Tel' Lindar
Chapter 43 - Somethin¡¯ bad about to happen or The snowball fight, take 2.
Bronwyn ignored Thranduil for the entire week. It was the Mistress of all Cuts, nose upturned, going in a different direction when he came close. Much sniffing disdainfully
Severus was impressed.
Twice, the Elven King came to her classroom, Seventh years. She would set waves spinning so high, caught only by his Elven ears and he would leave, brushing at them.
Her students looked at each other, shrugging in curiosity, while Bronwyn smiled snarkily to herself.
Heh! Tell me again I'm out of shape!
That Saturday, Dumbledore, accompanied by the Heads of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor, tapped lightly on Bronwyn's door. After inviting them in and sitting down with tea, Bronwyn smiled. ¡°So, what do I owe the pleasure of your company?¡±
The three heads coughed and harrumphed between themselves, before Minerva McGonnagal blurted, ¡°Professor Powell-¡±
Oh not boding well...
¡°-did you by chance, assign another snowball fight for a project?¡± Suddenly, the other two began to cut in over each other.
¡°Yes, did you because if so-¡±
¡°Harry has just gotten over the last one and-¡±
¡°I realize that it was a popular assignment and most of the children-¡±
¡°Perhaps this is simply exuberance on your part, you not being a wizard-¡±
Bronwyn was blinking, looking back and forth, jaw completely unhinged.
Dumbledore put up his hand, signaling for silence among his three Heads of House. ¡°Ladies and gentlewizard, perhaps if you would take a breath and not speak at the same time, Professor Powell can answer you.¡± Four pairs of wizard eyes gazed at the diminutive professor expectantly.
Bronwyn's mouth moved involuntarily. ¡°Are they having a snowball fight?¡± She put her hands up in supplication. ¡°And this is concerning how?¡± She looked at Dumbledore and motioned more with her hands. ¡°They're children! Didn't you have snowba-¡±
¡°With colors.¡±
¡°House colors.¡±
¡°They are keeping score.¡±
¡°House Ravenclaw has a most impressive fort.¡± Professor Flitwick's pride was obvious.
¡°I take it Ravenclaw is winning?¡± Bronwyn blurted.
Flitwick beamed.
¡°They shouldn't be having it at all!¡± Minerva gritted.
The threesome began to argue amongst themselves, the noise level in Bronwyn's living area rising. Bronwyn leaned over to the Headmaster. ¡°How bad is it?¡± she whispered.
Albus took her by the hand and led her to the sunroom. He pointed upwards.
One couldn't see out. The glass ceiling was covered with neon colored snowballs. There was no true definition of house colors; well there were, except they were exceptionally bright. Bronwyn squinted.
There were red ones.
¡°°¿´Ç´Ç´Ç³ó.¡±
Amadeus joined them. He too, looked toward the roof and Bronwyn swore it looked as if he wished to join them.
So did she.
¡°Where is Professor Snape?¡±
Albus leaned towards her. ¡°Hiding, I assume.¡±
¡°Are you sure?¡±
The elderly wizard side-eyed her. ¡°He is not answering his door. I recognize the silence spell on the entrance.¡±
¡°So, he couldn't hear if you went after it with a battering ram.¡±
¡°±Ê°ù±ð³¦¾±²õ±ð±ô²â.¡±
Bronwyn began to chuckle. ¡°Smart man.¡± She took a breath. ¡°Where is Harry?¡±
With this, Albus's smile faded. ¡°He is down on the Quiddich field, racing with Remus.¡±
¡°´¡³ó.¡± Bronwyn nodded and made her way back into her apartment. ¡°I think I'll join him.¡± She strode past the arguing professors and headed to the stairs.
¡°I'll need a target set up, please. Amadeus, are you coming?¡±
¡°Professor Powell? Bronwyn!¡± Minerva was irked. ¡°Where are you going?¡± This conversation was not going where the Head of Gryffindor wanted it to go. ¡°What about the children?¡±
Bronwyn stopped at the foot of the staircase. ¡°The children are being children and having a snowball fight. They sound like they are having a wonderful time. Maybe you should join them?¡± She wagged a finger at the threesome ¡°I am going to the Quidditch field to shoot some arrows and spend time with Harry, as he is there and not throwing bloody-colored snowballs. Amadeus is joining me and if I were a betting person, I'd bet Severus will join me there within ten minutes.¡± Her left foot stepped on the and her right followed upward. ¡°Thirty, if he intends to be incredibly stubborn!¡±
And she ascended upwards to her more private area, her white wolf behind her.
