CHAPTER 14 – The Depressing Rules

"Welcome, welcome," Queen Primrose said over the lively crowd. The young women sitting at the three long tables in the banquet hall fell silent. "I'm so pleased to see all your happy faces," the Queen continued, smiling down at all of them from her raised platform. Rapunzel grinned at her three roommates. Astrid grimaced back, while Anna looked oddly worried, and Merida had her chin leaning on the palm of her hand. "So, as you might have guessed, I would like discuss the University schedule, and basic rules," said Queen Primrose, nodding.

"To begin, addressing our more rustic girls, I must insist on a ban on all weapons;" Merida looked up in shock. "And of course all forms of violence and foul behavior, including profanity, are strictly prohibited while on the school grounds." "What the ruddy hell is she goin' on about?" the Scottish lass whispered furiously.

"Secondly, no student is allowed off the school grounds during the school week without express permission from me or one of your tutors." Astrid frowned. "When she says no one is allowed off the ground, does that include flying?" she asked Rapunzel. The princess gave her an apologetically clueless shrug.

"Thirdly, be respectful and courteous to your fellow students. Remember, we are here to make friends with young women from other lands, and in order to do so, we must be accepting of their culture." Anna glanced doubtfully at Merida.

"Lastly, misdemeanors of all kinds, including roughhousing, stealing, and teasing, vandalizing University property, inappropriate conduct, and disturbance of the peace will be punished accordingly when the offender is sent to my office." Rapunzel giggled at Merida's loud groan. "I've a feeling I'll be visiting her office quite a bit," the red-haired girl grumbled.

"Now that I have listed all the basic rules, I would like to explain your schedules for the year." Queen Primrose handed a servant girl a large pile of papers to pass around. Astrid accepted one, and looked it over carefully.

First Semester Schedule
(Monday, September 2nd – Friday, December 13th)

Mondays:
Morning Gong – 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Dining Etiquette with Queen Primrose in the Banquet Hall – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Basic Training in Social Protocol with Queen Primrose in the Tea Room – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesdays:
Morning Gong – 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Culinary and Celebration Planning with the King's Personal Pastry Chef, Mister Atilla – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Art and Interior Design with Mister Gunter and Ulf the Mime – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesdays:
Morning Gong – 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Music with Official Kingdom Performer, Mister Hook Hand and his assistant – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cultural Studies with Professor Philippe Guillemot – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Thursdays:
Morning Gong – 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Equestrian Center overseen by Jackson Overland the Groom – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Emergency Training with Nurse Ada in the Infirmary – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Fridays:
Morning Gong – 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The Art of War with King Thomas – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Art of Peace with King Thomas – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Weekends:
Morning Gong – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Banquet Hall – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
FREE PERIOD – 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Lunch in the Banquet Hall – 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FREE PERIOD – 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Dinner in the Banquet Hall – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Lights out – 10:00 p.m.

Special Events:
Autumn Festival – Sunday, September 22nd through Saturday, September 28th
All Hallows' Eve – Saturday, October 31st
Harvest Celebration – Sunday, November 22nd through Saturday, November 28th
Winter Break – Sunday, December 20th through Sunday, January 3rd
Winter Ball – Friday, December 25th through Saturday, December 26th
New Year's Gala – Thursday, December 31st through Friday, January 1st

The front of the paper explained the class schedule for the semester, while the other side had a handy map of the University and the grounds. "So, as you might have noticed, tomorrow I am hosting all of your classes. In Corona, tomorrow is Monday, for those of you who know it by another name," said Queen Primrose, smiling. There was a ripple of murmurs through the crowd. Astrid rolled her eyes to herself, thinking about Berk and their week, consisting of Sun's day, Moon's day, Tyr's day, Odin's day, Thor's day, Freya's day, and Saturn's day. "Anyway, in addition to my teaching," the Queen continued, "on Fridays, my husband has kindly dedicated his time to your studies as well." Rapunzel beamed at Astrid and the other two.

Queen Primrose glanced down at her personal schedule sheet. "As you can see, you have been given a thirty-minute session between each activity, which gives you all enough time to reach your next destination. All meals are optional but highly recommended. The time you have during free periods and weekends should be spent wisely. All students are allowed to visit the city on weekends, as long as they leave a note at my office before doing so. Finally, 'Lights out' at ten o'clock is mandatory for all students, no exceptions."

The Queen took a deep breath. "Now I would like to address the 'Special Events' category. Firstly, all the festivities will be taking place within the city, except Winter Break, during which you will remain on the school grounds, unless you decide to return home for that short period. Secondly, for the Winter Ball and New Year's Gala, you are all welcome to invite your friends and family. After the Harvest Celebration, we will be handing out invites to both events for all of you to send to whomever you wish. All students and guests are expected to dress and behave appropriately for the occasion." Merida snorted. Anna gave her an inquiring look. "I'm just thinkin' about what my three brothers might do if they come. Corona'll never see it comin'." Merida shook her head, chuckling.

"Well, I believe that is the end of this meeting!" Queen Primrose announced, smiling. "If anyone has any questions concerning what was just discussed, please feel free to contact me at my office."

