Every single review, and not only for this story, is precious to me. I'm really glad I have one review, and I will be twice as glad if I get two! I'll be happy if this fanfiction (no matter how small it is) has made you think a little about some things. I'd love to hear your opinions on those matters as well.

About Going On

He lay on the ground, thinking. Was there even any point in going on, when he had lost his hope for the future, when he had made so many mistakes? The rejection of Arya had been really painful for him, and at the memory of this he clenched his fists as hard as he could, letting blood run down his palm and colour the edges of his sleeves in red. His eyes started burning again with tears, but he held them this time, trying to get a hold of himself once more.

There was no point in going on. Why didn't someone silence him, why didn't anyone warn him that this was going to happen? Why didn't anyone try to stop him? There was no answer to those questions, and he knew he and only he was responsible for what he had done. And he couldn't fix it now.

And what did free will matter to him, when at the last moment, his will had betrayed him? He knew perfectly well what was going to happen if he tried to say what he had said, but he couldn't restrain himself any more. He just gave in to the romantic atmosphere and the magic of the elves, he didn't make his choice to finally reveal his feelings towards her willingly. But nevertheless, the consequences were the same, no matter the reason, and his mistake didn't become less significant or not as big.

He lay on the ground, shattered, looking into the sky, but that activity didn't bring any pleasure or comfort to him. He felt as if he had contaminated something pure, something that gave him hope until now, and now he was suffering because of what he had done. It was irreversible, there was no escaping of that feeling.

Saphira emerged from the forest. He only heard her, as she approached him, because he neither showed he had seen her arrival, nor greeted her in any way. He only wanted to be left alone.

Little one, what is it? She asked him. He still paid no attention to her.

Please, tell me. I hate seeing you suffer alone.

He sighed. No one can help me now, he answered her this time.

That's not true. I'll always be here for you.

This time, even you can't. He turned his head away, not wanting to meet her large, sapphire eyes. No one can. I made a great mistake, and now I must suffer the consequences... alone.

That will only make your suffering more unbearable. Why do you think I hatched for you?I wanted to protect you from any danger.

He didn't answer her.

I'm sorry about Arya—she started again.

You're not making it any better! He suddenly shouted in her mind.

I am trying to. But you knew what was going to happen...

YES!He roared in pain. I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND YET I DID IT! AND LOOK AT ME NOW! That sudden anger was equally surprising both for him and for her. Panting heavily, as if he had just shouted the words out loud, he now stared at her fiercely.

I am looking at you, and I can't believe this is the man I chose to be my rider. Eragon would've had strength to go on. Her gaze was cold now, and there was no trace of her previous compassion. She was angry too.

Go away, he muttered.

No, I will not. You need me now.

I know what I need right now, and I need to be left alone! He shouted again.

She shook her head. You didn't know what were you doing.

I—What?

Back then. When you confessed to Arya.

I don't want to talk about Arya right now. He turned his gaze away from her once more.

That's necessary. I know how you feel. You think it is useless to go on.

Going on, he grunted. That will only result in more mistakes and even deeper despair.

That is what you see now, because you are in despair. Help me get you out of your misery! I've always done so before.

Before... Before I made that mistake.

Yes, but you've done even bigger mistakes that could threaten the lives of many people. Yet you always found a little hope, that showed to you the right way out of this. Saphira stepped closer, leaning her head over him.

Hope is for fools,Eragon said.

Hope is one of the few truthful things in our life. Despair is a lie, despair doesn't exist in the world. It's just human imagination that created it.

How do you know? You have no idea how I feel!

Yes, you are right,Saphira sighed. I've never experienced despair in my life. But I'll tell you this—does an animal, that has nowhere to run, ever give up fighting and just offer itself to the beast? Would all animals just kill themselves, only because they know they will die one day? No, because they have faith—strong faith that their existence means something, that no one, no matter how small is he, is pointless. And no one is. There is a lesson behind everything you encounter as an obstacle, because no obstacle is meant to despair you. It is only meant to show you what are you doing wrong, and it'll teach you that, if only you have a little faith in yourself.

Saphira, I still don't see what's the point in that.

Your mistake... You may call it that way, but I don't think it was a mistake... Means that you just have to be not as direct and to control yourself a little more next time.

He turned to his left, now fully facing Saphira. Will there be a next time after this?

Saphira met his eyes. She smiled. There's always a next time, and there's always a second chance. That's the point in going on, because a chance will always be given to you, to repair what you have done wrong, and you just have to be clever enough to see it.

How do you do that? he asked.

What?

Recognising your second chance?

Have faith, little one. Have faith that it all has a meaning. She chuckled. He smiled wearily as well. Now, lets go.

Where to? he asked, a little curious.

Just for a flight, to lighten you up a bit.

Okay.He stood up.

Have faith. That was all he needed to know.

For now.