Playing with words

Hiccup is so much more comfortable with himself physically in HTTYD2, and I wanted to explore how he got there since he's still nowhere near as of DoB. Puberty finally gives him and Astrid both inches, but I figured it had to be Astrid that finally teaches him how to fight independent of Toothless since she has always had a very similar build. (Naturally he adds a flaming sword for the requisite Hiccup flair.)

I also wanted to give Astrid a story where her main purpose was not to simply be the love interest, but to recognize how she has motivations and goals of her own. HTTYD2 actually disappointed me that way- she had no character arc besides changing her opinion of Eret; she's mostly a one-note "support Hiccup" character like she has become in the series. And I find that really frustrating: Astrid is Hiccup's opposite in so many ways that their perceptions and goals should come into natural conflict, at least some of time. So with that idea of them faced off in conflict, this chapter (and the next) was born.

Thoughts and concrit are always appreciated!