~~~.~~~
It was cold when she stepped on the pitch; snowing, the wind blowing hard. She knew it would be so, but it didn't make the cut of the breeze any less so. The rational part of her brain said this was not the conditions to practice archery or knives, although her knives were back in her bedroom. She'd picked them up several times to holster, but a voice she vaguely recognized stayed her hand. The voices of the children up in the courtyard could not be heard due the sound of the wind and Harry zipping around on his broom. Somewhere, Bronwyn was sure, there was a little golden ball with wings, zipping in and out between the snowflakes.
So, the irrational part of her brain said this would be a good time to see how Harry was holding up while she pretended to shoot some arrows.
And she did need to practice, in case conditions were less than ideal, when she finally cornered her errant, evil child.
And could show up Thranduil.
Speaking of -
She marched 50 paces from the target and notched an arrow from her quiver.
I do need to get over my ire with the pointy-eared bastard. Or at least, pretend to. What the hell, he's right, even if I didn't like his methods!
Glinting through the swirling snowflakes, thanking God that she could see the red outline of the target, Bronwyn pulled up her bow and aimed at the target.
There are a list of things he needs to fill the Seventh Years in on. I might get away with a few things, but he could clear the house with the crap the Ministry of Education did not fill me in on!
A chill raised the hairs on the back of her neck and not a chill caused by the cold. She eyeballed the outer edge of the target and changed her aim at the last second.
She hit the outer edge. While pretending to be pissed at herself, she inwardly smiled very smugly. After all, she was aiming for the outer edge. Someone she did not want to impress was watching. Hearing the whoosh of a broom go by and the whine of a snitch, she looked up, pretending to look for Harry and Remus, but in actuality, looking in the stands for her unkind watcher.
There, in the corner of the furthest bleacher, was a bundled figure. They were wearing light beige furs, so they were easily camouflaged by the storm. Bronwyn almost missed him.
Not so Severus, obviously visible in full black furred cloak, leaning with his arms crossed against a covered post near her. She looked up while notching another arrow, ostentatiously looking for the young wizard. Again, she aimed true and eyed off-center, taking into consideration that the wind was changing her trajectory upon release.
The wind took the arrow to the left, embedding itself in a hay bale.
¡°Bronwyn, please tell me the gale is taking your arrows astray.¡±
The woman jumped. She hadn't seen Thranduil approach. ¡°You know, you could get killed doing that!¡± Again in pretense of scanning the sky above the field, Bronwyn searched. Her watcher was still there, barely visible. She turned her back to the anonymous wizard and looked up at the Elf Lord, glaring and gritting her teeth. ¡°I have an unfriendly watcher,¡± she whispered.
Thranduil looked over her shoulder. ¡°We know your Guardian is unfriendly.¡±
¡°I'm talking about that bastard child of mine.¡± She side-eyed over her shoulder. ¡°Hard to see in the bottom row.¡±
¡°´¡³ó.¡±
¡°And my arrows are landing where I intend they land.¡± Her shoulders drooped. ¡°I was going to bring my knives, but I had a feeling...¡±
Thranduil bent over her, whispering in her ear. ¡°It will not hurt to keep a few things hidden up your sleeve. I will chat with the twins and the Headmaster to find a place and a way where you can work out in privacy.¡± He wagged his head. ¡°Would you like me to wander over and see if I can discern who it is over there?¡±
Bronwyn shrugged, sending an arrow between the targets. She made much show of where it landed and sent Thranduil on his way, shoving her quiver and bow in his hands and whispering she'd meet him in her rooms. It was too cold for all this nonsense and the storm was getting worse! Amadeus headed to the targets to retrieve arrows, quickly getting lost in the heavy flurries.
By the time Thranduil made his way through the bleachers where the evil wizard was sitting, he was gone, the print of his presence in the snow on the bench, filling up quickly with fresh flakes.
~~~...~~~
The next weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend. It was still freezing cold, but that didn't deter the students, or the majority of the staff, to be honest, from going into town, if not to do anything else, but spend a day away from the school. The minute the last person left, Bronwyn, dressed warmly, strapped up her knives, harnessed her sword and Haldir's bow, and calling to Remus to have targets set up in the Quiddich Field, made her way down, hoping for some quiet, relaxing 'Kill Thranduil in the make-believe hay bales'. As she did the previous weekend, she scanned the sky for Harry.
