#save elain and gwyn from them

[elainsgirl]

”elriels can’t take a joke 🤓”

No. We’re just mature enough to understand jokes about infertility, misogyny & transphobia arent funny. Especially as its relatable to real life issues.

And the joke is plain stupid. it shows that once again, gwynriels either have selective reading comprehension or aren’t mature/old enough to comprehend these books.

Rhys would never laugh or be happy that Azriel and Elain can’t have children. Especially, as he was in that same position. Not suprised this joke came from the same people that twist Rhysand’s character around. Azriel would never tell Elain that she can’t be with him due to not having children. This same man literally fell in love with her knowing they wouldn’t be able to have children. Yet he still wanted her.

And the most ignorant thing of all: We already have the solution to this problem. Nesta has the knowledge to change anatomy. The cauldron isn’t going anywhere. Its a moot, ridiculous point.

The joke is only funny if you’re ignorant & naive. “Its not that deep. These are fictional characters 🤓” - be grateful at the privilege you have for this to be unrelatable and just a superficial joke to you.

And you know whats the cherry on top? The people that laughed at this joke and made fun of elriels for calling it out - currently are running their own “offical” elain week, running around lying about how much they love Elain. They don’t gaf about Elain and this proves it. 🤷‍♀️

[bluiela]

Friendly reminder

Saying "Elain is the only traditionally feminine character because she likes baking and flowers"

Is showing your internalized misogyny

[olive-main]

oooo if you’re interested would love to see your take: reader is Azriel’s mate, nobody knows. The inner circle keeps trying to set him up with females (including Elaine & Gwyn). They like reader but don’t view her as an option for being his partner. Lots of angst, she’s hurting, she overhears them saying she’s not an option for him. Up to you what happens for her and Azriel. Loved your last story, and that you wanted more angst ideas!! And if this isn’t what you’re looking for, all good!

Between Us Alone

Pairing: Azriel x Reader

Summary: Azriel’s mate overhears a conversation that shakes her confidence in their hidden bond, but he reminds her that love, even in shadows, is unbreakable.

Wc: 1.2k

A/N: Annndddd welcome back to our regularly scheduled programming. This time I come with the gift of some fluff (with angst ofc bcs duh—who do y’all think I am?) Enjoy the happy endings while they last…..evil laugh

Masterlist

——

The corridors of the House of Wind were quiet, save for the faint hum of conversation that drifted from Rhysand’s office. You’d gone looking for Azriel, hoping he might steal away from his “boys’ night” early and join you at your shared apartment.

A secret, the two of you. Hidden in plain sight. Quite fitting for Rhysand’s spymasters.

It was exhilarating at first—the quiet smiles across rooms, the fleeting brushes of hands, and the stolen glances when no one else was looking. But there were cracks now, small fissures of insecurity that made you wonder if keeping the bond private had been the right choice.

Your footsteps slowed as you neared Rhys’s office, voices clear now, though you didn’t mean to eavesdrop. You were about to knock when you caught the sound of Cassian’s boisterous laughter.

“Oh, come on, Az,” Cassian said, his tone teasing. “You’ve been spending all that time with Gwyn. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

“Gwyn’s sweet,” Rhysand added. “And she clearly enjoys your company. You’d make a good pair.”

Your heart clenched painfully, the words hitting you like a physical blow.

Azriel’s reply was quieter, almost unreadable. “Gwyn is a friend. I’m not looking for… that.”

Cassian scoffed. “You say that now, but it’s been centuries, Az. When was the last time you even tried to let someone in? Gwyn’s perfect for you—kind, strong, clever. She gets you.”

“She’s not the only option,” Rhys said smoothly. “There are others. Nesta’s mentioned a few priestesses who would be good matches.”

Cassian nodded in agreement. “There’s also Y/N.”

You pressed your hand to the doorframe, your breaths shallow as you heard Cassian say your name.

“No, I don’t see them together. They rarely speak to each other outside of missions and a few shared words at dinners.” Rhysand says with a shake of his head as if the thought of you and Azriel together was the most unlikely thing he could think of.

You shouldn’t have stayed, shouldn’t have listened, but you couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. They didn’t mean to hurt you—you knew that. You’d always been on the periphery of their circle, a friend but never a true equal in their eyes. Azriel’s shadows had been your sanctuary, his quiet love a solace you cherished.

But to hear them speak so casually, as if you weren’t even a possibility…

Azriel’s voice cut through, firm and unyielding. “I don’t need you to play matchmaker. I can handle my own life.”

“You’re avoiding the question,” Cassian said, clearly amused.

“Drop it,” Azriel snapped, his tone brooking no argument.

The room fell silent after that, but the damage was done. You turned and fled, the ache in your chest twisting tighter with every step.

—

The space you shared with Azriel was small but cozy, tucked away in a quiet corner of Velaris where no one thought to look. It was your haven, the only place you could truly be yourselves without prying eyes or whispered questions.

But tonight, it felt suffocating.

You sank onto the couch, wrapping a blanket around yourself as the doubts clawed at your mind.

This charade was necessary. You both knew that. If they ever found out you and Azriel had been together for months—years, now—it would complicate everything. Not just for him, but for you.

As Azriel’s partner, you worked in the shadows as he did, your work as vital and delicate as his own. Secrecy was second nature to you both, and you’d agreed early on that revealing your bond—to anyone—was too risky.

You’d thought you could handle it. But moments like this, when they talked about Azriel’s love life like you didn’t exist, like you weren’t his, made you question how much more you could endure.

You told yourself it wasn’t Azriel’s fault. He hadn’t encouraged them. He’d even told them to stop. But the weight of their words lingered, stirring fears you’d tried so hard to bury.

What if they were right? What if Azriel deserved someone like Gwyn, someone who could stand beside him without the need for secrecy?

You didn’t hear the front door open, too lost in your thoughts to notice the familiar sound of Azriel’s footsteps until he was standing in front of you.

“Something’s wrong,” he said immediately, his hazel eyes scanning your face. His shadows swirled around him, restless and sharp. “What happened?”

You shook your head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing. Just tired.”

