✨ I saw this beautiful dress on Pinterest and it gave me such Elain vibes, but in Day Court? So I had to try and draw those two together. They absolutely own me. ANYWHO, I’m loving this new style and painting the characters on rather than drawing them and being messy—there’s something fun about not having to follow the lines!
Honestly I was listening to Paravi Das-Cloud 9 when I drew this—it’s Elains and Luciens song Check out my tik tok for how I drew this piece! This piece took me the longest to do because 1) I burned my fingers and 2) I started actually painting my pieces rather than just adding texture!
✨This collaboration was absolutely AMAZING! And I’m so happy it was made with so many amazing artists. I decided to draw Elucien but as Pride and Prejudice The longing? The softness? I’m in love!!! Plus painting Elain in Day Court colours is always interesting for me. ☀️ ☺️
✨ This collaboration was made with @avakimart @catheccino @elizianna.the.one @izziesdrawings @jasmine.sketch @justelfit @domesticartcreature_ and @heyovivi to showcase our favourite ships and movies✨
Summary: In which Elain travels to the Spring Court as emissary to prevent a vision she had about the death of her mate—and accidentally becomes the auxiliary High Lady in the process. (Rated M)
This is my humble offering for the free day of @lucienvanserraweek. A bit Elain centric, but this story is my love letter to both Lucien and the fandom as a whole. Thank you for sharing your lovely talents with us this week.
For all Elain was beginning to love and trust her brother-in-law, she had to admit the High Lord of Night was terrible at keeping promises.
He kept the ones that were important to him, sure. But when Elain had asked him very politely, very seriously, if she could be informed before Lucien was summoned to the house, Rhys had accepted a promise he could not keep.
“What’s this all the sudden?” Rhys had asked, peering at Elain with his cat-like smile from the head of his desk. “Did something happen?”
“No, it’s just a simple request,” Elain replied. That was true enough, she supposed.
But even more true, the reality she did not want to admit, was that Lucien’s presence—kind and pleasant enough—was a very unkind and unpleasant reminder of the suffering she’d endured. Being around him was taxing, the toll on her heart always making her feel as though she’d attended a dozen funerals.
Perhaps he was not so ignorant of her feelings as she thought, because Rhys sighed and said, “Lucien will not be home in time for our dinner meeting tomorrow evening. And in future, I will give you notice before his arrival so that you may prepare as you wish.”
Today could not have gone as she planned, why oh why did they have to tell her that they’ve been planning a birthday ball for her twelfth birthday tomorrow?
“May the light of the sun shine on you father.” Aurelia Spell Cleaver, greets her father with a picturesque smile on her face
“And to you my darling little ember.” Lucien, clad in his high lord toga of the Day Court and matching sandals rises from his office desk as he flashes a smile to her so wide that it could blind nearly anyone. Knowing his little ember, that specific smile she had on her face right now and the use of calling him “father” meant she intended to make a little “bargain” with him.
“So are you going to ask your ‘father’ of what it is you want?” He asks without beating around the bush.
“Can I be excused in my room for today and all of tomorrow?” In return I"ll..pick out all the weeds in mama’s gardens instead of you!“ There, that should sound reasonable to him.
"As if I will allow my only child to do such arduous work in the heat of day.” Lucien’s eyes narrowed, after everything he went through, he made a promise on the day of Aurelia’s birth, to be the responsible and nurturing father for her that he was deprived of his whole life from his own biological father, Helion. Even if it involves something minute as preventing her from picking weeds in the royal gardens.
“But papa,” he smiles at hearing her use his preferred title “Why would you and mama choose to have a birthday party for me? You know I’d prefer if it’s just the five (including Helion and Lady Autumn) of us?!”
“Well it’s your twelfth birthday tomorrow, and I think it’s time for Day to formally meet its heiress.” Elain walks in holding a measuring tape into her husband’s study wearing a pink toga with pearls pinned to style her hair back.
“Mama, what are you measuring me for?” Aurelia ask with skepticism in her tone as she sees her mother crouch down her height to make measurements on her waist and chest.
“Giving your grandma the appropriate measurements for the dress she’s having made for you to wear at tomorrow’s ball.” Elain tells her with a wink, before leaving the study with it and of course not forgetting to kiss her daughter on the cheek.
Aurelia let’s out a nervous breath she didn’t know she was holding.
“You know for being mine and your mother’s daughter, it’s quite amusing to see our kid averse to formal gatherings.” Lucien then let’s out a loud chuckle when she turns to him with a pout on her face.
“Then shall I be excused to roam around the Court on my own while you and mama dally in to the gardens?” She sasses back at him with her arms crossed.
In a flash of light, she found herself laughing while seated on her father’s lap, only to find out her was tickling her belly.
“When did you get so coy all of a sudden little ember?” He playfully taunts her while he continues to tickle her mercilessly.
“Okay *laughing uncontrollably* okay…I give in.”
“Much better.” He stops, once he sees her face turn into a beaming smile at him.
After all it’s what he treasured most in his little ember.