¡°He's gone to Hogsmeade.¡± Both twins materialized beside her. ¡°Actually almost every-¡±
¡°-one has gone to Hogsmeade, save a few Elves, and yourself.¡±
¡°And McGonagall. She needs laid.¡±
¡°·¡³¢¸é°¿±á±õ¸é!¡±
¡°Also, that wretched caretaker and his cat are here!¡±
¡°I'll bet the cat wishes he'd go to Hogsmeade. Get drunk.¡±
¡°And laid. Maybe he'll do McGo-¡±
¡°·¡³¢³¢´¡¶Ù´¡±·!¡±
¡°That dark wizard you're sleeping with went.¡±
¡°Said he needed supplies.¡±
¡°Hope he gets condoms.¡±
¡°·¡³¢¸é°¿±á±õ¸é!¡±
¡°The little Ravenclaw-¡±
¡°³Ò²¹°ù³Ü²Ô»å±ð±¹±ð.¡±
¡°Is under the weather, so she's in the library.¡±
This Bronwyn knew was true. She herself sent the child to the infirmary three days before. As much as she hated to admit it, she sent the child to keep herself from becoming ill, digging through her bathroom to find the dregs of the concoction Severus mixed up a few weeks back. ¡°Is anyone in the stands?¡±
¡°±·´Ç±è±ð!¡±
¡°±·'³Ü³¾²¹!¡±
¡°³Ò´Ç´Ç»å.¡±
Out came the knives. With painful, deadly accuracy, she sank them into the target, over and over.
¡°°Â¾±³Ù²Ô±ð²õ²õ±ð²õ.¡±
¡°3 o'clock.¡±
Stand on the bar, stomp your feet, start clappin'
Got a real good feelin' somethin' bad about to happen
?
Quickly, Bronwyn flipped the tails of her coat and sheathed her knives. She looked over her shoulder to see Professors Hooch, Sprout, and Bellamy finding a spot in the sun. Someone brought a basket.
¡°³§³Ü²õ³Ù±ð²Ô²¹²Ô³¦±ð!¡±
¡°Food!¡± All of a sudden, Bronwyn's stomach began to growl. Making sure her weapons were secure, she hot-footed it to the stands, followed by her elven bodyguards. She leaned over the barricade where the area appeared to be warm and cozy, despite the weather. ¡°My favorite ladies! What's in the picnic basket?¡±
Hooch wafted the lid of the basket towards the twins. ¡°Chicken, roast beef, turkey-¡±
¡°Whiskey!¡± Constance snorted. She noticed the twins perk up. ¡°It's for us girls! If you want some-¡± she waved her hands - ¡°show us some of those impressive elven fighting skills.¡±
To which the twins immediately ran to the pitch and gave the most hysterical performance ever.
Eventually, the picnic broke up and the twins escorted Bronwyn back to her apartment.
¡°I think,¡± she giggled, ¡°they were wanting to see more than the comedy show you two put on.¡±
Both twins sobered up. ¡°Did it occur to you that perhaps we don't want everyone to know the extent of our fighting prowess?¡±
¡°Or yours?¡±
Bronwyn's high spirits fell. ¡°I suppose I shouldn't be practicing in public.¡±
¡°Not much choice.¡±
~~~...~~~
¡°Professor Powell?¡± Thranduil was in his element, ¡°Do you remember Henry the VII?¡± .
¡°We all remember Henry the VIII!¡± Draco complained loudly.
¡°It's all he's talked about all week!¡± Ron Weasley groused, much to the amusement of his fellow Gryffindors. ¡°And we remember all six of his wives and we especially remember Anne Boleyn and her cousin Catherine Howard.¡± He slid his finger across his throat. ¡°Off with their heads!¡±
¡°Good,¡± the Elf murmured good-naturedly. Unbeknownst to them, Hermoine caught the secret smile between the professor and the Elf. She leaned back and crossed her arms. The Elf King came by two or three times a week and harped on things not in the syllabus. No one else seemed to notice it; it was simply banter between two extremely ancient members of the population.
Personally, she liked Professor Powell and her wild entourage of non-wizards and elves. She wouldn't put it past the Malfoys and their ilk to try to get her fired by purposely flubbing their OWLS and NEWTS. and if the professor found something that wasn't right, she wasn't going to rat the woman out! Now, if she could figure out a way to tell her Gryffindor brethren that a game was afoot!
And maybe the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffs as well.
~~~...~~~
Winter refused to give way to spring. The snows continued to batter Hogwarts, as well as the surrounding countryside. The following student trip to Hogsmeade was canceled due to the size of the drifts. Students were surly, adults were biting their tongues to keep from snapping.
Bronwyn was unable to practice outside due to the wretched weather. The castle wasn't cooperating with her requests to elongate the sunroom and Severus refused to accommodate her, as well. He wouldn't say why, he just stared, turned and whooshed away.