His brow furrowed, and he crouched in front of you, his hands resting gently on your knees. “Don’t lie to me.”

The sincerity in his voice nearly broke you. You looked away, your throat tightening as you tried to hold back tears.

“Y/N,” he said softly, tilting your chin up so you had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Tell me.”

You hesitated, the words sticking in your throat. But you couldn’t keep it in any longer.

“I went to Rhys’s office,” you admitted quietly. “I was going to find you, but… I heard you all talking.”

Azriel stiffened, his jaw tightening. “What did you hear?” He already knew. There was only one part of the conversation that could’ve had you so distraught.

You swallowed hard. “They… they were trying to set you up with someone. Gwyn, mostly. Rhys mentioned others.” You laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. “They said I wasn’t even an option.”

Azriel’s eyes darkened, his shadows curling tighter around him.

“They didn’t mean it to hurt me, I know that” you added quickly, seeing how Azriel was ready to go back and pummel his brothers. “They don’t know about us. But… it still hurt.”

He exhaled sharply, standing and pacing the room. His hands curled into fists at his sides. “They had no right—”

“They care about you,” you interrupted. “They want you to be happy. And maybe they’re right. Maybe you’d be better off with someone like Gwyn. Someone who—”

“Stop.”

The word was a command, sharp and unyielding. Azriel crossed the room in an instant, kneeling before you again. He took your hands in his, his grip firm but gentle.

“Don’t you dare doubt this,” he said fiercely. “Don’t you dare doubt us.”

Tears spilled over, and he reached up to brush them away, his touch achingly tender.

“You are my mate,” he said, his voice breaking. “You. Not Gwyn, not anyone else. You are the only one I want, the only one I will ever want.”

“But they—”

“They’re idiots,” he said flatly. “I’ll deal with them. But don’t let their ignorance make you doubt what we have.”

You searched his face, finding only unwavering certainty in his eyes.

“I love you,” he said, his voice softening. “More than I thought I was capable of. And I don’t care if they don’t see it. I see it. I feel it.”

A broken laugh escaped you, relief washing over you like a tide. “I love you too.”

He pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly as if he could shield you from the world.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I never wanted you to feel like this. I thought keeping the bond private would protect us, but if it’s hurting you—”

“It’s not,” you said quickly. “Not really. I just… I needed to hear this. To hear you.”

He pulled back just enough to press his forehead to yours. “You’ll never have to doubt me again.”

——

Aren’t they just so sweet *sigh*. Thank you for reading <3

Requests are still open ;)

[mxtantrights]

WORLDS APART

Azriel just wanted to make it back home. To Velaris. If he could just make it out of the woods, find some shelter, he could do it. He could rest for a while and then winnow out of the human lands.

The arrow wounds that litter his back and stomach weren't that bad.

But then again, he is a bit of a masochist. To anyone else it would be bad. Maybe mortally so.

He's been through worse.

He just needs to--

Azriel falls to his knees, the hard soil beneath him. His eyes roll back as he passes out from exhaustion and the lack of adrenaline running through his veins. The last thing he remembers is the sound of a branch snapping somewhere behind him.

-----

You come up on the huddled body in the woods on your way home. With the wicker basket full of fruits and fresh bread hanging around your arm and your cat following behind you.

The massive black heap stops you.

You look around first. Strange things happen in these woods all the time. Which is why you live in them. It's better this way.

There's a few moments that pass after that. You try to see from the far distance you're at if the body is moving. Once you realize that it's not you get closer and closer.

Wings.

Not a human. You put down the basket and run over to the body. Carefully you roll it over. A tall male, with wounds socking his clothes. Leathers.

He was fae, you think. Based on the wings that lay on his back. And the glowing blue pieces of rocks.

This is the moment you decide to save his life. You carefully rip the bottom of your skirt into a long piece. Then you tie around his side. The blood keeps coming.

You then carefully flip him towards his front. Figuring it would be better to drag him on his front than on his back and mess up his wings. You grunt and sweat as you bring the heavy man into your cottage.

-----

Azriel wakes up in a daze. His eyelids feel heavy. Like he can't properly open them or get the sleep out of them. Everything around him is blurry and his senses are dimmed. His hearing is a bit muted too.

Which is why he doesn't flinch or notice when you come into view.

He thinks he's dying. That's the only way any of this makes sense. You come into view with your coils framing your face and soft smile on your lips. An angel for his last moments.

He's always wondered who he'd see in his last moments. Would it be his mother? Maybe Elaine, even though he can't admit that out loud. Or Gwyn. Or Mor. Both of which he also can't admit out loud.

But you, you're different. He thought he'd see someone he knew. But he doesn't know who you are. He's never seen your face before. He would know it. He would remember.

The warm light from beside you sharpens your features. The plump of your lips. The brown of your eyes. The brilliant reflection of your teeth from your smile.

And he doesn't know it, but Azriel lets the sleep take him. He does so with a smile on his face.

-----

You dunk the cloth into the water and silently clean the wounds. He has been improving slightly. Thankfully he hadn't hurt his wings, because you knew nothing about healing in that area.

A fae in your neck of the woods.

What was he doing here? Was he alone?

You hadn't seen many fae with wings though. Sure, you hadn't seen many fae in your life but this is new. And his ears weren't pointed. Maybe he's a crossbreed? Part fae and something else?

You look over him once more. Stopping your movements with your hand.

The sharp lines of his jaw. The slope of his nose. The thick eyelashes. And his hands. You had wondered about them for days now. Who did such a thing to him? Did he deserve it?

A sharp meow from behind you startles you from your thoughts. You turn around in a rush. Your cat, Felix, is looking at you like you've got three heads.

"Oh hush, I'm just helping him." you say.

He meows again.

"I already left you food to eat. You don't have to watch me." you quip.

Felix sashays away from you with all the sass of an old man. You turn back to the body of the man in front of you. In your mind you're remembering how a a night ago he had woken up and looked right at you. Then fell right back to sleep with a smile on his face.

You resume wiping at his wounds.

-----

Azriel wakes up with a start. He can see and hear very clearly now. Like all of his senses have returned. He takes in his surroundings. He's laying on the floor, in a heap of blankets, a fire place smoking out beside him.

