Does indeed seem like Elspeth put in her love for her mother in deep storage to be retrieved later, with the full force of the truthfulness that she's so good at conveying.

That "Forces of the Universe" spiel was a good sell, though; too bad that the alternative is, as you say, quite the monster.

And then there's Allirea, whose fate was left unclear as a surprise to no-one. Maybe she'll be there to meet the Cullens and Bella (who might have a bit of an advantage with being able to pay attention to her when others aren't, except whatever Eleazar manages with his "there's someone there" trick). They may be able to get some resistance going on after all.

Or, Allirea gets dragged back again, lather, rinse, repeat.

Moer.