It was irritating. Very irritating.
Thranduil and Bronwyn practiced several times a week in the evenings with swords in the hall. She had to admit he was correct; she was slow. She was so focused on keeping Thranduil back that she didn't notice how closely Amadeus watched her.
Or Severus, clinging to the columns.
Or, to be honest, the majority of the staff adhered to the outer walls, trying to stay out of everyone's way.
Thranduil, however, noticed that she wasn't as slow as their first workout. That she was speeding up, her strikes were more true.
She didn't have a lot of time left. He could feel it.
She was having lunch in her classroom almost daily, during the week. For some odd reason, the noise in the dining room was giving her a headache, so she stayed isolated, or better, ate with the Elves in her rooms.
¡°Bronwyn!¡± Thranduil practically shouted.
She didn't look up from her sandwich. ¡°Yes?¡±
¡°I just remembered!¡±
¡°Remembered what?¡±
¡°Your little Ravenclaw brought a book that a professor offered to lend you! You were angry at your Potions Master and locked us out of your apartment.¡±
Bronwyn tapped her lip, chewing thoughtfully. Her face suddenly brightened and she swallowed. ¡°Professor Belamy! The book about the ley lines! I remember! Did she leave it?¡± She took another bite from her sandwich.
¡°I have it.¡± Thranduil stated. He turned to Bobbin and politely asked the little house elf to retrieve the book from his bookshelf in his quarters.
The elf snapped his fingers and disappeared from the room. There was silence while the woman finished eating.
Bobbin returned in a minute and proceeded to give the book to Thranduil. ¡°Ah yes. This is it.¡± He tried to hand the book to Bronwyn.
Ran into a girl in a pretty white dress
Rolled down the window"
Where you headed to next?"
Said "I'm headed to the bar with my money out of the mattress"
Got a real good feelin' somethin' bad about to happen
?
To be truthful, she did reach for it, but when her hands were within a foot, she snatched them back to her own body. ¡°Oh no,¡± she whispered.
¡°°Â³ó²¹³Ù?¡± The ElfLord whispered. ¡°Is it not the correct book?¡± He flipped it in his hands. ¡°This is the book Garundeve brought down.¡±
Bronwyn slowly reached out for the book. It was screaming silently. When she placed shaking fingers on it, she could see -
Her child. The last one to have her bow legitimately. Truly, he was middle aged, thinning, mousy brown hair. Nothing really to remember him.
His death.
And her bow ¨C she knew it was hers ¨C in the corner of his bedroom. She could see Constance's reflection in the bedroom mirror as she reached out and took Bronwyn's bow.
¡°OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod...¡± The litany went on and on and on, non-stop. At some point, she could see the bow in the back of Constance's wardrobe, covered by her robes. ¡°ohmyGodohmyGodohmy...¡±
¡°Bronwyn?¡± Her eyes jerked towards Thranduil, unaware that she no longer held the book and that it was in his hands. ¡°What is -¡±
¡°She is my child! She has my bow!¡±
¡°Professor Bellamy?¡±
Before she could answer, her chamber door flew open and Severus tore through it. ¡°Bronwyn!¡± He stormed through her quarters and into her breakfast area. ¡°What on earth!¡±
¡°Are you alone?¡± the Elf Lord asked drily.
¡°³Û±ð²õ.¡±
Bronwyn paid no attention to the Potion Master standing next to her. She rocked inconsolably with her arms wrapped around her body. She jumped when he put his hand on her shoulder. ¡°-GodohmyGodohmy-¡± She looked up at the wizard and proceeded to attempt to calm herself down. ¡°I know who has my bow. I know who my child is. Constance Bellamy.¡± She started rocking again.
Severus turned to her house elf. ¡°Bobbin. Find Professor Dumbledore and send him here. Try to be unnoticed if he has company.¡±
¡°Yes, Professor Snape.¡± And Bobbin winked out of sight.
¡°Where is your bow now, Bronwyn?¡±
She told him.
¡°You are positive?¡±
¡°Of course, I'm positive!¡± She continued to rock and keen to herself.
¡°Where is your creature?¡±
Amadeus was on the living room couch and he growled in response.
¡°What classes do you have after lunch?¡± Thranduil was truly concerned.
