A Royal Match (Mericcup)

Reconciliation

Merida's POV

I didn't go out the next day. Mainly because Lilias, Astrid and Ruffnut dragged me back into my room for 'girl time'. In which they attempted to do my hair. They did end up untangling it, which was helpful, but my hair was still the same, just a little cleaner. We sat in a circle, braiding each other's hair. I was at the end, braiding Lilias' hair, who was braiding Astrid's hair, who was braiding Ruffnut's hair.

"So Astrid, and you my brother, huh?" "

Yeah. Adair's really great." Astrid said, twisting around to shoot her a look.

"I'm fine with you dating him. I think you could do better, but I'm fine with it."

"Lilias, Adair really changed since meeting Astrid. They're the perfect couple." I told her.

Lilias let out a low whistle. "Congrats, Astrid. Didn't think anyone could do it." She stuck a flower in Astrid's hair, then took it out upon reflection. "You all are so lucky." I sighed.

Lilias twisted around to look at me. "Merida, I am so sorry about-" I shook my head at her pained and grief-stricken face. "It's okay, Lilias. You didn't make him enjoy it."

"By Thor, that sounds wrong." Ruffnut observed.

I shrugged.

"So Astrid, do you have any siblings?" Lilias asked.

"No, I'm an only child. Mom said I was such a handful as a child that they didn't want another one until I was out of the house for good." Astrid said. I could tell she was smiling, thinking about her parents.

"How 'bout you, Ruffnut?" Lilias asked. "I have a twin brother, Tuffnut. He's a total idiot, but he's there for me." She said.

"Do you have any other siblings besides Adair, Lilias?"

"Nope. Well... there is the baby... but I've never met him. The baby is apparently called Doire. Both my brothers are named for the oak grove Mum loves, just outside home. I haven't been there in a while. In fact, I haven't stepped foot on the MacIntosh lands for two years." Lilias said.

"Why?" Astrid asked.

"Adair." Lilias said simply. "And Dad." I didn't know the story either. 

"What about Cawley?" Ruffnut asked.

"Cawley has two sisters. The oldest is nine months older than the youngest, and right now, they are both five years old. They were adorable, last I saw them. Golden-haired and sweet, though Fearchara's hair is quickly darkening. Merida's brothers think so too." Lilias was barely able to keep her laughter in. "Their names are Fearchara (that's the older one) and Nairna." Lilias continued.

"By Nichneven, I swear, Hubert and Harris will marry them some day." I laughed.

"Why Nichneven?" Lilias wondered.

"Because if I didn't know better, I'd say that those girls put them under a spell." I explained.

"...Merida? Has Lord MacGuffin remarried yet?" Lilias asked.

"No, why?"

"I was wondering if Morven had any siblings yet."

"No, sorry." I said.

Morven had always wanted a younger sibling. "What happened to Morven's mother- if you don't mind my asking?" Ruffnut wondered.

"Well...when we were five, the worst winter in a few hundred years swept through. Morven's mother healed people, and there were many sick children that year that might have died, us included, without her. But that winter, she had a stillborn baby. It was a long and hard birth, and she was out of energy from all those calls. Besides that, she was very sickly anyway. She passed away within a week." Lilias's voice was heartbroken.