I’mso happy to announce that this is a collab with my dear friend @ratabrasileira!!! Go show the beautiful drawing she did some love!!
rating: G
words: 2.2k
Elain searches the woods for flowers and finds more she ever expected. Sleeping Beauty Au
Elain left the cottage barefooted, the soft cushion of the grass comfortable and well known to her feet. The familiar and gratifying feeling of calm earth beneath her, steady and grounding, more than enough reason to forego any sort of shoes.
“Elain allowed her stranger to spin and lead her in the dance of her dreams. She couldn’t help to laugh and smile and giggle as they swayed in impossibly rehearsed arrangements, his wide, carefree, delighted grin pouring sunshine into her chest.”
This is a fanart in collaboration with @rarephloxes’ fanfic!! Go read it, her work is amazing!!
Headcanon - when the spell the Lady of Autumn cast over Lucien to hide his Day Court powers finally breaks and Lucien finally has enough power to winnow he is going to TRIP BALLSlolll he’s going to be like cauldron how do you all do this all the time??? it is so disorienting what the actual fuck
he’ll also be so powerful (think of how long all that power has been held back/suppressed. Remember Aelin’s wall of fire in Kingdom of Ash?? YEAH. THAT) that he just. winnows sometimes. he can’t control it, because he’s too strong, and he starts thinking of random people and then popping in on them by accident.
which quickly becomes a very inconvenientoccurrence.
one time he’s thinking he really ought to ask Rhys a question and accidentally winnows into the River House when Rhys has Feyre spread open on his desk. of course, Rhysand being Rhysand doesn’t stop moving. he just looks up at Lucien with a rogueish grin, and asks “oh? Looking to join in, Lucien? you’re welcome to.” (Lucien slaps a hand over his eyes and stumbles back towards the door, bumps into the wall, hand fumbling around to open it so he can leave. Feyre is trying to cover up/yell at Rhys but she’s also right there and oh god Rhys—and so Lucien ends up hearing something he hasn’t had to hear since the Spring Court though it’s so much fucking louder now and it’s just a no good very bad day. he’s going to go drink an entire bottle of fire whiskey now, and crawl into a hole to die, thanks a lot.)
He considers that he is very thankful he is unable to winnow into the House of Wind. He knows if he’d barged in on Cassian and Nesta he would be both traumatized for life, and in mortal peril. He has run from her before, and would not like to do it again any time soon. (”I didn’t know the book was yours, Nesta!” “you’re a dirty liar, Lucien Vanserra! GIVE IT BACK!” “but i’m right at the good part!” “I DON’T CARE!”)
The next time he winnows its into a pile of mud that Elain is trying to coax into being good planting ground or something and she starts giggling as he looks down and sees his favourite pair of green velvet shoes ruined. (“Oh? Were you thinking of me, Lucien?” she teases. Lucien, usually so smooth with words can only stammer and babble about how he was really just interested in mud, oh, is that a mushroom? how fascinating, it’ll be perfect for his research, simply a strange coincidence this is the same mud puddle…)
needless to say a few days later Lucien winnows in on Elain by accident one night just as she’s making herself climb right up into a release. he’s stammering out an apology when she comes suddenly with a cry, moaning Lucien—and, well. who is he to say no when she asked so sweetly?
recently, I talked about how much I would have liked to have seen elain meet lucien as a human under different circumstances, here’s a drabble that was/is supposed to be a part of a bigger work (inspired by taylor’s enchanted cause literally what else do I get inspired by) that I have worked on like 4 months ago
Nesta pulled her aside before Elain could leave, grabbing her arm forcefully, and reminded her of something she’d been whispering into her ear for years now. Elain rolled her eyes, not bothering to reply anymore. Nesta could be too protective sometimes and she wasn’t aware how much it had started to bother Elain recently. She was twenty-two now, but she supposed she would always be a little girl to her older sister. It was endearing, but it was also annoying. “Have a nice time, Nesta”, she muttered, not daring to look her in the eyes, and wandered off. Nesta could be as intimidating as she was protective. She didn’t want to stick to her side the entire time and scare away good company, knowing how Nesta got at these types of events. She’d be watching her like a hawk the entire night anyway.
Elain allowed herself a glass of wine. She had thought about it the whole day – whether she should even try some of the drinks that would be offered. But she was here with her father and her sisters, what could possibly happen to her? Just for once she did not want to be the scared and shy little girl clinging to her sister’s skirts like a five-year-old. The wine was surprisingly sweet and fruity, and she licked her lips as she looked around the ball room. It was simply incredible, she had to admit. Elain had often been at balls and dances and any kind of social events, really, but never ever had she been at a location like this manor. It looked elegant, and there was nothing simplistic about the decorations that adorned the halls. Silvery candle stands in all sizes, curtains that seemed to have been hung up for this event and this event only. But it was the flowers especially that made Elain’s heart beat faster. Flowers in all colours hanging from the ceiling, decorating all entrances and exits, flowers on the ladies’ dresses that seemed almost alive as they were swirling through the rooms. Elain was careful to not betray her awe in case anyone might notice. This was a High Lord’s home after all.