¡°Second and third years.¡± She looked up at him. ¡°°Â³ó²â?¡±
¡°Where are your lesson plans?¡±
¡°On my desk in my planner.¡± She took a deep breath and repeated. ¡°°Â³ó²â?¡±
¡°Where are Elrond's twins?¡±
The chamber door flew open. ¡°We are here, oh antiquated one!¡± The first came around the corner as the second slammed the door shut. ¡°°Â³ó²â?¡±
¡°Bronwyn will need you to teach her last two classes today.¡±
¡°°¿°ì²¹²â.¡±
¡°³§³Ü°ù±ð.¡±
¡°°Â³ó²â?¡±
Stand on the bar, stomp your feet, start clappin'
I got a real good feelin' somethin' bad about to happen
The drinks keep comin', throw my head back laughin'
Wake up in the mornin', don't know what happened
Whoa, somethin' bad
?
¡°I know,¡± Bronwyn stated shakily, ¡°who has my bow and where it is.¡±
¡°And you're just sitting here?¡±
¡°Who has it? We will-¡±
¡°-retrieve it this instant!¡± Elrohir and Elladan both put a first in the palm of their other hand, grinding it. The sons of Elrond were ready to go!
¡°You cannot,¡± Severus explained. ¡°¡±Tis another professor.¡±
¡°°¿³ó-¡±
¡°-dear. Bad-¡±
¡°-²Ô±ð·É²õ.¡±
¡°´¡²â±ð.¡±
Thranduil spoke up. ¡°We will need to make plans on how to retrieve the bow. In the meantime, Bronwyn has had a shock,¡± Bronwyn nodding affirmatively, ¡°and will not be able to effectively teach her classes. If the two of you would do the honors of teaching her second and third years. Her lesson plans are on her desk.¡± The twins nodded before leaving the room.
¡°I love the younger ones, Elladan!¡±
¡°As do I!¡±
The door shut quietly behind them, their voices fading.
¡°Oh my God!¡±
¡°So you've said many times,¡± both Thranduil and Severus whispered back, together.
¡°I need to tell Professor Dumbledore.¡± She looked up at the Potions Master. ¡°He'll know what to do.¡± She started to fall back into her original litany, but abstained from it.
OhmyGod!
She started to call for her house elf but remembered that Severus had already sent him on an errand.
Dumbledore finally showed up. ¡°My dear! Your house elf said you had dire news and needed me immediately!¡±
OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod!
¡°We have located her bow.¡±
¡°That's not dire! It's good news! Wait.¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°Who has it?¡±
Somethin¡¯ baaaaaaaad...
¡°Constance Bellamy,¡± Severus answered.
¡°Oh dear. That is dire.¡± He looked at Severus. ¡°Is she sure?¡±
¡°Why is everyone talking around me like I'm not here?¡± Bronwyn spat. ¡°Yes! Of course I'm sure!¡± She sank her head into her hands and began to croon again.
¡°Do we know exactly where Constance has it?¡±
¡°In her wardrobe,¡± Bronwyn answered. ¡°Behind her teaching robes.¡±
¡°I will go up and see if she's in. She shouldn't be because she has a class right now. If she's not there, I will look.¡±
Severus followed him to the front door. ¡°I will go with you. You might need backup.¡±
However, when the two professors reached her quarters, they discovered that not only were her rooms cleared out, but so was the wardrobe and Bronwyn's bow was no where to be found.
~~~...~~~
Bronwyn's head was in her hands, her eyes squeezed shut. ¡°How did she know?¡±
¡°I do not know.¡± Thranduil's voice was as low-pitched as she had ever heard. ¡°However, we do need to find her.¡± He looked at Dumbledore. ¡°I have a personal interest in that bow.¡±
¡°Yes. It originally belonged to your son, correct?¡± Dumbledore had a hand full of licorice sticks and was chewing on them one at a time.
Slowly. Oh so slowly and thoughtfully.
¡°´¡²â±ð.¡±
¡°But where would she go?¡± Bronwyn queried. She stabbed her finger on her table. ¡°We need to find her!¡±
Amadeus began to whine and curled tighter around her feet. She reached down and scratched him behind the ears. ¡°I know, boy. I'm sorry.¡±
Severus shook his head in not so well disguised disgust. If she only knew. .
Severus leaned over towards The Headmaster and whispered, ¡°We could scry for her.¡±
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Aye, but who? It is not my specialty.¡±
Snape shook his head. ¡°Nor mine. Do you have something personal of Constance's so if we find someone who can scry could find her?¡±
¡°What are the two of you whispering about? I am right here!¡± Bronwyn was very unhappy and not hiding it. She looked away in disgust. ¡°Talking about me to my face!¡± she mumbled angrily.
