manor by the sea and how that was Elain’s favorite spot.
They all knew this about her, but it was her mate who knew about its significance to her. Lucien has not even fully seen her face, only know from the bare sentences Feyre offered him, and from that one conversation, he knew, even when they didn’t talk about it.
Both Feyre and Nesta were scolded for how they treated Elain. Elain spoke up to Nesta, and while Feyre was astonished by her growing claws, Rhys pointed out that Feyre is guilty of this too.
Elain had always been the odd one among her sisters, and that’s not a bad thing. I've always thought that the sisters' relationships bordered on codependency and had always been toxic. I still don't understand why there is a push for the sisters to stick together when they didn't enjoy being around each other. Feyre resented that she had to take care of her sisters, and Nesta resented that Feyre did. What's even funnier is that in ACOTAR, Feyre knew that Nesta would do anything for Elain, and then in ACOSF, Nesta had issues with Elain's relationship with Feyre, calling her a dog loyal to a master who kept her safe and fed.
Feyre and Nesta may have reached an understanding regarding their complex feelings for each other, but that doesn't imply an instant transformation into best friends. Similarly, Elain might recognize that she isn't crafted in the same mold as her sisters and needs to venture out to discover her rightful place.
Both of them hated their cottage; Elain says she missed it.
Both of them didn't like talking to their father; Elain doted on him.
Both of them hated parties and the whole court scene; Elain thrives in it.
Both of them are mated to Illyrians; Elain isn't.
Elain will face a choice, but it’s going to be much bigger than Azriel vs. Lucien. It’s going to be a similar choice that Feyre faced in ACOMAF and Lucien faced in ACOWAR: will she stay at a place where she does not belong because it's the safe thing, or will she take a leap of faith and leave because it's the right thing for her.
The 'three brothers, three sisters' trope feels constraining for Elain, as if trying to fit her into a square peg rather than embracing her as a round hole.
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