Everyone suffers sports-related injuries now and then, and dazzleball accidents are no exception. After James gets hurt in a dazzleball-related accident, Roland and Melinda help cheer him up with a favorite song of theirs. Melinda's habit of naming boats after songs was first mentioned in chapter 1 of The Day the Music Died. The advice Baileywick gave James about going up and down the stairs is from chapter 26 of Niagara14301's Tales from the Castle. Gordon Lightfoot's music is not mine.
Roland, Melinda, and Baileywick were helping the recently turned eight-year-old James to his room following an accident at Royal Prep. "It's all right, James," Melinda said for the tenth time as she kept a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Let's get you off that ankle."
"Prince James, when you go up the stairs, lead with your good foot," Baileywick instructed. He smirked good-naturedly as he added, "and if I let you go down the stairs, lead with the injured one."
"Okay, Baileywick…I'm sorry, Mom…and at least Amber wasn't there to see this," James groaned as Baileywick, Roland, and Melinda helped him to his room. He'd been watching the older princes play dazzleball at school and copying their moves from where he was standing on the sidelines. Unfortunately, he had gotten caught up in the action, and an older prince had tackled him by mistake, thinking that he was playing with them. Along with a few bumps and bruises, James had sprained his ankle when he was knocked down. He was secretly happy that Amber had been inside helping plan a party for Cleo, so she didn't have to go to outside and see him get hurt.
"Don't worry about Amber, and James, we're not mad!" Melinda assured him. "We all suffer dazzleball-related injuries now and then, and those princes thought you were playing with them. My sister and I played dazzleball at your age, too, and I can't count the number of times we came home all banged up!"
"Tilly and I were like that too. And you'll be all right as well, James," Roland assured him as he helped elevate his foot on some pillows. "Everything's going to be just fine. We're not angry; Prince Axel apologized and not only sat with you while the fairies examined you, but he stayed with you until the coach came, and you did pick up a few moves you can use when you're older."
"Our little future Dazzleball star," Melinda smiled.
"I guess so…" James murmured.
Melinda smiled and pulled him close. "I know exactly what you need, and you know it always helps…"
(sings): I'm sailin' down the summer wind,
I'm with a very special friend,
and I like the mood I'm in,
as I while away the time of day,
in the lee of Christian Island.
James smiled as Melinda sang as she helped bandage him up and tucked the plush dragon Amber gave him at his side. He couldn't count the number of times she'd sung this to help him or Amber go to sleep or comfort them.
As he patted Sir Blaze-a-lot's head, he joined in, Tall and strong, she dips and reels
I call her Silver Heels,
and she tells me how she feels.
She's a good old boat and she'll stay afloat,
through the toughest gale and keep smilin',
but for one more day she would like to stay,
in the lee of Christian Island.
"You're going to christen our new boat Silver Heels now, aren't you?" Roland asked, seeing Melinda's look of interest at the ship's name.
"Have you met Mom?" James joked.
Roland tousled James' hair as he joined in, I'm sailin' down the summer day,
where fish and seagulls play,
I put my troubles all away.
And when the gale comes up I'll fill my cup,
with the whiskey of the highlands.
She's a good old ship and she'll make the trip,
from the lee of Christian Island.
Melinda started the last verse, Tall and strong she slips along,
I sing for her a song,
and she leans into the wind.
James and Roland finished the song with her, She's a good old boat and she'll stay afloat,
through the toughest gale and keep smilin',
and when the summer ends we will rest again,
in the lee of Christian Island.
"What did I tell you, James?" Melinda smiled.
"Music makes everything better," James smiled back.