Chapter Text
Chapter 34 - Embraceable You or I am your Father, Luke
A/N - As a few of you know, I have two betas - Niamh and Alex, whom I adore. Sometimes late at night, I will stay up very late and bounce bunnies with Niamh, who has taken my insanity in stride and much of what you see is the results of that late night push and pull.
As a result of this - we came up with two very plausible entrances to Elrond's twins. I chose to go with one scenerio, yet the second was equally interesting and original, so I have inserted it here. I want to make very clear that this scene would not be as it is if it wasn't for Niamh. It's as much hers as it is mine.
Tel' Lindar 34
Embraceable you or I am your Father, Luke
***
"Tell me something, Hal-dear. Tell me about The Embrace."
Severus' features were harsh in the light, craggy as twisted metal, more exaggerated in the glow of the low fire.
***An embrace, you neithadol, is where two people wrap their arms around each other and hold the other close. It is better known as a hug. Seeing your attraction to my wife, I would think you are a Big Wizard and would know that.*** The wolf turned back towards the door.***If that is all you wished to see me about-***
A red bolt shot from Severus' wand, blocking the animal from leaving. "Ah, but things happen when one hugs your wife."
***Not necessarily so. *** The wolf's back was still turned.
"Accio Haldir."
The vulpine embodiment of the Lorien Elf flew through the air, landing with a painful thud in front of the Wizard. Quickly, too quickly, he regained his paws and with a lurch he launched himself at the Wizard, knocking him backwards off his chair to the floor, his wand flying through the air.
Severus heard it skitter under a shelf, but at that moment his entire being was riveted on the angry jaws mere inches from his throat, the wolf sitting squarely on his chest.
***Say it, mem-raen. Say it. I know you want to.*** Haldir's voice was a low croon and in the deepest recess of Severus' fevered mind, he wondered if it had sent chills up Bronwyn's spine.
"Say what?" Severus' voice oozed, slick as oil.
Amadeus' weight settled heavily on the Wizard's chest, making it difficult for the man to breathe. The wolf leaned in closer, his muzzle against Snape's nose.
***Just how easily you could make me a white, furry rug for your fireplace.***
"Oh," Severus' voice was still silky, still caressing, "That would be so very easy, Acci-" he stopped as the wolf gently clamped his jaws around the man's throat.
***I have no qualms. None whatsoever. Test me. Saes."
"Your wife," Severus whispered hoarsely, "still needs me."
***Not with Thranduil coming. If he can pin-point the location of the bow-***
"It is still in the hands of a Wizard."
***True.*** Amadeus' jaws did not let up.***But I believe Lupin, Dumbledore, even Minerva, would be willing to aid her.***
The heat from the wolf's breath was uncomfortable and it took every ounce of Severus' self-control to keep from shaking when Amadeus caressingly licked his throat with his tongue.
"Correct me if I am wrong, Hal-dear, but as I recall, the Valar assigned her to me. Not Lupin, not the headmaster and not to Minerva. To me."
The iron vise grip still did not let up . ***True, but let me remind you, lest you forget,*** Finally, the wolf released the Wizard. ***You cannot kill me. I will keep coming back. I do not think you could compete with a viable, tangible ghost.*** Amadeus sat up ***Do not ever Accio me again.***He stepped off the man's body, taking great pains to ensure his claws and weight sank into Severus' lean frame. He walked over to the fireplace, the light illuminating his fur, and sat down, his back to the Wizard. He appeared to be contemplating the depths of the flame, staring hard into the embers, watching the small flames dancing, curling in the wood.
Severus picked himself up off the floor, whispering for his wand. He straightened his clothing, ignoring the surface scratches from Amadeus' claws on his chest. He stood behind the wolf.
"The Embrace, Haldir. Tell me."
***The Embrace is a hug-***
"Do not test my patience any further, Elf!" Snape's legendary self-control snapped and his fingers itched to grasp his wand. "You have kept information from me yet again and-"
***I have kept nothing from you!***
"You have kept everything from me," Severus hissed, rounding to the side. "I could wrest the information from you, force it. Dead or no, I would make it painful."
Glowing eyes and gleaming teeth rounded on the Wizard.***The Embrace has healing and rejuvenating powers, because you love her!***
Silence.
Severus narrowed his eyes at the wolf's bristling ruff. "If you think-"
***I think? I know! You forget, Baraermin and I have perfected The Embrace for thirty eight millennia!!*** Amadeus stood up and moved towards the Wizard, the flames casting an unholy halo around the animal.***A hug is a hug. The Embrace requires caring, love, the desire to aid the other. Whether you acknowledge it or not, the fact remains - you felt something as did she. Everyone saw it; even Duncan.***
Mama wuvs you.... why?
