Editing Élise de la Serre

{{Era|Individuals|Templars}}
{{Youmay|the Templar|the [[Élise Lafleur|French smuggler]]}}
{{Quote|Have you ever known me to need saving? Have you ever had cause to think that I would accept it if it were offered? My fate is my own. My choice is my own.|Élise's last message to Arno, 1794|Assassin's Creed: Unity|Arno Dorian's letters}}
{{Character Infobox
| name = Élise de la Serre
| native = 
| image = ACU Elise Render.png
| birth = January 1768<ref name="Unity novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' novel]]</ref><br>[[Versailles]], [[Kingdom of France]]
| death = 28 July 1794 {{c|aged 26}}<br>[[Paris]], [[First French Republic]]
| species = [[Human]]
| database = [[Database: Élise De La Serre|Élise De La Serre]]
| affiliates = 
[[Templars]]
*[[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|Parisian Rite]]
| voice = [[Catherine Bérubé]]<br>[[Angela Galuppo]] (young)
}}
'''Élise de la Serre''' (1768 – 1794) was a [[France|French]] noblewoman and member of the [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|Parisian Rite]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] during the [[French Revolution]]. She was the daughter of [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[François de la Serre]] and his wife [[Julie de la Serre|Julie]], and the adoptive sister and lover of the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassin]] [[Arno Dorian]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|Sometimes I feel like one of those poor wretches we see in Paris, hunched over beneath the weight of expectations forced upon me. I am only ten years old.|A young Élise writing her thoughts in her journal, 1778.|Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)}}
Élise was born in 1768 in [[Versailles]] to [[François de la Serre]], [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|French Templars]], and his wife [[Julie de la Serre|Julie]]. Due to their Templar connections, the family possessed a lot of influence, leading Élise to have a very privileged childhood. However, her adventurous nature kept her from being idle, with the young girl preferring the company of servants to attending fancy balls.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: Unity|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'']] - [[Database: Élise De La Serre]]</ref>

As a small child, Élise was oblivious to her family's Templar affiliations and never wondered why she learned history, not etiquette, manners, and poise unlike the other noble children. She did not question her parents on why they were different from other families. Her mother told her not to be like the other women at court who only knew of looks and status. This intrigued Élise, who started spying on other women behind her mother's skirts.<ref name="Unity novel" />

At age five, she entered a convent, in which the Mother Superior hated her happiness and laughter. The old lady caned Élise's palms, the scars from which Julie had taken notice of and threatened the Mother Superior. Since then, her parents hired tutors to educate her. The incident left questions in the mind of young Élise, who knew that other ladies did not behave the way her mother did.<ref name="Unity novel" />

A year later, the de la Serre family attended their neighbor's birthday party. Élise found other girls her age stupid for playing dolls and [[tea]] parties; instead, she joined the boys who were playing toy soldiers. Her behavior shocked the majority of the crowd, and her nursemaid [[Ruth]] dragged her away and told her to play with dolls, which she pretended to enjoy. As she watched other ladies gossip and her mother alone, Élise realized that she wanted to be like Julie and not the self-centered women of court.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Élise met her combat mentor, the [[British Rite of the Templar Order|British Templar]] [[Frederick Weatherall]], in February 1774. Her mother led her across [[De la Serre estate, Versailles|their château]]'s grounds with their Irish wolfhound Scratch. Unaware of their company, Julie taught her to study and observe her surroundings to find Weatherall. She failed to do so, and Weatherall eventually showed himself and gave them an exaggerated bow. The young girl admired the man and immediately took a liking to him.<ref name="Unity novel" />

At first, Élise was confused and questioned her mother about her father and Weatherall, but Julie convinced her that he was a confidant and protector and that her father would be busy. A growl from Scratch interrupted their conversation and Élise witnessed her mother and Weatherall arm themselves against a [[Wolves|wolf]]. Julie convinced Weatherall to let the wolf go and the pair hid their weapons as if nothing had happened. This made Élise wonder how different her family was to other nobles. Her meeting with Weatherall and her sword lessons became Élise and Julie's ''vérité cachée'', secrets.<ref name="Unity novel" />
[[File:ACU Elise sword training.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Élise receiving her training from Frederick Weatherall under the watch of her mother]]
By the spring of 1774, the Carrolls, an [[United Kingdom|English]] family of Templars, visited their household. Élise and her mother entertained [[Mrs. Carroll]] and her daughter, [[May Carroll|May]], with a walk across their gardens. May mocked her occasionally on their walk and kept reminding Élise that she was only six, while May was ten. Irritated, Élise decided to listen on the ladies' conversation about the Templar Order and caught snippets of it, which added more to her confusion. May asked her if she knew about her "destiny", to which Élise replied that she did not. Pretending to be shocked, May told Élise that she would soon learn when she turned ten, like May herself had.<ref name="Unity novel" />

