In the Belly of the Beast: An Elain Fanfic
Synopsis: Elainโs experience in the cauldron.
Ever since Elain Archeron was a little girl, she had always been plagued with night terrors. Perhaps that was why when a fae male came into her room, blending in with the shadows, she had thought she had imagined him, until his hands had attempted to drag her out of her bed,
Sue did not think it was real at first, until she felt the bruising hands of the fae male upon her flesh, knowing her pale and delicate kin would probably bruise tomorrow as she noticed the males hands were devoid of any calluses.
She kicked and screamed furiously, holding onto her bannister until the fae male climbed onto her bed using the full force of his body to pin her down.
She screamed louder, desperate for someone, anyone to hear. Praying to whatever Gods would listen for Nesta to wake up and hear the commotion. Or for Mrs.Laurent to immediately wander in like she did ever night before she took her leave. But no one was coming to save her.
The male finally pried her away much to her displeasure, pinning her hands behind her back as he bound her hands together, her sobs being cut short by the gag he also placed in her mouth.
She let her silent tears fall, expecting the male to do horrible and vile things to her before he picked her up and carried her downstairs.
Despite the bindings that held her hands, she tried her best to escape his hold to no avail. Thatโs when her eyes caught on a puddle of blood on the carpet.
Elain screamed past her gag as she beheld the dead body of Mrs. Laurent, the women lying dead with her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. The woman who had tired her best to protect her and her sister at all costs. This male had probably snuffed her life out without a momentโs hesitation.
She made a silent promise to the female that she would do whatever it took to bring this male who had killed her to justice as the male opened the door, a carriage waiting nearby as she struggled against his grip.
Her struggles were to no avail as he threw her into the carriage, a muffled curse following her as Elain glanced bewildered at Nesta.
Fear shone in Nestaโs gaze as the carriage lurched forward, a mist spraying into the carriage as her eyelids grew heavy and her body thudded to the floor.
She gasped, two fae males gripping her arms hard, the other two guards carrying Nesta between them as they carried her and Nesta to a throne room, Elain eyes widening as she took her in. Feyre.
Her heart beat fast as she screamed and cried over her gag. What was Feyre doing there? What the hell was-
Her eyes lifted, swearing her heart froze as she beheld a king one the others had warned them about. The King of Hybern and behind them-behind them were those queens. What was going on here?
Feyreโs face remained frozen. Shock, horror, and terror washing over her face as Elain glanced at the Dias again, glancing at the two other fae males up there. Ones she had remembered from her sisters stories. Tamlin and-what had the red haired fae males name been? Lucius? Lukas? No that didnโt sound right, and she had no earthly idea why she was trying to recall at this moment when she had more important things to worry about.
Things were in chaos and she swore she couldnโt keep up with their conversation, she found it difficult to breath, they were talking about the cauldron, accusations being hurled towards her sister and her group of friends, and then she heard the kings plans to demonstrate using them that the cauldronโs powers could work.
No, she thought. Fear making her heart pound in her chest as the room erupted.
Her sister, Feyre and her friends and lover were thrown to the floor with the explosion of power, Elain tried to stay upright as she heard an earth shattering scream and her sisterโs cries over her gag. Barely noticeable in the chaos, as she took in the horrible sight of Cassianโs wings, shredded by that ungodly power, his body hunched over Azrielโs, but then movement caught her vision.
Feyre, so distracted by the chaos, had not noticed Tamlin rushing towards her, ready to grab her and forcefully remove her from where she stood as Elain shouted a warning to her sister, Feyreโs eyes now moving to Tamlin as she unsheathed her knife and hurled it towards him.
He avoided it, deciding it was smarter to stay in place as Morrigan lurched towards the king, ready to rip out his throat as he sent a fist full of power at her, knocking her off center, taunting her with his words before the guards boxed them in, the king threatening them to stop. To Elainโs surprise they did.
Dread so deep in pooled in the pit of her stomach, knowing any chance of her escape whatever this fate was was inevitable as the king instructed,
โPut the prettier one in first.โ
Feyre lurched forward, one of the guards grabbing her from behind as Rhys looked as if he was at least trying to get to her.