Caring?
Desire?
Love?
"I am sorry."
***Sorry?*** the wolf scoffed. ***Sorry for what? And put that wand away. It makes me-***
"Squeamish?"
***N'uma.*** The wolf seemed to be purring.***Makes me think... naughty thoughts.***
The echo of the Elf's laughter reverberated in Severus' head as he turned away in disgust.***You have no sense of humor whatsoever, Wizard. Now again, what are you sorry for?***
With a wave and a flick of his wrist, Severus righted his chair and sank into it. "I am sorry your wife's feelings for you are waning-"
Again, the Elf's laughter reverberated in the Wizard's head.***Her feelings? For me? Wane? Diminishing? You are a fool.***
A single finger rose in the dimming firelight, wagging at the wolf. "Do not be hasty with the name calling, Elf. You admit freely she cares for me..."
***She is of Man! She is not Elfkind.***
The wagging finger turned in a slow circle. "And?"
Amadeus sighed.***She is of Man. She has a great capacity to love - an endless supply. All Men have that ability, even you. Her feelings for me will not diminish.***
Severus held his wand in both hands, in the tips of his fingers, turning it, as if to study the reflection of the fire dancing off the dull shine of the grain of the wood. "And when we complete this task and I am done with her, you get her back, sullied and ruined."
***N'uma. Not sullied. Ever.*** Amadeus moved into the gloom, even his white coat now unseen, hidden. Abruptly, he seemed to change the subject - move the core of the conversation. ***You realize that bringing our children, our family here for the holidays, was the best gift you could give her. ***
Severus Accio'd a bottle of Firewhiskey, hidden behind the bottom blasting skrewts venom, and pulled a glass from the back of a desk drawer. "I did nothing. Those twin spawns of Elrond planned it. I just kept her occupied."
Growling from the corner.
"I have noticed something... interesting, Hal-dear. I'm wondering if you have noticed it as well?"
***What is that?***
"She does not dream when the Elves are here."
Severus swore he could imagine the sounds of squeaky gears churning in the depths of the dead Elf's brain.
***You are correct; I had not noticed that. Strange.***
Severus examined the reflection of a lone candle in the Firewhiskey in the glass. "Yes. Very strange indeed."
***
A last fire will rise behind those eyes
Black house will rock, blind boys don't lie
Immortal fear, that voice so clear
Through broken walls, that scream I hear
Gerard McMann
Cry Little Sister
Theme from the Lost Boys
***
Bronwyn was tired, worn, but she looked up gratefully from the tablewhere a backgammon board was spread out and her son was concentrating hard on the pieces. "I believe my son has me pinned in and I shall lose to him yet again!" Severus looked over her shoulder to see the opening bars of Bronwyn's side of the backgammon board thoroughly blocked and no less than four of her pieces stranded on the crossbar. "I believe I'm going to be gammoned." She shook her head at her sniggering child. "Who taught you to be so ruthless?"
" 'Restor."
"Well, that explains it." Bronwyn shrugged good - naturedly. "I cry uncle, Duncan. You win. If my wits are about me, I suspect the good professor has something in his pocket that will make me feel better, but also make me loopy. Time for bed, my sweetling. Pleasant dreams."
Duncan enveloped his mother in a clumsy bear hug and sloppy kisses before bolting heavily up the stairs, Amadeus bounding beside him, and slamming his door shut.
"He is relatively obedient."
Bronwyn was putting away the game board, carefully placing the pieces in the recesses. "Compared to his siblings, he has been wonderfully easy." She latched the board shut and looked up tiredly at the tall Professor. "Please tell me you brought me something to take." She sniffed once. "I think my daughter and both of my grandsons put healthy dollops of honey in my tea and it's fair strangled me."
Severus pulled the vial from his pocket, his eyes never leaving hers. "I should not, you know. I should let you suffer. After all, you did this to yourself."
She blinked meekly. "I would not force my family to stay indoors on my account. It's only the sniffles." She took the vial, downing it with a single swallow.
Only this wasn't the sniffles. ***Bah! Who does she think she's joking with? I have no sense of humour!***
Bronwyn slowly trudged towards the stairs. "Severus?" She didn't look back. "Would you keep me company for a while? Sometimes Duncan frets in new surroundings for a short time and I'm afraid I'll be asleep rather quickly."
"So," she felt his hand on the small of her back, gently propelling her forward and upwards. "I am not only your nanny, I am Duncan's as well?"