"Hello?" he asks.

But there is no response. He moves his legs, ready to stand, but feels the extent of his injuries. He looks down at his side. He's wrapped up.

Someone helped him.

With a grimace he gets up from the floor. It's then he sees a chair near the door. His leathers are folded up neatly. He looks down quickly at his legs. He's wearing pants. He sighs in relief.

All of a sudden it's like his duties come washing over him. The mission. He needs to get back home.

His actions are fast. He pulls his leathers on, with a few grunts and winces, but he pulls them on nonetheless. He looks around the strange place once more before he winnows out.

Back home.

Well, into Rhys' office. Who is seemingly waiting for him.

Rhys has his back turned to him, he's staring out of the window. His hands tucked behind his back.

"I was wondering when you'd-" Rhys' words stop as soon as he turns and sees Azriel.

"I got the information." Azriel says.

"You got hurt." Rhys says.

"I'm not anymore. I'm healing."

"And how exactly is that?" Rhys asks.

Azriel can feel his face go warm. He doesn't have all the facts. He doesn't really know anything. All he has is your face. Not even a name to call his savior.

"I'm still not sure."

-----

The woods had been your home for a long time. But if a wounded fae walked though them, it was only a matter of time before more and more mythical creatures did.

It's not like you have a bias against them. You are one yourself. And that is the reason why you had to abandon the cottage. If any of the humans came looking and found you, you'd be in trouble.

You hammer the nail over the plank of wood. Sealing the last window from the inside out. If someone were to come back here, they would find a vacant home. No personal items left behind. It was almost like you haven't lived here for years.

What would be your new home?

Further inland, closer to The Wall, is a community of people that wouldn't look you over twice. You happen to fit in with humans quite well. It's only when you started to do magic that you gave up your real identity.

So that's where you'll go.

You peek inside of the wicker basket to find Felix fast asleep. All these years and he's been by your side since you were little. You can't imagine doing any of this alone.

With nothing else to say you start your trek.

-----

Azriel knocks on the door twice. He can hear Rhys from beyond the door telling him to come inside. He opens the door and finds Feyre with him. He wasn't expecting that.

"Hello brother." Rhys says.

"Brother, Feyre. What's going on?" Azriel asks.

Rhys shrugs his shoulders, "Oh nothing. I was just telling my dear wife here that you'd fallen in love with your healer."

Azriel balks at that. He had never used those words. He hadn't even said anything about you to anyone. Of course Rhys does peek around in his head sometimes after missions.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." Feyre smiles.

"I'm not in love. I don't even know who she is." Azriel replies.

"So why don't you go find out?" Rhys asks.

Azriel looks at him in confusion.

"Brother, I know you think it impossible that love would find you. But I think you were proven wrong. I think you have to find out who this woman is." Rhys continues.

"Maybe just start with a thanks for saving your life." Feyre added on.

Azriel clears his throat, "A thank you."

"Yes, then ask her out." Rhys jokes.

"I don't want to scare her." Azriel says.

"I don't think you could. I mean, she saved your life remember?" Feyre responds in kind.

-----

The water felt nice and warm in your hand. You close your eyes and try to think calm thoughts. Being in a new place is overwhelming. You aren't used to the people here.

They are secluded. Hardly talk. And when they do the rumor mill churns. Their questions came as soon as you arrived. Where did you come from? Why are you here? When will you leave?

Of course no one could ask these to your face. But they did whisper. Loudly.

"You should watch yourself." a voice says from behind you.

You retract your hand from the water and turn around. Standing a few feet away from you is a man. Tall, long red hair. He doesn't look human.

"Why?" you ask.

"Humans shouldn't play in the water. All kinds of creatures in there." he answers.

You tilt your head to the side. Then you smile.

"How do you know I'm not the creature in the water?" you ask in return.

He seems perplexed by your words. So much so that he walks closer to you. It makes you stand up, so that you can greet him. From this close you can tell for sure he's not human.

The tip of his ears that peak through that luscious head head of hair. And his eye. One of them is real and the other isn't. It's mechanical.

"What are you?" he asks.

"I mean no trouble." you answer.

"I know you don't, but the humans here might. You should rethink staying here." he says.

"And where would I go?" you ask, not really looking for an answer.

"I could set you up in a place. It would be safe. You wouldn't have to worry about the humans."

You take a moment. Not that you were really thinking about taking him up on his offer. You didn't know him. And you had been living along for years. You weren't about to give that up.

But taking a risk with the humans was just that, a risk.

"Who would I have to worry about?" you ask.

-----

Azriel winnows to the place he left and he's disparaged. The cottage is boarded up. He uses his strength to take some of the boards down and peek inside. It's empty, as if no one lived here.

Had he dreamed you up?

No. You had been real. He knows it. He's sure of it.

Another thing he's sure of? he's not going to find you. He shakes his head and looks around the woods. The sound of the dry leaves rusting in the wind.

What happened here?

As if feeling some strange pull he looks toward the door. At the wooden planks that criss cross on top of it. He walks over to it slowly, trying to find something, anything that could lead him to you.

"What kind of secret mission is this?"

He whirls around to find Cassian behind him. He scoffs. It's on him for thinking that Cassian of all people wouldn't be interested in what he's up to.

"It's not a mission." Azriel answers.

"Sure seems like it. I mean, human lands? Not a very fun place for us." Cassian comments.

"I'm looking for someone." Azriel relents.

"Looks like they packed up and left town."

"No shit."

"Fiesty. Okay. I'm just gonna head back home." Cassian points behind him.

Azriel sighs, "Sorry. I just, need to find her."

Cassian makes a face. His eyebrows shoot up on his face. And his lips form a stupid grin.

"Well maybe you can track her. Got anything of hers?"

Azriel reaches into the pocket of his leather pants. The makeshift bandage. He had kept it while Madja checked him out. More like sneakily picked it up from the floor and took it to his room to keep.

At once his shadows swirled around the blood soaked cloth. Then they crept up to his ear. And they whispered to him where he should be looking next.

"The Spring Court." he said out loud/

And something else. Something he couldn't say out loud. Because it seemed highly unlikely.

