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Shadows Dance	By : BloodShinjoMistress69 Category: +G through L > Invader Zim > Het- Male/Female Views: 8342 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Shadows Dance
- 2-Double your pleasure, double your...
- 1
- 2
Chapter contributed by : ZeDrippyVessel

A/N - I will try to update this one more time before the beginning of October. RL has thrust its ugly head my direction again - this time, in the guise of my son's health - and we will be offline until mid-October. He is having open heart surgery. Prayers, good vibes, well wishes and healing candles will all be appreciated. Thanks all.

Chapter 27

Double your pleasure, double your surfing abilities or Water Pistols of Fate

***
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We'll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo

Kokomo
Beach Boys
***

"Muindor!" whispered Elrohir," Your flirting will get us in trouble!"

Elladan punched him good-naturedly on the arm. "She needed flirting with!"

"Jail-bait!"

"You flirted with jail-bait last month!"

"Well, I did not kiss her and we were not staying for any considerable amount of time! Oh, look!" He pointed with his chin ahead of them. "Here comes the Posse!" Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were bearing down on the two Elves from opposite directions. "Which one do you want to flirt with?" The two slowed, allowing the two professors to block their way. Professor McGonagall had her wand out, but Albus seemed to be taking this surprise visit in stride.

"You seek Bronwyn." He crooked a finger and motioned them to follow him.

"Albus!" Minerva croaked. "This is most-"

"Minerva. It is all right." he looked back at the twins. "Your father is here. Strange; he was under the impression the two of you were dead."

The two smiled at each other. "Good!" The one - Elrohir - on the left whispered. "Do you think he will-"

"-berate us?"

"Nah. Beat us?"

"Think not. Maybe he will-"

All together...

"Weep for joy?"

They shook their heads. "N'uma - Ada never-"

"-weeps."

Minerva looked dizzy trying to keep up with the two. As the twins chattered amongst themselves, they reached Bronwyn's classrooms. Elrohir was becoming more and more introspective, taking in the dungeon. "Great Iluvatar! No wonder she is ill!" he whispered.

"You knew Professor Powell was ill?" Albus asked innocently.

"An owl sent from Ada to a Professor Snape, reached us instead. Pesky thing. Said his-"

"-name was ‘Owl'. Who would name their-"

"owl, ‘Owl'?"

"Perhaps he meant ‘Al'?"

"N'uma. I heard correctly. His name is ‘Owl'."

"I do not agree with you. ‘Al'."

"Owl!"

"Al!"

The two elderly professors watched the twin sons of Elrond argue back and forth like young Elflings. They were now standing in front of the door. Albus raised his hand to knock and when the door opened, twin voices chirped out...

"Mae Govannen, Adar! We are home!"

***

Bronwyn had been phasing in and out of awareness, semi- conscious of voices, cheerfulness, much talking. Several times, she awoke to see Severus sitting in a chair next to her, watching her intently, black eyes glittering in the semi-dark. When she slept, he perused her books, her collection of music. He had closely inspected the piece of cross-stitch next to the chair. It was the same piece she had been working on when she first arrived. More was complete and he could clearly see the image and he wondered if she saw what he did. A couple in a passionate embrace; the woman in full skirts, voluptuous, with an abundance of rich brown hair; the man, behind her, tall, slender, with long dark hair and a seemingly long nose...

*Oh yes, he was under her skin. Even if she didn't know it!*

He stayed in her bedroom, giving Elrond and his sons privacy. Elrond was torn between disbelief, anger, and utter joy. Severus decided he had seen the Elf as close to giddy as he had ever been. He fussed over Bronwyn, who drifted in and out of consciousness, but he expected it - the vial had contained a potent combination of decongestants and other expectorants, causing her to cough up a great deal of phlegm in her sleep. She hung over the edge of the bed; the more she coughed up, the more her lungs seem to make. He was not going to wait this out-

"Severus." Elrond's voice broke the Potions Master's reverie. The Elf was standing at the corner of the bed, looking less care-worn than he had when he arrived. "I did not mean for you to hide. Come down and meet my ions."

Severus laced his fingers together and locked his gaze on Bronwyn. "I do not wish to intrude on your reunion."

The Elf smiled a little sheepishly. "We three have much time to make up for; however, she seems to be resting comfortably now and Amadeus can watch over her."

At the mention of his assumed name, the wolf jumped lightly on the bed and lay beside her, resting his head on her upturned hip. "He will let us know if she needs anything. Come. My sons and I wish to hear what you and Bronwyn have been doing concerning her bow."

It was a gently worded order and after consideration, Severus decided that perhaps the Elves might have an idea - or ideas - which way to look as he and Bronwyn had exhausted every avenue on the family tree.

