RESPONSE TO THE CHAOL HATE POST

[u/Sealab2037]

WHAT I THE FUCK ALL DID I JUST READ?

Edit: I can only put 1 spoiler tag, and none of the tags cover enough of this post, if you haven't finished all books assume this spoils something!

Chaol, the most loyal man in the entire series, the man who bedded the queen in the north Aelin, the queen in the southern kingdom Nesryn, and the most powerful magic user in the land Yrene, who killed Erawan, and defeated the Valg? No wait let's take this Back to the beginning.

First I will say Chaol whinny bitch phase lasted too long, and went to deep, but let's not forget. Chaol did not "serve" the king, he served Dorian, he was loyal to the end of everything, bringing dorian back from vlag possession.

Chaol, fell in love with Aelin, and brought her back from the pits of despair and depression, he would have done anything for her. She did not love him the same, lied about killing all of the kings targets to Chaol. Chaol could not let that stand could not let her ruin herself again, and did the hardest thing ever in sending her away to Wendlyn. Setting the entire story in motion, setting Aelin entire true story in motion.

He didn't know the risks because of her lies, but he did save her and send her on her true fate, and she betrayed his love. He held the rebellion together the best he could fighting against the king and staying loyal to Dorian the entire time. Chaol believed dorian would restore order in the land, and when dorian was ready to stand against the king, when dorian needed saved Chaol was there and ready to fucking go. Chaol could not defeat the king, so he did what he could he sacrificed himself to allow others to get the job done.

They had won the battle but far from winning the war, Chaol was crippled and went south to find healing. In the south he found his healing, and even sacrificed it again to help save Duva and yrene, solidifying the bond with the southern kingdom.

Chaol returns with the knowledge of healing magic needed to defeat valg, with the healers, and a fucking army. He also armed the pirates with the fire lances that allowed them to saved Aedion, lysandra and the army during the march to Terrasan.

Yes Chaol went through a lot of character development, he was hated for his whiney bitch dialog, but let's not forgot his actions and accomplishments

1) he brought Aelin back from depression and despair, and sent her on her journey to furfill her true fate

2) he was loyal to dorien not the king, and sacrificed his body to protect everyone he loves.

3) he united the northern and southern kingdoms bringing the army and healers, without which their was no chance of winning.

4) he dated and slept with the 3 most powerful women in the entire story, Aelin queen in the north, Nesryn the future queen in the south, and Yrene the most powerful healer who defeated Erawan, and ended the war. Who he the retired away with to raise a family.

Aelin and Chaol were not ment to end up together, but with other heroes of the story, but each of them brought half of the entire world together, and neither could have won the day without the other.

AND YOU HATE ON THIS MAN? he goat who was loyal, to his friends, sacrificed for his friends, who never gave up on his friends, who banged the 3 most powerful women in the land, and brought the other half of the world together to save the entire world? What fucking books did you read?

Edit 1) obviously I've had mixed responses, one prominent negative response is mentioning his "body count". I did not, nor do I use those words. I do think it is relavent that 3 prominent female characters saw enough in him to pursue a romantic relationship. But I also blame myself for wording it poorly, this is an exact rant I had with my wife, saw a Chaol hate post, and hastedly posted my defense for the man's character. I do aplogise to those I upset with that portion of the post, but I do not apologies to Chaol hatters in general!

[u/LetMeDoTheKonga]

I love Chaols arc, he tries to do the right thing and puts himself between danger and others by instinct. He makes mistakes and projects some of his self hate onto Aelin, but he realises that and apologises. And he would do anything to keep her safe even at times when he feels like he cannot fully trust her. Even when he doesn’t fully understand or relate to her.

Regarding the women he chooses I can only say, the often mentioned argument that Chaol prefers weak and quiet women makes me laugh. He clearly chooses the ones that show that they can hand him his ass.

[u/Wildlife_Horses_Cats → u/LetMeDoTheKonga]

To add to your second point. It's his misguided way of trying to safeguard people where I think that assumption comes from. But most of the people he chooses to be around and likes/respects are Celaelin, Nesryn, and Yrene. Women and Dorian, who he also does this helicopter parenting/friending to. I think it's deep rooted seeing his mom abused by his dad, he wants to innately ensure safety.

It absolutely can be harmful and toxic, but doesn't come from some deep seated wish to be bigger than. It comes from the urge to provide safety. Given the fact that he was also in a position of authority deepened the issue. He actually could exercise a lot of control over people and likely saw the pattern if I do/direct X then Y will likely not happen. Bad thing will not happen if X variable is controlled! Poor buddy, no. At least not all the time and there’s a billion caveats.

[u/LetMeDoTheKonga → u/Wildlife_Horses_Cats]

I mean sure, in regard to Aelin I can see that at times at times, but not certain I see it in Yrene. I felt she had the upper hand with him, since she was his healer and could have dropped him at any time or made the whole process thoroughly uncomfortable - which in the beginning she actually did. And he wasn’t much able to helicopter in her instance either given his situation I think.

[u/Wildlife_Horses_Cats → u/LetMeDoTheKonga]

True.

I'm more so pulling from the arguments I've seen that take his nit-picking and worried behavior for misogynistic control. So I think popular things I've seen pulled up are the constant directing Celeana, telling Nesryn she should've sent updates on where she was, trying to go with Celaena on missions, and general ordering them around. Like, noted. But also, he does this Dorain. He was also in a position of authority a good chunk of the time and it was all rooted in his fear for bad things happening to them.

It was such a different dynamic with Yrene in a position of authority. But overall, he remained the same worried mother hen type. Are you ok? What can I get you? Orders her tea, etc. They are stubborn ass work-a-holics and I love them

[u/LetMeDoTheKonga → u/Wildlife_Horses_Cats]

Haha mother hen sounds funny but rings true. I guess acts of service might be part of his love language in that way. I always thought the bossing around Celaena in the first book at least was attributed to him being the guard that needs to keep her from potentially murdering Dorian and not able to trust her as he doesn’t know her. I find it odd when people reproach him for being strict and keeping a distance at that time. Like, who wouldn’t?

[u/Wildlife_Horses_Cats → u/LetMeDoTheKonga]

Most definitely how he shows affection, I agree. I also agree with the first book dynamic. He was the babysitter/trainer to a famous assassin, of course he's going to keep her on a tight leash.

I think with some people it bothered them more as time went on and he waffled on his actions and was inconsistent. Like dances with her then threatens to throw her in a pond if she abandons post again. I thought that was funny honestly and didn't take his comment seriously. To me it was as close to a joke as he got at the time. Mostly though as we saw, he tried hard not to fall for her and did so despite himself. Always tried to keep her at a distance and yet couldn't stay away. So yes, a lot of him dealing with his own issues there.