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Tel Lindar 44 - CONSTANCE,,, WE’RE HOOOOME or the aftermath.

The place was... a relic. It stank of orc. Bronwyn was immediately reminded of Moria, the stench of it. 'Constance, your home stinks!' There was scratching. Spiders were hanging from the castle walls. Bronwyn began to throw her knives, eviscerating the giant insects. The dwarves were spinning, shooting, throwing weapons at the eight-legged arachnids. Thorin was poetry in motion.

As was Thrandrul.

Bronwyn left the entryway and into a keeping room. She gasped. There were elves chained to the walls, each tortured. Bodies were bent, malnourished, the blood... blood everywhere.

“GANDALF! ELROND! CELEBORN!” She inhaled deeper. “GALADRIEL!” She was joined by Severus and Lucius.

“Merlin's beard! What on earth?” The sound whooshed from Severus's mouth.

Lucius repeated Snape's epitaph.

“That's where they came from,” Bronwyn whispered. “She's making orcs.”

The three Elves, and the Istari came into the room. All four gasped in horror. Galadriel recovered first. “Now we know where our people have been disappearing to.” She stepped up to the nearest one. “What is your name?”

A vomit encrusted face looked up, pain so evident on his features. “Roraphil. My name is Roraphil, my lady.” The elf began to weep. “Thank Iluvatar you've come. I thought... I thought...” The elf broke down completely, his body shaking from weariness. .

“We need to get them out of here. One by one, the warriors who came with Lialidrul, took down and removed the elves from the wall, taking them outside to be tended to.

There was a tugging at Bronwyn's trousers. Amadeus stood there, whining and nosing at the stairs. Bronwyn's numbers were dwindling. “Shall we go get her?” Making sure her blades were cleared of gore, she turned and headed towards the stairs, followed by Amadeus and Severus. “Oh, Constance...”

“Yes, mother?” Her voice echoed back.

“I'm coming to get my bow and kill you.” She mounted the stairs.

“You're welcome to try.”

“I'm bringing... friends.”

“Again, you're welcome to try.” There was a breeze in the corridor. “It does not matter who you bring, mother. I will win.” The voice tickled her ear.

Bronwyn, Amadeus, and Snape reached the top of the staircase. Constance was nowhere in sight. For ages, they went from room to room, Constance calling, cajoling, ridiculing the threesome. They finished the top floor.

No Constance.

“Really, mother. Do you have any idea how many times you've passed me by?” The voice echoed from the main floor. The trio looked over the railing to see the witch standing against a wall.

Bronwyn took off and hurtled down the stairs, Amadeus on her heels.

Lucius grabbed Severus by the sleeve as the Wizard passed him to follow her. “Severus... I... I... don't know what to say. This is her... life?”

“Aye and I am bound to her.” He jerked his arm from the blonde wizard and followed the storyteller down the stairs.

Bronwyn reached the main floor. Her knives were out and spinning. “Constance. Why?”

The witch shrugged nonchalantly. “Why not?” She sighed dramatically. “I want your power! That's why!” She was watching Severus come down the stairs. She slung her wand arm back. “Avada Kedavra!”

Amadeus jumped between the thrown spell and Severus. The power of it slung the wolf across the hall and he landed motionless into the wall.

He didn't get up.

“狈翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱翱!!!”

Even Severus was stunned. That the wolf would sacrifice himself...

Constance was chuckling. “Now what, mother? NOW WHAT?”

Bronwyn moved so quickly, the witch didn't see. Her knives flew, pinning the witch's hands spread eagle into the stone wall, her wand flying from her hand and landing at Lucius's feet.

He did the exact thing Bronwyn would have done in his place. He stepped on it, breaking it into splinters. The sound of the disintegrating wood was resolute and it sounded so good to Lucius's ears as he ground his heel into the wood stem.

Constance was laughing uncontrollably. “Now what. Mother? Now what?”

Bronwyn slid her sword from it's casing on her back. Wielding it like an American baseball bat, she strode forward, swung, and neatly decapitated the woman.