At that moment, the servant girl who had handed out the papers rang a small bell. Its jingling echoed around the banquet hall. On cue, around ten servants came pouring in from two double doors, carrying large platters of food. The girls were served quickly. Merida picked up her fork, ready to devour the items on her plate. Rapunzel stopped her swiftly. "We have to wait until my mother sits down," she whispered. The crowd of students watched adamantly as the Queen crossed the platform. She went around her personal table, and delicately pulled out her seat. With the grace and poise of a true queen, she smoothed her skirts underneath her and sat in the chair.

Immediately, Merida began shoveling food into her mouth. Anna purposefully did not look in that direction for the rest of dinner. Rapunzel attempted to make some small talk with the other girls at their table. Astrid picked at her food, not being particularly hungry. She started thinking about Hiccup.

I wonder what he's doing.

Meanwhile…

The Chief of Berk swirled his spoon around his bowl of soup.

"What, you don't like my cooking?" said a voice to his left. Hiccup glanced over. Ruffnut stood there, one hand on her hip, the other leaning on the thick wooden tabletop. She had a strange fiery look in her eyes.

Hiccup shook his head. "No, it's fine. I mean—good."

Ruffnut scowled. She sat across from him. "You're missing Astrid, aren't you," she said, leaning forward, her elbows on the table. Hiccup resumed stirring his soup. "Oh for gods' sake," Ruffnut exclaimed, knocking the spoon from his hand.

The Chief of Berk glowered at her. "Could you not?" he grumbled. The young women stuck her tongue out at him. Hiccup rolled his eyes. "You'll never grow up, will you," he muttered. Ruffnut picked up his spoon, and handed it back to him, with a warning: "Eat it this time. Though it's probably ice cold by now." Hiccup sighed, but begrudgingly obliged. Surprisingly, it was not that bad. As he sipped the chunky concoction, Ruffnut watched him like a hawk. The blue-eyed blonde seemed mildly fascinated with him. Just as Hiccup finished, Ruffnut swiped the bowl filled with leftover juice out from under him and stalked off.

I wasn't done with that, Hiccup thought, gazing forlornly at his hunk of bread. Ruffnut came back again, with a tankard of mead.

"This'll warm your belly," she declared, sliding onto the bench across from him again. Hiccup thanked her. "Don't suppose you want to talk about it?" She asked, giving him a pointed look. "About what," Hiccup said, taking a swig of mead. "The 'Astrid situation'," Ruffnut replied, twisting one of her braids. The Chief of Berk swallowed slowly. "There's nothing to talk about." Ruffnut squinted at him. "I think there is," she said. Hiccup shook his head, disbelievingly. "You are awfully persistent." The blonde girl glared at him. She let the issue drop. For now.

Ruffnut observed Hiccup down his mead. "Well, good night then," she said, picking up his tankard. Hiccup nodded.

That night, Hiccup lay awake in bed, thinking. Besides being lonely, he had forgotten how awfully cold it was sleeping alone. He had grown accustomed to Astrid's little heater of a body beside him. He even missed the icy toes, which used to latch onto his good leg. Hiccup rolled over abruptly, becoming startlingly aware of his own solitude. He had half a mind to invite Toothless in, and have him sleep next to the bed, as he used to when they were kids. Gradually, that half a mind became a damn good idea, and Hiccup sat up blearily. Clambering out from under the covers, Hiccup braced himself against the bedpost. His hand scrambled about on the nightstand, searching for his prosthetic. Once located, he buckled it onto his stump of a left leg.

Stiff, Hiccup limped his way across the house. He opened the front door. "Toothless," he called softly. For a moment, there was silence. Then there was a rustling of wings from the roof, and a black Nightfury landed before him. "Hey bud," Hiccup cooed. Toothless purred, nuzzling his hand. "Do you want to come in?" Hiccup asked, stepping aside to display the empty doorway. Toothless looked at him suspiciously. Ever since Astrid moved in, there had been a mutual understanding that no dragons where allowed in the house.

"Just for tonight," Hiccup whispered, "since Astrid's not here." Toothless snorted. The Nightfury crept quietly into the living room, looking around. He started up the flight of steps to his boy's old bedroom. Hiccup chuckled. "No, our room's downstairs now." He approached the Nightfury, rested a hand on his neck, and steered him the right direction. Once inside the master bedroom, Toothless quit sneaking around. Overcome with a sudden childlike joy, all common dignities foregone, he pranced onto the king size bed. "Aw, come on, bud!" Hiccup exclaimed, attempting to scold his best friend, "Get down from there, you know you're not allowed."

Toothless curled up on top of the sheets, and put on a miserable puppy-eyed expression. Hiccup frowned at him. The Nightfury glowered back. Hiccup sighed. The Nightfury exhaled heavily. "Fine!" Hiccup shouted, officially giving up. Toothless roared in delight. Hiccup clapped two hands over the dragon's mouth. "Shh, we can't have the neighbors knowing you're here! One of them might tell Astrid." The Nightfury's call died down to a gentle hum.

"Okay," Hiccup said, releasing Toothless' jaw. "Now, try not to take up all the room," the dragon trainer said, laying down the law, while sitting on the edge of the bed to unbuckle his faux leg, "and don't toss and turn all night. And please, don't wake me up at the crack of dawn; humans need more sleep than dragons." The Nightfury nodded, settling down. Hiccup slid under the covers, and curled up beside his dragon. Toothless wrapped his tail around his human, and enveloped him in his wings. Hiccup had no issue with the cold that night.