The Cycle Continues Part Two: Beauty and the Beast

by autumn6435

Eragon and Arya travel back to Alagaёsia after learning the birth of their baby might end in tragedy. Willow and Varhog—a human female and Urgal ram who have become best friends in their time on the Isle—accompany them. As they overcome the many obstacles on their path to love, their companions begin to learn of a grave threat to the peace in Alagaёsia, the Urgal King Kulkarvek.

30. Penance

30. Penance

Varhog ran as far as he could without tiring before he stopped, which was a great distance. Then he asked Black Thunder to come down and made him fly as far as he could. He was deep in the Spine, miles away from his village, and the pain in his heart seemed only to grow with every mile they flew. At well past midday, he finally said to his dragon, Turn back. I must be able to return by tonight.

The dragon turned in a wide loop and began to retrace his flight. My son, you are the only one who hasn't forgiven yourself over this, Black Thunder admonished, perfectly aware of every detail of Varhog's past week.

I know, but how can I? Varhog demanded. Why couldn't I think things through for one second before threatening to abandon Willow immediately after joining with her? What kind of fool am I! If I forgive myself, I fear I will forget my stupidity and live to make a mistake of similar gravity in the future. See how dire the consequences have been of my one great moment of rashness?

Yes, Black Thunder replied, but consequences are the natural result of every choice, good or evil. They will always follow. To forgive is not to forget, but to remember with peace. If you forget, you will not learn from your mistakes, but if you forgive, you will learn from them and move forward with peace and the wisdom to act better in the future. Your mate has forgiven you, and so have the other two privy to the events. But Willow's forgiveness is all that matters. And now your own. Please, my son. Let your pain go. It harms no one but you and is not a necessary penance but a deadly poison. If allowed to remain, it will only grow and fester, perhaps eventually destroying your marriage in a way more devastating than this last week threatened to do. You might come to feel you always deserved Willow's loathing and change from the ram you are now into one who actually does deserve her disdain. Forgiveness is the tool that provides healing balm to our wounded souls. Do not reunite with Willow tonight with this agony still darkening your heart. You know she will be overjoyed to see you, and she will wish for you to be as well. If you stubbornly cling to your pain in some misguided attempt to atone for your wrongs, it will do more harm than anything and no good at all. Forgive yourself, he touchingly finished, with gentle insistence.

Varhog bent over his dragon's neck, wrapping his great arms as far around him as he could. Thank you, my father. Tears began to flow from his tightly closed eyes, continuing for several hours as Varhog attempted to do as his dragon counseled and forgive himself.

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