I felt really smart when I finally caught onto this after seeing the movie several times. Nobody seems to have written about this.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own How to Train Your Dragon.

I'll Catch Up With You

I was the best trainee. Every morning, I got up before the sun and did my chores. Every morning, I ran around the village five times. Every morning, I attended dragon training with the other teens.

Every day, I evaded whatever dragon Gobber decided to throw at us, watched the other teens get hit and beaten countless times. Every day, I practiced using my axe, perfected my throws and worked on my balance and agility.

Every evening, I finished the rest of my chores. Every evening, I lifted weights and practiced using the rest of the weapons known to Vikings.

Every night, I went to bed tired, but satisfied.

I was the best Viking trainee.

I am the best Viking trainee.

Then why is Hiccup doing better in Dragon Training than I am?

When the Zippleback attacked, despite my alertness, my feet were swept from under me and I fell. When the Zippleback attacked, despite his meekness, Hiccup scared it back into its enclosure and left unscathed.

The next time Gobber let the Gronckle out, despite my skill with my double-headed axe, I couldn't take it down. The next time Gobber let out the dragon that had almost incinerated Hiccup, despite his twig-like, weak figure, Hiccup made the Gronckle stop in its tracks.

Just now, he had walked up and out of the ring as if his stunt had been nothing. His new-found admirers followed him, talking to him excitedly, asking him how he'd done it.

Exactly what I want to know. Especially since I was being bested by someone like him.

I was trailing a little behind, trying to think of how Hiccup had defeated the Gronckle and gazing down at my boots, when Hiccup's approaching voice intruded.

"You guys go on ahead – Ah!" I instinctively raised my hands as if I was surrendering, moving slightly to the right and voicing my own surprised exclamation while Hiccup stumbled to his own right and avoided the collision through an amazing show of dexterity only he could give. Almost automatically, he twisted around my strong, straight, well-grounded form, bending into an unbalanced and awkward-looking position that spun him around so he was almost running backwards.

"I'll catch up with you!" he called over his shoulder, his startled and timid green gaze locked on me before he righted himself and ran back into the Dragon-Training Arena. His challenge rang in my ears.

No.

He won't catch up with me.

Hope you liked! Did you catch the depth? I thought I included some not-quite-symbolism…

Constructive criticism is always welcome.