Feyre was nowhere to be spotted. She was probably enjoying the fading sunlight on the outside and trying to memorise the sight to paint it in the morning. If she even decided to go to bed. Elain was more surprised to see Nesta looking daggers at a big bulky man towering over her. The smile on his face, Elain could see it from a distance, was lazy and provoking. As if he wanted to make her angry, show some emotion other than the coldness she usually reserved for strangers. Elain almost, almost, made her way over to her elder sister, but for some reason she halted. Because for a brief moment, she could’ve sworn a smile tugged at Nesta’s lips.
“Thank the Cauldron you on your own accord, I would’ve almost felt bad to have interrupted you when you looked so positively determined,” a voice startled her. Elain tried not to cringe as she turned to look at the man on her right. Male — not man. It was a male standing next to her, a fox mask concealing his face. She could still see the smile gracing his lower half was charming, which could not be said about the brutal scar she spied beneath the mask. It seemed to stretch across the entire right side of his face.
Elain’s breath caught. She did not know what to say, she’s never spoken to any of the fae before and it would be a lie to say she was not intimidated. All she could suddenly remember were the things Nesta had told her over the years. Elain blinked and tried to not look scared. But thinking about how displeased her Nesta would be seeing her talk to a fae, Elain could not help but blurt out, “My sister told me to stay away from males like you.” She blushed right after she said those words. She sounded like a child, and she wished, not for the first time in her life, that she could take those words back.
“And what would the world be like if we listened to what our siblings told us all the time? Terribly boring, wouldn’t it?”
Her eyes narrowed. A troublemaker. Of course it would be a troublemaker invading her peace and quiet on a night like this. He laughed at the sight of her in front of him. She must have looked ridiculous with that frown on her face. “Can you really find fault with me trying to ask the most beautiful being in these halls for a dance tonight?”
Elain looked him up and down, trying not to feel flattered at his word choice. Not most beautiful woman, but being. But dancing – she almost felt giddy at the prospect of dancing. How long had it been? Maybe two months. Too long anyhow.
But dancing with this male? She didn’t know whether he was joking. Didn’t know how long he might have been watching her before approaching her. Or why. “I didn’t realise you were asking me for a dance.”
She could feel it in her cheeks then, how she blushed at his next act when he stepped away and bowed extravagantly, excessively and yet respectfully as to not embarrass her in front of … well, everyone. He didn’t even think about it. For some reason it irritated her and she bristled, tried to imitate Nesta’s guarded and cold look her sister had perfected over the years. The male in front of her did not seem bothered at that. If anything, it seemed to amuse him.
“Would you do me the greatest honour of my life and share the next dance with me?” Elain hated how serious he sounded while giving her his most disarming smile. Hated how he intrigued her at the same time.
“And how long exactly would that life have been already?”
“Are you calling me old?”
“I’m not calling you anything. I’m simply curious.” She did not want to give in easily, though every muscle in her body craved to dance. He looked like an acceptable partner. He was taller than her, much taller, and reasonably muscled. Not like the male Nesta had been talking to – or not talking to earlier.
“Curiosity killed the cat, isn’t that what you humans like to say?” She could tell by the growing grin on her opponent’s face how he was enjoying their conversation, and she hated how flustered it made her. For a second, she hoped her own mask would conceal the redness on her cheeks, but she somehow doubted it.
“Well, good for you that you’re not a cat,” she said inspecting his fox mask closely. Its orange and red shades were lighter than the ones she could see reflected in his long hair. His whole demeanor – it seemed as if was the exact opposite of her. Easy-going, informal, relaxed.
She almost wished to see his face, just once. Which is why, that’s what she told herself afterwards, she gave in and nodded. “Fine.”
The handsome stranger simply laughed while taking her hand. She was surprised at how soft and warm his hand felt and could’ve sworn her heartbeat increased at that. “Good for me, indeed.”
A/N Ngl this turned into an Elucien one shot rather than just a Lucien one, but it still centers around him so I hope that’s okay I’ve had this idea of Elucien’s future in my head for a while now and I hope I was able to get my thoughts out properly. This is my first writing piece ever so please be gentle with it as I tried my very best. I hope you enjoy it☺️
Word count: 1500+
Elain was never one for dreams. Sure she had them, but they were shattered before they had the chance to become a reality. Whether that be because of her mother’s insistence that all she was good for was marriage and beauty, her father’s neglect after their fortune was lost, or her life as a human washed away with the water of the Cauldron, Elain’s dreams were always out of reach to the point where she stopped having them.
But, sitting there in the Spring Court before the High Lord meeting began, surrounded with the flowers she spent hours grueling over, her title as High Lady, and above all, her fox, her mate, her love sleeping soundly in her lap, Elain couldn’t help but think that her dreams had just begun.
always a good day to stan elucien, confirmed mates in the world where mates are sacred, with 4 books about mates already out and with sjm so obsessed with the concept of mates that they carry her all three series.
“I’m fine,” Elain said quietly. And then asked, noticing the gore on him, the torn clothes and still-bloody weapons, “Are you—” “Well, I never want to fight in another battle as long as I live, but … yes, I’m in one piece.” A faint smile bloomed on Elain’s lips.