Constance's head bounced across the foyer, landing at Bronwyn's feet. She stared at it for a moment, before kicking it in front of Severus “Bring her back.”

“Bronwyn, I cannot raise the dead.”

She looked towards Lucius Malfoy. “Bring her back.”

“I cannot.”

“Why not?”

“I cannot raise the dead,” he repeated. He turned on his heel and strode from the foyer, out into the murky light and over the drawbridge.

“I thought you were a dark wizard!” the woman yelled at the retreating back. “Instead, you're a coward!” If the blonde heard her, he didn't acknowledge her tirade, her insult, but kept walking, stepping backwards, effectively leaving the castle.

There was a thump, the foundation of the castle, shaking.

“What was that?” When Severus moved to stand next to her, she didn't know.

“N'uma.” There was another thud, the flooring of the foyer cracking from the stress.

And another. The crack drew longer.

And another, The crack turned into a hole.

“翱丑!”

More thumping. The hole became bigger.

“惭测!

“叠谤辞苍飞测苍?”

A huge demonic head and wingtips rose from the floor.

“骋翱顿!!!”

Severus watched as the... whatever it was... thing... rose from the flooring. “I don't think that is a god of any sort.”

“NO! That,” she pointed with her sword, “is a balrog. It is a Maia bound to Melkor.”

“I am not up on my Middle Earth lore, Bronwyn. What is a Maia?”

“Gandalf is a Maia!”

“Lovely,” the wizard muttered. “How do we defeat it? I take it it is no friend.”

“I rather doubt it.” Her voice dropped. “I thought they were all dead.” she took a breath. “Severus,” she raised her sword, “it was nice knowing you.”

“奥辞迟?”

No one noticed the wolf moving, struggling to getup on all four paws.

Their eyes were on the balrog. It had a whip made of flame and as it stared down at the two, it unrolled it and cracked it over their heads.

“This is not your fight.” She never took her eyes from the balrog. “Please. Save yourself.” she glanced at him, side-eyed. “Please. You've put up with enough of me.”

:”You cannot fight this... being on your own.”

“No, but you can live.”

The balrog took a menacing step forward, continuing to crack its whip over their heads. The hall shook, armor rattling, pictures falling from the walls.

“Dear Merlin,” the wizard murmured.

Neither wizard or woman realized the wolf was no longer a wolf.

The whip snacked toward Bronwyn's outstretched sword. It connected and the contact caused Bronwyn's teeth to rattle and chatter. “Let me help.” Severus's hands covered hers on the handle, just as the fiery whip made contact with the blade again.

A third pair of hands joined the two that gripped the pommel of the ancient sword. “I believe my wife and I have this, wizard.”

Bronwyn looked back and up into the Elf's face. “Haldir?”

“Think I would lie down and allow you to muddle through a Balrog?” His smile was angelic.

The whip made contact with the front wall, over and behind their heads. The castle doorway opened up to triple its original size. Everyone across the bridge could see into the foyer entryway.

The whip struck the sword, jarring the woman, elf, and wizard. Severus turned lose of the sword. He pulled his wand from its casing. “贵谤别别锄补迟迟辞!” Ice shards immediately melted off.

“What song, my love?”

“贰濒惫颈蝉?”

Bronwyn smiled evilly. “Good one!”

Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire!

The sound waves spun on the blade and the next time Severus threw a Freezing spell at the balrog, Bronwyn flung the waves at its ears, The balrog shook them off and roared.

“Darling, that is Jerry Lee Lewis.”

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain

“You are correct! My bad!” The waves spun on the sword again.

“贵谤别别锄补迟迟辞!”

The waves were flung again.

And again.

And again.

Eventually, the fire demon fell to his knees and was flung backwards back into the pit from which it rose from.

I'm real nervous but it sure is fun
C'mon baby you're drivin' me crazy

Bronwyn paid no attention to the balrog. She only had eyes for her husband. “You're here! You're here!”

“I never left you. I have always been here.”

Bronwyn's look was one of confusion. “Ah...ah.. Amadeus?” He nodded. “Who knew?”

Haldir shrugged. “Everyone.”

“厂别惫别谤耻蝉?”