When Élise turned eight, she and her mother visited [[Christian (Paris)|Christian]]'s shoe shop in [[Paris]]. After arranging their payment and delivery, they found no sign of their carriage and coachman. Élise saw Julie stiffen and watched the street around them. Julie assured Christian and Élise that their coachman was merely negligent but he warned her about the people and that it was getting dark. Julie led her scared daughter towards the square where carriages could be hired and warned her that someone was following them. Telling her to be calm, they passed another shop window and discovered that their [[Bernard Ruddock|stalker]] had disappeared.<ref name="Unity novel" />
[[File:ACU Julie Elise assassination attempt.jpg|thumb|250px|Julie protecting Élise from their attackers]]
The pair took an alley lit only by lanterns at each end. They found themselves blocked by their stalker and a lamplighter who doused the lanterns' flames. Their attackers were armed with blades, but Julie took her advantage and attacked the stalker, who happened to be an Assassin, much to Élise's amazement. As the lamplighter grabbed Élise and threatened to kill her, he was killed himself by Julie's [[Hidden Blade|footblade]]. The Assassin fled and the pair arrived home, composed but bloodied. Élise discovered that her mother told different stories, even to her father and his Templar associates, whom the young girl called Crows.<ref name="Unity novel" />

===Training for Grand Master===
{{Quote|Instead, her journal was filled with a sense of injustice and of Élise at odds with the world around her... Page after page of her failing to realize that what she was doing wasn't rebelling. It was mourning.|Arno, reflecting upon Élise's journal entries, 1794.|Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)}}
Due to the incident, Élise's parents were forced to reveal their plans to her, which were to prepare her to become the future Grand Master of the Parisian Rite, and tell her of the secret [[Assassin-Templar War]]. Relieved that her questions were finally answered, Élise found the idea of leading the country to order and peace a principled idea. Since then, the young girl spent her time with Julie and Weatherall, training in combat and tactics, and with her father and governor, learning the Templar principles and beliefs.<ref name="Unity novel" />

[[File:Memories of Versailles 6.png|thumb|left|250px|A young Élise meeting Arno in the Palace of Versailles]]
On 27 December 1776, Élise accompanied her father to the [[Palace of Versailles]] where he went to meet with King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]]. While waiting, she saw a young boy sitting alone and enticed him into chasing her. As soon as he caught up to her, Élise encouraged him to steal an apple from a nearby bowl, prompting several [[Soldier|guards]] to chase him away. The boy then introduced himself as [[Arno Dorian]] and claimed that he was there with his [[Charles Dorian|father]].<ref name=":0">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Memories of Versailles]]</ref>

Élise and Arno soon overheard the nearby commotion and saw several guards passing by in a rush. Following them, the children discovered that Arno's father had been assassinated by an [[Shay Cormac|uncaught man]]. Taking pity on the young Arno, who was now an orphan, François decided to take him in as a ward.<ref name=":0" />

As a result, Élise and Arno grew up together, with the energetic Élise often getting her adoptive brother into trouble. Once, she convinced him to jump a fence into an orchard, which happened to be patrolled by guard [[dogs]].<ref name=":1">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[A Cautious Alliance]]</ref> They became great friends, and Élise took her role as older sister with enjoyment. The two children often played skipping, hopscotch, shuttlecock and sword fighting in which they were evenly matched, with the exception of sword fighting where Élise always won. She spent her mornings tutored as a responsible adult-in-waiting, and her afternoons with Arno as a child.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Eventually, Élise was called by her parents who revealed Arno's Assassin heritage to her, even though the boy himself was oblivious to it. François asked her to guide him towards the Templar Order, an idea against Élise and her mother's beliefs. They managed to convince François to delay his plans, for which the young girl was grateful.<ref name="Unity novel" />

