Author's note: I got the idea for this after reading about how politicians, dignitaries and their family members hate the intrusiveness of their security detail. It's quite sad, really. As for the title of this story, it was inspired by "Letters from a Stoic" by Seneca. Hehe, Stoic, Stoick. Get it? I've read Seneca's Letters and they are awesome! Anyway, this fanfic sort of combines HTTYD, politics, and philosophy.


Stoick was sitting at his desk in the Oval Office when his wife Valka came in with a piece of paper in her hand. He looked up to see her with a panicked expression on her face.

"Stoick?"

"What is it, dear?"

"I found this in his room.", she replied as she handed the paper to him.

Stoick calmly took it from her and they read it together.


Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm not sorry for doing this. You know I love you very, very much. But I couldn't stand living in the White House anymore. I felt like a prisoner there with all the Secret Service agents watching my every move. I want to know what it's like to live a normal life. Plus, I'm having an identity crisis. I don't know if I deserve to call myself an American. That's why I've decided to take a tour of this country to interact with ordinary people. Alone. It's the only way for me to figure myself out. Please understand. I will come back home when I'm ready. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll definitely be an adult by then. Basically, I'll be gone for at least three years. Tell the agents to call off their search. They'll never find me. I will keep you updated with letters about my experiences. Tell Uncle Gobber that I'll be sending them to his address and that he will deliver them by hand to you. He's the only one I trust with such a task.

Love,

Henry "Hiccup" Haddock

P.S. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao Tzu


Stoick put the paper in a drawer and went into deep thought. Then, he smiled. Valka was extremely puzzled.

"Remember when we travelled the world, Val?"

Valka nodded.

"Looks like he got the traveling gene from us."

Valka blushed and facepalmed, realizing that they both should have expected this from their son. But she was still worried.

"I just wish for him to be safe out there, Stoick. He's only fifteen. A minor."

Stoick got up from his chair and gave her an almighty hug, burying her face in his beard.

"He'll be fine, Val."

"Mmpphh!"

"Oh. Sorry.", he apologized, letting go of her.

Just then, an agent came in.

"Mr. President, we couldn't find him. We checked all over D.C. He's gone.", Agent Eret said.

Stoick nodded.

"Just how did he escape anyway?", Valka asked.

Eret explained. "He snuck into the trunk of a vehicle and smuggled himself off the White House grounds. He got out when the driver stopped to refuel and get some coffee at a gas station. Last known sighting was at a nearby bookstore where he bought a pack of pens and a notebook. After that, we lost him."

"I see.", Stoick acknowledged, caressing his beard. "Don't bother chasing him any longer. If he doesn't want to be found, there's nothing anyone can do. He'll come back eventually."

"But-"

"That's an order!", Stoick bellowed

"Yes...sir."

Eret quickly exited the Oval Office, gently shutting the door behind him. His superiors were not going to like this one bit. To be honest, he was actually impressed that a teen managed to outsmart him and his fellow agents. Eret knew for certain that Henry would do quite well on his own. But he still kept a straight face as he walked through the halls of the White House, dreading the possible reactions from his superiors at what the President just told him.

"I. Am. Screwed.", he thought.