¡°I believe one of your first year Slytherin twins could do it. Or Hermoine Granger?¡±
Severus snapped his fingers. ¡°The Weasley chit!¡±
¡°They would have to keep this to themselves,¡± the Elven King interjected. ¡°Not speak of it to anyone. Can we trust a child?¡±
¡°The Slytherin Twins? Yes, we can trust them. The girl has visions. She came to me once, concerned about Bronwyn. She told me,¡± and with this, Severus began to circle the table, coming to stand behind Bronwyn, ¡°about seeing Bronwyn's bow in the middle of a giant spider web and Bronwyn trying to figure out a way to get to it. I dismissed it, but recently, I have been having second thoughts,¡± his voice trailed off.
¡°Aragoth would have no need for it,¡° Dumbledore spoke quietly. ¡°Why would he have it?¡±
Bronwyn shook her head. ¡°No. The giant spiders of the Darkwood.¡± She looked at Elven King. ¡°Were all of them killed?¡±
Thranduil tapped his lip with a long, slender finger. ¡°It is possible a few escaped. Damn!¡± The expletive escaped from his lips. ¡°I could have sworn we got them all!
¡°We didn't get all of the Orcs. Dear God,¡± Bronwyn smacked the table with the flat of her hand, ¡°I hope there aren't anymore of them running around!¡±
¡°I'll see if Sybill Trelawney is free.¡± Dumbledore stepped back and left the quarters.
It was silent for a long time.
~~~...~~~
Dumbledore returned with the little Slytherin. She looked terrified, and rightfully so. ¡°She says she knows how to scry.¡±
¡°I have done it before, to find things my brother loses.¡± Nellyth chirped. Dumbledore produced a world map and laid it on the dining room table. ¡°I found my mom's notes on a dig she and dad were on.¡± She looked at Bronwyn. ¡°What did you lose?¡±
¡°Nothing so important as your mother's notes.¡± She inhaled. ¡°You mustn't say anything to anyone.¡±
¡°If you have something personal -"
Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled a wad of hair from it. ¡°¡±It was on her pillow,¡± he whispered ashamedly. The child wrapped the hair around a pendant on a chain and swung it in a circle over a global map. After several minutes, it spun faster, narrower over far northeast Scotland.
It slowed to a stop. Everyone put their head over the map.
¡°·¡²µ¾±±ô²õ²¹²â?¡±
Dumbledore stood up slowly and dismissed the child, again admonishing her to say nothing. ¡°I believe,¡± he stated solemnly once the door shut behind her, ¡°that we should contact Gandalf, Celeborn, and Elrond about how to go about this.¡±
Owls went out within the hour.
The first owl back was from Thranduil's senshal. Albus read the note wrapped around its leg before laughing uproariously. He passed it to Severus, whose eyebrow lifted. ¡°The chit was correct,¡± he intoned.
¡°°Â³ó²¹³Ù?¡±
¡°The last few emails sent requiring the whereabouts of that bow came from Egilsay.¡± He snorted once. ¡°It figures we would receive this information late.¡±
¡°I wouldn't say that, Severus,¡± Dumbledore was now eating lemon drops. ¡°We have now received information from two separate sources that back each other up.¡±
~~~...~~~
Word was put out that Professor Bellamy had a family emergency and she would be gone for an unspecified time. The Seventh Year Slytherins claimed she was sacked unceremoniously due to a disagreement with Professor Powell over her fondness for the Elves and her dog. Draco whispered that Professor Belamy had actually caught Bronwyn having relations with her wolf and rather than report her for it, instead resigned and left.
¡°Where did you get that information from?¡± Goyle asked. Sometimes, someone had to step up to Malfoy.
¡°Are you calling me a liar?¡±
Goyle didn't back down. ¡°I'm simply asking you where you heard that.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Did you see Professor Powell having relations with her wolf? Did Professor Bellamy say something to you to suggest that Professor Powell was having -¡±
¡°C'mon Goyle!¡± Draco scoffed. ¡°It's so obvious!¡±
¡°Wot's obvious, Mr. Malfoy?¡± The conversation came to a halt. Severus stood over the table, glaring down at Malfoy and his gang. ¡°It would disturb me if another professor took points from Slytherin House because someone was spreading rumors.¡±
¡°Yes sir,¡± the entire group whispered as one.
The Professor glided down the row between the tables. When he ascended the teachers platform and took a seat next to the Muggles History Professor, the breath the students were holding was released in a silent 'whoosh'.
¡°Why is he sticking up for her?¡± Crabbe whispered.
Draco rolled his eyes. ¡°He's sleeping with her.¡±
¡°I thought your father talked to him and put a stop to that.¡±
Draco decided to sent home another owl to his father to speak to the Potions Master ¨C again - about his extracurricular relationships.