After her mother fell ill, Élise no longer spent her afternoons with Arno, but rather at her mother's bedside. She found François gravitating towards Arno, which left her sad and grief-stricken. Élise also discovered Weatherall's love for her mother, when she spied on him visiting and sobbing for Julie. Before her death, Julie told Élise to stay strong for the sake of her father and the Order, and that she loved them very much. Julie's death brought emptiness in the young girl's life, even as her routines continued as usual. Weatherall gave her a box from Julie that contained a short sword with an inscription of the Templar maxim on the hilt, but Élise felt nothing. Later that day, Élise was summoned by her father to his study, where she finally confided her grief in him.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Élise was sent to the [[Maison Royale de Saint-Louis]] school at {{Wiki|Saint-Cyr-l'École|Saint-Cyr}} to complete her education as a proper lady and Templar knight, during which she was separated from Arno. She loathed the school and referred to it as ''Le Palais de la Misére'' in [[Élise de la Serre's letters|her letters]] to Arno, saying her personality was unsuited for the school. She detested the restrictions and regime of Maison Royale, which encroached such subjects as embroidery and music. Élise often caused trouble in school with her fights against the head pupil, Valerie, for which she was punished by [[Madame Levene]], the headmistress. She would respond with insolence and would make matters worse. The emptiness in her heart caused by Julie's death became the root of her rebellion, which also gave way to her scorn of other pupils and teachers.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Due to Élise's occasional disturbances, François was called to Madame Levene's office on 8 September 1787, where the latter complained about his daughter's acts of rebellion. By then, the nobles had defied the King, and unrest began to spread through Paris, of which François notified his daughter. After scolding her, he also reminded Élise of their agreement regarding Arno's induction into the Order. Aware of the headmistress' presence, Élise reluctantly agreed, but never did perform.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Until January 1788, Élise neglected their agreement and worsened her behavior at Maison Royale. She was on the risk of expulsion and other threats to her education, and yet she never heeded the warnings. Her father was called once again, but Élise found Weatherall in Madame Levene's office instead. Weatherall told her that he had been intercepting Levene's letters to her father and the pair faked punishment just in case the headmistress was spying on their conversation.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Weatherall had been searching for the man who attempted to kill Julie years ago, [[Bernard Ruddock]], and found him hiding in [[London]]. Élise pleaded to join him in his hunt by forging a letter, but Weatherall scolded her instead, telling her she had been reckless and irresponsible with her schooling. Nevertheless, Élise hatched a scheme to blackmail Madame Levene.<ref name="Unity novel" />

On the night of 23 January, Élise spied on her headmistress after learning a rumor from her fellow classmate, Judith, that Madame Levene had a lover. She followed the headmistress through the woods and found her meeting with a younger man named [[Jacques]], the groundskeeper. Élise's actions were followed by her theft of a horseshoe from the dormitory door.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Soon enough, Élise was called to the headmistress' office and the young lady confidently returned the horseshoe to her, ready to set her plan in motion. Yet, the headmistress revealed that she had taken a hold of Élise's journal and was aware of her scheme. Madame Levene assured her student that she was merely concerned for her and made an agreement, which entailed Élise staying quiet about what she saw, while the headmistress would send the forged letter to her father. Before Élise took leave, the headmistress added that Jacques was her son, not her lover, making the young lady ashamed of herself.<ref name="Unity novel" />

===Meeting Jennifer Scott===
{{Quote|She gave me two hours with them. It was enough time to read them and form questions of my own. To know that there was another way. A third way.|Élise's ideology after reading Haytham Kenway's letters, 1788.|Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)}}
On 7 February, Élise arrived at the docks of Calais, ready to leave France and head to London to hunt down Bernard Ruddock in spite of Weatherall having forbidden her from doing so. Ignoring her coachman's warning, she entered a tavern to look for a ship captain willing to take her to London. Confident that she could defend herself, she questioned the Middle Man, paying no heed to the drunkards watching her. Élise finally realized that the Middle Man was just playing with her and decided to leave. However, she was stopped by his men and lost a sword fight because of her lack of practice. The men tried to kidnap her with another girl, [[Hélène]], but were stopped by a drunkard and ship captain, [[Byron Jackson]]. Élise saved Hélène in time and left with her for London aboard Byron's ship, the ''Granny Smith''.<ref name="Unity novel" />

During the journey, Élise praticised sword fighting with Byron and taught Hélène proper manners. One night, after sharing a drink with Byron on the upper deck, Élise ended up sleeping with the captain, though she quickly regretted her decision once she came back to her senses and felt exteremely guilty as her heart belonged to Arno.<ref name="Unity novel" />

