Aegon vi would have better survival odds if the fandom was gayer. Just saying.
I think I saw an advert a while back for bake off: the professionals which completely misses the point but if you're going to do it then:
•no eliminations. Ever. All contestents get through to the end
•no professional judges. Their food is presented to random people on the street or a massive open picnic is held and people get to vote what their favourite dish is
•if they want more masterchef vibes they can have their work experience in a soup kitchen or something
You can also set duckduckgo as your default search engine whilst you're there (or whatever else you want)
From a narrative standpoint, Elia Martell's brutal death has two main consequences:
1. give nuance to Robert's Rebellion.
At first, Robert Baratheon and his allies seem to be in the right. They are supposedly the heroes who raised an army to depose the tyrant and pyromaniac king, as well as “rescue” Lyanna Stark from the “clutches” of Rhaegar. Like in a fairytale, the noble warriors go against the evil dragons.
Yet, as the story progresses, we find that's not the truth. The main warrior, namely Robert, is not noble and good. The supposed main evil dragon, Rhaegar, is not evil — he is actually a tragic figure, just as Lyanna is.
Just as Elia Martell is.
Her death in the sacking of King's Landing is one of the most brutal and unfair of the Rebellion. Thus, as readers, we ask ourselves: was it really worth it? The rebels were supposedly fighting against Aerys II's tyrany and ineptitude to rule, against the unfair and cruel death of innocents like Rickard and Brandon Stark. Yet here it is this woman who is coldly murdered; Robert laughs at the corpses of her children and rewards Tywin Lannister for his loyalty.
The question of “was it really worth it?” is posed by GRRM himself in an interview, when asked about Robert's Rebellion.
To sum it up, he wants his readers to reflect and arrive at their own conclusions. And he does pose the question: was the violence in Robert's Rebellion justified?
Well, one thing is for sure: he gives nuance to this happening. Elia's death, as brutal as it was, serves this purpose.
[Personally, I frown upon the brutalization of Elia and other female characters, but that's not what I'm discussing on this meta.]
2. putting Dorne into play.
Elia was the beloved sister of Doran Martell, the Prince of Dorne, and Oberyn Martell. After her death, they spend years, up until the timeline of the main series, planning their revenge against the Lannisters and their allies. That involves a Targaryen restoration as well (first with Viserys, now with Young Griff and Daenerys).
It is clear, thus, how Elia and what happened to her are the main motivators for Doran and Oberyn Martell. The Lannisters are their enemies and will pay for what happened to Elia and her children. The themes of vengeance and war are explored here, especially through Doran Martell.
He wants to avenge his little sister, yes; but he also hesitates. He knows the costs of war and is wary of it. Innocents always end up paying an unfair price.
In conclusion, Elia's death is not even about Rhaegar and Lyanna and their relationship. There are more layers to it.
“sex/love is what makes us human!” people when then realize other animals do the same:
You ever get into a piece of media then find the fandom and just stare in horror?
Or get into a fandom and see canon and get disappointed because it is not, actually, gay?