~~~...~~~
The two Elflords and the Istari showed up within three days after Dumbledore sent out the owls. Elrond immediately checked her throat. ¡°How are you feeling. Tithen aras?¡±
¡°Physically or mentally?¡± she retorted.
He snorted. ¡°You must be careful. Haldir would nev-¡± he stopped suddenly before continuing, looking down at Amadeus, ¡°-er forgive me if you fell ill again.¡±
¡°Well, I'm being very careful.¡±
¡°How?¡± Elrond scoffed. ¡°Do not answer that! You work in a -¡±
¡°Germ factory,¡± she finished for him with a laugh. But her smile quickly fell. ¡°My lords, what are we going to do? Constance has run off with my bow. We know where she is, but-¡± her voice trailed off.
¡°The question is is how are we going to get it back.¡±
¡°Perhaps,¡± Dumbledore stated, ¡°we should just go and get it.¡±
~~~...~~~
That Saturday, the minute the last student left for Hogsmead, the group stood in the main doorway, ready to fly to Egilsay.
¡°I've never flown an eagle, before,¡± Dumbledore murmured to himself. ¡°Merlin's beard!¡± He jutted his chin in the distance. ¡°Is that Lucius Malfoy?¡±
Severus rolled his eyes. ¡°No doubt his spawn informed him of Constance's departure."
The wizard strode up to the group. ¡°My!¡± His eyes fell on Bronwyn. She was dressed for battle. All of them were. ¡°I hate to interrupt your...¡± he gestured emptily, ¡°whatever I am interrupting, your cos-play, however,¡± he now looked at the Headmaster, ¡°we need to discuss the loss of one of your teachers!¡±
¡°Severus?¡± Albus looked confused. ¡°Did we lose a professor? I wasn't aware we lost a professor or anyone.¡±
¡°Professor Bellamy?¡± Lucius inquired. ¡°Draco says you claim she is out with a family emergency.¡± His look of confusion was fake. ¡°I recall her hiring. She has no family living.¡±
The dark wizard grabbed him by the arm. ¡°Come with me, Lucius.¡±
Lucius didn't so much as put up a struggle. ¡°Why? Where are we going?¡±
¡°You've made many complaints and asked many questions this year regarding Professor Powell. We are going to answer them.' Severus was dragging him towards one of giant eagles.
¡°Where are we going? And why,¡± the man had the audacity to dig in his heels, ¡°are you trying to make me get on one of these... birds?¡±
¡°We are going to Egilsay.¡±
¡°Why are we going to Egilsay and why is she-¡± he pointed to Brownyn, ¡°wearing armor?¡±
¡°Severus stopped and unhanded the wizard. ¡°You have wondered about Professor Powell. Come and your questions will be answered.¡±
¡°Why can't you answer them now?¡±
¡°Because we don't have time, you dickwad!¡± Bronwyn mounted up on the lead eagle. ¡°I know, that was completely unprofessional of me and you can complain to your heart's content when we return.¡± Her voice dropped. ¡°If we return,¡± she mumbled. She patted the eagle's back. ¡°Up, Amadeus.¡± The wolf grumbled has he jumped up in front of his mistress. Traveling by eagle was not his favorite form of transportation.
Lucius still hadn't bought into this trip. ¡°Why are we riding... birds? Why don't we just apparate?¡±
¡°Because Bronwyn and the elves can't.¡± Severus was wishing the man hadn't shown up when he had.
¡°You ask too many questions!¡± Bronwyn spat, ¡°Why are we bringing him?¡±
¡°Because he showed up.¡±
¡°Because we might need use of his wand.¡±
Severus and Albus spoke at the same time.
Lucius blinked. He stepped up to the eagle. ¡°How does one mount one of these?¡±
¡°For Merlin's sake, Lucius!¡± With a flick of his wrist, Severus lifted the stalling wizard onto the back of one of the giant birds before climbing up and mounting behind Bronwyn.
Making sure everyone was accounted for, the birds lifted off, heading north.
~~~...~~~
The area was bare. No family castle or abode of any kind in sight.
They were not alone. Lialidrul stood in front of the cliff, Middle Earth weapons spread out. He turned to Elrond. ¡°I brought them all, as requested.¡± He sighed as only an Elf could. ¡°They have been sharpened.¡±:
¡°³Ò´Ç´Ç»å.¡± The First-born perused them before picking one up. ¡°Thank you for caring for these.¡±
Another eagle flew in and settled next to those that brought Bronwyn and her entourage. Celeborn stepped up to assist her dismount.
