#acotary theory

[acourtofthought]

Do you think Lucien will end up at Spring or Day? Because most of the fandom is certain he'll end up at the Day Court but I always felt like he'd maybe explore his Day Court heritage but end up at Spring because Day Court already has Helion while the Spring court is in shambles. Also Lucien lived in the Spring Court for a long time so it would make sense if he ended up becoming their High Lord.

I have been turning this question over and over in my head. It's not that I wouldn't love Elucien in Day Court, it would be amazing to see two main characters settled down in a court that we really haven't gotten a feel for. And Lucien wearing that golden spiked crown?! 🥵🔥

But, what would they do there? Lucien has spent the entire series on standby, always second in command to Tamlin or doing work for other High Lords. He's got all this build up to be an amazing leader yet he's been relegated to waiting in the wings. Wouldn't that be more of the same in Day? It could be centuries until Helion steps down and SJM has said she's obsessed with Helion so would she really take him out? Especially with the possible love story that could exist between he and the LoA? If Helion is sticking around then Lucien would once again be right hand to a High Lord in the Day Court, still waiting for his turn to do more. Unless SJM wrote a storyline where the title was always meant to go to Lucien but because Helion became High Lord when Lucien wasn't UTM with the rest of Day, that's why the magic temporarily chose him? Still though, I can't imagine Helion not being a High Lord. So Spring does make the most sense to me for both Lucien and Elain. First, are the people of Spring ever going to trust Tamlin again for him to continue on as High Lord? He's not been able to break free of his depression in order to fulfil his duties so maybe his path forward is not that of a HL (which he never wanted). Maybe he'll join Springs armies instead. I would also think that Lucien having performed in the last Great Rite in the High Lords stead would tie him to the magic of the land. We also know that Lucien is still struggling with Spring not being the home he wanted it to be: "It was what, long ago, he'd once thought life at Tamlin's court would be. An ache like a blow to the chest went through him." "There was no tinge of guilt when he told Azriel what he knew. None of what he felt when he looked toward the south - toward both of the courts he'd called home." "I don't have anywhere else to go." "You ruined any chance I have of going back to Spring. Not to Tamlin, but to the court beyond his house. Everyone either still believes the lies you spun or they believe me complicit in your deceit." Maybe it's just me but I find it impossible not to think that with Nesta telling us Spring had been "made" for someone like Elain, that Elain can convince anyone to do anything with a few smiles and the knowledge that Lucien clearly is upset over having been run out of Spring that they're going to end up in Spring. All those sad feelings Lucien still has when thinking of Spring could be SJM hinting that he and Elain will turn the court into what he once dreamed of it being.

Though I still think maybe it will be Elain that is ""made" High Lord (but Lady) with Lucien standing beside her as acting High Lord (in the way Feyre is High Lady to Rhys's High Lord). Or Elain as High Lady of Spring and Lucien as temporary High King if future ACOTAR books involve some of the High Lords world walking, creating the need for leadership in their absence. That does then lead to the question of what happens when it is time for Lucien to step into his role as HL of Day but say that's something SJM knows won't happen for centuries. It's not entirely impossible to think that by that point, Elucien will have children, one of which Elain will have had a vision of taking over Spring. Or maybe SJM will hint at a future where the system for choosing leaders becomes more of a democracy. There's a lot of things she'll need to account for regardless of which direction she goes but I do think (regardless of what I like the idea of best), Spring makes the most sense. Thank you for the thought provoking question!