Young Ian came across Emily and her family in Outlander Season 7, Episode 5. Is her son really the son of Young Ian? Why didn’t she say something earlier?
The big reason for Young Ian to leave the Mohawk was that he and Emily couldn’t have children together. This is something that came up again in Outlander Season 7, Episode 5 when Ian learned that he was being sent to the local Mohawk tribe to speak to someone there. It meant running into Emily.
Well, it turns out that Emily has been keeping a big secret from Young Ian. She has a son who is the spitting image of a young Ian Murray. The actor the show got looks so much like a young John Bell, it’s uncanny. Perfect casting!
But wait, is Swiftest of Lizards really Young Ian’s son? What do the Outlander books tell us?
Swiftest of Lizards could be Young Ian’s son in Outlander
It’s certainly possible for SoL to be Young Ian’s son. Emily certainly seems to think that he is. The boy has been raised knowing that he is Ian’s spirit child, and he isn’t to tell his father the truth. That would suggest Emily doesn’t want to cause problems with her current husband, who will be the father of her newborn daughter.
Ian certainly seems to accept that this boy is his. Just the appearance of the boy gives it all away. Emily even seems to confirm her beliefs by saying that the boy will eventually walk in Ian’s world. He is white enough to do it. So, Ian gave Swiftest of Lizards his white name, Ian James.
It’s a touching moment that now allows Ian to really put the Mohawk tribe in his past. He knows that Emily is happy and that he can father children. This will allow him to feel comfortable taking another wife in the future, and we’re sure seeing signs that that could be Rachel Hunter!
Of course, fans question why Emily didn’t say something sooner. It’s highly likely that she didn’t realize she was pregnant was Ian was sent away and she chose someone else. Then there was no guarantee this child was Ian’s until she gave birth. She then may not have known where Ian had gone to so she could get word to him, and it’s clear that she is choosing her Mohawk family over him.