Elrond's sons were as beautiful as any Elf, and Snape wondered how they managed to keep their ears hidden for so long. He had heard Bronwyn talk about the ‘Warrior Twins', but what he was seeing was nothing - or no one - who had been described to him. These two were chattering magpies who interrupted and finished each other's sentences. They were more annoying than the Weasley Twins and Circe knew that those two had been a chore!

"So!" one sidled up to him and prded ded to give the Potions Master a cocky grin. "You are Bronwyn's new Shield!"

"You state the obvious." Snape remarked dryly.

"Oh, Muindor!" the other one joined his brother on the other side, sandwiching Snape between them. "This one could give Haldir a run for his long bow in arrogance!"

***I give him a run for it every night!***

"Do you now?" Twin Left asked, eyebrow arching. Snape schooled and blanked his thoughts quickly.

"Ionmin!" Elrond chided, "This one is most excellent in his skills. The Valar," and with this he eyed Snape appreciatively, "chose wisely and well for Tel' Lindar."

"Aye, so well, ‘the wise choice' put her in a dungeon!" Twin Right smirked sarcastically.

"That was not his fault. Circumstances have made it necessary to put her here and steps have been taken to make it as airy as possible." Elrond gestured to the in ground patio and large doors. "Haldir has also been understandably remiss in some of his duties regarding the passing of information."

The two nodded to each other. "Ah." "Understandable."

Elrond smiled benignly and spread his arms. "Please. Severus. Show us what you and Bronwyn have tried in regards to finding her bow."

Glad to be away from between the two Elves, Severus drew his wand and Accio'd a stack of papers from a shelf, motioning the three to follow him to the dining area. He spread the sheets out and with a flick of his fingers, proceeded to explain the symbols. "We know where the bow was until a little over twenty years ago. What we did was research the family tree and followed each branch. As we know the one who has it is a wizard, we have searched every possible lead into our community." Snape's hands swept over the marked up and highlighted list, fingers tracing the fading ink. "Dead ends. Every one." In spiteful frustration, the Wizard swept the sheets from the table, not watching as the sheets floated slowly to the floor. "A complete and utter waste of time!"

The three Elves watched silently as the Potions Master ran his fingers through inky locks, his face lined and chiseled with worry. One of the twins sighed and stuck out his hand. "I am Elladan and this," he gestured to his twin, who waggled his fingers in greeting, "is my brother, Elrohir." He pulled a piece of rolled parchment from a pocket. "We would have, should have contacted you sooner, but-"

"-we were trying to help you. Of course, when your owl delivered Ada's-"

" - response to you over Bronwyn's illness, we came-"

"My owl?" Severus hissed. "My owl misdelivered a post?"

The twins nodded. "Aye." Elrohir said quietly. "I believe it was intentional."

"It was intentional that he pecked the hell out of my fingers!" Elladan snapped, holding up slightly scratched digits.

"Hmm. Perhaps I will not kill him after all!" Snape grumbled. "In what way were you trying to ‘help' us?"

Elladan stooped to pick up the scattered papers, slowly looking through them. He neatly stacked them and handed them to Snape. "This is really a good idea; however, there is a slight problem."

"And that is?"

The two looked at each other before Elladan spoke up. "Any of Bronwyn and Haldir's children can use that bow."

***

I sit here
on the stairs
‘cause I'd rather be alone...

Patience
Guns n Roses
***

Snape sat at her table, head in hands, stunned.

***A needle in a haystack. This search has become impossible.***

Any child.

Any descendant.

That could mean one in hundreds in thousands in tens of thousands...

"We kept watch over the Bowholder, always. As time went on, Elves were forgotten and we became more and more isolated."

"The Valar were right, Ada." Elladan was pensive. "The world forgot so fast. The land changed, the Races of Man mixed, boundaries changed."

"We knew it was over when the Hobbits disappea Eve Everything changed." The two were quiet for a moment before Elrohir continued. "But we always stayed close to the Bowholder."

"And Thranduil."

"Aye. He lives still-"

"Well, last we saw him, he lived. Not so long-"
"- one hundred fifty years? He went to-"

"America. Last we saw of him, he was going to-"

"He wanted to be a Texan. Big hats."

Elrond rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Either way, after the death of the Storyteller, the bow changed hands rapidly."

"Seventeen times in twenty years."

"It could be anywhere."

Snape's head was pounding, the implications vast.

"Has her child attempted to contact her?"