She stopped, turning on him with a glare. "For some reason, Duncan likes you, even if you are a silly wizard with Tarry-Tanny sperm. Severus? What the hell is Tarry-Tanny sperm?"
***What his father obviously shot great wads of. ***
"I have no idea."
**
I'm gettin' bugged driving up and down the same old strip
I gotta finda new place where the kids are hip
My buddies and me are getting real well known
Yeah, the bad guys know us and they leave us alone
I get around
?
The Beach Boys
I get around
***
Scotland's winter is not always beautiful. Although it is almost asnortherly as Norway, Scotland seldom gets the thick, fluffy snow that Scandinavians enjoy. Most of the time it's slushy; a mix of freezing rain and sleet, bone-chilling dampness and gusty winds.
The miserable weather didn't bother the two brothers as they slogged along the winding road to the main entrance of Hogwarts. Their tough boots were waterproof; they wore thick, long fox fur coats and long, trailing, multicoloured Dr. Who scarves. One wore a Navajo style cowboy hat with a silver concho band and eagle feathers stuck in it. The other wore a worn World War I Flying Ace leather aviator's hat that had obviously seen war time. The goggles were perched on top, straps flapping. Both carried large knapsacks on their backs. Holding on to each other, slipping and sliding, they took the terrible weather in stride, indifferent to the cold, laughing and joking as they made their way along the path. At one point, one of them slipped, the other grabbed for him, and they both went down, landing with a splatter. They stood up, laughing, shook themselves and proceeded until finally they stood in front of the great double doors with the Hogwarts coat of arms door ornament surrounded by a large, thick evergreen wreath.
"Do you think we missed Christmas?"
"N'uma. I do not think we missed it. What is today? How long have we been gone?"
"A week?" That one pounded his brother on the arm. "Maybe Faeowynne has arrived! I would love to see our sons, or at least hear of them! Do not stand there! Knock up the door!"
"You knock up the door."
"N'uma. You knock up the door."
"You are closer!"
"Ah. You win." The one with the Navajo hat banged on the doubledoors with a gloved fist. "Are they not home?"
"Of course they're home! Someone has got to be home! Try the door. See if it is open."
"That would be breaking and entering, dude."
"We did it the last time."
The one with the cowboy hat shrugged and pushed on the door, magical bolts recognizing Elven hands and the power that resided within them. It opened freely, admitting the two, and closed noisily behind them.
"Needs oil."
"Oi."
They immediately headed towards the dungeons, dripping melting snow on the floor, the way familiar. "Do you think she changed the password?"
"Tel' Lindar? Nooo. Bet Sevvie did!"
"Ah, he would. No matter."
The halls were quiet, footfalls echoing eerily in the dim of the underground bowels of the castle. "Do you know what I am going to do when I see Faeowynne?" They entered Bronwyn's classroom, heading straight for the door at the other side.
"The same as I, most likely."
"Kiss her."
"Definitely. Now what was the password?"
The twin's brother looked at the door. "Johann Sebastian Bach."
Nothing.
"Let me try. Carl Philippe Emmanuel Bach."
Nothing.
"PDQ Bach."
"Oh, now you are being silly!"
"Thank you. You try."
"Hummel."
"John Fields"
"Damn it."
"Hey! I do not remember him. What instrument did he play?"
Elrohir stepped back. "I knocked up the front door. You knock up this one."
Elladan shrugged and proceeded to bang loudly on Bronwyn's chamber door. "Maybe she is not here. Maybe she is in the library or-"
Elrohir pulled back a long, heavy sleeve, revealing a rather cheap, worn watch purchased from a WalMart in Tennessee. Its hands were permanently stuck on 5:45. " 'Tis early. Almost noon. Bronwyn hates to get up on cold mornings."
"True. Tell me, bro - why do you insist on wearing that thing?" He gestured to the watch. " It has not worked in over a year, and yet-"
"It keeps me humble." Elrohir tapped Elladan on the shoulder. "That is something you have none of." He pointed at the door. "Knock up the door, again."
Again, Elladan rapped on the door. Finally, they heard footsteps, and the door opened a crack. A wizened little face on a turnip-shaped head peered out at them.
"Eirion? Kalinion? Why you knock?" Bobbin piped angrily. "You know password!" The house elf made no move, however, to allow them entrance.
The twins looked at each other, knowing smiles on their faces. "We wish to visit Madam Bronwyn," said the brother with the leather aviator's hat.
