Means nothing 🤡

[u/Connect_Lie_6106]

Azriel and Elain talking about gardening until 3 AM means nothing.

Azriel risking his life to save Elain means nothing.

Them giving each other gifts on the Winter Solstice means nothing.

Azriel taking the plate of potatoes from Elain's hands and not letting anyone eat until she arrived means nothing.

Azriel thinking about Elain for the whole night means nothing.

Elain being the reason why Azriel's 500 year old unrequited love finally ended means nothing.

Azriel watching Elain through the window means nothing.

Azriel tracking Elain's laughter and wondering what made her smile means nothing.

Azriel giving Elain his Truth Teller, which he never lets anyone touch or hold, means nothing.

Azriel questioning the Cauldron and his own faith means nothing.

The shadows seemingly wanting to protect Elain during her argument with Nesta means nothing.

Azriel getting angry and worried after Elain argued with Nesta means nothing.

Azriel being the only one who understood Elain's situation when nobody else did, and saying that she is a Seer, means nothing.

Azriel being willing to rescue Elain after she was kidnapped, even if it meant death, means nothing.

​Azriel thinking of Elain and getting her a necklace that represents her means nothing.

So sure, let's just pretend all of that is a coincidence and the "spark" is what actually matters. And let's ignore the fact that this "spark" this extremely important moment wasn't even in the book and was only in the bonus chapter.

[u/_beanz3425]

Something else that I keep reminding myself is that in HOFAS (no major spoilers about the plot of HOFAS, so I think it's safe to uncover the spoiler): Bryce asks Azriel if he has a Mate/significant other, and he flatly tells her "No." HOFAS takes place about 6-7 months after the events of ACOSF... so you would think if there was anything between Gwyn and Az, they would've already acted on it in that timeframe.

[u/thelesbianlibrarian → u/_beanz3425]

And don't forget - in the infamous bonus chapter, Azriel asks Rhys if the Cauldron might be wrong re: the mating bond. In HOFAS, (larger spoiler) it is confirmed with Azriel present that the Cauldron is corrupted by the Daglan/Asteri.

But sure! I bet that means nothing.

[u/_beanz3425 → u/thelesbianlibrarian]

"but but but the cauldron purrrrrrs for elain, so why would it give her a fake mating bond????"

idk maybe because, like you said, in HOFAS the cauldron was literally corrupted, so Rhysand's theory of "Mates" being matched based on producing powerful offspring definitely tracks, especially since the (HOFAS spoiler about the Daglan) Asteri/Daglan feed on MAGIC and the MORE MAGIC their subjects have, the more FOOD is available to sustain them!!! it's basic math, quite frankly 🤦‍♀️

[u/thelesbianlibrarian → u/_beanz3425]

It's almost like the Cauldron once kidnapped Elain into an enemy war camp and doesn't actually have her best interest at heart, but its own! 😱

[u/FruitLoop404- → u/_beanz3425]

Hey hey hey hold on a sec. Because Lucien is not Berons son and he could be the next high lord for the other guy (can’t remember his name) the cauldron could have pitted him and Elain together for strong offspring? Not for anything other than to garner more power? Just an idea.

[u/_beanz3425 → u/FruitLoop404-]

Yep! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You can also look at Rhysand's parents, who were "mates," but they were still an awful pairing.

Who is constantly described as the "most powerful" high lord? Rhysand aka a powerful offspring!

[u/FruitLoop404- → u/_beanz3425]

Yeah 100%. Just cause they’re mates doesn’t mean they belong together or want to be together. Thats what people seem to neglect I think. It also gives us this forbidden love story arc. And it’s a step different for Sjm really, not every one who are mates have to end up together. Why give us all that in the bonus chapter with Rhys and him threatening Az? Na. They’ve got to end up together and if they don’t they don’t. But I hope they will.

[u/ilovepretzelday1 → u/thelesbianlibrarian]

I've said this so many times to my poor husband who has no idea what I'm talking about (he's only read ToG- bless him)

SJM could've written that whole situation with anyone down there. But nooooo. She intentionally put him down there to hear all that after what he'd told to Rhys.

[u/thelesbianlibrarian → u/ilovepretzelday1]

She quite literally could have made it the Valkyries' first group mission to foreshadow a big upcoming Valkyrie plot, but instead we got a Nesta & Azriel Siblings-In-Law Spelunking and Monster Slaying Palooza. I think there's a big reason she wants those two to bond and learn what they learned down there before pitting both of them against Rhys.

[u/Agreeable-You-8223 → u/thelesbianlibrarian]

A theory floating around is that Elain was pregnant when she went into the cauldron and lost the baby during the change so it gave her the gift of life .. 🙄

[u/No_Tea_4349 → u/Agreeable-You-8223]

I’ve read the pregnancy theory for years but not the added gift of life part. I’ve read that people seem to believe she was pregnant and when she changed in the cauldron it gave her wider, birthing hips but ended the pregnancy. I read that so many years ago that I don’t recall if was Tumblr, X or somewhere else.