-----

You brush Felix's fur over and over. You're ruminating. Maybe you should just ask him. Lucien has been nice to you ever since you've met. You doubt he would just turn you down.

"What type of fae have wings?" you ask.

He looks up at you from his crouched position near the river. It earns him a splash of water from one of the nymphs. He gets up and walks over to where you are seated on a blanket.

"You've met an Illyrian?"

"I don't know are they the kind of fae that have wings?" you ask again.

He rolls his eyes, "Yes. Where did you meet one?"

You shrug your shoulders, "Out in the woods of the human lands. he was hurt."

Lucien's eyes squint at you.

"And you helped him?"

"Well I wasn't going to let him die. I just want to know if he is okay." you respond.

It had been weighing on your more and more since you left him alone in your cottage that morning. You thought he might stick around and thank you. Or maybe that he would stick around and kill you.

"What's his name?" Lucien asks.

"I didn't quite have the time to ask him since he was unconscious almost the whole time." you quip.

"Okay then what'd he look like?"

"Brown eyes. Black hair. Tall. Wings. He wore all black, leathers. And his hands were..." you trail off.

"Oh you liked his hands?" Lucien jokes.

"No it's not that. It just that they were scared. Like he got burned."

"Cauldron boil me."

-----

He'd been in a crappy mood since the trail went cold in the Spring Court. He had to keep what he was doing a secret. If Rhys knew he was searching around the Spring Court he would be reprimanded.

That is enemy territory.

But Cassian knows. Which means it's only a matter of time before Nesta knows and then Feyre, and then Rhys.

He's screwed.

Family dinner has been especially difficult. Azriel has been waiting for Cassian to slip up. So much so that he doesn't realize the trail of bread crumbs he's been leaving himself.

"So what's the name of the female you're fucking?" Amren asks.

Mor and Elaine spit out their drinks. Cassian snickers to himself, as much as he can really. Nesta looks right at Azriel. So does Feyre and Rhysand.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Azriel grits out.

"You reek of Spring. So I figure you're not there on a diplomatic mission." Amren explains her question.

"You do smell like fresh grass. I caught a whiff of it during training." Mor comments.

"Hey maybe just leave it alone." Cassian bites in.

Nesta turns to him at once, "You know something?"

Azriel can see him writhing in his chair. Mother, he'd have to tell all of them now. Not all of it but some of it. Just to placate them. Seeing Cassian twist in the wind is not that funny. It's hard to watch.

"I'm looking for someone. I owe them a thanks." Azriel answers.

Amren smirks, "As in verbally or in bed?"

At that, Azriel can feel his cheeks start to warm up. He looks away from the table as he knows they're probably turning red.

"Alright alright, enough. I think we should let Azriel tell us in his own time." Rhys speaks up.

Azriel nods once. Thankful for his brother in this moment. He goes to reach for his cup but there's a sudden wind. It knocks it down. It knocks all the cups down.

Before any of them can ask what the hell is going on, a darkness appears. Over the table. Someone is trying to winnow into he dinning room. Azriel takes out his blade. Cassian gets up from the table, his chair scratching the floor.

He makes out Lucien first. So he stands down. But he's setting something down on the table. No not, something a body. It materializes as the darkness subsides.

There laying out on the hard wood of the table, is you. Your hair crowning your head like a halo. Your eyes closed, in pain.

He takes in your state. You're wearing a thin green dress. And blood is pooling from your neck and chest. A slight gash on your head. He can feel the anger roaring to life inside of him. His heart is racing. He can't think straight.

And this is the only reason that he shouts.

"What the hell happened to my mate?!"

[nikethestatue]

Notice how NO Elriel is in BB's comments right now, screaming and arguing about how 'well, they ALL cut the ribbon'! It's NOT just Gwyn! Yes she was the first, but they ALL did it! Why is her cutting the ribbon more important than Emerie or Nesta or the other priestesses??!?!"

No, we won't do that.

Why?

Because we can acknowledge that that moment was important for Gwyn and her healing and her character. Even when everyone else did it too. This was 'HER ribbon'. This was the mountain that she climbed and conquered.

We don't need to negate the importance of that moment and we don't need to argue who did what and when and how. This moment was given to Gwyn, by SJM.

The killing of the King was given to Elain by SJM.

People keep calling Gwyn a Carynthian. Yet Gwyn said it herself that she is NOT a Carynthian, and that she is a Valkyrie.

Exactly the same way Elain said that she 'only stabbed' the King. It doesn't negate what Elain did, even though her own perception could be different. She is still the Kingslayer, just like Gwyn is a Carynthian because she reached the top of Ramiel during the Blood Rite.

Even Azriel diminishes his role in saving Elain, for example. 'I HELPED rescue Elain' he stated. No, he literally did everything, plus he saved Briar too, which he doesn't mention at all. But Feyre was there as well, and she played a part. But who truly saved Elain? Azriel.

Elriels give credit where credit is due. Gwynriels try to remove all the credit from everyone. That's the difference. Because 'nothing' matters to them and everything is 'unimportant'. But perhaps, it is actually very important?

[litnerdwrites]

How torturous is it to love with everything your heart can give, and then some, only for your acts of love to either be forgotten about or to be treated like the villain for caring? And on top of that, you never once receive even a fraction of the love back.

Nesta loved Feyre enough to go to the wall for her, and she would've gone farther, if she were able, only for Feyre to forget.

Nesta spent her entire childhood taking her mother's abuse so her sister's didn't have to, only for Elain to turn her back on her.

Nesta spent her whole life trying to give Elain the love that she would've given anything to receive from their mother, for Elain to abandon her and condemn her when she needed that love more than ever.

Nesta joined a war for Feyre, only for it all to be forgotten.

She stayed in the mortal lands, despite it being dangerous after the Queens denied the IC's request for the book, clearly ready to sacrifice their people, including Nesta and Elain, all because Elain wanted to be near her betrothed and be comfortable, just for Elain to try and force Nesta out of her safe space, and into uncomfortable situations.

