This takes place not too long after the last episode of the 2nd season. But it doesn't much matter when this happens.
Hiccup and the rest of the gang had been slacking off at the academy. Since there were no real threats now, they didn't do much. Astrid decided to have weapons training. If they ever did happen to be in trouble." Today is archery. Once you get a bull's-eye, you can go home." Astrid explained while passing out the bows. Everyone but Hiccup groaned in annoyance. "Come one. We have to learn our basic weapons. None of us can rely on our dragons alone." Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Like you." Hiccup's eyes narrowed. "Yes. I can't always ask Toothless to save me. And none of you guys can do the same with your dragons. We need to be able to protect ourselves." "You're the only one who can't fight." Hiccup crossed his arms." Let's say each of us was fighting a much bigger Viking. here's what would happen. Snotlout would get cocky and focus more on showing off than surviving. Tuffnut isn't much more muscular than me so he can't really fight too well with his fists either. He'd most likely try to use humor. Ruffnut wouldn't know when to give up. Fishlegs, no offence Fishlegs, would probably scream and run. I'd say something really stupid like insulting him or her, thus getting my self beaten to a pulp. Astrid would whop their head off with an axe. None of us are very good at fighting on our owns. So we start with weapons."
They were all speechless. He was pretty dead on."Fine." They all answered in unison."First up is Fishlegs." Astrid tossed Fishlegs the bow. After about 6 tries Fishlegs finally got a bull's-eye. Snotlout and Ruffnut got it on the first shot. Tuffnut snuck off before it was his turn. Hiccup was the last up. "What are you doing? "Astrid lowered the bow. "What?" "You're using you're left hand. You're right eye dominant." "Uh..." "Use your right hand. Aren't you right handed anyway?" "No." Astrid raised an eyebrow. "But every weapon I've ever seen you hold you've used your right hand." "First of all not every weapon. And I don't always plan to use that weapon. If I do. I use my left hand. But normally I just use my shield and happen to have a weapon too. I've always been good with my Iron Gronkle shield. Can't I use it for a crossbow?"
Astrid shook her head. She grabbed his arms and guided them. "Here you go. But it always helps to have both eyes open. Wider range of vision." She realized how close together they were and back up. But she dragged him with her. She had involuntarily wrapped her leg around his. "OH. I'm." "Just let me." "Okay. Sorry." Astrid brushed her bangs behind her ears.
"That's good. Now pull back to the cheek. And let go." Hiccup pulled it back much easier than she thought. He glanced between her and the target and grinned slightly. he let go of the feathery end. Dead center."Whoa. That was...wow. Um, I guess you can leave." Astrid kind of liked helping Hiccup. "I can only get better. OH and maybe I can help you with shields. They you're most important weapon you know?" Astrid smiled."Alright. Sounds like a plan."
This is based on that they used bow and arrows in the sequel. Not saying what for but they do. But that's not really a spoiler since it's war. They are expected to use any weapon. I also slipped in my own theory on Hiccup being left handed. He never intends to really use weapons but he does the shield which is actually his main source of defense for a while. Thanks for reading and please review.