Snape looked up, not moving his head and glared. "At night, in her dreams. Not every night, not every dream, but increasing in regularity and intensity." With a quill, Snape began to make random scratchings on the parchment in front of him. "Several times, she has been tossed from the ramparts of fortresses and outcroppings of volcanoes." He threw the quill across the table. "He demands information, horrific inforon ton that she will not divulge to me. I delve into her mind, but the fear is so acute, I cannot touch what causes her anxiety. I fear one night, she will fall to the ground and I will not be there to catch her. I do not know where to look, where to go, or where to begin. Do you have any idea how infuriating that is to me?" Snape sensed Elrond standing behind him...

... and her...

"She stirs. I should go to her."

Two surprisingly strong, yet gentle hands came to rest on his shoulders, "N'uma. You stay here. I have an idea and I would like to discuss it with you. My sons will be more than happy to go to her." Two identical grins brightened the darkened room and the pair flew up the stairs, both arguing and jostling for first place. Elrond sighed and sat across from Severus. "They have not changed a bit. One would think they would have settled down somewhat, but..." his voice trailed off. "I am sorry you ran around on a wild goose chase, so to speak. That-" he nodded to the print outs, "was an enormous accomplishment for the two of you. Whose idea was it?"

"My idea. Her background work. My leg work." He refused to elaborate further for some reason, wanting to keep the time spent alone at her cottage strictly between him and her. "If what you say is true, any witch or wizard could be holding that damn bow; not necessarily having to follow that family line!" He lifted his head and looked at the ceiling. "There is no possible way I can go into each and every home belonging to a magical being and search-"

"Kitchen done! Kitchen done!" The conversation was interrupted by Bobbin, speeding through the dining area, spray bottles of potions created to kill mold and mildews, hanging from a make-shift holster draped around his waist, like water guns. "Now Living Room!" Ears flew in the wind as he sped past.

"Pain in the arse!"

"But an earnest pain in the arse, Severus." The Elf Lord's voice was almost jovial. "He is most diligent in his duties. Severus, look at me." The Wizard raised his eyes to stare at the Elf. "Is there any place where there would be a listing, a census, of Wizards and Witches? Birth Records, Marriage, School-"

"The Ministry of Magic would have those records. Births, marriages, deaths... but they are kept under lock and key. Private inform-" he stopped suddenly, the implications dawning. "Her palms..."

"Would burn."

Severus tapped his finger thoughtfully against his lip and deliberated the information. "That is a possibility, however," here he raised a finger and pointed at the Elf. "I am loath to take Bronwyn into such a place. She would be difficult to hide."

Low yipping and whining answered in response and the Elf and Wizard looked at the wolf, sitting docilely at the hand of the Elf. Eyes looked back and forth, until Elrond finally asked Snape to allow Amadeus speech.

"Do not be ad tod to take her into such a place, Wizard. She would be more useful than you would think."

"And how would that be?" I do not trust your judgment."

"We have done it before!"

Severus looked at the beast, expectantly. "Well?"

Amadeus signed. "When Aragorn became King of Gondor-"

"When *who* became king of *what*?"

Amadeus bristled and turned to the Elf. "See what I have been saddled with?" He nodded in the Wizard's direction. "He thinks he knows everything when he knows nothing! He makes decisions based solely on his own misguided intuition, is too stern a task master and does not admit to his own mistakes!"

"I have many faults, dog, but being wrong is not one of them!"

Amadeus stiffened up, prepared to argue the point. "Is this so? Name one fault!"

It was silent for a moment while Wizard and wolf regarded each other maliciously. "I will let you know when I think of one! Continue!" Severus waved his hand dismissively.

The wolf turned to the Elf Lord to complain, but realized Elrond was watching the argument with much amusement. "When Aragorn was crowned King of Gondor," he gritted, "he demanded a complete consensus of population, taxes and needs. Gondor had not had a King in many years and the stewards had been preoccupied with Mordor for too long. Think-" he interrupted Snape before he could open his mouth, "of the Wizarding World without a minister for years and after dealing with Voldemort, a new Minister trying to help his people!" He sat down and looked up most regally. "One town refused to comply. Messenger after messenger was sent, only to be rebuffed, turned away, put off. One disappeared. We - Bronwyn, myself, my brothers and a friend, were sent in undercover. We went in separately; she posed as an entertainer..."

***A dream...

Bronwyn standing on a table, singing bawdy songs, dressed brightly, suggestively, being accosted...***

"Uma. You do remember. The town was being taxed, taxed beyond belief. We managed to break into the mayor's residence and Bronwyn found the tax records. Not me, not my brothers. Bronwyn. With her hands. She was not a liability, nor was she in the way... much. She went straight to what we needed, the proof the King desired. She was as stealthy as any Elf... almost." He lay down and rested his head os pas paws. "Make it stop, Wizard. It hurts."

Severus complied as Elrond watched in concern, the demeanor of his old friend. He leaned over and stroked the wolf reassuringly on the head. "What do you think Severus? What other ideas do you have?"