After arriving at Dover beach, Élise paid Byron for the journey and left with Hélène for the Carroll family's house in Mayfair. Their arrival shocked the Carrolls and Weatherall, who had been inquiring for their assistance. The mentor and his student pretended that her arrival was planned and managed to convince the Carrolls to help them find Ruddock, in exchange for Élise's help in infiltrating [[Jennifer Scott]]'s [[Kenway Mansion|home]]. Élise spent the month at the Carroll residence, writing letters to her father and Arno in which she kept her tryst with Byron hidden.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Eventually, on 2 April, the Carrolls revealed to Élise that she was going to gain Jennifer's trust by posing as "Yvonne Albertine" in order to obtain her [[Haytham Kenway's letters|correspondence]] with her brother, the late Grand Master of the [[American Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Rite]], [[Haytham Kenway]]. Hélène volunteered to accompany Élise on her mission by posing as her maidservant in spite of the possible danger.<ref name="Unity novel" />

While undercover in Jennifer's home at [[Queen Anne's Square]], Élise maintained contact with Weatherall through light signals. At one point while trying to converse with her mentor, she was caught and questioned by the butler, Smith, but was able to handle his questions. During a visit to Hyde Park, Jennifer told Élise about the deaths of her Assassin father [[Edward Kenway]] and her brother Haytham and how she had grown weary of the Assasin-Templar conflict that had claimed so much of her [[Kenway family|family]].<ref name="Unity novel" />

[[File:Jennifer and Elise.jpg|thumb|250px|Élise receiving the Templar pendant from Jennifer Scott]]After returning home, Élise was blocked by Jennifer and her guards. Jennifer then revealed that she had investigated Élise's background and learned of her true identity, saying that there was no "Yvonne Albertine" and that the members of [[Lucio Albertine|that]] [[Monica Albertine|family]] had been killed by the Templars. Nevertheless, Jennifer saw goodness in her heart and gave Haytham's letters to Élise, on the condition that she would use them to try and bring peace between the Assassins and Templars. She also gave her a Templar pendant which Haytham had once sent her, as a parting gift.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Before arriving at the Carroll house, Élise found the family holding Weatherhall hostage. Using their owl signal, Élise learned from her mentor that they had found Ruddock. Telling Hélène to leave immediately, she followed the Carrolls to the Boars Head Inn. Élise successfully managed to warn Ruddock to escape and confronted the Carrolls in the process. Élise gave them letters she had received from Arno, after telling them that she was aware of what they had done with the Albertines, but the British Templars burned them, thinking they were Haytham's letters.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Their actions caused conflict and Élise was forced to murder May Carroll and one of the [[guards]]. With the help of Weatherall, they narrowly escaped the infuriated Carrolls, but Weatherall was shot in the leg. Eventually, the two were able to escape from London and return to France with Hélène, where Madame Levene welcomed them and called a doctor for Weatherall. Élise continued her education while her mentor and handmaiden temporarily stayed with Jacques.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Élise continued her hunt for Ruddock during this time and, in January 1789, managed to locate him based on information she had acquired at the Butchered Cow tavern. She found him in a village outside Rouen, where Ruddock was about to be hanged. Cutting the rope at the last second and saving him from the townspeople, she was forced to torture him for information which he could not provide. Ruddock eventually promised that he would find the person who had hired him, and Élise let him go in hopes that he would find purpose and direction in life.<ref name="Unity novel" />

===Return to Versailles===
[[File:High Society 10.png|left|thumb|250px|Arno and Élise meeting at the Palace of Versailles]]
In May 1789, Élise returned to the [[De la Serre estate, Versailles|de la Serre estate]] in Versailles, and attended the meeting of the [[Estates-General of 1789|Estates General]] held at the [[Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs]] with her father on 5 May.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Estates General]]</ref> Later at the Palace of Versailles, Élise was officially inducted into the Templar Order as an initiate, and gifted with [[Templar pin|a pin]] symbolizing the membership by François.<ref name="Unity novel" /> A private party was held to honor her arrival and induction, where she was reunited with Arno, who had sneaked into the palace after not being invited.<ref name=":2">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[High Society]]</ref>