Haldir nodded.

“贰濒谤辞苍诲?”

“础测别.”

“Celeborn? Gandalf?”

Haldir nodded.

“顿耻尘产濒别诲辞谤别?”

“驰别蝉.”

Bronwyn threw her head back. “Aw shite!” She turned to Severus. “I'm such a dork! How do you put up with me?”

Severus shrugged.

There was a crack. The balrog's whip snaked from the hole and whipped around Haldir's ankle, dragging him into the crevice.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” She moved towards him, arms outstretched.

Severus grabbed her around the waist.

“LET ME GO!” She felt herself lifted up and thrown over his shoulder.

The castle began to shake, the stone works from above cracking, breaking, and falling about them.

Severus crossed the drawbridge just in time, Bronwyn kicking and screaming over his shoulder. He didn't put her down until the castle collapsed. When he finally released her, she sank to her knees, sobbing. “You let him die! AGAIN! You didn't even try!”

Severus put his hand on her shoulder. “Bronwyn-”

She slapped his hand away. “Do not touch me!”

“Tithen ares”

“Do not!” She shook her finger at Elrond. “You knew! You left me in the dark! YOU KNEW!” She began to sob. “You all knew. You all left me in the dark.”

“What did we all know that she's upset about?” Lucius whispered.

“Her wolf; Amadeus. He was the reincarnation of her husband, Haldir.”

Lucius stepped up to the sobbing woman. “Professor Powell, I'm truly sorry. For what it's worth, I didn't know either.” The glare she gifted him with made him step back.

“Where is Remus?” she choked out. “I'm here.” He stepped up beside her. “I knew. I'm sorry.”

“Can you come with me to my cottage? Make sure there aren't any bad guys hanging out there?”

“颁别谤迟补颈苍濒测.”

She got up, exhausted, and dusted off the seat of her pants. She picked up her sword.

“Bronwyn.” The voice was both ancient and familiar.

Bronwyn looked up. “Tari. Please send me to him.”

“I cannot. I am truly sorry.” She nodded to the sword the Storyteller held. “Your blood in the earth runs thin. You must replenish it.”

Her shoulders slumped. Without argument, she sliced her palm with the blade and allowed her blood to drip into the soil.

“My blood is of the Earth.
The Earth is of my Blood.
We are One. We are the Same.
We are forever joined.
I am aware of all of her joys and sorrows.”

Her sword was dropped to the ground and the Valar picked it up.

“This, as you well know, was a gift, a memory of your past. You have used it for many years in another form and now that you are complete, it will be returned in its original intention. It will never break, never fade. Bronwyn Morgan ap Powell. It is time. Claim your titles. Claim what is yours! Claim the Blood of the Earth." She handed the sword back to the shaking Bard.

"I am Bronwyn Morgan ap Powell. I am the Historian for all the Ages, past and future; I am the Storyteller of the Races, the Protector and Seer of the Future; the Musician of the All, the Voice of the Unheard, the Keeper of the Truth and of the Innocent. I am the founder and Mother of the Celtic Bards. This Vessel no longer stands empty, but filled with life and love, thereby making and creating in me the Bard of all of the Earth.” She slammed the sword, point down, into the soil, where upon contact, it turned into her guitar.

When she completed the incantation, she looked up to the Valar. “There. Now what?”

The being smiled. “You live your life. You have so much to live for and he-” she tilted her head towards Severus, “would be so bored without you. Forgive him for not telling you about Amadeus.” The Valar winked and disappeared.

“Who was that?” Lucius was still there.

“Someone more important than you,” Severus had a scratch on his nose and a nasty one at that.

'That would be Elentari, one of the Valar.” Elrond came from nowhere. “She has always had a special interest in Bronwyn.” He tapped Dumbledore on the shoulder, gaining his attention. “I hate to interrupt, but we need to get Bellamy's victims to a specialist.”

“St. Mungos, I believe, can be of service. How many?”

“There are about 40.”

“I'll go.” With the wave of his wand, Lucius disappeared to prepare the staff of the Wizard Hospital of the probable influx of highly injured and tortured elves..