"Missy Bronwyn is sick in bed because you had her in the snow all day!" Bobbin actually had the audacity to look put out and he shook a long, admonishing finger at them. "Professor Snape is very, very angry. Amadeus Wolfie is very crabby. You goes away," he shooed, "and comes back later!"
"No, we will come in NOW," stated the brother with the Navajo hat. "Open the door, Bobbin. Saes." The house-elf blinked large, round green eyes. The Navajo hat swept off and its wearer shook back his long, thick acorn-brown hair, exposing handsome pointed ears.
"You is not Missy Bronwyn's grandsons! You is Master Elrond's boyses... ionses! You come back!" The house-elf bounced up and down in glee, before realizing his station and wringing his hands. "I is sorry, sorry, Bobbin is so sorry. Apologies, sirs. Bobbin is very honoured. Come in, come in!" He looked from one to the other. "More Twinses!"
The two brothers entered, and Bobbin quickly took their coats andhats. Elladan knelt in front of the house-elf. "We want to surprise Madam Bronwyn. If she is sleeping now, we will wait until she wakes."
"Is Madam Bronwyn's family still here? Her daughter? Her-"
"Grandsons?"
"Bobbin will tell you everything!" The little house elf hung up coats and hats and bounced with childlike innocence. "You boyses wait here, and Bobbin will bring you nice tea."
The twins followed the house elf into the chambers, marveling at the decorations hung throughout and pointing at the tree out on the patio. "It is charmed?" Elladan pointed.
"Yes, yes. Professor Flitwick put charm on to make it warm, so Missy Bronwyn could enjoy." The little elf herded the twosome back into the living area. "You sits down by the fire, Eldar Elf-twinses," and Bobbin shooed them towards the two armchairs in front of the blazing hearth. He plumped up cushions in back of them; pushed footstools over in front of their chairs. Then, he stood absolutely still. His eyes, if it were possible, became even wider and rounder than before. "Questions, questions. You have questions. You ask Bobbin, I tell you boyses anything I knowses."
"We had a surprise for Madam Bronwyn. Her family." said Elladan. He lifted up the house-elf and set him on his knee. "Her family was to come. Did they?"
Elrohir smacked his brother on the back. "Of course they arrived! Did Bobbin not mistake us for Faeowynne's twins?"
"Ooooh," Bobbin's eyes grew round, "They comes. They comes and makes so much noise Professor Snape has headaches all over, but Missy Bronwyn so happy. Bobbin not seen her so happy."
"Who is here, Bobbin? Tell us all!" Elrohir asked.
"Oooh," Bobbin began to count on his fingers, clearly deep in thought, "Rumil, Orophin, Alilian - that Orophin's wife, Tomasil, Fae-wynne, Eirion, Kalinion, Duncan-"
"Duncan? Who is-"
"Duncan!" Elladan reached over and smacked his brother behind the head. "Duncan! Bronwyn and Haldir's last child. Born in Valinor. Remember?"
"OW!" Elrohir rubbed his head, glaring at his brother. "Of course I remember! You did not have to hit me!"
"Yes, I did." Elladan smirked. "You do it to me all the time and it felt good! Anyone else, Bobbin?"
"Glorfindel. The Great Elf Glorfindel is here."
"Hey, hey!" Elladan chortled, "Have not seen Glorfy in ... oh..."
"Thirty eight millennia!"
"Ah. Wonder if he still drinks like a Gondorian?"
"Probably. Bobbin," again, Elladan pointedly nodded at Bobbin, "did we tell you when we were here last, that back in King Arthur's day, we had house elves?"
"You did? You boyses had house elves?"
"Yes, we did. " Elrohir continued, "When we lived in Middle-Earth - during Camelot, Wibbins and Sibby were our house-elves."
"Wibbins! Sibby!" Bobbin wrung his hands with excitement anddelight. "My ever-so-great-great-great-great-great grands!" He hopped off the Elf's lap and toddled off to the adjoining kitchen to prepare the tea, and the twins chuckled. They settled down in the armchairs, pulled off their boots and socks, and stretched their feet to the fire.
Elrohir looked over at his brother. "'Ladan, I am starving. Tea will not do it for me."
Elladan, nodded his head. "Starving is not the word," he agreed. "We need real food, 'Rohir."
"Pizza."
"Pizza! With sausage!"
"Pepperoni!"
Both chorused in unison, "Meat Lovers' Pizza with extra cheese!" As one, they stood up and trooped into the kitchen, where Bobbin was just putting the tea things on a tray.
Elrohir knelt in front of the little creature. "Thanks for the tea, dude, but we need some real sustenance. Can you send out for some pizza?"
