The Red Maiden, Part Thirteen
The Red Maiden
Content Warning: Bullying, War, Trauma/PTSD, Emotional/Physical Abuse, Self-Harm, Violent Content, Depression. Reader discretion is advised
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, as none of the content is my original work. Stephen King and J.R.R Tolkien create the characters. The content belongs to MGM and Screen Gems, as the 2013 film remake of Carrie was directed by Kimberly Pierce and produced by Kevin Misher, and additional production is through MGM, Screen Gems, and Misher films as well as distributed by Sony Pictures releasing.
Doomed to Fail
The moment of truth finally arrived when Gandalf, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and Carrie met with Lord Elrond out of earshot of the company. The purpose of this meeting was to find answers regarding the map in Thorin’s possession in order to find answers to another way in the lonely mountain. Thorin, however, was not going to hand over the map so easily. He insisted on keeping it, claiming it was his duty to protect it and any secrets it may hold. This time Carrie chose not to say a word to Thorin, deciding to let Gandalf chastise him instead for his stubbornness. No matter how much Carrie wanted to say something or felt this was becoming a waste of time, the last thing she needed was to push her luck when it came to Thorin.
After what felt like hours of pure refusal from Thorin with everyone’s patience wearing thin, he reluctantly handed the map over to Elrond. Carrie could not resist giving a small sigh of relief as she glanced over to see Balin’s worried expression. It didn’t take long for that moment of relief to be overshadowed with worry as a hush fell over the entire group. Seeing Elrond stare intently at the map was enough to make everyone, including Carrie, tense as he stayed silent.
“To what purpose do you wish me to look over this map?” Elrond finally said as Thorin opened his mouth, ready to speak his mind. However, Gandalf interrupted Thorin’s chance to speak and explained how all of this was purely academic. Everyone was on edge as Elrond began to explain there are moon runes all along the map. One could see the lightbulb go off in Gandalf’s head as he gave a small chuckle.
“Course, easy to miss,” Gandalf said.
Elrond then explained how fate was with everyone as tonight was the same moon in which the runes were written. He slowly made his way over to a glowing crystal pedestal and read how to stand by the door when the thrush knocks on Durin’s day. The look on Thorin’s face soon became that of dread as he explained how it was ill news as Durin’s day was fast approaching. What made things worse was when Balin explained from there how they needed to be in the right spot and moment.
“So this is your purpose? To enter the mountain,” Elrond said as Carrie could see the look in Thorin’s eyes go from shock to pure irritation. If there was ever a moment where Carrie felt empathy for Thorin, it sure was now as their true purpose for entering the mountain was revealed. An awkward silence filled the air for a brief moment as their lie was exposed to Lord Elrond.
“There are some who do not deem it wise,” Elrond added. This proved too much for Thorin, and he stormed off in anger. Tension was left among the entire group, but Carrie dared not to stay. She immediately began to follow after Thorin. She heard Elrond try to call for her, but she didn’t want to so much as look at him. It made her understand more why Thorin hated the entire race of elves. Right now, all Carrie could feel was anger toward Elrond, feeling almost betrayed that he would dare try to stop them.
Carrie ended up losing sight of Thorin, however. She mused to herself how he was perhaps the quickest dwarf out of everyone. She called out for him as she was trying to use her telekinesis to find any sort of presence of him. When that didn’t work, tears sprang to her eyes. She was feeling more anger toward Elrond by the minute. If the entire quest was unwise to follow, then why was she even here? Why was she saved from near-death if all was meant to be doomed from the start?
“Carrie,” a voice whispered as Carrie immediately snapped her head up, tensing at hearing that voice call out to her. What made her nervous was not that a strange voice was calling her but that she felt it in her mind. She looked around wildly to find out the source of the voice, a bit terrified at how a stranger was able to telepathically call out to her. She didn’t find anyone there, and it started to freak her out a little.
“Who’s there?” she asked. She saw a tall woman come out of the darkened shadows. This made her more certain that elves must have ninja-like qualities if they can escape her telekinetic senses. As if the woman herself could read her mind, she gave a small chuckle, and this only left Carrie in awe. Not simply because of how her mind was now an open book to her, but she looked like she were a queen that stepped out of a storybook.
“You.. can read my mind?” Carrie asked before she could stop herself. The woman kept a smile on her face, giving a small nod. The awed feeling soon began to disappear as she thought about Thorin and why she stormed off from the group in the first place. That was when the smile on the woman’s face began to fade a little and was replaced with a sympathetic look for Carrie.
“You’ve been through many a hardship Carrie, more than anyone can scarcely imagine. Your quest is not over yet,” the woman said as Carrie gave a small scoff and turned away from the woman. After everything she had been through, she found it a bit hard to believe this complete stranger. The sting of betrayal from what Elrond said echoed in her mind as she did the best she could to keep herself from crying.
“That’s not what Lord Elrond thinks. I feel like I have no purpose being in this world if it’s unwise to even be on this quest. I… I want to help them. I don’t care if it’s unwise; I want to help my friends have their homes back. Because I grew up in a loveless environment. And there’s nothing Lord Elrond or anyone can do or say about it,” she said with determination as she looked out from the balcony. She glanced over to see the woman next to her, with a smile once more on her face.
“That is why you were chosen, not just to slay the beast but to achieve redemption. Fate has smiled upon you, and you are right to help Thorin Oakenshield reclaim his homeland,” the woman said as Carrie looked at her with a confused expression. What could this woman possibly mean by chosen? Is there more to this than what Carrie could tell? As if the woman could read her mind, she turned to face Carrie once more.
“Even those who suffered all their life can be redeemed and change the course of the future,” the woman said as she kept a smile on her face. This made Carrie smile as well, beginning to be reassured by this stranger’s words. Thorin Oakenshield came to mind again as she looked away from the woman. She was genuinely worried for him.
“I don’t even know who you are, and yet that was more reassuring than what anyone, even Gandalf, has said to me,” Carrie said as she turned to face the woman but found her not there. She’d disappeared as quickly as she had appeared. Carrie could only hope against all hope that the woman was right about her purpose. Either way, she planned on being there for her newfound friends, even if the quest was doomed right from the start.
**If you or someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, has experienced severe depression, or has experienced a PTSD episode, call the national suicide prevention lifeline (1-800-273-8255), text CONNECT or HOME to the crisis text line at 741741, or call 911**