“Why was he here?” Celeborn asked. No one heard the Silver Lord approach.

“I brought him with me.” Severus spoke up. If he was upset by Bronwyn's sudden defection, he didn't show it. “He has dogged your elf's wife since her arrival at the school. I hope that he now leaves her alone.”

Dumbledore was nodding in agreement.

Bronwyn finally looked up from the ground, where she'd sank. She watched as one by one, the heroes from Middle Earth disappeared, taking their weapons with them.

The Durins were last.

“You fought a balrog and lived!” Glorfindel stood over her. “How did you do that?” He nodded at Dumbledore. “I fought one and it killed me.” He nodded over to Gandalf, who was leaning over Constance's victims. “”Same with Gandalf.”

Bronwyn looked up at him from where she sat, her hand still bleeding and dripping. “It took three of us.” She glanced up at Severus. “He was harder than the dragon.” Her gaze slid from the wizard and onto the ground. “And the dragon was hard!” She looked up at Lucius, who had returned from warning St. Mungos and squinted. “What are you doing here?”

”Wrong place, wrong time.” He nodded at her dripping hand. “You should get that looked at.”

Severus smoothly took her hand and opened it. He began to caress and stroke her palm, stopping the bleeding and sealing the cut. Within a minute, it turned into an angry red scar on the palm of her hand. Gently, he pulled her to her feet and into his chest. “We are going to her cottage on the coast of Wales. She is exhausted-”

“And needs to rest,” Dumbledore finished for him.

“Yes. I do not know how long we will be gone.”

With a flick of his wrist, the two disappeared, vanishing in a puff of smoke.

They reappeared in front of her Welsh cottage. Remus appeared within seconds. 'Let me help clear her cottage,” he murmured. “I won't stay.” He began moving in circles, slowly untying the wards Severus didn't leave. Luckily, there were no Orcs in the home, but someone had been through it. It smelled of orc and herbs. As promised, Remus left after going through the home. Severus levitated her in and laid her on the bed upstairs. He went downstairs to see what was salvageable in the kitchen and whipped up a pot of soup. When he finished, the pantry was bare and he was going to need food, so he made plans to order some through the Witches Network.

He checked on her many times. He spent a lot of time down in the hidden basement, going through the spell books and talking to the House Ghost. She was very informative, telling him the history of the family, his history.

Bronwyn slept for 36 hours and was extremely weak when she woke. She had to be helped to the bathroom.

That was embarrassing for her.

It was for him, as well, but he never mentioned it.

By the end of the week, she was managing rather well on her own. She was unable to create music from the air, so the home was blissfully quiet. This did concern him, but she assured him that ability was the last to return.

Give it a few more weeks...

She was horny! Day in, day out. All night long! Severus was afraid his member would fall off!

They decided to return to Hogwarts the following Sunday, even though Bronwyn was still unable to conjure music. They knew the students would be full of questions of where she and Severus had been. Merlin only knew what Lucius had told Draco! And Constance's disappearance. Merlin! The two would definitely have to talk to Dumbledore to see what had been told to the students so they could solidify their stories. It was an unspoken and not discussed decision that they would go along with whatever Dumbledore decided.

If it wasn't too outrageous!

The Friday before they were to return to Hogwarts, Severus realized a scent that came about monthly, hadn't in two months.

“When were you going to tell me?” he demanded over breakfast.

“Tell you what?” Her acting skills, he decided, were amazing. Surely-

“Surely, you know what I am talking about!”

“Surely, I do not!”

The look she gave him... she was not lying! She did not realize...

“You are pregnant!” His tone shocked her.

“Pregnant? Me?” She started to giggle. “I think you're mistaken.”

“I am not.”

Bronwyn opened her mouth to argue, but snapped it shut, when she mentally counted.

At that moment, Severus vomited on the kitchen floor.

“Great!” she growled under her breath. “Haldir had morning sickness as well.”

“What?” Severus was aghast.

“I never got sick when I was pregnant. Haldir was, however. Both times.”

The wizard pulled out his wand and cleaned the mess he made up. “You cannot tell me you did not know.”