The house-elf wrung his hands. "Pizza? Bobbin doesn't know pizza, no, boyses, what is pizza? How does I cook it?"
Elladan perched himself on the kitchen table, his bare feet swinging. "Dude, you don't cook pizza, you call the pizza parlor and they bring it over! In a heated sack! A red sack like..."
"Santa Claus. With cans of Coke and beer--"
"With a couple of dozen garlic knots -"
"And side salads, with black olives -"
"And cannoli for dessert! Have to have some cannoli!"
Bobbin was beside himself with confusion, alternately wringing his tunic and hitting his forehead with his hands. "How? How? Bobbin is sooooo confused!"
Elrond's sons were trying hard not to laugh; the little house-elf was so earnest and confused. Finally Elladan snickered, "Where's the telephone-book? There's got to be a pizza parlor in town!"
"No telephone, bro. Remember? This is Wizarding-"
"Arrrgh!" Elrohir was wagging his head, his face scrunched up, "I forgot. Our descendants do not believe in modern gadgetry!"
"They have wands. Who needs gadgets?"
"This is bad," whispered Elrohir. "We could starve to death here."
"Are you not being a little melodramatic?" Elladan asked, hands fisted on his hips dramatically.
"I NEED pizza! Bobbin," Elrohir turned on the little elf with such fervor that the diminutive creature took a step back in alarm. "If I gave you a list of ingredients, could you procure them for me?"
"Elrond's boyses just needs to ask. Bobbin get. Bobbin get immediately."
Heads went together, whispered ingredients, herbs, meats, before Bobbin nodded and snapped his fingers, disappearing with a'poof.'
"You know, we should have asked about McDonald's."
"Or Burger King."
"ARBY'S!"
"Oooh. Roast Beef."
Elladan was about to open his mouth to suggest another fast food chain, when his head jerked up. "Dude... I hear..."
A door from upstairs creaked open and light footfalls fell on the carpeted floor. Peering around the kitchen doorway, the two watched as a black clad figure slowly descended the stairs.
"It is him."
"He still breathes. I just knew it."
Elrohir stepped first through the doorway, causing the Potions Master to stop at the foot of the stair. He stared at one and then the other disdainfully before pulling up his long nose. "Your grandmother is waking up. Do not coerce her outdoors today."
Elladan raised a finger, his mouth open to correct the forbidding man, but his brother interrupted. "She will rise for pizza!" Elrohir streaked around the Wizard and thumped up the stairs.
"Yes?" Severus was staring intently at the other twin. "You were saying?"
Elladan lowered his finger. Let this one think what he will. "Never mind." He too, moved around the tall man and scooted up the stairs.
Severus stayed at the bottom for several minutes, listening to the sounds of noisy gaiety taking place in her room. Soon, her child and her animal joined them, giggles and yips filling the chambers. Severus scowled once, wrinkling his nose in distaste, before heading to her entrance. As he reached the door, it swung open, revealing herdaughter and...
... her sons?
Severus looked at the ceiling, reality dawning on him as he grinned maniacally. "Faeowynne. How utterly lovely to see you."
Faeowynne was not taken in by it. "Have you already been imbibing, Professor Snape?" She moved into the chambers, her sons following her. The sounds upstairs had escalated to the level of a screeching harpy. Quickly enough, one heard running feet come down the stairs.
"Dude, you don't have an International House of Pancakes here, do you? Tel' Lindar wants..." Elrohir came to a halt, staring at the three Elves staring at him horror.
"... waffles... uhm...oof..." Elladan was right behind him, barreling into his brother, knocking him down another stair or two.
"I suppose I forgot to mention," Severus was now laughing out loud, a strange, rusty sound, "Your fathers arrived this morning." He threw the door open full and stepped through it. "I shall leave you to your reunion." He nodded to Bronwyn, who was now coming to a noiseless halt behind the older twins.
"Oh, shite," Bronwyn whispered.
The sound of Severus' laughter could still be heard after he closed the door.
***
For hours, Severus stretched, reached, trying to hear any sound from her apartments. He purposely left her classroom door open; his as well, truth be known. He caught himself going to the classroom door, listening like an old Hufflepuff biddy, trying to eavesdrop.
If he had thought there would be spectacular fireworks, he was sorely disappointed in the lack thereof from her apartments.
After three hours... and yes, he could smell the pizza at some point... Bronwyn quietly left her apartments and made her way to his, Amadeus in tow. She made her way quietly to the stool that she had deemed hers so long ago and with a practiced sigh, opened the book she had with her and propped her chin in her hand.
"That was mean, Severus."