Nesta stayed with Elain, putting aside her own trauma for her sake to look after her, but when she needed the same love and understanding, Elain abandoned her for the comforts Feyre provided.

Nesta put aside her own trauma to help with war efforts, but it's never brought up again.

Nesta is most likely the one who cooked and cleaned and looked after the cabin, and who thanked her?

Nesta is the one who demanded their neglectful father be held accountable for his failures, but, instead, that burden was forced onto her.

Nesta is the one who demanded Rhysand be held accountable for lying to both her and Feyre, only for Feyre to turn around and laugh at the idea of her being punished for something Feyre said herself, that she isn't mad at.

Nesta endured verbal abuse at the hands of Feyre's new family, let them stare at her like a zoo animal, and didn't comment on it.

Nesta would've gone into the blood right after Emerie and Gwyn, laws be damned, to save them. She would've done it for any of them, only for them to decide she's fine and leave her there. Did they worry about her while she was there? Azriel didn't seem worried. Neither did Feyre or Elain.

That's not even the half of it. Nesta loved so much, with her whole heart, and not a single person could give it back to her. Not one. How tiring, and heart breaking must that be for her? The thought alone brings me to tears.

[elrieluniverse]

Bloomsbury comments.

Eluciens & Gwynriels,

Who are you to tell people what their favorite moments from a series should or shouldn’t be? If someones favorite scenes from acotar have to do with Elain and Azriel, who cares? You don’t see anyone in those comments bashing those who said anything Gwyn or Lucien related. It’s honestly extremely disappointing that you all think it’s okay to be so entitled and disrespectful to others who haven’t done anything other than share their favorite moments. A lot of my personal favorite moments in ACOTAR are Elain and Azriel scenes because I love them together and think that they’re cute. I also love so many Feysand scenes as well as they are the two main characters. There is nothing wrong with saying that your favorite scene is Azriel saving Elain from Hybern, Azriel finding out Elain was a Seer or even Azriel giving big husband energy by helping Elain set up the table. All of those scenes are in the books and have happened for a reason. There is nothing wrong need to be so terrible towards anyone in those comments. There’s no need to be so terrible in general.

I need you all to wake up. Take a step back and look at how you are treating innocent people, because it is not okay. The things you have said are awful. You are all literally bullying people just because they have certain tastes or different opinions from yours and that’s disgusting. I would never in a million years go into the comments of a post and hate on someone. I would never be so unbelievably vile towards someone who has a different opinion than I do. I see the Gwynriel and Elucien related comments as well in the recent BB comments. No one is attacking them, yet elriels get attacked by you guys constantly, all the time. Why? Is it because you’re upset their aren’t enough Gwyn and Azriel or Elain and Lucien moments in the books? Is it because you don’t like the fact that others have different opinions than you? Is it just the fact that you feel the need to be hateful? What is it? Because I don’t see any reason for any of the rude comments you and your friends decide to share. The hatred that you have for Elriel’s needs to be studied because it has become that insane.

Complaining about emoji’s being used as if you all didn’t spam SJM’s comments months ago to have Gwyn related emoji’s? There’s nothing wrong with putting emoji’s after something you say. Most people do that. The flower and the bat remind people of Az and Elain, so after they say their favorite scene and it happens to he one that involves both Az and Elain, of course people may add those two emoji’s that they believe represent the characters. Who are you to be so judgemental on that? Haven’t you done the same with Gwyn and Azriel multiple times? Again, havent you all spammed SJM’s comments with the teal heart and the bat too? There’s no need to always be so hypocritical. Who cares about emoji’s being used. Imagine that being your biggest issue to focus on and complain about. I would consider yourselves lucky if that’s the case.

I am not here to argue with anyone. Frankly, I am fairly tired of this entire situation because I find it ridiculous. You all need to learn to be nicer and more respectful. That is not an argument, that is a fact. The things I’ve seen are so unwarranted and just outright unbelievable. I am not saying any of this as someone who would love to see Elain and Azriel get together finally. I am saying this as a person who’s life does not revolve around ACOTAR. Please be more respectful to others. Please learn not to spread hate towards innocent people and please take the time to understand that there is nothing wrong with anything that has happened in BB’s comments. People were sharing their favorite moments in the series. Whether it was Feysand, Nessian, Elriel, Lucien or Gwyn it doesn’t matter. They are all moments written in the books for a reason.

[rizzoreads88]

Azriel slaughtered the males who hurt Gwyn.

A MATE INSTINCT THAT RHYS ALSO HAD WHEN HE FIRST MET FEYRE.

"I debated slaughtering them then and there, but then they shoved you, and I just ... moved." _ACOMAF, CH. 54_

Gwynriel is endgame.

#GwynrielMay2025

it’s intersting you guys claim Azriel had mate behavior HERE even though he doesn’t know gwyn is his mate but then say well he didn’t have a mate reaction when she was kidnapped to the blood rite bc he doesn’t know there mates yet… but we will get to that later in the post…

Ok first let’s look at this logically.

You think Azriel killed the men who SA Gwyn,just passed her on to Mor and continued On his mission. Never even checking up on Gwyn in the almost two years they lived in the NC together Like just to see if she’s ok…and THATS how azriel would act as a mate to you?

In Acotar when Amarantha killed Feyre Rhysand was freaking out and even after she was taken care of and all was said and done Rhysand still stuck around and made sure Feyre was ok days later. He talked w her before he went back to the NC…. & he didn’t even know for sure she was his mate until that convo…He didn’t just help save her, bounce and not talk to her for years.

Azriel was on a mission tracking down pieces of the cauldron when he walked in on a woman being actively SAd. He would have killed those men regardless of who the woman was. “No no he always leaves two alive and he didn’t here so ha! Mate behavior” there were men who got away lol so he didn’t kill everyone bc some were able to escape with a piece of the cauldron…

it became clear some of the soldiers had gotten away with the piece of the Cauldron, so Azriel headed after them.

We are also with Azriel on page in acomaf when he’s telling the Inner circle about this attack on Sangravah and he has no emotional reaction at all.

“I know it’s tied to this. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew for certain. But Azriel confirmed that they’d raided the memorial in Sangravah three days ago. They’re looking for something—or found it.” Azriel nodded in confirmation, even as Mor cast a surprised look in his direction. Azriel gave her an apologetic shrug back.

