The author of theA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries,Sarah J. Maas, is renowned for her foreshadowing and ability to place Easter eggs throughout her books. For example, when two overlooked characters in theACOTARseries, Lucien Vanserra and Elain Archeron, became mates, it barely made any sense. However, when looking back throughout the events of theentireA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries, it becomes clear that there is a reason these two are actually ideal partners. Both characters are more than similar; they share abilities and powers that make them more than compatible mates.
The story explains that mates are simultaneously paired based on which couples would create the best and most powerful offspring, and that mating bonds are rare. This is true for Elain and Lucien, who both have a similar set of powers. Both possess the unique ability to see things others can’t, withElain’s Seer abilities and Lucien’s magic eye. The implications this shared skill has forthe strength of their future offspring may explain why the Cauldron paired them as matesin the first place.
The Seer Ability Is Rare Yet It Exists In Both Elain and Lucien
Why would Elain and Lucien Both Have This Ability If It Was A Coincidence?
When Elain is dipped in the Cauldron inA Court of Mist and Fury, she becomes a Seer with premonitions, visions, sight into the future, and the ability to see through time. While these things are known about Elain’s powers through Rhysand and Azriel’s insight, not much else has been revealed through the text yet. However, based on the Inner Circle’s reaction to Elain becoming a Seer,this is a rare and strong power that will be advantageous to the Night Court moving forward. Maas gives us just enough information about her powers to want more but not enough to predict Elain’s future storyline.
Similar to Elain, Lucien has his own powers of sight and the ability to see things others cannot. Stated inA Court of Wings and Ruinwhen searching for the human queens,Lucien remarks that his mechanical eye is special, and took years to craft because it grants him the ability to see through glamorsand spells. While this fact contextualizes many of Lucien’s plot points throughout the series and grants the audience insight into his character, these powers are greatly overlooked and often forgotten completely. Lucien’s eye-holding mysterious Seer powers isn’t mentioned often and should be discussed more.
Lucien’s mechanical eye has magical powers of sight that can help him see the truth and past glamors or spells. When compared with his parentage of Helion, his abilities as a Spell-Cleaver become even more heightened.
The apparent correlation between the pair’s abilities has major implications forthe next installment of the ACourt of Thorns and Rosesseries. If Lucien and Elain are powerful enough combined to warrant a mating bond the moment Elain becomes fae, then it’s likely not a coincidence their powers are so complementary. Both characters harnessing the power of sight together, especially with the boosted power of a mating bond, opens up a world of possibilities for the Night Court that Maas can explore in the future. This would be an interesting and dangerous power couple whose similarities are often overlooked.
The Point Of Mates Is To Create The Most Powerful Offspring
Elain and Lucien Becoming Mates Implies The Strength of Their Powers
It’s surely no coincidence that two characters like Lucien and Elain both harness such similar and rare powers within the same series. The moment Elain was turned fae in the Cauldron at the end ofACOMAF, she received her powers (whether she knew it yet or not).The mating bond between her and Lucien snapped into place the moment she was retrieved from the Cauldronand turned fae. This suggests that when the Mother or the Cauldron determined that the pair would be powerful mates, it was because Elain was gifted powers that would work ideally when combined with Lucien’s own.
This mate pairing was determined only once Elain had been gifted her powers. All that Maas has revealed about mateships so far is their rarity and purpose. This context makes it more understandable why two characters with such complementary powers would be paired up. Lucien and Elain were likely mated for a reason; it just might not be revealed inthe next book from theA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries.
All that Maas has revealed about mateships so far is their rarity and purpose.
Any potential children of one parent who can predict the future and one who can see past spells will be incredibly impressive. These powers are more similar than any other powers we have seen two characters possess in the series, and Mass’ word choice for both abilities has to do with “sight” and “seeing”,which suggests she intends to make the comparison obvious. Since the only canon reason for mate pairings is offspring potential, this suggests their offspring will play a pivotal role.
Not Only Are Their Powers Complementary But So Are Their Personalities
Elain and Lucien Make Sense As A Couple For More Than Their Powers
Both Lucien and Elain have been discounted largely throughout the series. They’ve both been pushed aside or underestimated by the Inner Circle, leaving it up to the imagination as to what their internal motivations are.Both characters are accused of clawing for relevance since ACOWAR (or before)because they have been portrayed as co-dependent on either Tamlin or Nesta for too long. Both characters deserve a chance to blossom into more impactful characters inthe upcomingA Court of Thorns and Rosestelevision adaptation, and they could help each other achieve that.
Sorry ACOTAR Fans, I Don’t Think Azriel & Elain Will End Up Together
Azriel and Elain’s relationship is very unlikely to pan out in future ACOTAR books, despite the theories surrounding their story by fans.
Elain is a very soft-spoken, kind, and understated character who embodies a lot of the purity and sweetness that many female characters of this archetype have displayed in books past. WhileElain’sACOTARbook could worsen a common series complaint,she is anything but useless after the events ofACOWAR.Instead of calling her boring, it needs to be widely accepted that Elain is a complex character with many interesting traits. Her hesitancy to be loud and talkative often leads the other characters to ignore or discount her; she shares this in common with Lucien.
While introverted characters don’t draw the most attention in the story, they are just as deserving of love as any other character. Elain and Lucien’s pasts being displaced from their homes, losing their loved ones, andgetting shackled with an unwanted mating bond make it possible for these two overlooked characters to bondand heal together. Both having experienced great loss, and saying goodbye to all their meaningful relationships has left them traumatized, demure, and stand-offish. This may discourage interest from the other characters but also provide an opportunity for them to show each other the support they need.
Lucien deserves someone as gentle and loyal as he has proven to be throughout the series, and Elain would match that need perfectly. It wouldn’t be difficult for these two understated characters to enjoy silence together or unite their complementary powers in the next great war for Prythian.This mateship makes sense from a standpoint of creating strong offspring and personality compatibility, meaning it is likely a ship that will hold up in the next installment of theA Court of Thorns and Rosesseries.
