Chapter 2- Preparations

One Month Later- July 2014

Although Hiccup's application was barely sent away in time to be accepted, his name and family granted him a handwritten letter from the dean, John Hansen and his four associate deans. Hiccup felt torn about being accepted to the University of Copenhagen; it would be a great chapter of his life, for that he was sure, but it also allowed his father to gain more control over him. They spoke of Hiccup's classes every day, which ones would be most acceptable for a future leader. They decided which hobbies would be best to take up, even which residencies Hiccup was to choose from.

"Father, you aren't listening to me. Again." Hiccup sighed. Stoic and Hiccup had been sitting at a large desk in the library, bent over print outs of each residence that UCPH had to offer. "If I'm going to learn what the people want, shouldn't I live with the people for a few years?"

"Oh Hiccup, don't be foolish. You are the next ruler of Scandinavia, you will have your own dwelling and you will keep away from the rabble until you have completed your schooling. And are fit to be leader."

"Dad, you're being outrageous. I could easily have a shared apartment and still get high marks and stay focused. You can't expect me to never associate with any of my fellow students. I'll be there for four years at the very least."

After two weeks of petty arguments and disagreements, Hiccup, or rather Stoic, had chosen his residence. There were many to choose from, shared apartments, room rentals in Danes' homes and good old fashioned dorms. The dorm that the two finally settled on was closest to the South campus, which is where Hiccup's Law and Humanity classes would be taken. They decided on a 'residence hall' named Tietgenkollegiet. Hiccup chose this residence because it seemed to have more opportunity for having time to himself, as the rooms were not shared, but yet the most opportunity to meet new people because the living and cooking spaces were both shared.

Tietgenkollegiet was the most modern of all the residency choices, which appealed very much to Hiccup. He would have his own bedroom with a small study area and his own bathroom. There were a total of six kitchens in the building, each of the kitchens were shared by a group of twelve students. As well as having common areas, there were game rooms, study rooms and TV lounges as well as a 'party' room and even parking outside the building.

Hiccup filled out the application for his residency before Stoic could second guess his decision and before Hiccup and Stoic had the opportunity to argue even more about where Hiccup would be living while in Denmark, Gobber had snuck away with Hiccup's residency application and mailed it away to the school. Stoic, of course, attempted to blame Hiccup for this great disrespect but Gobber happily owned up to the act and offered himself up for punishment, Stoic couldn't bear himself to cause harm to the gentle man and let the misdoing go unpunished; much to Hiccup's relief.

While he nervously awaited the start of the school year, Hiccup put all of his focus on his Formula One car. He felt as if he would never be happy with the car, always thinking of parts that needed to be tuned up or replaced, or even just done away with completely. The body of the car had not been touched in quite some time and Hiccup was starting to even second guess his choice of paint colour. Gobber followed Hiccup around during the week prior to his first trial run of the season, he worried that the boy was putting too much stress on himself and that he would burn himself out before even getting onto the track.

Since the Formula One 2014 season wasn't technically over until November, Hiccup was still keeping tabs on other racers while he was doing his trials. There were a few that really stuck out to him as competition and he was looking forward to running the same tracks they were currently running in order to challenge their times.

"Hiccup, it's nearly four in the afternoon, why don't you take a break and we'll head to the kitchens for some lunch." It was Sunday, and Hiccup had been locked away in his dungeons for nearly seventy six hours with only a few sandwiches and even less sleep.

"Gobber, I've nearly got it, it's just this-," Gobber pulled Hiccup away from the car's hood with his good hand. "Wh-what are you d-doing Gobber?"

"Hiccup! We are going upstairs, and we are going to eat lunch." Gobber easily threw Hiccup's small frame over his burly shoulder and began the short journey up the stairs and through two service hallways to reach the kitchen. Hiccup complained the entire walk to the kitchens, screeching about this part and that.

When Gobber walked into the kitchen, many of the serving girls blushed and stuttered at seeing Hiccup, embarrassed to see him in such a dishevelled state. Gobber placed Hiccup onto a stool, laying a heaving hand onto his shoulder when he tried to run from the kitchen.

"Alright, alright. I'll eat, but I'm going right back downstairs." Hiccup dug into the bowl of stew placed in front of him and Gobber smiled to see him eat with such enthusiasm. "McLaren is really starting to fight his way up the ranks and so is Stevensen, I don't know if I can compete with them and win."

"Oh Hiccup, you've never been in a real race before, where you have to fight to get ahead," Gobber sighed, tiring of all the Formula One talk. "I bet once you actually get out there and feel the nerves, you'll do great. You already push past the times of sixty five percent of the other racers; you'll be surprised at what you can do in a real race."

"I know Gobber, I'm just thinking about everything too much." Hiccup continued to eat his stew in silence.

"Hey, what do you say to heading into town later on and seeing if we can't find an artist to paint your car," Gobber suggested, willing to do anything as long as it didn't involve going back to the dungeon.

"That's alright Gobber," Hiccup shook his head, he appreciated the gesture but could tell the Gobber was getting tired of his car talk. "The trial runs aren't anything important so I'm not worried about a new paint job just yet. I wouldn't mind getting out of the castle though; maybe we could see what's going on at the stadium this evening. I'm sure dad has the men out for some training on a night like tonight."

Gobber could only raise his eyes at his charge. The Stadium? Hiccup? Had he hit his head? Maybe all the fumes from his car had finally gotten to him.

"Well sure Hiccup, going to the Stadium sounds like a great idea. I wouldn't mind seeing how my boy is making out with his training. He just turned sixteen, you know."

Stoic had always been raised to believe that a man should know how to fight and should be willing to fight for his country and his leader, therefore; on a man's sixteenth birthday, he was trained by the finest guards that Berk had to offer. If the boy showed any potential, Stoic would bring him into the Guard, would raise him as his own and would ensure that he be happy his entire life. Gobber's son, Snotlout, had been training to join the guard since he was six, he was built like a truck and as quick as a fox and Hiccup knew that he would be dominating in the Stadium.

"You may have mentioned it before Gobber," Hiccup laughed as he took the last bite of stew from his large bowl. He swallowed before, "it's great to see that you're so proud of him. Let me put my bowl in the sink and we'll head right out." Hiccup stood from his stool and made his way to the sink before an older woman stopped him, taking his bowl from his hands and tutting him before turning away and placing his bowl in the sink. Hiccup couldn't help but shake his head. "Thank you, Valka."

Hey guys! Hope you're all loving the story so far. Next chapter will be the Stadium and the first couple of Trial races. Hope you're looking forward to them as much as I am!

I've been aiming for 1,500 words per chapter and have gotten there with both chapters so far but I think my next chapter will only be around 1,000 words.