Severus shrugged and continued to stir. This particular batch of Skele-Gro had been difficult at best and he decided to have a talk with the apothecary about the low quality of the ingredients that had been owled out recently. "What are you reading?"
"Don't change the subject! Robert Jordan's Lord of Chaos."
"Ah."
"Severus!" Bronwyn was not to be deterred. "How could you do that-"
"I did nothing," Severus continued to stir, totally uncaring. "I came down the stairs, I saw a set of twins. I thought they were your grandsons and as I was leaving, I found out otherwise." He laid his wand down and tapped the dipper on the side of the cauldron. The color was not as it should be and he decided that, more than likely, this batch would go down the drain like so many of Neville's pathetic attempts. "I would think you would be enjoying the happy reunion."
Bronwyn scowled and inserted her nose in the rather thick book. "They have issues to sort out. They didn't need me there."
It was quiet for some time; Severus fussing silently over his potions, Bronwyn with her nose in her book, Amadeus... being Amadeus. It was a shock, a jolt when an Elf stuck his head in the door.
"Bronwyn!" Severus decided that Glorfindel's effervescent smile was a permanent fixture to his face. "Elrond's sons are-"
"I know! I know!" Bronwyn waved him off, hearing Rumil and Orophin running down the hall after him; more blonde heads sticking their heads in the Potions Lab. "I'm leaving them be for the time being."
"N'uma!" The Elf made his way into the lab, "Do you not know what they have been doing this past week?"
"Probably fertilizing unsuspecting nubile witches, therefore ensuring their line," Severus muttered.
Bronwyn glared at him from the side of her eye. "I heard that," she mumbled back. "What have they been doing?"
Glorfindel grabbed her hands, grinning. "They have been searching for your bow. They have leads. They have sensed it."
***
It was disconcerting to say the least for Severus to find Bronwyn and nine Elves crowded around her dining room table. Wanting to salvage the potion and being unable to do so, Severus had stayed in his lab, allowing them to go to her chambers to yell and carry on in what he considered their pointless fashion. He finally joined them hours later, angry that he had been unable to rescue the elixir, to find them with a map spread out in front of them on her dining room table. Small beads and buttons were placed haphazardly on it. The Elves were chattering non stop, trying to out shout each other. Hands were waving, long elegant fingers pointing to this piece or another.
The twins - which set? It was impossible for the Wizard to tell Bronwyn's grandsons and their fathers apart - were chattering energetically, pointing here and there. Snape walked behindBronwyn's chair, hands settling on her shoulders.
"Do you wish to tell me what is going on or should I escape while I can?"
Bronwyn didn't look at him, simply placed her hand over his. It was a warm, soft grip, calloused fingertips squeezing over his. "Din! Din! Shhhh!" She waited until the clamoring stopped and she began to point to places on the map.
"Elrohir and Elladan have spent the past week on a scouting trip, trying to pinpoint a more specific location of my bow. It has been a lost cause."
While Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were hidden from Muggle eyes and therefore Muggle map makers, Severus recognized their true placement on the maps. He also recognized London and Wales. She pointed to London: "As you can see, the beads lay in a perfect circle around Wizarding London, the epicenter being Knockturn Alley. However..." She pointed to Scotland, "It's been everywhere - especially north."
"It's the winter hols, mother," Faeowynne muttered. She looked positively smug and radiant, sitting between Elladan and Elrohir.
"Apparently, this Ilúvatar- forsaken descendant has been travelling."
"And taken your bow along for the ride?"
"What bothers me," and with this Bronwyn tapped the Welsh part of the map, the stones lying in a perfect circle, "is this." She tapped hard one last time. "What is that fucking bastard doing at my house?"
"Perhaps," Glorfindel leaned over the table, playing with a bead, "we should have a look?"
Bronwyn looked at the table, a malevolent gleam in her eyes. "I'm game. All in favor?"
A chorus of ayes. "All who are not?"
"Wait." Severus' lone baritone stood out at the sound hanging in the air. He leaned over and placed his finger on the spot where her cottage stood. "How long ago?"
Elladan (or was it Elrohir?) shrugged. "Yesterday."
"N'uma." the other shook his head. "Right now, It is near here."
That proclamation sent an uproar throughout the room, the Elves again jostling, trying to get a word in. They didn't seem to notice that Bronwyn had gotten up and had wandered into her living area, warming herself by the fire. She didn't seem surprised or shocked at the black-clad arms that enveloped her.
"I should not ask, but I shall. What worries you?"
Bronwyn's arms, hands slid down to clasp his hands to hers. "That bastard's been in my house. I know he has. Why? Why would he do that? What does he want?"