After sharing an affectionate kiss, Élise helped Arno escape the guards by distracting them and asking them to lead her to the billiard room. Halfway though her destination, she heard the cries of the crowd, and later learned that her father had been assassinated and Arno was the culprit.<ref name=":2" /> By July, the [[French Revolution]] was starting, but Élise was too overwhelmed by grief to do anything and developed scorn for Arno, whom she discovered had failed to deliver a warning letter to François on the night of his murder.<ref name="Unity novel" />

During this time, Weatherall visited her and advised the grief-stricken girl to act, not only for herself and Arno but also for the Order, now that she was Grand Master. Jennifer Scott also sent Élise a letter with a similar counsel. On 14 July 1789, Élise joined the people [[Storming of the Bastille|storming]] the [[Bastille]], where Arno was imprisoned, and witnessed the people's lust for freedom and justice, along with Arno and [[Pierre Bellec]]'s escape from the fortress by [[Leap of Faith|leaping]] off the battlements.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Desperate to reach the [[De la Serre estate, Paris|de la Serre estate]] in time, Élise ran amongst the chaos and found her house ransacked by looters. She told the remaining servants and butlers to go someplace safe while she checked her important belongings. Élise found two men named [[Hook]] and [[Harvey]], who were hired by the Carrolls to eliminate her, but managed to kill them with a distraction from Ruddock. Ruddock then told her that he had found the man who had hired him, known as the [[Roi des Thunes]].<ref name="Unity novel" />

[[File:Imprisoned 14.png|thumb|250px|Élise pointing her pistol at Arno]]
Élise spent her following days drunk and anxious, until 25 July, when Arno arrived at the estate and explained that he was not François' killer. When Arno tried to tell Élise of her father's Templar affiliations, she revealed her own role as a Templar and that she was aware of Arno's Assassin heritage. She then showed him the latter that Arno had failed to deliver and told him to leave, which he did.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Imprisoned]]</ref> On 20 August, Weatherall and a new Templar initiate, [[Jean Burnel]], arrived and helped Élise recover her bearings. She managed to learn from her mentor that the Roi des Thunes was also responsible for her father's death.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Adamant in her desire to regain leadership of the Order, Élise called a meeting at the [[Hôtel de Lauzun]] in October. Accompanied by Jean, she discovered through the [[Marquis de Pimôdan]] that some of her Templar associates had been murdered in a purge. The Marquis revealed to Élise that there were killers waiting for her downstairs, and Élise attempted to outwit them. Her efforts failed however, resulting in Jean being killed by ligature, and Élise breaking a rib on a ship's hull as she tried to escape by jumping into the River [[Seine]].<ref name="Unity novel" />

Élise was nursed back to health by Hélène and Jacques, and learned that all her allies had abandoned her. Nevertheless, she trained to improve her combat skills as she waited for a chance to find her enemies.<ref name="Unity novel" /> At some point, Élise learned that Arno had joined the Assassins shortly after their last meeting and sent him a letter in which she warned him against believing the Brotherhood's views of the Templars and explained how her allies had turned against her, but hoped he would not do the same.<ref name=":5">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Élise de la Serre's letters|Élise's letters]]</ref>

[[File:ACU Templar Ambush 1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Élise aided by Arno during the Templar ambush]]
On 1 April 1791, Élise decided to meet with the Templar [[Chrétien Lafrenière]] at the [[Hôtel Voysin]], having received a letter stating his willingness to support her. However, when she arrived she discovered that Lafrenière was nowhere to be found and that the meeting was a trap. To her surprise, Arno came to her rescue, informing her that Lafrenière was dead and helping her escape her attackers.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Templar Ambush]]</ref>

===Hunt for justice===
{{Quote|You are not men with whom I would normally parley, monsieur, but my father is dead, as are my allies within the Order. If I must turn to the Assassins for my revenge, so be it.|Élise, addressing her comments to the Assassin Council, 1791.|Assassin's Creed: Unity}}
After saving Élise from the ambush, Arno asked her to rendezvous with him at the [[Café Théâtre]]. While Élise did not trust the Assassins, she did trust Arno and so went to meet him at the Café the following day. There, Arno revealed that he too was searching for François' killer and suggested that Élise could join forces with the Brotherhood to achieve her goal. Though reluctant, Élise agreed to at least give Arno's idea a chance and went before the [[Assassin Council]] to ask for their help in hunting the rogue Templar members.<ref name=":1" /> 

