Fourth Wing -Xaden's POV | Chapter 21

[@George_RR_Sagan]

Just a reminder, Chapter 22 is already up. New text chapters on Archive of Our Own soon (here's a link archiveofourown.org/works/51670834/ ) I'll be posting an update video with more details about that soon...

[@millietoomey2086]

Absolutely love these POV from Xaden! Mixed with theories so interesting. Can’t wait for the rest. Good luck on your own project!

[@matthewwhite9390]

You made us all love Mason just to know what happens to him in Iron Flame 😢

[@George_RR_Sagan]

Yeah, had to work with what characters were available to me 🤷 I feel like I can at least claim that it's not as bad as RY making us fall for Liam THAT hard when she knew his fate before she even began writing him, haha

[@cathiescathie3306]

@@George_RR_Sagan so true. Liam was a great character. He was so set on protecting Violet, mo matter what. It was sad to read his fate.

[@seawolf365]

Great to have this treat for a Monday morning, thanks. Seems so real when I'm listening. Now I can't wait for 23 as I have long since read all of the chapters available on Archives. Have a good week.😊

[@cathiescathie3306]

I love hearing how Xaden feels about Violet. ❤😊 Can't wait till he finds out how Violet really feels. 💜 ❤

[@annatratzik8752]

Finally🥰

[@matthewwhite9390]

I’m Garrick 🤣🤣🤣

[@seawolf365]

Can you remind me of the other book series you recommended to me? I forgot!

[@George_RR_Sagan]

@@seawolf365 The first book is called a court of thorns and roses

[@seawolf365]

@@George_RR_Sagan Thanks. I need a new book for vacation.

[@nargitsingh7101]

I love these but when is chapter 23 coming out

[@George_RR_Sagan]

Thanks ☺chapter 23 will be posted (a text version of it at least) on Archive of Our Own by the end of the week, here's the link archiveofourown.org/works/51670834/

[@nargitsingh7101]

Ty and the audiobook version?

[@George_RR_Sagan]

@@nargitsingh7101 Not for a while, I'll be posting a video about that by the end of the week too

[@nargitsingh7101]

Chapter 23 was amazing can’t wait for chapter 24

[@brittanyfarley-bk1hz]

Out of curiosity, was it you writing this PoV as belle_beebee?

[@George_RR_Sagan]

No, that fanfic was written by someone else, I'm writing the one under the username George_RR_Sagan, here's a link... archiveofourown.org/works/51670834/

[@u.v.s.5583]

I do think you are overdoing the self doubts and humility of Xaden. The guy is a royalty. Inheriting son of the Duke of Aretia. He is everything but just a guy, and he knows it. What makes Xaden an interesting character is his unimaginable pride and power mixed with a very precarious situation in so many ways. I know that You are working hard to contrast the human characters to the dragons, and you are great at dragons, but sharp contrast is not everything in storytelling. (Or is it "all Poromish are human and everybody else is draconic as f%^&? That does not work either. What could work is that people chosen by gryphons are different than people chosen by dragons in subtle, nonobvious ways)" Just my 2 cents.

[@George_RR_Sagan]

I do take your point, and perhaps your interpretation is closer to the canon version of the character that RY imagines, but I think there's at least a chance that the way I'm trying to portray him (i.e. deep down he's pretty vulnerable but he can never show that so he masks it) is valid. Since it was shared with me, my ethos as to how I try to write my version of his character is based on this interpretation of him... He makes slips in FW too, but they are rare. After first round of War Games, after Violet finally wields lightning, he gives himself away, kinda. When in her room, he tells her that she can cry, punch, do whatever and feel whatever within the walls of her room - but not outside them. I think he does the same thing Violet does, when she's in pain - picture a box around the pain and then close it (probably why she's so good with her mental archives and shielding) - but with emotions. He feels whatever he wants, but shows only to his closest friends and within his walls. Otherwise, he keeps the emotions in the boxes (except around Violet, who actually manages to open them). He has weakness and he is vulnerable, but portrays confidence as much as he can. And when he cant, he chooses to hold onto some anger, because that's how he survived after the Apostasy. Because anger worked where other emotions didn't. After Violet almost dies in the end of FW, the fear doesnt stay in the box tho. I dont think it did before either, but he also hadn't had anything/anyone to be too afraid for. But in IF he does. And it rules him for most of the book, he mostly just chooses to mask it with anger, if he can. Xaden is vulnerable. He's just as broken as anyone else.

[@u.v.s.5583]

@@George_RR_Sagan Of course I respect Your choices. Vulnerable, yes. I could even see him opening up in conversations with Liam who is his foster brother and fellow noble. As in "yes, I am a noble and ladies like Cath would give everything to be with me, but Violet is different, she does not care that I am a noble" etc etc. But going to Masen like "she is a daughter of a general, I am not worthy" just cuts it wrong with me.

[@George_RR_Sagan]

@@u.v.s.5583 he wasn't talking to Masen but Garrick, his closest friend, while very high. He was also exploring the hypothetical where venin didn't exist and his dad would just be some infantry officer loyal to Navarre i.e. abdicating any royalty from 600+ years ago. And then when he pivots from the hypothetical to reality he thinks the revolution that could arguably restore his royalty status (though he clearly rejects that notion in IF) makes his situation even worse with respect to being with Vi because she thinks of his family as traitors. Again, I do take your point and tried to address his thought distortions here by having Garrick call him out on it. Kinda too late to change this particular scene now that the audio version is done, but I'll try to make sure not to overdo that kind of thing in future chapters

[@brittanyfarley-bk1hz]

I actually felt it was perfectly done. X always proves he is not himself because of Violet because she is above him in the world they’re in. People hate him and that would make anyone quietly question themselves. Especially when he returns and many of the elders don’t always agree with him. So he’s met consistent in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame with opposition no matter where he goes. He does put his foot down but even violet notes he’s uneasy a lot and angry. Almost like he’s upset he can’t control people, and because he reads thoughts. I’d say that leads to him being extremely aware what everyone really thinks about him. Adding to why he would doubt himself hearing other people’s doubts about him.

[@u.v.s.5583]

@@brittanyfarley-bk1hz Except that the King of Navarre personally is arriving every year to cast a glance at young X. X may be standing low in hierarchy, but he is respected beyond measure.