Snape watched as the Elf Lord calmed and consoled the wolf, catering to the hidden Elf's pain. Even in death, the Elf was not isolated, alone. "I need her well. The last thing I desire is her sneezing her way through locked offices. I can make a list of records, rooms to check; slip in, get in touch with old contacts to monitor comings and goings." He turned a sheet of parchment over and grabbing his quill, began to list items, places, ideas...

Elrond watched for a moment before chuckling softly. "Bronwyn was right. The two of you are just alike!"

***
Wouldn't it be nice
If we were older,
then we wouldn't have to wait so long...

Wouldn't it be nice
Beach Boys
***

Clouds and clouds and clouds and clouds.

Some were white and cottony; while others were pink and fluffy, purple and spiky. Graceful green ribbons resembling snakes wove around silver linings...

Voices.

Far off voices...

Goooo away

A white fluffy shape changing... into familiarity....

Haaal-diiiiir.....

Reaching... oh please do not leeeeeeav....

A black storm cloud looming over... changing... melding as well... protectively enveloping....

Time to wake up, Bronwyn.

No. More clouds.

Tithen Lindarrrr..... wake up....

Why?

Sweet lips at the base of her neck...

Wait.

Not Haldir. Not Severus...

Bronwyn's eyes came open slowly, blinking in the pale light, sweet Elvish words whispering in her ears.

A body curled against her back.

Her head on a strong, lean chest.

Wait. Not Severus' unique, wonderful smell...

She looked into amused blue eyes.

Faeowynne's sons?

"Kalinion! Einion!" she croaked hoarsely, "Aren't you a bit old to be snuggling up with your grandmother?"

Mischievousness bounded in the voice on the face with the beautiful grinuinduindor! Who are these ‘Kalinion' and ‘Einion' she calls us by?"

"I dt knt know, but I would have hoped that even after so many years, she would have remembered me! After all, I chased rodents and Orc-lets from the bushes when she was great with child, so she could have privacy to do pregnant womanly things."

Bronwyn came fully awake, eyes popping. "Elrohir?" she looked over her shoulder. "Elladan?"

"Ah, she can still tell us apart, Muindor!" Elladan's smile deepened and he pulled her close. "How are you feeling? We came-"

"-as soon as that stiff-necked Wizard's owl delivered Ada's-"

"-letter to us. By mistake-"

"-of course!"

Bronwyn's head reeled and she smacked Elrohir on the chest. "Hush. Can't talk!" She coughed deeply, painfully. Elladan looked at Elrohir concern etched on Elvish features and motioned for his brother to hand him a tissue. "Your Ada-"

"Has grilled us, talked our-"

"-ears off. Asked as many-"

"-questions as you!"

"HA!"

The twins rolled off the bed and held out their hands. "You need to get up and bathe. Come downstairs and join us. We have much to tell you!"

"Not to mention you are much more pleasant company than that bat!"

"Honestly, tithen aras," Elrohir planted his hands on his hips. "How do you put up with him?

Bronwyn was sliding out of the bed, helped by Elladan. "I've had plenty of practice with Haldir, remember? Besides, he's not so bad, once you get to know him," she whispered hoarsely.

"Perhaps if you... you know..." Elladan fell back on the bed, looking up appreciatively.

"You have a mirror in this canopy! Use it!"

"Are you quite through discussing how weuld uld be using the furniture?"

Bronwyn's head jerked at the sound of Severus' voice. He was glaring at the two jovial Elves, fingers tapping angrily on his arms.

"Dude! You need to loosen up!" Elladan rolled over and propped his head on his hand.

Severus glared at the Elf and moti to to Bronwyn to come to him. His fingers brushed her face, the swollen nasal passages and throat. He noticed that her hair was wet and tangled with sweat and his overly-sensitive nose wrinkled at the smell. "Your fever has broken, which is a good sign. However, you now smell like a Quidditch locker room after a game!" His arm shot out as he pointed. "Into the shower with you, madam ! Now!"

Bronwyn did her best to look meek. "Yes sir." She ducked her submissively and shuffled off.

"Madam!" Bronwyn turned back. "Your submissive attitude is not becoming to you in the least, however-" he raised a hand to cut off her rasped protest, "s a s a nice change. Short - lived as it will be. Why are you not in the shower?"

Bronwyn waved him off as she disappeared around the corner. Snape watched until he heard the shower come on before turning to the twins. "I believe your father desires your assistance downstairs."

Elladan popped off the bed and headed towards the door. "Are you coming?"

Snape quirked and eyebrow and opened his mouth to answer, only to be interrupted by Elrohir. "Leave it be, Muindor. Do you not see, this one is as protective as a certain arrogant MarchWarden we knew?"