"He would do it simply to unsettle you."
Despite the fire, Bronwyn shivered and she burrowed backwards into his embrace. "He doesn't know I know. He doesn't know the Twins were there." She turned beseeching eyes to him. "Would he?"
Severus sighed in resignation. He stared into the crackling warmth of the fire and held her closer. "If he is employing dark magic, he very well might."
Bronwyn spun in anger, her face contorted in fury. "He killed Haldir!He haunts my very footsteps, my dreams. If what Elrond's sons say is true - and I have no reason to doubt them - he has successfully been maneuvering my bow into his own possession for close to twenty years. You should damn well know he is using Dark Magic! The question is," she gritted between clenched teeth, "is the one Wizard I know that is versed in the Dark Arts willing to use them in order to stop him?"
"Bronwyn," it was hissed, the glow of the fire casting an eerie light on the Wizard's face, "You know not what you ask."
"I know exactly what I ask."
"No," it was velvet, soft, caressing to the ear. Severus pulled her to him, his lips gently brushing the rim of flesh. An observer would think they had interrupted an intimate moment. "You do not know what you ask. The Dark calls, beckons, its power, seductive. It sucks you in, body, your soul. You do not mind falling into the abyss as once you step from the edge, there is no return, only the welcoming cold of evil. It lies to you, Bronwyn. You feel warmth, heat, power, yet you are left bereft, alone; and when you hit the rocky bottom, you do not see it coming. The end is swift, violent, and no one recognizes the dregs of humanity you have become. It is worse than death, oh Fiery One, and one does not lightly walk away from it."
She cowered in his arms, listening, absorbing every word. "You walked away before-"
"Aye, I did. At great cost to me." His lips continued to nuzzle her ear. "I will not do it again. There are... other ways." He turned her loose abruptly and stepped back. "Trust me."
"Excuse me," a twin spoke up, disturbing the intimate moment. Bronwyn and Severus looked over, into the area where the Elves were gathered, each peering with interest at the seemingly loving couple. "Are we interrupting anything?"
"We can leave if we are." Another twin.
"Damnation!" Severus turned on his heel and moved to the patio doors. "One can not tell any of you apart."
"No," Bronwyn smoothly lied, moving towards her family in the opposite direction. "Severus was explaining something to me, that is all."
"What is he carrying on about?" Another twin-
"He cannot tell-"
"-us apart. Ah." Elladan? Elrohir?
"Understandable. You should wear red ear cuffs. I should wear-"
"Green. Green is a good color on you. That way, he could tell us apart. You-" He pointed to a son, "you should wear blue. Blue ear cuffs for... Sev?"
"Where are you going? We have plans-"
Severus was headed towards the door, his face fixed in a sneer. Bronwyn sighed and waving them off, followed the angry Wizard out and into her classroom. "Severus?"
He spun, one finger up in the air. "Do not." He took a deep breath, eyes narrowed in vexation. "Babbling, snickering, ill-mannered. They are never quiet, never serious. You, madam, may live with them, but I do not have to." He turned his back on her to leave and thought twice, spinning back. "Now I know why you are so rattled and scattered in your thoughts. Who can think or reason with that claptrap going on?" he derided. "It boggles the mind."
Bronwyn's eyes - her very countenance - were filled with a sad understanding. "They are my family, Severus."
"They might be *your* family," he grated between his teeth, "but they are not mine." He turned to leave again, only to be stopped by a gently restraining hand.
"Severus. You don't understand-"
"No, I do not understand. They laugh too much, cannot be serious, it is rumored they are renowned warriors,peacekeepers skilled negotiators. I do not see it; cannot fathom it. And amidst the cacophony, you ask me to do the unthinkable, embrace the unfathomable. You expect it, as you expect me to cure you, care for you."
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean... I'm just..."
"Just what?"
The two were intent on each other, not realizing her chamber door had opened slightly, nine pairs of Elven ears and a pair of wolf ears pressed to the opening, each jockeying for position.
"I'm scared, Severus. I'm forgetting things. I hear music I love and I can't remember who wrote it. Or when. I had to research a major battle last week from the US Civil War. That is not something I take lightly. My family is here and there are little things that escape me. Faeowynne was reminiscing about something Beckett did to her on her birthday so many years ago. I had to think hard to remember. I should easily remember him stealing her blue eggs. I didn't." Bronwyn stroked the material of his sleeve, smoothing imaginary wrinkles. "We aren't going to have much more time, Severus. The dreams are getting worse. I fear, in my deepest, darkest places, he is gleaning information from me, information I'm not aware I'm giving away." Her head thudded against his chest. "I fear that some night soon, thatbastard will be done with me and I will not awaken when he slings me from the pinnacles of whatever hell he reigns in."