¡°Nothing is here,¡± Lucius stated the obvious.
¡°Yes, there is.¡± Bronwyn lifted her hand. ¡°Can you hear them?¡±
Under the breeze, there was the faint sound of ...scratching.
¡°What on earth?¡±
¡°Spiders,¡± Bronwyn hissed. ¡°Giant spiders.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I hate spiders!¡±
¡°I smell orcs.¡± Galadriel stood next to the diminutive professor , flanked by Celeborn. ¡°There are quite a few.¡±
Severus had his wand up, waving it as if unlacing a corset. ¡°Silence,¡± he drawled.
Galadriel stepped away and nodded to Lialidrul. She began to speak in a sing-song voice. At the sounds behind them, the company turned to see the heroes of Middle Earth materializing after them. Aragon, ?omer, Gamling, Theodan, Thorin Oakenshield, Fili, Kili, Dwalin, Gimli, and many others. Most Bronwyn recognized. And she greeted each and every one. Thranduil was pounding Legolas on the back. Beleg Strongbow and Glorfindel stood off to the side, nodding to those who approached. They pointed to the area just on edge of the cliff. A giant castle was coming into focus.
Bronwyn's heart seized. There were spiders on the castle walls. ¡°I really hate spiders,¡± she mumbled and threw her knives, killing two. The castle was now in full view and Severus stepped back.
¡°Constance!¡± Albus bellowed. ¡°We know you're in there! Send out Bronwyn's bow and we will leave you in peace.¡±
¡°Peace? There will be no peace!¡± The witch appeared on top of the ramparts. She reached over the wall and scratched a spider's back. ¡°Hello mother,¡± she called down to Bronwyn. She held up Bronwyn's bow. ¡°If you want it, come and get it.¡±
She disappeared.
They waited for several minutes, waiting until the drawbridge came down with a bang.
¡°Well,¡± she sighed, when it lowered, ¡°I guess that answers that.¡± Bronwyn slid from the eagle's back. Amadeus skimmed down behind her. ¡°Can you kill the spiders for me?¡±
The white wolf chuffed once. At that moment, Orcs ran from the castle, yelling, growling, brandishing weapons. They were still far enough away for Haldir's wife to unbuckle her knives. They were out and spinning. ¡°Beavis, Beavis, my loves, come to Beavis.¡±
She flung them in opposing directions beheading one orc and nearly beheading the second.
¡°Nice.¡± Thorin Oakenshield was standing next to her. ¡°I take it they only answer to you.¡±
¡°³Û±ð²õ.¡± They returned to her and she quickly wiped them on her pants.
¡°We're going to fight?¡± Thorin's nephews were flanking the Storyteller. ¡°Really?¡± The blonde- Fili ¨C had 2 swords out and ran into the thick of the orcs, yelling as he went. Dwalin and Thorin quickly followed.
¡°They love to fight!¡± Kili, Thorin's dark-haired nephew stood next to the storyteller. He grinned, a delightful sight,. ¡°So do I!¡± And with that pronouncement, he ran into the thick of the battle, disappearing into the din.
A ways from Bronwyn, Lucius Malfoy stood staring at the melee. ¡°Serverus!¡± Did you just cast an Unforgivable Curse?¡± He was watching the Muggle studies Professor, gaining a new respect for her.
¡°Crucio! They are monsters... CRUCIO! Stay down when I put you down! CRUCIO!¡± For a moment, Lucius wondered if the last Great Battle would have gone differently had these things been around to fight for their side. They... stank! The stench was over-powering and Lucius cast an Avada Kedavra at the orc who stood next to him, a wicked ax raised for a killing blow.
Finally, the earth was covered with Orc bodies, thick, noxious blood saturating the ground.. Lucius looked around in the sudden, deafening silence. He saw a group of tall, blonde men on horses, armed with gored swords and bows. He was nudged, not ungently and looked up...up... up... into the eyes of a very tall man in a crown. ¡°I do not recognize you. You must be one of the wizards protecting Bronwyn.¡± He put his hand to his heart and bowed. ¡°I am Aragon, king of Gondor.¡± He stood tall and smiled. ¡°You are?¡±
¡°Charmed, I'm sure.¡± Lucius's voice was droll. His arm was grabbed and he was jerked towards the drawbridge of the castle.
¡°You are lagging, Lucius. Come! On!¡±
Lucius dug in his heels. ¡°°Â³ó²â?¡±
¡°Are you that much a coward? I see where your son gets it.¡±
That stung. Lucius allowed himself to be dragged up and over the drawbridge and into the castle.
***
Tbc
***