How many comparisons to the Elf would he have to endure today?

Snape waited impatiently for her to finish, scented steam enveloping the upstairs. As she emerged from the bath area, clad in a big over-sized robe, Elrond made his way up the stairs, holding a small, paste-filled bowl.

"Ah!" He reached out with one hand to touch her cheekbones. "There is color in your face. It is-"

"Watch out! Watch out!" Bobbin whizzed by, disinfectant... water pistols?... in hand. "Die! Die! Evil mold!" He disappeared into the spare bedroom.

Bronwyn's eyes were bulged. "Excuse me, but is the house elf wearing... a holster? And brandishing water pistols?"

"The twins made it." Elrond admitted. "They told him it was not clothing, merely a tool to aid him. I believe," he addressed Snape, " your quarters and labs are next."

"No!" Severus gasped. "I have molds and mildews in my lab that are necessary...Bah!" He rushed off to the spare bedroom, leaving Bronwyn and Elrond alone on the upper landing.

"Poor Severus." Bronwyn murmured. "I do believe we have wrecked his perfect world."

"Ah, but was it so perfect? Come." He motioned towards her bedroom. "I have a salve for your lungs. It should help break up the congestion in your air passages." As they entered the room, he instructed her to lie down on the bed on her belly after loosened her robe to pull it down about her waist. ]

Gentle hands stroked her neck, smoothing away stray tendrils that had escaped the turban around her head. Dipping his fingers into the menthol-laden salve, the Elf Lord dribbled the still-warm paste on her shoulders and back. Strong fingers firmly kneaded and worked the healing salve into her muscles, her back.

"Feels good."

Elrond smiled. He could sense the Potions Master in the doorway, watching darkly, jealousy rising. Ignoring the desire to look over his shoulder, he answered nonchalantly, "The Wizard should do this for you."

"Severus already has his hands full with me." Bronwyn demurred. "I am such a bother."

"Does he tell you this?"

"He doesn't have to." Elrond's finger dipped beneath her arms, going, stroking her sides, causing her to giggle and cough. As her body lifted, Severus could see the swell of her breast and the edges of his vision turned black with jealousy. She was his! Why should she not ask for his aid, his ministrations? The Elf Lord finished his working on her back and he directed her to roll over-

"No!" It came out barked and hoarse, as the Potions Master strode into the room. "Bronwyn, lie back down!" he ordered. "You may leave us, Elrond." He reached over and picked up the bowl. With his wand, he cast a warming spell on the gelatinous mass.

The Elf Lord smiled. "So be it." He stood up, graceful in movement. Long fingers flicked at the edges of his sleeves. "We will see you downstairs shortly. Perhaps, Bronwyn, you would like to dine with us?"

"Thank you, I might." She started to lift up, only to find herself held down on the bed by Severus' forceful hand. "Elrond?" The Elf turned to the woman. Snape was firmly holding her down and shielding her with his body. The connotation was not lost on him. "I'm glad your sons are here. Maybe this time, they will come home."

The Elf Lord's smile fell slightly. "Perhaps, tithen aras. Perhaps."

Bronwyn waited until she heard the door click before turning slightly, angry scowl on her face. "You were quite terse. There was no need for you to be snarky with him!"

"Roll over." He lifted her, none too gently, into his embrace. Her robe fell away, exposing her to the air.

"This isn't turning me on, one bit!"

Severus made a noncommittal noise in his throat, pulling her closer to him. She realized he was pulling and plumping pillows behind her, propping her on them. His hands went immediately to her breasts, caressing them, thumbing the nipples. "These now belong to me, madam, and I will not allow anyone else to fondle them for any purpose." With a last stroke, he turned them loose and dipped his fingers into the salve. "I will not tease you. Ingredients in the potions you have been taking diminish the sexual drive. Do not be worried that you will be unable to respond to me when the time comes."

Worried? Not responding? To him?

Oooooh. The gall of this Wizard...

His fingers cut a gentle swath along her collar bone and dipped in the cleft between her breasts. He thumbed lazy circles over her, gently working the salve into her neck and chest.

"This stuff must be working at clearing me up. Has a strong smell..."

"You smell the menthol. There are other things in it as well. There." Severus leaned back and surveyed his handiwork. "Take a deep breath." Bronwyn complied. "Better?"

She nodded. "Throat still hurts."

"Then do not talk!"

Bronwyn made a rude noise through her nose. She watched as Snape got up and going to her dresser, began to open drawers. "What are you doing?"

