How To Train Your Princess

Morning Chores

I sit staring out my window, watching the rain fall, dreaming of what could be and if I'd end up happy. I wonder what it's like to live somewhere besides this small village.

My finger trails across the window pane, my other cupping my chin. the tip of my finger is now black from years of dust piled up. I rub it against my thumb. It helps a little bit, but doesn't completely go away.

"Astrid! Are you awake?" my mother calls from downstairs. I swing my legs off of the bench I'm currently perched on, and get to my feet.

"Yes Mother!" I wipe my hands on my skirt quickly, and saunter downstairs.

When I reach the bottom, she is holding a large wicker basket with one arm, the other setting clothes inside. She looks up, hearing my foot falls. "I need you to take these to Ms. Zike." she says holding the basket out to me. I take it, grumbling silently to myself. "And when you're done with that, Mr. Ingerman's wife has more."

I sigh, nodding and push the front door open with my back, heading off. 

Everyday is the same. It just repeats itself. Wake up, chores, meal time, daily news, bed. I just want something new. The problem is, I'm the only one. The rest of the village seems fairly contempt with the curriculum that never changes. 

I'm lucky the rain slowed to a light mist. Ms. Zike is just three houses down, so my walk isn't far. She is out front, scattering chicken feed when I stroll up to her.

"Morning Ms. Astrid. Your mother already finished my laundry?" 

"Yes ma'am." I answer, holding it out to her.

She sets her metal pale down, taking the basket. "Wait here while I get her pay."

I watch her disappear into her house, then scoop up a little feed, holding it out, and squatting down. A few hens come up to peck the feed from my outstretched palms. I smile, their beaks tickling me.

"Here you go. Two coins." Ms. Zike announces, returning.

"Thank you."

I take the basket back and begin my journey to my friend Fishlegs' house. I hum as I walk, breathing in the sweet, wet grass smell in the air.

"Hi Astrid!" he calls upon my arrival.

"Morning Fishlegs." He takes the basket from me as I follow him into his house.

"Have you heard about the king's message today?" he asks, closing the door. 

I furrow my brow in confusion. "No." I shake my head.

"Oh, well, I heard it's really important. I haven't gathered more than that, besides that Gobber is coming earlier today."

"I'll keep an ear up for you incase I learn anything." I tell him smiling.

He fills the basket quickly and returns it to me. He follows me out, apparently joining me on my way back home.

"Are you going on that fishing trip with Tuffnut tomorrow?" I ask, trying to start a conversation.

"Oh, yes. I think we are leaving before dawn." I nod, conjuring up another question to ask.

"Astrid! Fishlegs! Look out!" I hear a ways behind me. We turn around to see a cream colored horse heading strait for us, it moving at top speed. 

"Runaway horse!" I yell.

"Barf comeback!" Ruffnut shouts after the animal.

I don't make it out of the way in time, Barf knocking the basket out of my hands and me to the ground. Ruff passes in-between Fishlegs and I, still chasing after her horse. her twin Tuffnut stops behind us, laughing at our mud covered clothes.

"I really shouldn't, but this is just too funny not to laugh at." he snickers.

"Glad you think so." Fishlegs groans at him.

"Uh, hello?" I say staring at Tuff expectantly.

"Oh, right. Sorry." he says, helping me up. I fix my skirt once on my feet again.

"Oh, no." I wail, noticing the clothes all fell out of my basket and are currently soaking in a giant muddy puddle.

"I'm so sorry Astrid." Tuff apologizes again, helping me pull the wet garments out.

"It's ok. It was an accident. You both tried to warn us." I reassure him.

"Well, i should go find Ruff." and with that he's gone. Fishlegs shakes his head annoyed with the twins.

"Hey, you're the one that has to spend two weeks on a boat with him." I remind him.

"Yeah. I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to go." Fishlegs sighs. I chuckle, on my way again.

                                                                                             ***

"Astrid, hurry up and hang up the Ingerman's clothes. If you hadn't dropped them in the mud, it wouldn't take this long to wash them, and we wouldn't be late for the meeting in the square." my mother persists. 

She didn't get too excited when I showed up with muddy clothes for her, so I got the privilege to wash them. Yay. And now we are going to be late for Gobber's important message. I hang up the last of Mr. Ingerman's trousers, and follow my mother out the door.

The whole Lower Valley it seemed was already there when we arrived.

Berk is made up of two classes. The Lower Valley, us. The poor people and the workers. And the Upper Valley. That's where the rich people and the king's men and servants live. At the highest point of Berk, is where the king's palace is located.

I spot my friends towards the front, so I push past people, making my way to them.

"Astrid, you made it!" Ruff cheers, noticing me.

"Hi guys." i greet, before facing forward.

Gobber clears his throat. "Hello folks!" he begins. "I have urgent instructions from the king. It has been decided that the prince is looking for a princess, and with that the being said, the king has sent me to gather all the eligible ladies. Ages 16 through 18."

My eyes widen, not believing what I'm hearing. The prince is getting married?"

"Young girls, you are to return home to gather any necessities and meet back here. We will be leaving before sunset. Now get to it." Gobber finishes.

I turn to Ruff, still not believing my ears. I'm leaving?

"We better go." Ruff says. I nod heading to find my mother.

                                                                                                       ***    

I can't believe I get to meet the prince. No one has ever seen him. He stays locked inside the palace boundaries. I don't know if I'm nervous or excited yet. I'd say half and half. Nervous, because I don't know what to expect and that he wont like me and I'll be embarrassed, but excited for a change of scenery and a sense of adventure.

I pull my satchel over my head and walk downstairs.

"Astrid, are you ready?" Mother asks.

"Yes. I'm right here." she pulls me into a hug, holding me tightly against her.

"Be careful, use your manners, be yourself, and have fun." She leans back, looking me in the eyes, brushing my bangs out of my face. "If you don't become the next princess, don't feel bad. Ok?" she tells me.

"Don't worry Mother. I'm not expecting him to pick me. It will probably be one of the Higher Valleys that get chosen." I smile.

She kisses my forehead and pushes me out the door. "Now go!"

"Come on Stormfly." I say untying my white mare from her post and leading her down the hill. "Bye Mother!" I call. She stands in the doorway waving me off.