Malena

Malena is the het ship between Elena Castillo Flores and Mateo de Alva from the Elena of Avalor fandom.

Canon
Elena and Mateo first met when she was freed from the enchanted Amulet of Avalor by Princess Sophia. Mateo was excited to meet her as he clumsily slipped off the jaquin’s back and smiled at her. Mateo bowed in respect to her, but Elena said that he didn’t need to bow and he could just call her Elena. Together, they fly back to Mateo's house, where Mateo’s mom Rafa comes out and reveals the spell that can free Elena's family. Citizens of Avalor come over and, at Sofia's urging, remembering what Zuzo told her earlier, Elena agrees to let them help with retaking their kingdom from Shuriki. After sneaking back into the palace, they free Sofia’s family and then Mateo uses the spell to free Elena’s family and they overthrow Shuriki.

Season 1
In “Spellbound” Elena officially makes Mateo Avalor’s new Royal Wizard, though Mateo is nervous and begins to think he doesn’t’ have what it takes like his grandfather Alakazar. But Elena encourages him by singing to him how much she believes in him and how much she needs him. After they discover an evil wizard named Fiaro has invaded the palace in search of a legendary spell book called the “Codex Maru” the two, along with their friends Gabe and Naomi begin to search for the book themselves. After finding it, they discover Fiaro has followed them. Mateo and Fiaro soon engage in a wizard’s duel where Mateo manages to turn him into stone. Elena is so proud of him and after they undo the spell Fiaro had casted on their loved ones turning them into stone as well, Mateo thanks Elena for believing him when he didn’t even believe in himself.

In “The Scepter of Light” a moth fairy named Orizaba has returned from the spirit world to find a gem called “The Eye of Midnight” so she can throw the kingdom into total darkness. Mateo goes after her, but when Elena hears that Orizaba is very powerful she follows him. When the two find her in a temple Elena fires her scepter, but accidentally reveals the location of the Eye of Midnight allowing Orizaba to get away with it. Elena then passes out due to the scepter draining her energy, so Mateo scoops her up in his arms and carries her back to the palace. One back at the palace they discover the scepter has power that can send Orizaba back to the spirit world. Elena successfully defeats Orizaba, but passes out once more and awakes two days later in her chamber where she holds Mateo’s hand and thanks her for his help.

In "My Fair Naomi" Elena and Mateo dance together at Naomi's Royal Quinceanera. While in "Spirit Monkey Business", Mateo attempts to meet his spirit guide, but summons a spirit monkey named Bobo instead who sends him to the Spirit Realm to meet him in person. Elena enlists the help of her spirit guide Zuzo and they go to the spirit realm to rescue him. When Mateo is made king by a tribe of spirits called the Zanies, Elena poses as their queen to set him free. As for "Realm of the Jaquins," when Elena discovers she has a very important test coming up to determine her fate as Queen of Avalor, and becomes nervous over it, Mateo holds her hand as he tells her that he'll always be by her side to help her. The two then smile at each other. During "Party of a Lifetime", Elena invites her best friends Gabe, Mateo and Naomi to sail with her on her new royal sailboat. Mateo is excited when he thinks he's Elena's best friend.

Season 2
In "Jewel of Maru" Mateo, Elena and Zuzo are scepter training together, when Elena sees illusions of wanted criminals Victor and Carla Delgado she freezes up and they knock her down with a fireball and Mateo comes to her aid, by blasting them. Elena decides that's enough scepter training for one day, but Zuzo and Mateo remind Elena of her test and Elena confesses that with that and Victor and Carla still on the loose it's all a little overwhelming to her. Zuzo is able to calm her nerves with some spirit guide advice, after he leaves Elena asks Mateo if he would like to meet up with her the next day to decorate her parent's altar early so she can get their advice on this test of hers. Mateo informs her that whatever this test is, there is nothing she can't do, which makes her smile.

The next day is "Day of the Dead" and the duo have tracked Victor and Carla to a scared Maruvean temple where they plan to steal a magical jewel for the evil sorceress Shuriki. They rescue the jewel, but the Delgados get away, that evening when they return to the cemetery, Mateo comforts Elena and apologizes to Elena that she missed her parents, but she says she didn't and the two lovingly smile at each other.

In "Shapeshiters" Mateo helps Elena sneak out of the palace disguised as jaquins to help track down Shuriki. Elena is thrilled to be a jaquin and she thankfully nuzzles Mateo. During the events of "The Scepter of Night", Mateo's determination to find the first piece of the Scepter of Night leads to the bad guys to it. Elena informs hi that he now has the chance to make things right. Mateo is able to use his magic to reclaim the first piece of the scepter and save Namoi from Victor. Mateo then apologizes for the way he acted and he and Elena smile at each other.

Fanon
Malena is one of the most popular ships in the Elena of Avalor fandom, due to the moments that are shared between the two characters that makes them look like that they are more than just friends.

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Elena/Mateo tag on FanFiction.Net

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