If he’s recounting what happened in sangravah and remembered what happened to his supposed mate he would feel some rage or anger thinking about it even if he didn’t know why, even if he didn’t know she was his mate yet.

But let’s get back to the blood rite. So multiple men drug and kidnap Gwyn to the blood rite and azriel cares more about saving Eris… where is his mate instincts? If he had mate instincts two years ago he would be having them now too… “well he knew he couldn’t go to the blood rite, there was nothing he could do” ok sure but he was still amoung friends who has shown emotions too. He should have had some sort of big emotional reaction to his supposed mate being in danger scene if he didn’t know it. “Well azriel doesn’t show emotion so there” ok so you’re saying Azriel will show rage and anger over Elain who is not his mate being kidnapped but then just won’t show it over his mate? Yeah we know that doesn’t make sense… “well he had faith in his mate! He knew she could handle herself!” Ok cassian knew nesta could handle herself and had ridiculous death powers and he was still freaking out…

& then even after Gwyn completes the blood rite Emerie and Gwyn are taken to the River house where all the IC is literally the same house Azriel is in… and azriel doesn’t even check up on her to see if she is ok… like the man didn’t even walk a few rooms over to check if his supposed mate is ok? Friends if you truly think this is all mate behavior from Azriel you think he’s a terrible mate and why would you even want any of this for Gwyn?

When Cassian met Emerie he talks about wishing her father was alive so he could kill him himself..

But the scars on Emerie’s wings, proof that she’d never taste the wind again … Half of him wished that Proteus were still alive. If only so he could kill the male himself.

Fae are violent creatures and they often kill to protect people because it’s the right thing to do (in this magical world). I’ll leave with a few other examples of ppl killing others to protect and help people who were not their mates….

Tamlin shredded the Naga who attacked Feyre

Tamlin tried to physically attack Hybern to stop him from throwing the sisters in the cauldron and had to be magically restrained…

Cassian killed a whole village in revenge for his mom

Aelin killed most of Chaols kidnappers

Bryce killed Micah over what he did to Danika and her pack

Rhysand. Cassian and azriel have killed many ppl over the years for things they have done to other people…

Lucien was willing to die fighting the weird Hybern incest twins so feyre could escape back to the NC….

If what he did in Sangravah was because Gwyn was his mate then he would have had mate behavior throughout all of Acosf. And he didn’t. You can’t pick and choose when the mate instincts kick in even if he doesn’t know they are mates and when it doesn’t. If it’s mate instincts regardless of if he knows they are mates or nor they will be there.

Look at Kallias with Vivianne. They didn’t even know they were mates until there wedding night but Kallias still had mate behavior their whole life…

Viviane had not been Under the Mountain. As her childhood friend, Kallias had been protective of her to a fault over the years—had placed the sharp-minded female on border duty for decades to avoid the scheming of his court. He didn’t let her near Amarantha, either. Didn’t let anyone get a whiff of what he felt for his white-haired friend, who had no clue—not one—that he had loved her his entire life……….

[emeraldisleslainte]

Hey everyone! Not gune lie..I’m really very scared to be writing this 😂 I’m not an OG reader & only finished silver flames in Jan after being introduced to ACOTAR last year! So firstly…I’m sorry & I cannot imagine the sheer torture you have all had to endure waiting these long years! Fair fucks to all of you for being so patient! I hope for all of you & me (even though I’ve not had to wait as long as you guys!) that the announcement is in May!

So anyway…as a normal reader that has no fucking idea about the other books/ series & was just genuinely delighted to have found the azriel BC thought tumblr……I’ve never been more shocked in my life than when I saw the fan fics about gwyn/azriel & evil theories about Elain 😂 truely shocked & really made me question everything I thought I read / the characters haha

But had on heart I really think people are so caught up in not wanting to see 3 sisters & 3 brothers together, that they’ve let that cloud their judgement. I really don’t get how people couldn’t want Elain & Azriel to be together…I truely believe that out of all the couples (including feysand) they have the most to bring to each other & the most beautiful love story to unfold.

The narrative between the two has been building since he spoke to elain about the song of wind & showed her the garden - all things he didn’t have to do. He didn’t have to bother with her at this stage. But no. Azriel…not her mate…was the one who was able to put a name to what she was going through… A SEER. I honestly think people underestimate how impossibly beautiful it is to have someone put a name or some sort of explanation to what you’re going through.l when you’re struggling. Azriel did that for Elain ie. No Elain you’re not crazy or insane, you’re a seer. So powerful. Everyone else didn’t bother to understand, and that’s the point. Even on a friend level. Lucien may have described her as beautiful & tugged on a rib etc but even on the basic level did he try to understand or figure out what was happening with Elain? No. And genuinely, I know it wasnt on purpose etc but the point is, the one person who went & did anything about Elain’s behaviour was azriel. No one asked him too. No one pushed. Even Elain herself felt so consumed with her loss of human life & visions, that she didn’t bother to figure it out. But azriel. Azriel did. Because he felt something for Elain.

And then it progressed and progressed and progressed, until we got the BC. And my god I was floored. Hand on heart I think Elain and azriel will be the most beautiful story of them all. I think they’ll defy norms, challenge expectations, grow each other’s power & share a bond so strong that it’ll be legendary in Phrythian. And I think they’ll suprise us all in the bedroom 😂

I don’t wana get into ships cuz I don’t know the books as well as others. But in my mind, it says it all that azriel didnt rush into the blood rite to save gwyn, or anyone else. He just left them to it. And untimely that is not what a mate does based on my readings of all the books. They fight, and they risk everything. Just like azriel did rescuing Elain.

Anyway these are my immediate thoughts & I’m sorry if it offends anyone/ I’ve got anything wrong! But honestly, after seeing the unexpected fanfics, I needed to vent. I never thought after my reading of the book & the BC that there was anyone else for azriel apart from Elain, and despite the bond, no one else for Elain apart from azriel. The beauty of life & death, the contrast of dark & light, the importance of choice, the story of a lonely boy in darkness falling in love with a girl that shines like the sun….Everything he was deprived of. Both quiet & underestimated, both listeners, both noticing each others feelings without having to speak, both beautiful but only open emotionally with each other?! Not to mention the possibility that they will defy others to be together!

