u/Qwilla

u/darklygrey's post about Lucien yelling telling Elain that she is his mate got me thinking: would anything be different between Elain and Lucien if Lucien hadn't told Elain she was his mate?

For reference, here's the scene where it happens:

>Nesta took a breath. And when I beheld my sister, with her somehow magnified beauty, her ears … When Nesta looked to me … Rage. Power. Cunning. Then it was gone, horror and shock crumpling her face, but she didn’t pause, didn’t halt. She was free—she was loose.

>She was on her feet, tripping over her slightly longer, leaner limbs, ripping the gag from her mouth— Nesta slammed into Lucien, grabbing Elain from his arms, and screamed at him as he fell back, “Get off her!”

>Elain’s feet slipped against the floor, but Nesta gripped her upright, running her hands over Elain’s face, her shoulders, her hair— “Elain, Elain, Elain,” she sobbed. Cassian again stirred—trying to rise, to answer Nesta’s voice as she held my sister and cried her name again and again.

>But Elain was staring over Nesta’s shoulder. At Lucien—whose face she had finally taken in. Dark brown eyes met one eye of russet and one of metal. Nesta was still weeping, still raging, still inspecting Elain— Lucien’s hands slackened at his sides.

>His voice broke as he whispered to Elain, “You’re my mate.”

Part of me thinks they would have had a similar development to Nessian - but Cassian had a lot of privileges that Lucien didn't/doesn't have. Namely, being in the inner circle and trusted by Rhys and Feyre. It makes me wonder if he would have even been allowed to enter the NC at all if Feyre and Rhys weren't aware of the bond.

Idk, what do you guys think?

An Elriel story that spans 3 books and over 1000 pages makes no sense to me, especially if it doesn't involve other POVs. They're not involved in the same plots, and shoehorning them into each other's (or someone else's) plots would not make sense.

We have some significant plots that are ready to be explored, including:

• The Dusk Court: Azriel and Nesta are very tied to this plot. Elain has nothing to do with it. She was not even present during this entire arc.
  • Ramiel: this could be considered its own plot but I also think that it's part of the Dusk Court plot as well. Again, Elain is not connected to this mountain whatsoever. "Three sisters, three mountains" is nowhere in the books.
• Illyrian unrest: I consider this somewhat of a background plot, but I do think it will need to be addressed at some point since it's been a recurring theme throughout multiple books and was focused on in the last book. Azriel is tied to this because of his heritage and position in the Night Court. Elain isn't tied to this at all. If any female is involved in this plot it should be Emerie - who actually has personal involvement in it.
• The Trove: These items are related to multiple plots (including Dusk and Koschei). I don't think anyone could argue that they are exclusive to one plot. Both Azriel and Elain are connected to the trove (Elain volunteered to scry for it, Azriel has seen various items in use by Nesta and others) but because they are connected to different plots, this connecting plot doesn't really "connect" them together - ESPECIALLY since Azriel claims "the trove has a darkness that Elain shouldn't be exposed to."
• Koschei: This plot has been on the back burner for several books and encompasses all of Prythian, the continent, and the Mortal lands. Every character is at least partially connected to this plot, but Elain was the one who first introduced Koschei and Vassa through her visions. There's also her father's very mysterious involvement with Koschei (and Vassa) which we still know nothing about. Azriel is very loosely tied to this plot and is no more significant to it than Cassian or Rhys - in fact Cassian is more "involved" in it than Azriel due to him picking up more of Azriel's responsibilities in Silver Flames at Rhys' request. For example, Cassian was the one who met with Vassa in the Mortal lands and got more information from her on Koschei.
  • Beron allying with Koschei: This seems like a possible Eris POV to me, or a Lucien POV. This would make far more sense to involve Elain in it rather than Azriel.
  • Human unrest: We have several characters mentioning that the human lands below Prythian are uneasy with their alliances - both between each other, with Vassa/Jurian, and with the fae. I have a feeling this will be tied to the Koschei plot, as it directly involves Vassa. Elain, who used to live here and who's ex fiance is right in the middle of all this, is directly related to this. Azriel is not.

Additional "plots" with less page time, but still (might) be addressed:

• Mor in Vallahan: SJM has mentioned that she was excited to tell Mor's story - why would this story involve Elriel? I've seen Elriel theories that involve Elain and Azriel traveling to Vallahan to "help" Mor. To me, if this plot gets addressed it will have Mor at the front along with some kind of tie in to the Valkyries to explore her and Emerie.

Things that are not plots:

• Nuala and Cerridwen (the wraith twins): These two have been on page longer than Cassian and Azriel, yet we know nothing about them. Sarah has never bothered to develop them in the FIVE BOOKS we've known them. When we met Feyre and Nesta's close friends, they were immediately given importance, backstories, etc. Nuala and Cerridwen have no relevance to any plot listed above.
• "Elain the Spy": This is another "storyline" that isn't actually tied to any plot (except a hypothetical Elriel endgame). What would Elain be spying on? When? Where? For what purpose? Again, Elain and Azriel are connected to different things - why would she be spying with Azriel in Vallahan? Why would she be spying on Koschei with Azriel when her mate, who has far more relevance to that plot is right there? And if they were spying on Koschei, how would that advance the Koschei plot when Vassa, Jurian, and Lucien aren't POV characters in an Elriel book? Why would she be doing any kind of spying/exploring of Ramiel, the prison, Illyria, etc with Azriel when the books have not tied her to those things whatsoever?

To me, the way the plot(s) are heading a multi-POV makes far more sense than a 3 book Elriel story with Elain and Az only POVs. Personally I think the only way Elriel could happen is via a multi POV throughout the next three books in order for all these plots to be addressed. In addition to this, SJM would have to intentionally abandon their current ties to various plots and stuff one of them into the other's plot - for example involving Azriel far more in the Koschei plot and leaving Dusk, Ramiel, Illyria, etc. for someone else (maybe Nesta?).

If you think Elriel is endgame, what plot do you think will be "theirs?" Do you think there will be other POVs or do you think it'll be just Azriel and Elain? If they get together, Elain's bond with Lucien will need some page time as well - how will that play into the story? I'm genuinely curious because looking at the information we have - Elriel just doesn't make sense to me.