How To Train Your Princess

The Last Week

On Monday, it was exactly one week from the ball, so it's safe to say that it was very hectic. In the mornings, we studied in books for the test we would have to take on Sunday. In the afternoons, we practiced the physical portions of the ball. Monday, we practiced firing arrows at the metal ring again, since most of the girls needed serious help with that. I on the other hand, sat on a stool, firing arrows at a bullseye until I ran out, and Phlegma would gather all of them and I'd start over again.  On Tuesday, we played polo. I played referee while Stormfly nibbled on grasses as I held on to her lead rope. Wednesday, we practiced the dances we would have to perform at the ball. I watched.  We repeated the process over the next three days. 

I visited Gothi everyday for check ups and to receive medicine. She told me I would be able to use my ankle by the time of the ball, because the sprain wasn't that bad, but the brace would have to remain on the whole time. 

The polo boys were hardly around. I didn't see any of them during the day throughout the week. I guess they were preparing for the ball as well. It would make sense.

I visited the prince one more time. We sat on opposite sides of the door, and I talked. He didn't say much, and I didn't press him. I knew we were both thinking about the ball, and that we were just going to have to face our problems. No more running away. 

I only saw Hiccup once. He didn't say much either. He asked me if I was enjoying a little bit of separation and if I thought he was too clingy. I didn't understand the point of why he wanted to know the answers to those questions or why he was asking them, but I answered just because it seemed important to him. I told him I missed him, but it was ok that he couldn't spend time with me recently, and no he wasn't clingy, just has a soft heart. I didn't see him again for the rest of the week. It was probably a good thing too, because all the girls gathered in my room to study for the exam. Ingrid makes up most of the questions since she's the best student, and doesn't need to study quite as hard as the rest of us.  

***

"Ok. Who was the founder of Berk?" Ingrid asks, staring at us expectantly. 

"That was Bork the Bold!" I shout, beating everyone to the answer. A few girls groan, annoyed with me. 

"Correct. Next question. What are the proper names when greeting people from different classes?" Ingrid continues. I know the answer, but I allow someone else to say it. I'm pretty confident I will pass the test. I should know the answers if I'm going to open a school in the Lower Valley when this is all over, whether I become the next princess or not.  Besides, if you don't pass the test... no ball for you. The student who gets the highest score, gets the first dance with the prince too. I hope it's Ingrid. She deserves it. She's been so helpful to all of us with studying for the exam. And even if the prince doesn't pick her to become princess, she can still say she got the first dance. 

"For the Lower Valley, they are Mister and Miss. For the Upper Valley, they are Lady and Master. For the royals, they are Your Highness, Your Majesty, and My Queen," Jamie says, blushing, knowing she got it right. 

"Correct." This went on until dark, and then everyone returned to their rooms and readied for bed.

***

The day of the exam was nerve racking. The ball was tomorrow. This was the last chance to prove we were ready. First, we take the written portion of the test, which is what everyone was most worried for. Then, we have to engage in a conversation with Phlegma, and after all that, we have to perform the three dances we will be doing at the ball tomorrow night. I think I'm worried the most for Phlegma, though. If we fail, she fails, and she's worked so hard to make us look good. She may be rude and harsh, but she never gave up on us. She never wavered. And I suddenly want to jump up and envelope her in a hug for what she's done for each and every one of us these last two months.  But, I need to focus. She will be handing out the test any minute now. 

"Good luck," Ruff says, tugging on my braid from behind me. 

"You too," I answer, smiling at her.

"Don't cheat. Don't speak. Don't get out of your seat. Don't ask to use the outhouse. Don't make any annoying sounds," Phlegma says, passing out the exam. 

I suck in a breath, staring down at the parchment in front of me. 'This is it Astrid. You can do this. You are more than prepared. You studied your butt off. Just relax and remember what Phlegma taught you.' I close my eyes, and release the air I'm holding, picking up my writing stick.  'Which king has a son named after him?' was the first question. And panic began to set in. I couldn't remember. 'Come on Astrid, think. Think. Think. Think. I know this. Ruffnut made fun of this guys name because it sounded like a food. It started with an H. Ummmm. Herbs. Hay. Ham. Hummus! Hamish! Hamish the first and Hamish the second. Got it! Yes!' Others I tripped on, but most of the test was quite simple with questions like, 'which spoon do you use to stir tea?' Heather and Cami drilled the utensils into my mind. I felt pretty good when I raised my hand for Phlegma to pick it up when I was finished. I look around the room to see most girls still working. I hope I didn't rush through too quickly and make silly mistakes. Oh well. It's too late now.

***

Lunch was quiet today.Everyone was nervous about finding out their scores at the end of class. No one really ate. Ruff rolled an apple around on the table and I picked at my bread. "I'm sure we all passed. We studied really hard. All of us," I say.

"No one studied as hard as you did. You studied like you were trying to consume the books," Heather tells me. Everyone laughs, some of the tension lessening with the noise. I smile, sheepishly.

***

I step up to Phlegma as Heather heads back to her seat after her conversation test. "Good afternoon, Miss Astrid. How do you do?" Phlegma asks me, curtseying, beginning my test. 

"Very well. Thank you for asking, Lady Phlegma. And yourself?" I answer, curtseying. 

"Fine. Thank you, Miss Astrid. What did you think of lunch today?" 

"It was wonderful, Lady Phlegma. Did you enjoy your meal?" 

"Indeed, Miss Astrid. This is very off topic, but, don't you think that that our kingdom's commerce is a fare and just way of living?" she asks, and I know this is a trick question. This is my test. My cheeks are burn in anger at her choice in using commerce. I hate commerce. At least the way the Upper Valley uses it against us. All of my emotions from first finding out boil to the surface. She's trying to get me to lash out and take offense. Or maybe she wants me to agree with her. What were the rules regarding this sort of thing? 'Do not talk about controversial issues. You must always agree. Do not become offensive.' That's it! I calm myself and answer her. 

"Lady Phlegma, I do agree with you in the matter, but commerce has no place in a proper conversation," I say. 

She smiles and nods, pleased. "I would have to agree with you, Miss Astrid. I enjoyed our talk," she says curtseying.

"The pleasure was all mine, Lady Phlegma. Thank you." I curtsey and walk away, my head held high. 

The dances were the easiest part of the whole test, and before we knew it, we were being told if we passed or not. "I need Miss Astrid and Lady Ingrid to meet me out side, please," Phlegma announces, suddenly. Everyone has passed so far, so the fact that we are the first ones to be called outside, can't be a good thing. I share a look with Ingrid as we follow after her, shuffling out into the hallway. She shuts the door and turns on us. "Now," she says, crossing her thick arms over her large chest. "You two both passed," she says. Ingrid and I relax, smiling at each other. "But...." Oh, no. There's the rabbit trap hidden in the foliage I was waiting for. "You both scored the highest on the test. So, you need to decide who gets the first dance with the prince," she tells us.

"I..." Ingrid begins. 

"It should be you," I interrupt. "You deserve it."

"Really?" she asks, trying to fight her smile. I nod, grinning at her, pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Astrid. This means so much to me."

"Your welcome." I am completely filled with glee. Everyone passed. You better be ready for us Your Highness!