"Here." he pulled out a large sleep shirt. "Put this on." He threw it on the bed and began searching for underwear. He threw those on the bed and grabbed her dressing gown from a hook on the wall. "Get dressed and come downstairs. I have much to discuss with you. Put on your house slippers." He stopped at the door. "Do not dawdle, madam and put on what I have chosen for you." He left her room with the lovely image of her rubbing her nose on the sleeve of her loosened robe.

***

I don't mind if you lend my clothes
But you will be in touch
There is somethin' that you get straight
There's one thing you don't touch

Keep your hands off my baby
Goffen/King
Performed by the Beatles

***

Snape heard her first, tip-toeing down the stairs. All heads turned only to hear the Wizard bellow, "Your house slippers, madam!" His head never rose from the Daily Prophet.

Bronwyn's shoulders slumped and she headed back up the stairs. The twins stared at the Potions Master in open admiration.

"She did not yell-"

"-back, of course, she is ill-"

"-probably wait until she is better and will - "

"- give you hell!"

Snape turned the page of his paper. "She already gives me hell. However, I believe she has learned arguing with me is a useless exercise."

"Why is that?" Elrond asked pointedly.

"That is simple..." Step... roar... step... roar... "He cheats!" Bronwyn came down the stairs wearing the most ridiculous pair of footwear the Wizard had ever seen.

"Madam!" S.. r.. roar... step... roar... "What is that your are wearing?"

Bronwyn stopped in front of the table, fist on her hips. "The required sleep wear you chose! Big, sloppy, ugly, nightshirt -" she opened her robe, holding it and modeling her clothing to the guffaws of the twins - " - notice the shapeless hang of the hem. Iluvatar forbid," she stage-whispered to the twins, " - that anyone should find me remotely alluring!" Elrond was working very hard not to smile. "There is a lovely pair of granny knickers. N'uma!" She shook a finger at the leering twins, "I will not show those!"

***Thank Circe!***

"By the waters of Kovie, I did know I know I owned a pair of granny knickers!"

*** And no doubt, you thought I was not capable of anything beyond potions. Transfiguration was a snap for me, as well!***

Severus did not notice Elrond watching him curiously.

"What are ‘granny knickers'," Elladan whispered.

"Waisties."

"Yrch!" Both Elves grimaced in tandem.

Bronwyn continued her impromptu catwalk. She stuck one dinosaur - booted foot out. "No-tice ze unUuuusuale foot wear!" She stomped around. Screeeech. "Godzilla lives!"

"Shall we create a miniature Tokyo for you to destroy?" Elrohir asked with a perfectly straight face. His brother was convulsing in laughter.

Bronwyn smirked and pulled together the front of her robe. "And the crowning achievement is the ugly, drab, disgusting robe, I have taken the liberty," she pointed at Snape, "of liberally coating the inner arms with the mentholated salve you left upstairs!" She showed off the arms, thoroughly greased and ree.
.

Severus neatly folded and laid his paper down. "Now, why did you do that?"

"So I can do this!" She swiped her sleeve across her nose, while she inhaled. Both twins were now cackling merrily.

"I swear, Bronwyn! One cannot dress you up and take you anywhere! Sit!" He gestured angrily at the chair. "Are you two quite finished?" he churlishly spat at the twins.

The group finally sat down and quietly allowed Bobbin to serve them a savory ham with pineapples, stewed apples, green beans and potatoes.

Bronwyn received a steaming bowl of soup.

She vehemently protested and was treated to a most nasty glare for her inhospitality. It was quiet for several minutes before Severus broke the silence.

"Tell me, Bronwyn. If you need to find something specific, will your hands lead you to it?"

Bronwyn was leaned over her soup, alternatively sniffling and slurping. "Yes. Why?"

Severus tapped a long finger against the edge of the table, his attention focused clearly on the plate before him. "I have decided that when I get you well, I will sneak you into the Ministry of Magic. Specifically, the records room and see where your hands lead you." He never looked up from the table, spearing a slice of ham and turning his fork thoughtfully. "I have been told you have done this before."

Bronwyn's eyes flicked nervously back and forth between the Wizard and Elrond. "Yessssss." She said slowly, dragging the word out. "What would we be exactly be looking for?"

It was quiet while Snape chewed thoughtfully. "Birth records. School records. Marriage records."

Bronwyn's stare was thorough, deep-reaching. "You hope my hands will lead us straight to him."

tho thought did occur to me. Can you do it?"

Bronwyn sat back, her bowl empty. She inspected the tips of her fingertips. "Perhaps," she intoned. "Perhaps not." A bowl of ice cream materialized in front of her. "Of course., I have done this before. Should be no problem. No problem at all!" She dove into the ice cream, relishing the coolness on her throat. "What time is it? I need to administer a make-up test at seven."

"You scheduled a make up test tonight?" Severus asked her pointedly.

