Rielle Dardenne

## Rielle Courverie

**Rielle Courverie** (née **Dardenne**) was the first of two protagonists of *The Empirium Trilogy*. She was the only daughter of Armand Dardenne and Marise Dardenne.

## Appearance

Rielle had long dark brown hair and green eyes. She had white skin and a thin frame. While not traditionally beautiful, Rielle was pretty enough that her looks drew other people's attention. As such, she prefered to dress in fashions that were both bold and almost too revealing. As her connection with the empirium grew stronger, her eyes slowly changed to gold.

## Personality

Rielle was cunning, strong willed, stubborn and ambitious. Genoveve Courverie described her as "willful and lovely." She was not afraid to use her powers to defend herself or her loved ones. Her powers and how she used them became increasingly destructive. As her powers grew in strength, Rielle struggled with the dark side of her thoughts and abilities. Her father's constant control and confinement left her feeling stifled, as if she was a prisoner. Rielle began to treat everyone around her poorly, including Audric, and used them to her own advantage. Corien only brought out the worst in her, encouraging her to become her worst self.

## Biography

### Early life

Rielle Courverie was born Rielle Dardenne to Armand and Marise Dardenne, in the Year 980 of the Second Age. She grew up in Âme de la Terre alongside Audric Courverie and Ludivine Sauvillier.

When she was five, Rielle got into an argument with her mother. They had finished their evening prayers surrounded by candlelight when Marise told Rielle that it was bedtime. Rielle wanted to stay up later so her father could read to her. Marise's refusal made Rielle upset. As their argument continued and Rielle's anger increased, she began to feel unable to contain it. The feeling scared her so much that she ran out of the house. There was an explosion, and when she looked back, her home was on fire. The fire itself felt like an extension of her; she could sense her anger within its flames.

After Armand rescued Marise, Rielle saw her mother covered in burns and screaming in pain. The sight frightened her further. She yelled at Marise to stop, but her mother kept screaming. The only thought she could focus on in that moment was how much she wanted Marise's screams to end. An instant later, Rielle watched Armand beg Marise's corpse to wake up.

Soon afterward, Rielle was carried by Armand to Taliesin Belounnon. From then on she became Taliesin's pupil. Through his lessons she was taught how to suppress her powers through prayer. Sometimes she would be put in mortal peril as a way to test her control. When she was seven, she flooded the Baths. When she was twelve, she snuck out of her house to go to Odo Laroche's tavern. During her childhood, Rielle would often play with Audric and Ludivine. She liked to watch Audric while he practiced fighting with a sword.

### Year 998

After entering Taliesin's office, Rielle informed him that Princess Runa Lysleva was dead. She wanted to discuss the political implications of her death, among them being potential assaination. She was assigned some reading instead. Taking up her usual place at the window seat of his office, her thoughts soon drifted to Prince Audric, and how tantalizing he looked on sunny days. Her daydreaming was quickly interupted when Taliesin cleared his throat. Taking up the book, she cracked it open and was greated with tiny text. Immediately loosing interest, she turned her attention to the window. She watched as Celdarian citizens entered the Pyre, assuming many were there to pray for the horses they had bet on to win in the Boon Chase. Rielle believed they were wasting their time; she was confident that she would outpace the other riders easily.

Idly flipping through pages, Rielle waited until she was calm enough before bringing up the topic of Princess Runa's death. She had heard rumors that the Borsvall people were blaming Celdaria for her death; regardless if whether her King and Queen had ordered it, if the Borsvall King was convinced that Runa was assassinated by his country's enemy, then that meant the King would definitely declare war. With some satisfaction, Rielle watched as Taliesin set down his pen and join in her discussion. Rielle was of the opinion that the Queens of Prophecy would appear soon; she cited Runa's apparent murder, the slave rebellions in Kirvaya, and strange storms appearing out of season in far off countries as evidence. Though Taliesin brushed off her concerns, Rielle was steadfast her belief, relating one of the reports she read. When prodded, she admitted that she snuck into Audric's office, something that Taliesin gently reprimanded her for. Their conversation lead to Rielle bickering with Taliesin. All she wanted that day was to particapate in the Boon Chase, to have a little fun for once, something that Armand seemed adament that she did not have. In fact, whenever it stormed, Rielle was forced down into the servants' quarters to be drugged and locked up. She did fight this treatment once, but she eventually accepted it as a part of her life.

She got closer to Taliesin, letting a bit of the everpresent loniless show on her features. It seemed to work, but Taliesin just tells her that Armand was doing that because he loved her. The thought that being kept under lock and key was the same as showing love sparked Rielle's anger. Despite knowing that an outburst would just make sneaking out more difficult, she let the frustration flow through her. Grabbing a nearby candle, the wick immediately burst into flames, as it does on the all the other candles in the office.

Taliesin grabbed his shield and placed a calming hand Rielle's own. When he started praying to Saint Marzana, Rielle initially did not join in, enjoying the release of her power. Upon hearing the genuine concern in Taliesin's voice, though, Rielle relented, reciting the prayer alongside him. Once all the candles were extinguished, Rielle felt empty in both mind and heart.