โPlease refrain from getting any stupid ideas, Rhysand. If any of you interfere, the Shadowsinger dies. Pity about the other bruteโs wings.โ
He turned towards both of them, that onyx stare boring into her, making her stomach turn as he gave both of them a mocking bow,
โLadies, eternity awaits. Prove to their majesties the cauldron is safeโฆfor strong willed individuals.โ
A glance at her as if he doubted her strength, if her hands werenโt bound she would show him how strong she really was.
The guards grasped her tight as she was carried forward towards the cauldron that looked anything but inviting. She shook so hard that she swore her skin wouldโve fell off her bones if it wasnโt attached.
She sobbed, crying out for someone, anyone to help her. She did not want an eternity of this life, did not want an eternity chained to this world when she was already perfectly content with the one she was living.
The iron ring laid heavy on her finger, burning into her flesh as if in warning of the inevitable before she heard Tamlin command.
The king did not listen as the guards dragged her further, she tried to drag her heels to delay the inevitable. To delay her new fate.
โStop this.โ The male beside Tamlin shouted, going for his sword, she hoped he severed the Kingโs head from his body.
Due to the guards strength, she yielded step by step, her eyes casting towards the ceiling, praying for mercy one last time.
She saw liquid filling the cauldron, her stomach roiling at the sight as she fought as hard as she could, hearing Nestaโs bellows of rage from behind her, but she was as useless to stop this as she was.
โThis is not apart of our deal. Stop this now.โ Tamlin spat as Elain cursed him. It was a little too late for regrets now.
A blinding light leashed him when he tried to get to the king, his friend staggering forward a step to perhaps assist him when she felt the guards lift her.
She slammed her feet again not the damn cauldron, hoping that she could tip it over. They would not take her away from her life that easily. Away from her human life she always desperately wanted.
โThat is enough.โ Lucien bellowed, she swore he stepped towards her as she sent another kick to the cauldron the guards struggling to keep hold of her.
He fell to the floor beside Tamlin. She heard Feyre beg and plead, praying to show them mercy, but Elain knew those vicious bitches would not hear her.
Her foot hit the water, tearing a scream of fury and terror from her throat.
Iโm sorry Greyson. Was he last thought before the guards shoved her under.
โIโm worried about her.โ A familiar voice said as Elain gasped, lurching forward as she cried out,
She got up from where she had been lying on the bed, walking the familiar halls before she happened upon her mother and father, her mother looking every bit as youthful as she had been before her death. How was she here?
โMom!โ Elain exclaimed about to rush to her side and embrace her, but her mother showed no sign that she had heard her. And neither had her father now that she thought of it.
She glanced at her hands, noticing she was near translucent as she tried to rest one of them upon her mother, her hands passing through her before her father cupped her motherโs cheeks between his hands answering,
โI am sure that our sweetest Elain will be fine.โ He assured her. So they had been talking about her, but she had no recollection of this memory.
Her mother turned her face to the light of the window as if she did not believe that was the case.
โI was her age when my night terrors also started.โ
Elainโs lips parted, she had never known that her mother had also suffered from them, perhaps they had not helped her mother when her emotions ran high during those last days. The ones she could never forget.
โThey are only dreams, my beloved.โ Her father assured her as Elain observed her parents.
She had always known her mother as callous and cruel, but her father, well, her father had always seen the best in everyone. Including her mother.
โThey are more than dreams and you know it.โ Her mother argued, prying his hands from her face and throwing them as she launched up and paced towards the window as if she were on edge.
โBeloved, I know youโre not in the best place right now, but-โ
Her mother spun around, pinning him with that icy gaze. She wife it was times like these where she had considered her mother as something other than human.
โDreams are only dreams if they do not come to fruition, my dove.โ She spat back making her father flinch slightly.
โYour dreams have only done that a time or two, my love, every other time they were simply-โ
โDo not talk down to me.โ Her mother snapped again causing even Elain to flinch at the power her voice held.
โYou have no idea. None. You have no idea what it is like to wander in your dreams and then have them become a reality. These night terrors are horrible enough without them becoming-premonitions.โ
Elain sucked in a breath. She had heard a few stories of mortals who could predict devastating events. But her mother- No, she could not have been one of those females.