"Yes, my... one of my classes had a rough time of one and I-"

"As I recall," Severus wiped his mouth with his napkin before tossing it peevishly to the table, "your Seventh Year Slytherins had a make up test scheduled last Monday."

"Last Monday-" her jaw dropped. "Good Lord! Severus! What day is today?"

"Today is Thursday."

"Oh no!" she groaned aloud. Her spoon clattered into the empty bowl. "What will they think? What am I saying? They will think they have gotten off, they'll-"

"I administered the test, madam." Severus looked up from the table. "Your mouth is a cavern. Shut it."

"You did what?"

"Bronwyn! Has your hearing been affected as well? I. Administered. The. Test. They are on your desk somewhere and I trust they will be of a higher standard." He did not tell her how he had gone down to the Quidditch field and had hauled two angry Slytherins from their brooms. Nor did he tell her head overseen the test in his classroom while concocting her potion. "You should be in no hurry to grade them."

Bronwyn contemplated her greasy sleeves. "I feel better. Surely, I can return to work tomorrow or Monday."

"N'uma." Elrond's voice was authoritative. "You are contagious. You have pneumonia and your allergies are exacerbating the problem. I have told the Headmaster that you must be completely recovered before you can resume your duties. That means no sooner than a week from Monday."

"No!"

"Yes!" The Elf Lord's glare looked vaguely familiar. "I realize you are worried about your classes, so I have made arrangements for Erestor to come and fill in for you."

"Adar! N'uma! Even I-"

"-must protest! Erestor is wonderful, yet-"

"He can be dryer than the Mallorns in Lorien!"

Amadeus howled at that.

Elrond pushed back from the table and crossed his arms over his chest. "He is on his way. He will be here in the morning, without Glorfindel."

"Rats."

"I wanted to see Glorfindel."

"My request." Bronwyn's voice was quickly becoming a raspy whisper. While the ice cream had felt good on her throat, it was now producing phlegm and a productive cough. "He makes me laugh too much. I agree that Erestor can be rather brittle, but he is immensely qualified to take over for a short time."

The room fell silent. After a moment, Elladan asked, "What are your classes studying?"

"A variety of things, depending on the class level; Post Roman Empire, Pre - Muslim Africa, The Macedonian Renaissance, Ancient Chinese and Greek Theater, the Industrial Revolution, Shakespeare, The Rise and Fall of Nazism."

Elladan smiled at his brother. "Are you thinking what-"

"I am thinking? I believe so, Muindor!"

"I know what you are thinking and quite frankly," Bronwyn's voice was getting worse and worse, "and the idea scares the shit out of me!"

Elrohir reached over to grasp her hand. "Bronwyn. Tithen Lindar. We have lived all of it. Personally. Been there. Done that. Give us your outlines, how you want it presented. We will do it."

"Saes."

Bronwyn's head was in her hands. "But Erestor is on his way. He will be here tomorrow and it would be unfair-"

"Bronwyn! Have you looked at your office lately?" Severus' ears perked up. Elladan tried to be serious and stern and he sounded amazingly like his father.

"My office is fine!"

Elrond cleared his throat. "Perhaps that would be a thought. It is .. disheveled."

"My office is fine! I know where everything is at!"

"Might I interrupt?"

"No!"

"Please, Professor Snape. What are you thoughts?" Elrond steepled his fingers together, intertwining long digits.

"Why would you want to inflict pain on this.. Eres... Elf by turning him loose in Bronwyn's pigsty?"

The Elves' smiles were as snarky as any the Potions Master conjured.

"Erestor," Elrond began, "is my secretary - a very learned Elf."

"He teaches as well. Taught us, Arwen-"

"No sense of humor-"

"Dour!"

"Very set in his ways."

"Sounds like an Elf I might like." Severus smirked.

"Oh, he is-"

"Boring! Dull as dirt!"

Elrond proceeded to stare his sons down and they eventually stopped interrupting each other. "May I continue?" Both hung their heads in mock shame.

"Uma."

"Please do, sir."

"Erestor was not only my secretary; he kept things ordered. My library, my correspondence. When Bronwyn arrived in Valinor, he took charge of all the papers, missives, chronicles from Orthanc and all of Middle Earth."

"Are you telling me, this Elf organized the most disorganized person who ever lived?"

"I resent that remark!" Bronwyn's voice was a nudge above nonexistent and had she not been standing next to him, tugging on his arm, Severus would not have heard her.

"No, madam. You *resemble* that remark!" Severus pulled several vials from his coat pocket and set them in front of her. "No more talking for you! Take those. Now."

Bronwyn folded her arms over her chest. "Will this make me go to sleep?"

"Yes, more than likely."