Despite his basest self-preserving instinct, Severus pulled her in close. Through cloaked eyes, he saw the door cracked, their conversation obviously not private. It irked the Wizard to be spied upon, but he clenched his teeth. "I suppose you wish to inspect your home?" It was more a statement than a question.
"Yes."
Severus glared at the door. Pulling out his wand, he muttered "Apertum" throwing the door open and thereby hurling everybody behind it backwards to the floor. "How do you plan to travel?"
Somewhere in the middle of entangled arms and legs, a voice called out, "Eagle Air."
"Eagles?" Bronwyn unwound herself from Severus' arm. "There are still Great Eagles?"
"Uma." A twin surfaced. "Not many are left and they hide high in the mountains."
Severus looked as if he would rather choke on his wand than ask, so Bronwyn whispered, "Great Eagles. Bigger than hippogriffs. Hagrid would shite bricks!"
"Lovely thought," the Wizard mumbled. "You planned to take Bronwyn via this... Eagle Air?" he addressed the writhing pile of bodies on the floor.
The Elves were in the process of untangling their various limbs and were now struggling to stand. "Uma, we-"
"I also suppose that riding... Eagle Air..." Severus spat it as if it were something foul he had swallowed, "Bronwyn would be exposed to the cold for however long it took you to fly to Wales?"
"Well... Uma..."
"Has it occurred to you she is not an Elf and is not impervious to Mother Nature?"
Her family members had the decency to blush at his quiet, condescending tone. "We could leave her here, if you think it is better for her." Faeowynne spoke up. Of all Bronwyn's relatives, this one daughter seemed to take her mother's health the most in consideration.
"You will not leave me! It's my house!"
"We'll tie her up!" One twin exclaimed.
"N'uma," Glorfindel was thoughtful, tapping his lip. "She would like that."
Bronwyn's jaw was dropped, the only sound was the escaping air of anger, Amadeus chuffing quietly.
"Madam," Severus breathed in her ear, "Merlin forbid we leave you here while we disturb your vile ghosts." His hands were on her shoulders, in a tight grip. "You might as well fly about on a broomstick and I, for one, do not see that happening." He squeezed once. "You are determined to do this?"
"He was in my house. I want to know why. If he messed up my books..."
"I am sure your books were the least of his worries." Severus squeezed again. "You," he addressed the Elves, "may take whatever roads or eagles you desire to get to her home. I shall talk with Albusand see if we can procure a Portkey or at the very least, utilize the Floo Network without being caught." He turned Bronwyn to him. "Depending on if I can arrange to get you there without exposing you to the elements will decide on if you go or not. I will not listen to your chattering about this. My decision is final." And with a swirl, he turned, gliding through her classroom and into the dungeon proper.
"He has not changed, has he, Elladan?"
"N'uma. So sad."
Bronwyn scowled at them over her shoulder. "Shut up." She made a beeline towards her stairs, Amadeus following her up. "Bobbin, I know you are skulking somewhere. Go to Professor Lupin's chambers and see if he is available. I need someone to stay with Duncan-"
"Dun-can go." He stood by the fireplace, furious at the conversation taking place around him. He grabbed the poker, Bronwyn's scowl on his face. "Dun-can hit any nas-tee nas-tee who sleep in his bed!"
Bronwyn turned back down the stairs, quiet understanding in her eyes. "Give Mama the stick, Duncan." The child was obedient and he handed it over regretfully. She placed it back in its holder. "You cannot go with us. The nasty nasties are big, mean. They would hurt you and I won't have that."
Duncan thought, lines furrowing his brow. "They nas-tee nas-tees that took Ada to t' Halls?"
Amadeus had curled around Duncan's feet, a pained look on his face. "Yes, Duncan, they are."
"Then you not go! It not time fo' Mama go to t'Halls." He put up a pudgy finger when Bronwyn started to answer him. "Onwy if Pro-ress-sor Snape go. Onwy then. He make sure Mama not go to t'Halls." His knuckles were white as he clenched his hands. "Mama go wit Pro-ress-sor Snape."
"I don't think he would let me go without him," Bronwyn admitted ruefully. "Go get your chess board, sweetling, and anything else you want for the evening. I -" she headed up the stairs - " - am going to change clothes." She looked at her daughter. "I'm willing to bet my knives would love to see some action."
***
tbc
***
*mem-raen - Hooked nose