โYou know what I see?โ He mother asked him, her fatherโs brown eyes glancing at her as even Elainโs own were focused on her mother.
โI predict myself dying young. Our ships sinking into the abyss. I dream of our daughters being carried off to a land of my own personal nightmares, screaming, pleading for me to help them, but I am not there. I predict you, losing yourself, and those thoughts have me terrified.โ
Elain felt the air grow heavy. Her mother, everything she had predicted, had come true.
She wrung her hands, nervously picking at her nails like she had done when she was a child as her father stood up, crossing over to her mother as he drew her in, glancing down at her in reassurance.
โI am not going anywhere, my beloved and neither are you. These dreamsโฆwe will handle them the best that we can.โ
She yearned to hear her motherโs answer took a step forward, her motherโs eyes suddenly snapping forward as her mouth twisted in a scream sending Elain flying backward, only her back did not meet solid ground.
She felt as if she were falling into a dark abyss, tumbling down with no sense of direction as something sharply yanked her pivoting her to the side as she fell out of a bed, the room dark and dingy as she breathed in relief. It was her and her sisters old room at the cottage.
โElain?โ Nesta asked, her voice carrying to Elain in the dark as she breathed a sigh of relief.
Her sister was here, she was safe and they all werenโtโฆ.Elain frozeโฆ
Nestaโs skin was pale, lifeless. Her face contorted in an open scream as Elain screamed herself,
She jumped up, grasping at Nestaโs cold and clammy body. Her lips pale and lifeless as Elain tried to shake her awake.
โNesta!โ She screamed, โNesta!โ
She lurched towards Feyreโs side, shouting a plead for her other sister to help but she was not there.
โDonโt worry Nesta. Iโll get help!โ She called out, rushing towards their father but as she opened the door she was sucked into that dark abyss once more.
She gasped, coughing and sputtering as she felt cold, shocking water surrounding her.
The cauldron! She gasped as she tried to fight against the current of it.
Strong hands seized her, panic overwhelming her again as she fought that punishing grip, striking out with her hands and her feet to get whatever guard was holding onto her to release her before a familiar and terrified voice shouted,
โElain! Elain, darling, itโs me!โ
She stopped, righting herself up as Greyson pulled her to him. She sobbed in relief, throwing her arms around him tightly, not wanting to ever let go of him.
A sense of calm washed over her, keeping her there as she inhaled his scent of clove, pressing her damp fingers to his bare chest to feel the steadiness of his heartbeat. His beautiful human heartbeat. Nothing could compare.
Had it really been only a week ago since they had both given into their love and desire for one another? A week ago since she had been tangled with him in his sheets, whispering promises of forever on her skin. She could not fathom all that had happened since.
โWhat has you so upset, My Love?โ He questioned, his voice gentle as she nearly broke apart.
Was she really here? At the swimming hole where they had met last summer, when she had taken some time off from the busy season to have a moment to herself to cool off.
It had been improper, and if any man who had not been Greyson had wandered upon her, society would have claimed her a disgrace, but when he had beheld her, making her freeze as if she were a fawn, he only smiled and wandered away,
He had called upon her a week later. Claiming that he had been so infatuated with the sight of her that he just couldnโt contain himself.
Nesta had not liked the sound of it, claiming that he came across as too forward, but to Elain she admired his honesty and ambition to claim the things he wanted,
And soon after their courtship, she was completely enamored with him as well. She had told her about her hopes and dreams, about her ambitions to see the world some day, and he had clung onto her every word, and when he had waned in to kiss her one day, she swore she could feel forever in that kiss. Now as he stroked her hair, she wasnโt sure. Had forever been snatched away so quickly with the flip of a Kingโs hand?
He pulled away slightly to see her face, to assure that she was alright and in one piece, before that loving gaze she had been so used to twisted and contorted into something cruel,
โGreyson. What is it? Whatโs-โ
He grasped her by the hair, shoving her head down under water as her lungs begged for air, what the hell was he doing to her?
Panic gripped her as he pulled her up by the roots of her hair, making her cry out as he tilted her head so she was glancing directly at him, hatred, betrayal, and disgust painted over his features.
