Headcannon: Age differences between each of them. Ian is two years older then Merida. Lainie is the same age as Merida. Evander is three years younger then Lainie. Bram is 4 years younger then him. The twins are two years younger then Bram.
And Merida not knowing about the entire truth about the 'question' was actually inspired by a book I read. An excellent series by Caroline B. Cooney called the Time Travelers Quartet (It's actually a series of 4 books). Any way in one of them, it mentions how a one of the main girls was kept in the dark about it until her wedding night. So that is where that came from.
The dinner bell rang louder as everybody got closer. The triplets along with Maisie and Mae were already trying to sneak the cakes into there bedrooms. But it was out of the question to bring them into the twins room. Aunt Isobel checked there rooms every night to make sure they weren't sneaking anything around. The last time they were sneaky about something it was a forest animal they had snuck into the manor. What was undisclosed to the rest of the family besides Brandon.
The girls had raced past everybody else and the triplets were surprised to see that they were faster then themselves. Brandon and Fergus just chuckled at the antics of the children. Followed next to the table was Ian and Lainie all in good spirits. Both Brandon and Isobel were happy to see Lainie in an appropriate dress for the evening. Bram soon joined them but Merida was still with Evander, embarrassed to even come out.
"I cannot, and I repeat cannot go out there after hearing that!" said Merida to the younger Macguffin boy. Her head was still spinning, in her mind it sounded like he loved her since they had meet. Then she learned that he had a desire to kiss her? Most guys wanted to bed the girl (either the wife or a mistress) before they not, not just worrying about kissing him.
"You know Merida you're going to have to face him sooner then later. I mean after all you are to be marriage, not even a week into the New Year!" said Evander shaking his short brown hair. While Brandon, Ian, Maisie and Mae had blond hair, the rest had wavy brown hair, courtesy of Kirstin Macguffin.
That was when Merida face palmed, that was true. They were engaged and he must be pretty happy about this. Merida then looked at Evander and sighed, how could she not know? They most likely heard the footsteps walking away.
"Merida," he said again making eye contact, he was used to calling her by her name by now. Normally everybody in the kingdom usually used her title basically. Which made Evander smile, the whole Macguffin clan was pleased to learn that Ian had won the hand of the princess. "If there is one thing I'm positive about it's Lainie. My sister always has a plan whether or not if it gets her in trouble."
If anything Merida and Lainie were kind of alike, both with the same unruly hair. Both had the same attitude toward something's even Lainie would turn her mother into a bear. Though Kirstin never did anything to displease any of her children. Kirstin Macguffin had treated her children fairly and equally. Though Ian was one of her favorites to pass on her famous cake recipe.
"What are you saying," started Merida tossing her braid over her shoulder.
"I'm saying that she will try to get you together. Just go with it, don't always listen to her since she makes her mistakes as well. Everything will work out, you'll see."
He was so confident that Merida had to believe him. She walked back in with Evander and looked around for an empty seat. At the head of the table was Brandon with Fergus next to him. Elinor was sitting next to Fergus with Isobel next to her. Ian sat at his father's side with an empty seat for Merida between Ian and Lainie. Sheepish she sat down giving anybody who was looking at her an apologetic look.
There was something brewing in the air and Ian could tell. After that conversation with his sister, he was definitely suspicious. He could hear aunt Isobel and Elinor planning the wedding from across the table. They were currently talking about how to seal the hand fasting ceremony. They had three options one with a wine drinking, the second kissing, and the third candle lighting.
Finally Isobel turned to Merida for her input, after all she was the one getting married.
"Well I like the candle lighting," said Merida and casually looked at Ian. "What do you think Ian?"
He looked up from his plate and then looked at her before smiling. At least they were talking about this and not arguing about it like how aunt Loren got married. They [Loren and her soon to be husband] were arguing about everything left and right.
"I like the candles, since we're going to be drinking a lot that night anyway. And the kissing, should err, wait until that night," he said going through each reason. He didn't want to go into any more details then needed from him.
"You mean baby making?" guessed Lainie putting in her two cents. Ian only shot her a look, he was already nervous about kissing her. Now he had that to worry about. The triplets and the twins looked up from their seats.
"Where do babies come from?" asked Harris one of the braver triplets. That question enveloped everybody like a thick fart. Fergus and Brandon stopped talking and Elinor looked scandalized. Only aunt Isobel looked like this was a no big deal question. Even Merida leaned in to hear what they had to say at this. Despite Merida being the next queen she was in the dark about this one. The only thing she knew that it involved a man and a lot of kissing.
However before Elinor could berate her son about that question one of the twins leaned in and against his ear. Mae whispered what she knew in his ear and Harris went back to eating. Isobel assured her that what Mae told him wasn't the entire truth, and she made sure they were in the dark.
Lainie was disappointed not to get much info on the subject. But she wanted to know as well. Finally she went back to her plan to get Ian to kiss Merida for once. Brandon and Fergus coughed and started to include Evander on the subject they were talking about, while Bram went back to talking with the younger kids.
"Why not have them kiss?" asked Lainie looking at her aunt. "I mean they could always practice before they go at it in front of everyone. I know that not many people get a chance at choosing. But it looks like your more in love that way doesn't it? I mean Dad and the king, and the other lords had to do it unless it was changed."
Elinor actually looked thoughtful at this, bringing back memories of her wedding day. Aunt Isobel just faced palmed and Ian was sending her a dark look. He was ready to pull her out of the room one more time. Merida however looked amazed that Lainie nearly convinced her mother to change plans. Merida herself could never even do that!
Finally Isobel and Elinor were talking about incorporating both into the ceremony. Lainie made eye contact with Ian once more and then looked up. Right where Merida and Ian were sitting was a small piece of mistletoe, added later when the cooks were done bringing out food. Ian gulped and then looked at Merida who followed her gaze.
"Hey looks like some people have to kiss before they get up," she remarked happily. Not only was there mistletoe above Merida and Ian's heads; but above Elinor and Fergus's as well. And to make things interesting, above Hubert and Mae. While Hamish actually looked a bit unhappy about.
Elinor motioned and got Fergus's attention before getting a quick peck on the mouth. They had done this numerous times in the past and now it was no different. Mae quickly kissed Hubert on the cheek like they were siblings. Finally Evander and Lainie were watching Ian and Merida. Merida reached up and kissed him on the cheek. He turned pink before he did the same, and Lainie actually looked disappointed.
Then out of nowhere Ian did exactly what he was afraid of doing in the first place. With one hand brushing a couple of loose strands away from her face leaned in and kissed her. Merida's eyes wide and then closed, after a few moments pulled himself away. Lainie suddenly felt like a proud mum.