'I believe I can honestly say that.”

Severus stood straight up. “If you do not wish to have the child, give it to me and I will raise it.”

Dawning came to her features. What was he afraid of? “Of course, I want the babe!”

They went to the county office and got married that afternoon. This marriage,she decided, was greatly different from her marriage to Haldir. That marriage had been full of joy and she was surrounded by friends. This marriage was... solemn and Severus was beyond austere. She decided that she wanted a redo as soon as possible. With a pale long dress and Dumbledore officiating and she told the wizard so as they left the courthouse.

Severus just smirked.

They returned on Sunday. None of the staff said anything about whatever story had been concocted, so the marriage was accepted immediately.

“Cor blimey! She married the git?” Ron was aghast.

Hermoine and Harry just shook their heads. Harry respected the man and thought the Welsh Muggle professor would be good for him.

Hermoine wondered when the baby was due. Professor Powell-Snape hadn't said anything, but she had a glow about her.

Draco cornered Bronwyn in the hall when no one was around. “My father says you are a phenomenal fighter. I should tell Slytherin House to treat you with some modicum of respect.” he huffed importantly.

“You should treat me with respect regardless,” she retorted softly.

That set the teen back. “Well, yes, of course.” He slithered away, down the corridor.

The rest of the school year went by quietly. Almost all of the students asked Bronwyn about Professor Bellamy. She reaffirmed what Dumbledore told them: she had a family emergency in the States and resigned to go home and take care of it. Yes, she would be gone a long time, no, there were no plans for her to return. Yes, it was a serious emergency. If Draco knew the truth, he said nothing. Perhaps his father said nothing. Bronwyn had no idea who cleaned out the woman's apartment at the school and she didn't want to know who packed it up.

Her guitar leaned in the corner of her bedroom and sometimes, it hummed. When it did, she would stop what she was dong to play it.

Her bow was hung over the fireplace.

Her students passed their O.W.L.S. And N.E.W.T.S. So did Severus's. The Ministry was shocked. Bronwyn wasn't. Neither was Severus.

The last day was bittersweet. There were students she would miss. There were students she wouldn't. Crabbe, she would miss. He openly hugged her before he boarded the train.

“What are you going to do?” she asked softy.

“I have an interview with a museum to be an assistant curator. They have a lot of ancient weapons,” he grinned at her. “It's in Edinburgh. Thranduil set it up.” His head ducked shyly. “The interview, that is.”

“If the curator is an elf, be very kind to his receptionist.” She winked at him. “I hope you get it. You'll like Edinburgh. Use me as a reference.” She nodded to the rest of the graduating students as they got on the train for the last time. Her eyes lingered on Harry for as long as she could see him.

She waved as the train pulled away. She realized, as she turned away, she was crying.

“It never gets easier,” a heavy hand rested on her shoulder. Hagrid had tears as well. “They'll be fine.”

Many of the professors left for their own holidays. Bronwyn's Middle Earth friends and children came to visit her at the school. Glorfindel thought her pregnancy made her more beautiful. She and Severus had a joyful joining ceremony, where, yes, Dumbledore officiated, and she was surrounded by friends and her family. Many of the tortured elves, rescued from Constance were there as well.

She went into labor a month before school resumed. They were at the cottage in Wales when her water broke. Elrond was there, with his special tea to relax her. As she expected, she had twins, both girls. Severus named them. Sairye and Solindre after his ancestresses. Bronwyn's nana's ghost accepted the children and said the house accepted them as well. Bobbin decided he would be their nanny when school started back up. Rumil was there as well. They returned with the babies a week before school began. The two and the babies were welcomed by the rest of the staff. When Bronwyn and Severus received their class objectives, both gave a sigh of relief. Severus planned to invade the Ministry to pull copies of their tests again, just to be safe. As luck would have it, there were no surprises this year.

The years passed. Children came and went. Both of the Snape girls grew into powerful witches. Sairye was sorted into Ravenclaw, Solindre went to Griffindor.

Snape would liked to have shite.

Both Severus and Bronwyn grew older. Severus thought Bronwyn put things in his morning tea to help him move in the mornings. He said nothing as he was hurting if she didn't.