The glint of his dagger caught the sunlight, cutting off her scream as he pressed it against her throat.
The tip burning fiercely as she cried out in pain. He still held her steady so she could not escape his grasp.
โGreyson.โ She cried in a panic, โGreyson, what are you doing?โ
โSilence you implement creature. You dare use her skin? You dare use her face!โ
โGreyson. Grayson, please I donโt know what youโre talking about! I donโt-โ
But before she could say anything further he plunged his dagger into her heart.
She gasped, her hands clutching at her heart as hot iron poured into her skin, she screamed, water filling her mouth in rage and betrayal as darkness engulfed her.
Water engulfed her, crushing her under the weight of it as voices rang around her, she clutched her head begging them to stop as one carried over them.
Hot tears streamed down Elainโs face, the pain from her chest damn near blinding as she reached for the dagger, but did not find it there.
โWhat is happening to me?โ She asked, the voices surrounding her now growing silent as the one who remained answered,
โYou are being forged,โ
โI am no weapon.โ She answered, rage consuming her as she swore she felt the presence pause.
โThat is where you are wrong my dearest Elain Archeron.โ
She glanced up into the darkness.
โI am not sharp tongued like my sister Nesta or as resourceful as my sister Feyre-โ
โBut your mind is your greatest weapon, my dear.โ
โMy mind? I do not understand- I-โ
โYou will learn soon enough,โ
Before she could ask more questioned, she was sucked back in time, through space and worlds and everything in between, Elain felt her body tumble from the cauldron. The warm water splashing around her as if she were a body washing up upon the ocean as her soul slammed back into her body making her gasp for air.
Her gown was still soaked, she trembled from the cold, her eyes taking in nearly everything as she heard the king say.
She rose up on her arms, twisting to find her family, as she took in Feyre and Nestaโs shocks of horror. Nesta roaring over her gag. Because she knew, she knew if she glanced at herself, she would see the arched ears tucked in her hair, and the unnatural glow of an immortal fae.
She trembled, disgust overcoming her as she heard the Queens amazement, the king commanding for her sister to be taken next.
She couldnโt watch, couldnโt bare to see if Nesta, her source of strength, would make it or not, she couldnโt bare the sight of it.
The guard snickered at her, taking in the sight of her damp gown, of her breast now on full display as shame and embarrassment overtook her.
A snarl tore from someoneโs throat,
โDonโt just leave her on the damned floor!โ
The fae male with the red hair stalked towards her, rage and disgust in his features as he took off his jacket, kneeing before her as she flinched away from him-
She didnโt want anyone to touch her. To see her like this.especially not after what she had just endured.
The fae male noted this, dealing the jacket on her shoulders instead so his hands would not make contact with her as she pulled it to herself, desperately trying to fight off the shock, cold, and numbness she felt.
She clamped her eyes shut, wanting to shut out the chaos of the room and her sisters screams, her other sister crying on the floor as the sound of it pierced her heart.
She heard the splash of the water as she smelt the vomit splashing in the floor. She didnโt know how long it took before she heard that water splash in the floor again. Her heart beating erratically as it t surged towards her.
The fae male hoisted her up, the water missing her completely as she held her breath, waiting with bated breath, the vision of Nestaโs lifeless body still haunting her mind, praying to any God that would listen that she would be okay, she had to be-
Something surged in the air, a sense of impending death and destruction as Nesta drew her first breath. Elain nearly wept in relief.
Then that feeling was gone, she heard Nestaโs panicked gasps, ones she would have usually helped her with as she heard Nestaโs rushing steps.
Nesta collided with her and the fae male, knocking him off center, causing him to fall back as she swore something snapped into place,
โGet off her!โ She shouted, pulling Elain up from the floor, her feet slipping against the floor, as Nesta called her name over and over again, but something kept her there, kept her from answering Nestaโs worried pleas as Elain stared at the fae male as there was an invisible string between the two of them, tying them together.
Lucien. His name was Lucien, she recalled as his name in her mind made his eyes snap to hers, his voice breaking as she heard him say,
And she swore her heart shattered in response.