I just don’t know how anyone couldn’t want them to be together 😔 so yeh safe say that I will be devastated if azriel & Elain don’t end up together! Thanks everyone for the fanfics etc it’s been so great to see!

[gwynethberdarasupremecy]

How did azriel display mate behavior when saving gwyn?

First, let’s look at this text from Helion when talking to Feyre:

“What happened?"

Helion didn't break my stare. "I tore the beasts apart with my bare hands."

A chill slid down my spine. "Why?"

He could have ended it a thousand other ways. Easier ways.

Cleaner ways.

Rhys's bloody hands after the Ravens' attack flashed through my mind

Rhys went feral when he killed the Ravens, which was his mate instinct. In this scene, we see that Helion also went feral and slaughtered the beasts with his bare hands to safe LoA. This leads many to believe Helion and LoA are also mates. But it also directly parralels to Azriels reaction when he found Gwyn”

Quote: “Azriel slaughtered all of them within moments. He didn’t hesitate”

And I know many e/riels try to argue that of course he had to kill them to save Gwyn. But in the same book we learn that Az always leaves 2 people alive to interrogate. So it is out of his “usual” behavior to kill them all. We’ve never seen Az like that before. Not even when he saved Elain. He was calm then, could think clearly and didn’t have that feral instinct. After saving Elain, he displayed exactly the same behavior as before when saving Briar. He didn’t act out of character. Azriel has a savior complex and always throws himself in danger to save anyone. But he didn’t kill every soldier without thinking to get to them. That’s the difference. With Gwyn, he acted out of character. With Gwyn he went out of his usual “pattern” of leaving two soldiers to interrogate.

Also, Azriel wrapped Gwyn in his cloak, which is a direct parralel to Lucien wrapping Elain in his cloak. I’m not saying it’s mate behavior to wrap someone in your cloak, but it is an interesting parralel.

[elrielffs]

Nothing makes me laugh more than when Azriel gets hated on in his bonus chapter for his behavior that Cassian constantly showed in his own book and no one says a word about that.

It really is funny how often Cassian and Azriel are paralleled or very similar in their responses to Nesta and Elain, especially concerning mate behavior.

Hell even situations like Cassian (Azriel) getting Nesta (Elain) a gift, throwing it in the Sidra (giving it to Clotho) and having a scene with Emerie (Gwyn) are the same.

Both brothers stilled when the sisters entered.

Both had reactions to Nesta and Elain at their initial meeting.

Both worried about the sisters scrying for the Trove.

Both went crazy over a kidnapping (Nesta in the Rite) and (Elain in the Hybern Camp).

Nesta knew Cassian was hurt, Azriel knew what was wrong with Elain.

Both have lustful thoughts and find it hard to stay away. Cassian literally says word for word he can't stay away from Nesta and Azriel, while trying to stay away from Elain, can't sleep, is moody, is consumed with Elain and hyperaware of her every movement and seeing her with Lucien pains him.

Even Rhysand and Feyre were wanting to suck and fuck before their feelings were revealed.

Nesta and Cassian were fucking way before any feelings or revelation they were mates.

Same for Azriel and Elain. We know they both want each other. It's reciprocated but it's not just about sex. Elain and Azriel have known each other for two years. Azriel, who spends his free time with Elain in garden, Elain, who got him presents, Azriel and Elain staying up until 3 am talking. Azriel saved Elain, Elain made Azriel laugh like no one has ever heard. Azriel let Elain hold Truth Teller, Elain called his hands beautiful. They know each other as friends that know there's something between them but is unsure of it because of 1. her mating bond, 2. its just whole new ground for both of them. It's not a rebound, which happens as soon as you break up with someone, not 2 years later. It's not just lust, which fizzles out quickly and is not sustained for 2 years with nothing to show for it.

Sexual desire isn't bad, they just want to paint it that way because it's not about who they want it to be about and it is really a disservice to Azriel to paint him that way. He is nothing but respectful to women and to make him out to be some 16 year old boy who doesn't know the difference between lust and love because he wants to get his dick wet and he's "broken" is really fucking weird and desperate.

[limeandorange]

The worst part about Nessian is that I can make it work so well in my head… without even changing their original personalities.

Like, seriously. I didn’t need a different Nesta. I didn’t need a different Cassian. I just needed:

Cassian with a bit more humor. Not the self-deprecating kind—actual wit and charm. You know, a Cassian who is more confident, even if it’s a front at first.

No need to write Nesta as someone coping through self-medication. Keep her pride, her sharpness, her walls, those were already powerful traits to explore.

One or two scenes where both of them defend each other without meaning to—where it just slips out, instinctively.

A little less pressure, a little more space. Let the tension simmer instead of forcing it to boil. Here is my idea:

The book could’ve opened with Nesta’s nightmares—her shutting people out, brushing off offers of help, refusing to train her powers. Cassian, unsure of what else he can do, offers what he knows best: physical training, to give her some structure, a way to regain some control. She turns it down because she's tired of being told what to do, of being watched, judged by Feyre's family.

Then, of course, she decides to help when it comes to the troves matter, keep her instinct to shelter Elain, keep the sisters fighting about that. the Kelpie scene goes wrong, bad enough to shake her. And maybe that’s what finally cracks the wall and she agrees to train. She tells herself it’s practical, that staying in the House of Wind means getting an earlier start. Easier than being winnowed from Velaris (or because they kept sending Rhys and she is scared of him).

Cassian leaves for Illyria to work... she ends up in the library to fill the silence, meets Gwyn and eventually they talk about training. Also eventually, she’s introduced to Emerie through Cassian. The friendships form slowly, and so does the training, but with no forcing.

Keep the Cassian and Nesta dynamic charged with mutual push-and-pull and sexual tension.