[[File:ACU A Cautious Alliance 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Arno and Élise in audience with the Assassin Council]]
While most of the Council was opposed to the idea of helping a Templar, the [[Mentor]] [[Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau|Mirabeau]] sought to secure an alliance between the two orders and believed that assisting Élise was the best way to achieve that. As the Council could not reach an agreement, they decided to discuss Élise's proposition in private.<ref name=":1" />

Unwiling to wait for the Council to reach a conclusion, Élise suggested that she and Arno investigate the shop of Arno's informant, the silversmith and former Templar [[François-Thomas Germain]]. As Arno was unaware of Germain's Templar affiliations, Élise explained to him that Germain had been her father's lieutenant until being banished from the Order for his radical views. Upon evading a Templar ambush, Élise found a ledger confirming that Germain had organized her father's murder and was the Order's new Grand Master.<ref name=":1" />

After being attacked by [[snipers]], Arno stayed to deal with them whilst Élise went to Mirabeau's estate, only to find the Mentor dead beside a Templar badge designed to inflict poison. After Arno arrived, the pair decided to investigate Mirabeau's murder, believing someone was trying to frame Élise. Eventually, they tracked down the killer, Pierre Bellec, who sought to prevent the alliance with Élise and rebuild the Brotherhood stronger than before.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Confrontation]]</ref> 

Arno was forced to kill Bellec, whereupon he revealed to Élise that he had also killed the Roi des Thunes and the Templar traitor [[Charles Gabriel Sivert]], who were responsible for François' death. This enraged Élise, as Arno had robbed her of the opportunity to make her father's killers suffer. Thankfully, Arno was able to clam her down, saying that he had given them justice.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Despite Élise's alliance with the Brotherhood falling through following Mirabeau and Bellec's deaths, she and Arno continued to their hunt for Germain in secret. On 31 October 1792, Arno assassinated the Templar conspirator [[Marie Lévesque]], who was responsible for hoarding food in order to turn public opinion against the monarchy in accordance to Germain's plans. While Arno did this, Élise attempted to recover the stolen food, but was caught by Templar extremists who chased after her.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Hoarders]]</ref> Élise escaped by stealing a [[Montgolfière|hot-air balloon]] while Arno was forced to follow her on the rooftops before eventually catching the balloon in mid-air. As they reflected on the future of France and their relation, the two shared a romantic moment in the balloon, officially rekindling their relationship.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Escape (Unity)|The Escape]]</ref>

[[File:ACU The Execution 5.jpg|thumb|250px|Élise and Arno chasing Germain|left]]
On 20 January 1793, Élise accompanied Arno to meet his ally, the [[Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade|Marquis the Sade]], who knew the whereabouts of another Templar conspirator, [[Louis-Michel le Peletier]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[A Dinner Engagement]]</ref> While Arno assassinated le Peletier, Élise returned to Versailles where she reported her latest endeavors to Weatherall. Her mentor noticed her desire for revenge had only been growing stronger and tried to warn her, but the young lady remained stubborn.<ref name="Unity novel" /> 

The next day, Élise and Arno attended the King's [[Execution of Louis XVI|execution]], where they planned to assassinate Germain, who was also in attendance. Unfortunately, Germain had the guards alerted and escaped, Arno choosing to save Élise over chasing the Grand Master, for which Élise was not grateful. She then cut off contact with him.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Execution]]</ref>

Élise later learned from Weatherall that Arno had been expelled from the Brotherhood and retreated to Versailles, where he had become the town drunk.<ref name="Unity novel" /> In June 1793, she went to the Palace of Versailles where she found Arno's watch, and returned it to him. Élise requested his help, but Arno was reluctant and explained that everything he had done, he had done to redeem his mistake of failing to prevent François' death and to protect Élise. Eventually, Élise was able to convince Arno to return as Paris was tearing itself apart amidst Germain's [[Reign of Terror]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Bottom of the Barrel]]</ref> While Arno assassinated the Templar [[Aloys la Touche]], Élise secured transport to Paris.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[Rise of the Assassin]]</ref>

[[File:ACU The Supreme Being 3.jpg|thumb|250px|Arno and Élise arriving at the festival]]
Through the memories of la Touche, Arno learned that revolutionary leader [[Maximilien de Robespierre]] was one of Germain's conspirators. He and Élise then decided to instigate a rebellion against Robespierre, believing that if he were to lose his influence, Germain would abandon Robespierre and he would be vulnerable to give up information on his master.<ref name=":3">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Supreme Being]]</ref>

