As an alternate ending to Camp Wilderwood, I thought it would be fun if everyone celebrated their victory over the Junior Knights with not only cookies, but a special gathering around the campfire. Little does everyone know that James, who is now feeling much better about being there, has a surprise for them. Amber even remembers this as the first song she and James were taught to sing when they were younger. Celtic Thunder is not mine.
Everyone at Camp Wilderwood was incredibly happy, especially the counselors, Maple and Marty. They had finally won the Inter-Camp Flag Race against the Junior Knights, thanks to the team of Amber, James, Sofia, Wendell, and Mandy. They were currently in the mess hall celebrating with cookies, and as she sat next to James, Sofia smiled, since James finally looked like he was having fun and enjoying himself.
As he took another cookie, James smiled beside her. He had gotten off to a bad start when he first arrived, standing in Itching Ivy, then being teased when he had trouble doing some of the activities, then having to partner with his old enemy Wendell, since nobody wanted to be near him. (Wendell had even referred to them as 'the wicked wizard and the kid with Itching Ivy.') But fortunately, he was having fun now.
Beside him, Wendell had also had some trouble starting out. He and James had teamed up, mostly because everyone else had paired off. They had actually started getting along due to their shared dislike of camp, and they had built a boat to try and escape, but they had a change of heart when they saved Amber, Sofia, and Mandy when they ran into some trouble. Now as he took another cookie, even he had to admit that he was having a good time.
"Now, campers, let's take a seat around our fire!" Marty said as everyone was finishing up their snacks.
"And let's not forget the best part of the campfire!" Maple agreed as she produced a huge bag of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows.
"Actually, s'mores are the second-best part of the campfire," James said as he saw another fairy approaching with a guitar. "That's the best part of the campfire!"
"What about telling stories around the campfire?" Amber asked, knowing that James was a really good storyteller.
"Like I said, telling stories is the third best thing, making and eating s'mores are the second best, and singing around the campfire is the best part!" James grinned.
"See, James? I knew you'd find something about camp that you liked!" Sofia smiled.
"Hold that thought, Sof," James said as he went over to the fairy with the guitar.
"What's James doing?" Wendell asked as he watched James talking to him.
"If he's going to do what I think he's going to do, Wendell, you're in for a treat," Sofia grinned.
"What's going on?" Mandy asked.
"James loves singing and music," Amber smiled. "He's probably talked the person with the guitar into letting him use it. And once he gets it and starts playing it, he's going to be playing it and singing…all night!"
"I don't think he'll play the guitar that long, but that still sounds like fun," Mandy said as the three fairies came to the center of the circle with James following them. "I like to sing and play music too!"
"Oh, Mandy, you haven't seen our brother when he gets involved with music!" Sofia giggled.
"Okay, campers, we've got a real treat for you," Marty said as everyone sat down with their s'mores. "Who's up for a good old-fashioned campfire sing-along?"
Everyone cheered, but Maple looked over at the fairy, who was standing next to James. She nodded as the fairy whispered something to her. "I've just been informed about something. Marty and I were going to have our friend sing us a song, but someone insisted on leading us off with something first. And of course, how could we say no to such enthusiasm?"
James grinned as he came forward with the guitar. "Hello, Camp Wilderwood!" he cheered as he tuned the guitar. "Are you ready to have some fun around the campfire or what?"
Everyone cheered, and even Maple and Marty looked intrigued. "I had no idea we'd have another musician here," Marty whispered.
"Well, let's see what he can do," Maple whispered back.
"What song do you think he'll do?" Mandy asked.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be great," Sofia smiled.
Hearing the comment, James smiled as he began strumming the guitar, and he began to sing.
Mull of Kintyre
Oh, mist rolling in from the sea,
My desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre
Maple and Marty smiled as they made the words appear in the air so everyone could follow along.
At the same time, when she heard the opening notes, Amber smiled. "I know this song! James and I used to hear Sir Maxwell and Sir Finnegan sing this around the knights' barracks when we were younger! And when we were a little older, this is the first song Sir Maxwell taught us when he gave us voice lessons!"
As he listened to Amber, and remembered singing this with Sir Maxwell when he was younger, James nodded as he sang the first verse, Far have I traveled and much have I seen
Dark distant mountains with valleys of green.
Past painted deserts, the sunsets on fire
As she carries me home to the Mull of Kintyre.
Amber smiled as she joined in the chorus, Mull of Kintyre
Oh, mist rolling in from the sea,
My desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre
"That's really pretty, Amber," Mandy smiled.
"Want to sing with me, Mandy?" Amber smiled.
"Okay!" Mandy grinned.
"Just follow along with the words!" Sofia agreed.
"Okay!" Mandy smiled, and she started the second verse, Sweep through the heather like deer in the glen
Carry me back to the days I knew then.
Sofia nodded as she joined in, Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir
Of the life and the times of the Mull of Kintyre.
"He certainly is talented," Marty smiled. "I think James just needed a push in the right direction!"
"Yes, and I think we just found our new camp guitarist!" Maple smiled.
"Yeah, now lots of luck getting it away from him when it's time to go to bed," Amber giggled as she heard them.
"Oh, Amber," Sofia chuckled. "Let's just enjoy the song for now!"
"Yes," Wendell agreed, "James is rather good at that guitar."
By now, everyone, even Maple and Marty, had joined the chorus, Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
James nodded as he sang, Mull of Kintyre
Oh, mist rolling in from the sea,
My desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre
Everyone finished the song together, Mull of Kintyre
Oh, mist rolling in from the sea,
My desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre
As everyone applauded, James grinned as he gave the guitar back to Maple and Marty's friend. "Thanks for letting me borrow that! And at least I got it warmed up for you!"
"Thanks! That was a very nice song," the fairy smiled.
"Indeed it was," Maple smiled. "Now, let's do some more of our other camp favorites…"
