How To Train Your Princess

Romeo and Juliet

It started as a one time ordeal, but as the weeks continued, it became a regular thing, sneaking off after dinner. "Not that it isn't romantic, it is, but you're going to get caught," Ruffnut tells me. We are on the floor sorting out the apples she has stowed for later in her satchel. She says in case she doesn't marry the prince, she will have a large supply of the unnaturally sweet apples that grow in the palace garden. I will admit, they are good, but I'm not going to steal them from the dining room.

"She's right, Astrid. You're here for the prince, not to be courting one of the boys from the polo team," Heather chimes in. Cami nods, backing her up.

"I know. I didn't expect it to go this far. I'll say goodbye tomorrow." A small rock hits the glass of our bedroom window. I get to my feet, pushing the window up. "Hey," I say, staring down at Hiccup. He smiles back, motioning for me to come outside.

***

The first time I started sneaking off, I was washing up and heard weird noises from the other room. I dried myself off and came out, finding Hiccup sitting on my bed, talking to my friends like it was a regular occurrence. They on the other hand, seemed mystified. "Astrid!" he said, noticing me.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed, worried.

"Your friends let me in through the window. I wanted to know if you'd like to go riding."

My face automatically broke into a smile, a mile wide. "Right now?" I asked, excitement bubbling inside my stomach.

"Of course, but we need to hurry so the guards don't catch us sneaking around the palace grounds." i nod, following him to the window.

"Astrid, you can't," Ruff said, catching my arm. "You'll get in trouble again. You already have one strike. You almost got another yesterday for shooting at the Upper Valleys. I mean they deserved it, if he," Ruff looks around me at Hiccup as he climbs out the window, "hadn't shown up to save you--"

"I'll be fine. I wont be gone long. I promise," and with that, I climbed out after him.

***

"So, how are you?" Hiccup asks, trying to make conversation. We are perched on the side of a pond, our feet in the cool water. Our horses nibble on grasses needing a rest from our ride.

"Well," I chuckle nervously. "I'm alright I guess." He looks at me, one auburn eyebrow raised, his green orbs fixed on me. I suddenly feel this need to tell him everything, though I barely know him. Maybe it's his eyes, but whatever it is I know he would listen. "I don't know. I mean, all my life I've been searching for adventure. To escape the never changing curriculum of my small town. I want to explore Meet new people. Experience danger. I thought this trip would give me all that. I've made new friends, the other two girls in my room, and you and your friends. It has definitely been an adventure. I'm learning that I have a hard time being a proper lady, but I'm excellent at all the physical stuff. I've already made enemies with some of the girls. I've gotten in trouble. But, I realize all these things wont last. We will all retune home except one, and that will be the end. I forget I'm here to meet some prince no one's ever seen."

"And you're worried he will be some snobbish jerk and if he picks you, all your freedom will be gone. You're probably right," Hiccup says, staring at his hands. He seems frustrated and and slightly confused, and I debate whether I should ask him my next question, but he blinks and it's gone. So, I continue on.

"DO you know him?" Maybe he can give me some clues for the future.

"I wish I didn't. He's just a sad, pathetic boy who's caught up in dreams that wont come true. Nothing special."

"Well, that's too bad. Maybe that's why he needs a wife. To give him new dreams," I say. "maybe I need new dreams."

"No. You are going to go home after all of this and you are going to go on adventures, travel around and find everything you are looking for. I'll make sure of it." And he's completely serious, taking my words to heart. A man on a mission.

"Ok," I say patting his hand, hoping to relax him. "I'll keep my dreams.

That was the very first night. Weeks ago.

***

We had stopped practicing polo for a while so the horses could get a drink and rest. I sat in the wooden stands with Hiccup. Eret and Snotlout had gone to grab us all canteens. I kept thinking about Heather's words from yesterday, "She's right, Astrid. You're here for the prince, not to be courting one of the boys from the polo team." And I had responded with, "I know. I'll tell him goodbye tomorrow." Tomorrow would be today, now. I had to tell him. And I knew it would hurt him. He would blame himself for dragging me into this, but it has been all me. I wanted to. I needed to. But this adventure has to come to an end now, so that I can move on to the next. I need to focus on the up coming ball in a month.

"I uh- I'm really glad you've been hanging out with us," he says, meeting my eyes at the end, breaking me from my thoughts, my cheeks blushing, my hand brushing my bangs behind my ear. I shake it away, though. I don't want him to be telling me this. It will only make it harder. I don't want to hear any of it, but I'm craving it all at the same time. "You um, make it more interesting. You bring us together. My father would really like your spirit." I didn't understand why he was telling me this all of a sudden. Why he was acting like he needed to get it off of his chest. But, then I realized he was trying to kiss me, but was stalling. It made me smile, though I shouldn't be. I should be stopping him. My cheeks were burning now in anticipation. He's nervous. I could see it in his eyes. I had never kissed a boy before, and I could tell by his nervousness, he'd never kissed anyone either. I could hear my heart beating uncontrollably in my chest, and I hoped he couldn't hear it, though I'm sure he could. I bet his was beating like this too. I wondered who's was louder, faster, who was more nervous. I made sure not to look at his lips, not wanting to look desperate or pleading. I shouldn't be here. I should have already told him goodbye. This will only make it harder.

But, then he stopped, my face falling. I know he could see my disappointment because he instantly looked guilty, shifting his eyes away in embarrassment. He seemed to be fighting with himself from the inside. I sigh, annoyed and relieved, but before I can stop it, I'm taking things into my own hands. I grab his shirt, pulling his lips down to mine. I feel the corners of his mouth turn up instantly. His lips are soft and warm and I hope mine aren't too rough, but he doesn't seem to mind if they are. Our lips mold together as if mine were meant to fit with his. I realize how hungry I was for his closeness, how long I had waited for any indication that he felt completely the same way toward me. My body feels light, like I'm flying. The fire in my chest doesn't seem to quench itself. I say fire, but it's more of an inferno, like the sun is inside of me. This is what love feels like. And it doesn't satisfy itself. it just leaves me wanting more.

Then I'm crying. The hot tears hitting both of our cheeks and I feel ashamed for ruining the moment. I never cry. Ever. he searches my face, confused and worried. "Did I do something?" he whispers. I shake my head, wiping the salty water trails along the back of my arm.

"I can't," I choke out. "I can't sneak out with you anymore. I promised. I can't get in trouble. I have to focus on my studies and the ball. I'm here to meet the prince. I can't have distractions. My family really needs the money if I do marry him." I hadn't thought about the last part until today. The money. If I married the prince, I could send money back home. I could help my village. We had made a pact, my roommates and I. If one of us marries him, we make sure to help the villages. The king helps now, but the Lower Valley isn't his top priority. "I have to to go," I say, jumping to my feet and then I run away, leaving him there alone. I know he'll return Stormfly to her stable for me. I burst into sobs, realizing I just had my first kiss and my first break up all within seven minutes.