She shook her head emphatically. "Not on your life! I don't want to go back to sleep!" She thrust the vials back at him.

Severus stood up and over her. "You will take it-"

"Uma, when I'm damn well good and ready and right now, I'm not good and ready!"

"Stop acting like a petulant child!"

Bronwyn saw red.

Not the sweet, subtle hue of strawberries in a bowl of cream, but rather, the fiery shades of molten lava, spewing from the bowels of Mount Doom.

"Petulant child?" she hoarsely spat, throwing out consonants. She stood up quickly, chair tipping over. "I am acting like a petulant child? You are an over-bearing, pd upd up, over-inflated, bag of-"

"Tithen Aras." Elrond elbowed his way between the bristling Potions Master and exploding Bard.

"Don't you dare take this side!"

"Side? I am on your side." Bronwyn grinned at Severus in triumph. "I know- " Elrond continued calmly, "that your goal is to get well so your classes are not neglected and deep down, you are itching to get inside the Ministry of Magic to dig through the files. IN order to do that," he tucked her hand into elb elbow, "you must get well." He reached around her and picked up the vials.

Bronwyn was hardly mollified. "I know what you are up to!"

"Are you quite certain?"

Her shoulders dropped, her fury deflating like a popped balloon. "Saes. I just got up. Not so soon." Bronwyn's eyes were pleading.

"N'uma. Not so soon. You and I shall retrieve your lesson plans and we will go upstairs, where we shall go through them in a most thorough fashion. We will talk for a while and then yoll tll take the medicine Professor Snape has so painstakingly brewed for you. After we have discussed your lessons plans, I will tuck you in with a nice book and Amadeus will keep your feet warm." Elrond was leading her towards her office, his voice soothing and gentle.

The Brothers Imladris and Severus could hear murmuring and the rustling of paper before the two emerged, Elrond continuing to whisper in Elvish softly, coaxing her up the stairs. Amadeus was close on their heels.

"Dude." Elladan whispered. "Your bedside manner totally sucks!"

Severus turned on the he youthful Elf. "I do not believe your bloody Valar gave that hellion to me for safe-keeping because of mdsiddside manner!"

"I have not seen her that angry since-"

"We have never seen her that angry."

"Then perhaps," Snape narrowed his eyes, "she should attempt to regain control of herself and learn to retain her temper."

The change in the Twins was instantaneous. Gone was the jovial surfer mentality; the mellow laid - back ease. In their place, stood two battle - hardened warriors, back bones of mithril, all sinews, muscles and grace. "Listen to us, Wizard," Elladan whispered. "There is no doubt that you are powerful in your arts and intelligent beyond reason, however in your handling of her, you are stupid beyond compare!"

"We have not," Elrohir emphasized, jabbing his finger into the dark-clad chest, "spent the last year and a half surfing for waves. We can tell you where that bow is not! And will."

"Oh, really?"

"But you will get nowhere with Bronwyn using bullying tactics!"

"She is a willful, disobedient-"

"She is not one of your students!" Elrohir spat. "She is not a child. She is infuriating, annoying at times..."

"At times?" Severus questioned. "Try all the time!"

"Regardless. As much as you might despise it, take a page from Haldir's book."

"Why on earth would I want to take a page from that Elf's book?"

"Because it worked for thirty eight thousand years! That is why!" Elladan had finally lost his temper. "Pick your battles with her. Was it so damned important that she take that vial this very instant? Ada will have her tucked in and snug in less than an hour."

"And in much better spirits."

Snape stalked between the two and turned back to them. Not only was he called to task by a dead Elf; now he had two live ones trying to sandwich him.

And the one upstairs.

And another one on the way.

Celeborn waiting in the wings.

Why me? Could I have just died in the Final Battle?

***Stay your hand, but a little...***

"She should learn to obey!" Severus peevishly muttered.

"You should learn to listen!"

Elrond came do the stairs forty minutes later and handed the empty to vials to Severus. He mentioned she should be asleep shortly and handed his sons a notebook and several scrolls of parchment. "What would it take," he asked Severus," to conjure color coded snowballs?"

***

Early the next morning, Hagrid met a dignified Elf at the train station.

"Good mornin' Lor' E-restor! Welcome t' Hogwarts!"

"Just Erestor, saes." The dark haired Elf replied softly.

Hagrid smiled as only he could. "Ver' well. There's bin a change o' plans..."

***
tbc
***
The crossstitch piece that Severus is so fascinated with can be found here:
http://www.needlecraft.co.nz/cgi-bin/shop.cgi?cmd=add&code=mirab:95-101

muindor - brother
ion - son
ada, adar - father
ionmin - my son
uma - yes
n'uma - no.
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Shadows Dance