As a deleted scene from chapter 7 of my story Royal Blood, I thought it would be fun if Sandra and her friends used this Celtic Thunder song as a battle cry as they begin the final battle against Miss Nettle, Ezekiel, and Deidre. Unfortunately, since she says she's shyer than Vivian, Sandra's showing a few doubts about leading her first charge, but she knows she can do it when she's surrounded by her friends. Celtic Thunder is not mine.
"Are you and your friends all right, Princess Sandra?" Sir Peter asked, checking them over when Sandra and her friends came back to the throne room and told them what had gone on when they had sneaked off to search for Miss Nettle, Ezekiel, and Deidre.
"We're all fine. I'm sorry, Sir Peter, and I know what you and the other knights say: don't run ahead until you know what you're getting into," Sandra apologized.
"Good advice, lass," Sir Finnegan smiled, "There's an old saying that goes 'look before you leap!' It would do some of us good to remember that…Prince James!"
James felt the knight's teasing glare on him. "What did I do? It was her idea to sneak off and look for them!" he protested.
"Well, Princess Sandra, since you seem to have learned your lesson, how would you like to lead the charge?" Sir Steven cut into their friendly banter.
"Me?" Sandra took a step back. "Oh, no-no-no. No! I tried to do that speech in Royal Prep that one day, and I froze! And did I mention I ran out of the room despite being prepared?"
"But at least Miss Flora understood and let you do it again for just her and the fairies after school," Sofia said as she hugged her.
"That's true, Sof, but this is completely different!" Sandra protested. "We're not in class, and I had to deal with Zeke giving me grief about that speech for almost two weeks!"
"Maybe so, but you've got your friends here with you now," Candice assured her.
"Princess Sandra, you'll be fine. And you know how we start the battles when it's brought to our kingdom," Sir Nathaniel assured her, producing a tape.
"And if you're nervous, just pretend you're in your room singing to Ambre," Sir Avery suggested.
"Well, I do like singing to Ambre, and that's how I got through that do-over speech!" Sandra grinned.
"That's the spirit, lass!" Sir Finnegan smiled as Sir Peter, Sir Avery, Sir Nathaniel, and Sir Steven started the song.
Orillia, Orillia
As she turned to face Miss Nettle, Sandra's voice shook a little bit, but it was out of nerves as she started, Side by side, we stand like brothers
One for all and all together
She sighed with relief when Sir Avery joined her, We will stay united through darker days
She finished the verse with more confidence, And we'll be unbeatable forever
"That's my girl," Robert smiled.
As Ezekiel and Deidre advanced, the knights joined in, Orillia, Orillia,
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Orillia's call
Suddenly, they got a surprise as Sir Maxwell joined in as he dueled Ezekiel, Come the day and come the hour
Some will live in song and story
Having heard the song before, James joined in, We were born to follow our guiding star
Sir Finnegan smiled as he joined in, And to meet our destiny with glory
"Of course; James aced Kingdom's Anthems in Royal Prep!" Amber grinned, recalling that while she remembered the different kingdoms' greetings, he remembered the different countries' anthems.
The Orillian knights and Sandra joined in, Orillia, Orillia,
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Orillia's call
Since she loved this style of music, Candice joined in as she started casting spells, Hearts of steel and heads unbowing
Vowing never to be broken
Since she was feeling more confident, and under Sir Avery's encouraging nod, Sandra joined her, We will fight until we can fight no more
As she aimed her wand at Deidre, Dorrie joined them, Till our final requiem is spoken
"Attack!" Roland and Robert shouted together as they ran to help Sofia and Amber face off against Miss Nettle.
By now, everyone had joined in, Orillia, Orillia,
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Orillia's call
Sandra grinned as she and her friends finished the song, Orillia, Orillia,
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Orillia's call
We'll answer Orillia's call
"I'm so proud of you, Sandra!" Robert smiled, "You truly are my little warrior princess!"
"Thanks, Dad, but let's protect the castle first!" Sandra said as she and Sir Avery ran at Miss Nettle.