Eventually, he insisted on sharing the morning beverage as she became stooped and frail.

Dumbledore passed away quietly and McGonagall went soon after.

Bronwyn began to waste away. Her vibrant hair grew dull and eventually white. Sairye married Rumil. While Severus was unhappy with her choice – an elf? - Bronwyn was ecstatic. This child would have her bow and like Anselm, would have an elf to guard her, watch out for her.

Bronwyn moved slower and slower once she passed a century in age. There came the night, Severus had an uneasy feeling. That evening, as they lay in bed, the wizard had her cuddled close. A light came up at the foot of the bed and Severus recognized the Shape before it came to completion. He held her tighter.

“Please. do not take her yet.”

Haldir's eyes were full of pity. “I didn't come for her.” He held out his hand. ”Saes, Severus, come with me. The Valar would like a word with you.”

Severus strangely felt himself, lifting from the bed.

~~~...~~~

“It was a lovely ceremony, wasn't it?” Bronwyn reclined on the couch in her old apartment at Hogwarts. All of her children, their spouses, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren were there. Even Duncan. Celeborn and Elrond were there as well as Orophin, and Elrond's twin sons. Severus's casket lay in state in the chapel. “Everyone said such nice things about him.”

“How are you feeling, Mama?” Faowynne asked.

“Tired.” She leaned against the over-stuffed cushions on the couch. “Like not enough butter spread across warm bread.” Her eyelids began to droop. “So tired.”

She was vaguely aware of Celeborn squatting in front of her. “Bronwyn? Are you alright?”

“I'm fine. Just let me...rest.” Her body began to relax. “I've been so lucky in love. Haldir, Severus.”

“You are well loved, Tithen ares.” Somewhere, there was a ding, as the oven-timer went off. Everyone else moseyed off towards the kitchen, leaving Bronwyn alone.

A long, slender light developed in front of her. “Baraermin .”

Bronwyn didn't open her eyes, simply rubbed her nose.

“叠补谤补别尘颈苍.”

Finally, she opened her eyes. “Haldir?” Her voice was soft. He held out his hand. “Haldir?” she sat up and rose from the couch. “Haldir! HALDIR! HALDIR!HALDIR! HALDIR!HAL-” She fell backwards as her hand was enveloped in his.

~~~...~~~

“-DIR!” She stopped as she stepped in front off her second husband, so missed and beloved. She looked around. “The Halls of Waiting.”

“础测别.” The Elf looked at her, drank her in. “I have missed you.” He enveloped her in his embrace. “How are you? I am sorry about the wizard.”

“Are you?”

He nodded. “Yes, I am. He loved you and took good care of you. I couldn't ask for more.” He nodded for her to follow him up the endless hall. “Come talk to me. Tell me about your life, what happened after you got your bow back?.”

Bronwyn began talking; she told him about her twins, her students. She told him about Lucius and Thranduil teaching her classes. She told of her daughters being sorted into Ravenclaw and Griffindor, Sairye marrying Rumil, which caused him to snort.

“Haldir?” She interrupted herself. “What is that dark speck down the hall?”

The speck grew larger as it seemingly glided down their way. She grew excited when she recognized it.

“厂别惫别谤耻蝉?” Bronwyn's voice rose. “厂别惫别谤耻蝉?” She took off, running with no abandon and launched herself into his arms. She stepped back, holding him at arms length and studied him. He looked like he did when he had when she first met him; inky black hair, standing tall, austere. “How did you get here?”

“I died, Bronwyn.” He said it like it was obvious.

“Wizards go to the Halls?” She turned to Haldir. “Wizards go to the Halls of Waiting?”

“No, we do not.” Severus answered for her. “I had a very long talk with your Iluvatar. It seems I am owed.” He saw her forming a question. He took her by the arm and tucked her hand into his elbow. “Tell me about your life, Bronwyn. Before you went to Middle earth, before Haldir.” He nodded to the elf, who tucked her other hand into his elbow.

And they walked down the hall, Bronwyn chattering like a magpie.

***tbc***