And then the truth drops. Both the mating bond and Feyre’s pregnancy risks, and something inside Nesta spirals. First, because mating bonds aren't human—another reminder that she no longer is. But more than that, the thought creeps in: that she stole from the Cauldron, took what wasn’t meant for her, and now it's punishing her. Giving her a power she can’t control. A mate who, one day, might kill her—or a future child.

And finally, it settles in her chest that suffocating sense of debt. She remembers watching her sisters waste away from hunger, doing nothing to stop it. And now, even when she wants to do something, all she hears is that there’s no salvation. Feyre saved her but she doesn’t know how to save Feyre.

Meanwhile, Cassian mirrors Nesta’s despair in his own way. He couldn’t save her from the Cauldron. They would’ve died together at Hybern’s hands if not for Elain. Now, Nesta won’t let him in—especially after discovering the mating bond—and he watches, powerless, as she spirals.

He carries other regrets, too. Fifty years locked in Velaris while Rhysand suffered alone. The Illyrians misted by Hybern’s army, etc. His failure to protect those under his command weighs as heavily as her power does on her.

The tension between them builds, sharp words, cold silences, until Nesta finally snaps: “Enough. I need to do something. I have to try.” She refuses to sit and watch her sister fade away like she once did as human. And slowly, she and Cassian begin to work together.

Somehow, that uneasy alliance softens, they start training, researching the Troves or solutions to Feyre’s condition, following ancient clues through Prythian.

If we dont want to change the book ending at all, Nesta can still use her bargaining to save Feyre and give her power back, but maybe make this a more informed choice? Not a deus ex machina.

We can even have the Blood Rite. Briallyn is moving in the shadows, manipulating Illyrians for her own ends. But this time, when Cassian realizes Nesta is missing, he goes after and tracks her, but faces Briallyn in his way to Nesta and gets imprissioned. And in the end, they don’t fight alone, make something more interesting with some Illyrians and the Valkyries deciding to help their generals... It would show that Cassian is respected, not just tolerated, for once.

Sigh. What could’ve been.

[bluiela]

Friendly reminder

A lot of people who pit Gwyn and Elain against eachother. Always seem to say that Elain's kill count is higher so somehow she's superior??(Doing complete character assassination of elain)

They do realise that Gwyn spied on the creature that lead to the death of multiple illyrians and saved Emerie and nesta.

Maybe if they read with eyes open they'll actually comprehend the text.

[gwyns]

the biggest reason i ship gwynriel over e/riel is that az can be vulnerable with gwyn in a way he never could with elain

elain doesn't know the extent of his duties at the night court, meanwhile gwyn has seen his most monstrous and bloodthirsty side and didn't shy away from it. that part of him saved her. how could she ever hate the monster who was her salvation? the blood stained hands that held her with such care, that offered his own cloak to her, giving her back the respect she's owed? how could she judge him for his violent tendencies when she feels them too, just beneath the surface, like an itch under her skin?

gwyn sees him, all of him, and doesn't treat him differently. that's why her mere presence settled something restless in him

[extremely-judgemental]

People who say SJM can't write soft women are wrong. Or at least she accidentally wrote one in the best way possible.

No, it's not Elain. It's Gwyn.

Gwyn is kind and sweet to everyone. She's funny. She's observant of everyone and everything around her. She's considerate. She indulges in 'feminine' hobbies like making bracelets. She entertains her friends by taking interests in their hobbies as well. She invites Nesta to their prayers knowing she'd enjoy the music, the only source of music in HoW. She loves her family very much and carries guilt for not doing enough to save her sister. She doesn't let that grief to dictate how she treats others, nor does she bring others down. She healed herself (most parts) even when cut off from the rest of the world. She makes new friends and help them become better not in a 'I'm going to save her' way but she's compassionate. She isn't afraid to cry and express her feelings to her friends who later become her sisters. On top of it all, she faced her fears for her found family. She doesn't care about other's opinions of her. She's willing to sacrifice her life for them.

Literally this woman has done nothing wrong so far, at all.

I don't understand how anyone could hate this character. Honestly, she's one of the few characters who's refreshing and well developed in the series.

[nikethestatue]

Something we don't talk about enough is how different the rescue of Elain was from all other rescues that Azriel performed.

It was QUIET.

Without vengeance.

Without showmanship.

He didn't go in guns blazing. He didn't really have a plan either. He didn't know what to expect. He was going in blind. He was going in weakened, having given up one of his siphons. There were no theatrics. No 'tie me to a tree and I'll fry with it'. No smashing into an iced lake. There was no slaughtering of enemies.

There was only one objective.

To save Elain.

And to ensure the survival of the two sisters.

That's it.

By all accounts, this was nearly a suicide mission.

With Mor, he snuck in and out, only shadows and discretion needed, so he could winnow away with her.

With Gwyn, it was a side event to a larger mission. He killed the attackers and moved on to continue on his quest.

With Feyre and Lucien, it was an order of his High Lord to go and rescue them, which Azriel and Cassian did with flare.

With Nesta in Oorid, he was ambushed and killed a bunch of Autumn soldiers.

With Bryce and Nesta, he was sent to watch over them and make sure they didn't fuck things up.

But with Elain...it was different with Elain.

He was willing to die with Elain. For Elain. Didn't want to, but if she got to live, he was all for it. He didn't ask for Feyre to come. Didn't ask for permission either.

He was going to go and there was no stopping him. And then he went, and I don't even remember if he killed anyone. The guards maybe? If that. But it wasn't the objective.

It was all about saving Elain.

And even after that, he didn't vow to murder the king! or destroy the Cauldron! or do anything like that.

The objective was achieved. He saved Elain. Quietly. With only a couple of witnesses. Without fanfare. Quietly.

And that's all that mattered to him. Despite, if we think about this objectively, it being an INSANE feat of bravery and foolhardiness. It was pure madness for him to do this. Something that should live in lore forever. Sneaking into Hybern's camp, snatching Elain who was literally sitting next to the Cauldron. There should be ballads composed and sung about this event. It should become legendary.

But Azriel didn't care about accolades. Didn't care about anything. Because he had his girl. Even if it was for one more day only, he had his girl. And even if was going to die in battle, he could die knowing that he did everything to save her.

And I think that that's love.