* New
* Original

Queen Rielle errupted into a beam of light.

Queen Rielle ripped out King Audric's heart.

A couple months later, she gave birth to a daughter.
## Abilities

Due to being one of the prophesied Queens, Rielle had control over all seven elements as well a few additional abilities. Unlike other elementals, she was able to use all of them without the assistance of a casting.

* **Windsinger:** The ability to control and manipulate air.
* **Shadowcaster:** The ability to control and manipulate shadows.
* **Earthshaker:** The ability to control and manipulate the earth.
* **Metalmaster:** The ability to control and manipulate metal.
* **Waterworker:** While water was not her strongest element, Rielle was still skilled enough with it to make it part for her during the water trail.
* **Firebrand:** Her strongest element, Rielle was able to make and control fire.
* **Sunspinner:** The ability to control and manipulate light.
* **Resurrection:** She could resurect humans from death and bind wraiths to a human body.

## Relationships

* Armand Dardenne: Rielle and Armand had a loving and close relationship until Marise's death. After her death, Armand grew cold and distant toward his daughter. Rielle grows to resent his attempts to control her and dictate how she should live. Despite this, she also longs for her father's approval, but he refuses to show her any affection. Armand could never forget that Rielle had killed her mother. Along with Tal, Armand spends the remainder of Rielle's childhood and her adolescence teaching her to conceal her powers and control her emotions. Armand would lock her in her rooms, drug her during storms, and hold her under water to test her abilities. He constantly reminded her that she was a murderer and that she lacked control of her powers.
* Audric Courverie: After moving into the palace, Rielle befriends Audric, who along with Ludivine, becomes her only friends. When Rielle turns thirteen, she begins to develop feelings for him and falls in love with him. He returns her feelings, but neither tells the other. With Ludivine's permission, they finally admit their true feelings and begin a romantic relationship. Audric proposes, and the two get married.
* The Prophet: After moving into the palace, Rielle befriends Ludivine, who along with Audric, becomes her only friends. Rielle and Ludivine love one another unconditionally. Even after learning that Ludivine was actually a wraith, Rielle continues to support her. It is not until Rielle becomes fed up with Ludivine constantly invading her mind that Rielle ends their friendship.
* Corien: Rielle was conflicted about Corien. She loved, hated, and feared him all at the same time. One moment she despised him, and the next she was aching for him. She often wonders how and why she reacts to Corien the ways she does. Corien, for his part, loves Rielle, but in an unhealthy and toxic way, wanting to possess her. He is entertained by Rielle's conflicted feelings for him. His moods and attitude towards her change frequently and suddenly. One moment he is soft and loving, only for him to become cold, distant, and cruel in the next. He repeatedly claims that he sees her and is not afraid of her or her powers. He tells her that she does not have to pretend with him. After they share a kiss, Rielle feels shameful about cheating on Audric. Corien is incredibly jealous of Rielle's relationship with Audric. He even admits to her that he has watched them having sex. He teases her cruelly about how she wants both him and Audric. One time telling her, "The joy of imagining him finding you in my arms just now will sustain me for a week."
After leaving Audric and siding with Corien, Rielle begins enjoying his displays of power. This delights Corien, which in turn comforts a heartbroken Rielle. The result is a vicious and violent cycle. Rielle craves Corien's approval. In her weakest moment she gives him control over her mind and emotions. He keeps any "troubling" thoughts away, leaving her in a gray fog. Corien manipulates her until she only feels "herself" when he is near. He systematically removes everyone else from her life so that he is the only person left that she believes loves her. When Rielle realizes what Corien has been doing to her, she becomes furious and throws him out of her mind. Despite her anger, she cannot bring herself to truly harm him and admits she still loves him.

## Trivia

* *Kingsbane*, the second book in *The Empirium Trilogy*, is named after one of Rielle's nicknames.
* Rielle was the first *Empirium* character that Legrand envisioned. While returning home one day, she got a vision of a young women surrounded by a field of fire. This women became Rielle, and the world of Avitas grew around her.
* Out of the *Empirium* characters, Legrand considered Rielle the most fun to write, alongside Simon, Remy, and Corien.

## References

1. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 26.
2. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 214.
3. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 97.
4. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 98.
5. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 15.
6. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 188.
7. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 24.
8. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 25.
9. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 22, 2018). *Furyborn*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656623. pg. 47.
10. ↑ Legrand, Claire (May 21, 2019). *Kingsbane*. Sourcebooks Fire. ISBN 9781492656654. pg. 257.
11. ↑ Claire Legrand. What inspired you to write the Empirium Trilogy?. Sourcebooks Fire. Retrieved on April 1, 2021.
12. ↑ Claire Legrand. Who is your favorite character?. Sourcebooks Fire. Retrieved on April 1, 2021. “Rielle, Simon, Remy, and Corien were the most fun to write.”