At the [[Festival of the Supreme Being]] on 8 June 1794, Élise poisoned Robespierre to make him appear insane to the crowd, while Arno found lists of political opponents that Robespierre planned to eliminate and placed them on Robespierre's enemies, leading to his deposition and arrest by the [[National Convention]].<ref name=":3" /> However, Robespierre was sentenced to death, leaving Élise and Arno little time to interrogate him. After splitting up to find Robespierre, they cornered him inside the [[Hôtel de Ville]]. As Robespierre refused to give up Germain's location, Élise lost control and shot Robespierre's jaw, much to her and Arno's horror. He then wrote that Germain was hiding at the [[Temple (Paris)|Temple]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Fall of Robespierre]]</ref>

Realizing that she was turning into a different person and she might not survive her oncoming battle with Germain, Élise wrote [[Élise de la Serre's letters|letters]] for Arno and Ruddock, thanking them for their loyalty.<ref name="Unity novel" />

===Death===
{{Quote|...Think of me. Just as I shall think of you, until we are together again.|Élise's final words in her letter to Arno.|Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)}}
[[File:ACU The Temple 6.jpg|thumb|250px|Élise's final moments|left]]
By 28 July 1794, Élise was too consumed with hatred and decided to split up from Arno in their pursuit for Germain in the Temple. It was Arno who encountered Germain wielding a [[Swords of Eden|Sword of Eden]] and was defeated, letting the Grand Master escape once again. Élise and Arno found him in a Templar crypt where the two tried to attack him. Using the [[Isu|Precursor]] sword, Germain trapped Arno underneath a pillar.<ref name=":4">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - [[The Temple]]</ref>

Élise decided to leave Arno and pursue the Grand Master herself. She locked him in a fierce sword fight, which Germain was slowly losing due to an injury that Arno had inflicted. However, the Sword of Eden's power source became unstable and exploded, throwing Élise into a column, crushing her beneath it. A freed Arno immediately went to his lover, but was seconds too late, as Élise died in his arms.<ref name=":4" /> With her death, the de la Serre family was presumably rendered extinct, as she had no siblings and died childless.

== Legacy ==
[[File:ACU The Temple 14.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Arno bringing flowers to Élise's grave]]
Élise's death had a profound effect on Arno, who was thrown into depression and cynicism as a result. In time, however, he managed to get his life back on track and come to terms with his lover's death. This was in part thanks to her final letter to him, in which she explained that her fate was her own and that Arno should not blame himself for her death but instead move on and follow his own path.<ref name=":5" /> Despite this, Arno would still do his best to keep Élise's memory alive for the rest of his life, visiting her grave regularly and trying to carry out her final will of reducing the gap between the Templars and Assassins.<ref name="ACU">''Assassin's Creed: Unity''</ref>

A few months after Élise's death, Ruddock met with Arno in Versailles to give him another letter from Élise, in which she directed Arno to find her chest of keepsakes. Élise wanted Arno to keep everything in the chest except for Haytham Kenway's letters, which were to be given to Ruddock, as a gift for his loyalty, allowing him to gain favor with the Assassin Council and rejoin the Brotherhood. Arno retrieved the chest from the Maison Royale, where he met Weatherall, Hélène and Jacques, but was betrayed by Ruddock, who was revealed to have been serving the Carroll family the entire time.<ref name="Unity novel" />

After Weatherall killed Ruddock, Arno was invited to stay at the Maison Royale by Hélène out of respect for Élise, to which Arno accepted. He would then find Élise's journal and letters among her belongings and read them, discovering a new side of his former lover which he had never seen while she was alive.<ref name="Unity novel" />

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|You should be proud to inspire such loyalty in your followers, Élise. Perhaps you can use those gifts to inspire your Templar associates in other ways. We shall see.|Jennifer Scott, admiring Hélène's loyalty to Élise, 1788.|Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)}}
[[File:High Society 8.png|left|thumb|250px|Élise letting Arno chase her]]
A free spirit, Élise was rarely idle and would often seek out trouble in her youth. As a child, she was quick to laughter which caused her peers in the convent and in the Maison Royale to became annoyed by her. Defined by her mentor Weatherall as overconfident, she sometimes underestimated her opponent and showed stubbornness and irritation if her views were countered.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Élise was, in many ways, very similar to her mother Julie, never keen on joining any of the other noble women's daughters, instead taking an interest in more masculine activities, such as playing war with the boys. Élise believed that there was always a third way, an ideology that she had gained from her deceased mother. Growing up, she developed a set of values which she loyally lived by and was willing to go to any lengths to see her goals fulfilled.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Her opinions were strengthened during her meeting with Jennifer Scott. Élise supported Haytham Kenway's judgement that the war between Assassins and Templars must cease. Élise was also considerate and loving to animals, and was fond of giving them treats or grooming them if they had behaved properly.<ref name="Unity novel" />

After the death of her father, Élise became consumed by her desire for revenge, so much that she was willing to sacrifice her own life to obtain it. As she approached the end of her vendetta, Élise seemed to become aware how much she had changed, as she was shocked by her own brutality when she shot Maximilien de Robespierre in the jaw. Realizing that it was too late for her to return to the innocent lady she had once been, she wrote a final letter for Arno in the event of her death, in which she encouraged him to make peace with her choice like she had and move on.<ref name="ACU" />

===Equipment and abilities===
Due to extensive training throughout her life, Élise was both well-educated and in her physical peaks, with her swordswomanship outclassing even Arno. She was also able to equip pistols in combat. In battle, she would rely on strategy, planning counters for her opponent's moves ahead of time.<ref name="ACU" /> As a Templar, Élise was also trained to become aware of her surroundings and to use clues found in her environment if she needed to track hidden enemies. If needed, she would use charm to convince people to help her.<ref name="Unity novel" />

===Romantic life===
[[File:ACU The Escape 4.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Élise and Arno kissing]]
Although they were technically family, Élise and Arno saw each other not as siblings, but as friends during their youth. Growing up, their feelings developed and the pair eventually fell in love. Due to their respective educations the lovers had very little time to spend with each other and were only able to meet several times a year.<ref name="ACU" />

During one of her visits abroad, Élise met Byron Jackson whom she eventually spent a night with as they sailed from Calais to Dover after sharing a drink. However, Élise immediately regretted this decision and felt extremely guilty about it afterwards. Ultimately she decided not to tell Arno about it and chose to look at her mistake as a sign of the great love she had for him; given how upset she felt over the action and that she wanted no other man in her life other than Arno.<ref name="Unity novel" />

Once Élise discovered Arno's failure to deliver a letter warning her father of the betrayal, their relationship became strained. Élise held Arno responsible for her father's death, and it was not until years later, coincidentally by which point Arno had joined the Assassins, that the two began to rebuild their friendship and eventually resumed their romance.<ref name="ACU" />

Despite being on opposite sides of the Assassin-Templar War, Élise and Arno put their loyalties to each other above those to their respective orders and worked together towards the common goal of killing Germain and his Templar allies. However, their motives for doing so were different: whereas Arno sought to redeem himself for his mistakes and to protect Élise, she was only interested in avenging her father's murder. Their clash in ideologies eventually culminated in a fight after Arno chose to defend Élise rather than pursue Germain, which led Élise to reject Arno once again. However, she later came to regret her decision and returned for him.<ref name="ACU" />

==Behind the scenes==
The name Élise is a diminutive form of the French name Élisabeth, meaning "God's promise". Meanwhile, Élise's family name comes from the French ''Serre'', meaning "talon" or "greenhouse", while ''de la'', "from the", indicates nobility.

Élise is the second Templar to be the protagonist of an ''Assassin's Creed'' novel, after [[Haytham Kenway]].

Both ''Unity''{{'}}s ending cutscene and the novel have Arno visit Élise's grave in the [[Holy Innocents' Cemetery|Cimetière des Saints-Innocents]]. However, when visiting said location in-game, Élise's grave is not there. Instead, the gravestone appears next to her parents' in the garden of the de la Serre's Versailles estate.

[[Isabelle Ardant]] had a portrait of Élise hanging in her London office in 2015.<ref name="ACS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" spacing="small" widths="180">
ACU Elise - Early Concept Art.jpg|Early concept art of Élise
ACU Elise de la Serre - Concept Art.jpg|Finalized concept art of Élise
ACU Elise Party Dress - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of Élise in a ballgown
Young Elise - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of a young Élise
Elise profile picture HR.jpg|Promotional art of Élise
Arno and Elise - Unity Promotional Art.jpg|Promotional art of Élise and Arno
ACU Elise Portrait.jpg|Portrait of Élise
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' {{C|as a child}}
*[[Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' {{Io|Painting}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Collection]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' {{Mdat}}

==References==
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[[Category:1768 births]]
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