Never Let You Go

Pairing: Elladan/Melpomaen

Rated: M

A/N: Followed the end of 'I Know', you may want to read that story before reading this one.

Disclaimer: The characters, places, and everything in here, except the plot, are not mine. Thank you.

Summary: He knew the twins since they were elflings. He was their tutor and friend, and then the relationship grew as time went by. Elladan/Melpomaen, Slash, Prequel and sequel of 'I Know', Rated M

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He was waiting for this day for his entire life, which was about three hundred years. Today, he was chosen to be one of the chief counselor's apprentices. It was his dream come true, even though, the first thing he did as the apprentice was watching the lord's twin sons doing their examination.

"What's the answer for question five?" One twin asked the other and glanced at his brother's parchment.

Melpomaen coughed loudly.

"Are you sick?" The first twin asked the apprentice.

"Don't be ridiculous, Elrohir. Elves don't get sick." The second twin raised his eyebrow to his brother.

"Thank you for your concern, my lord Elladan." Melpomaen smiled to the first one that his brother called him Elrohir. "Please do your own exam."

"What? I'm Elrohir!" The first twin pouted.

"Of course." Melpomaen bowed his head a little.

"He's good." The second twin whispered to his brother.

"Are you supposed to just standing there and watching us doing our exam?"

"Yes, my lord." Melpomaen smiled. "I just coughed. You started the conversation, lord Elladan."

"Damn." Elladan mumbled.

"Please watch your tongue, my lord Elladan."

"Or what?" Elladan glared at the apprentice.

"Or I'll have to report to Lord Counselor."

"You're a big mouth!" The older twin pouted.

"It's my duty, my lord." Melpomaen bowed his head again. "You are the royal elves. You'll have important duties in the future. If you start cheating right now, I can't imagine what you'll become when you grow up." Melpomaen said seriously.

"We're just elflings!" Elladan cried out.

"Right." The apprentice smiled.

Elladan glared at the smiling face of the young elf while his brother was laughing loudly.

"He has a good point. I like him, Dan!" Elrohir patted his brother's shoulder. "Apologize."

"Well," Elladan sighed. This new apprentice was something. The former apprentices didn't dare to even utter a word with them, let alone teach them to behave. "I'm sorry and thank you, Mel."

"You are welcome, my lord Elladan."

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"Why can you not teach us today, Erestor?"

The twins whined when they went to class and found that Erestor would not be their instructor for the day.

"I'm sorry, pen-neth." Erestor sighed. "I have an urgent meeting with your father and our guests today."

"Can we go to see Glorfindel then? He promises to teach us shooting." Elladan asked hopefully.

"Nay, Glorfindel will be in the meeting with me."

"Can we skip the class then?" Elrohir asked hopefully.

"Nay, you are not allowed to wander around unsupervised."

"Why?" They whined in unison.

"Because you are still elflings." Erestor shook his head. "How about you choose who will be your tutor today?"

Erestor's suggestion made his apprentices startled.

"Mel!" The twins answered in unison.

"Mel?" Erestor raised his eyebrow. "Why Mel?"

"At least, he knows which one of us."

"He's kind."

"He's pretty."

"Alright, Melpomaen that is." Erestor chuckled. "Are you alright, Melpomaen?"

"Aye, my lord." Mel bowed his head. 'Valar help me.'

"You two behave, alright?" Erestor warned the twins. "I know you can manage, Mel. I have fate in you." Erestor chuckled and left Mel with the infamous terror twins.

Mel and the twins look at each other speculatively.

"Can we go outside?" Elladan asked.

"Nay." Mel declined.

"We should have chosen other apprentice, Roh. At least, they would not deny us so quickly." Elladan elbowed his brother.

"How about you two little lords sit down and study for half an hour and I'll consider taking you two to the garden for a field trip?" Mel offered.

"That sounds good." Elladan shrugged.

"What'll we study today? Shall we start?" Elrohir smiled.

The botany class went on smoothly until the time of the field trip. Mel gave the elflings a basket each and the instruction.

"Stay within the circle of these trees. Find as many plants you know the names. Who gets the most plants with the correct name will win. If you go beyond the area, you'll be forfeit. Alrtight? Go!"

Melpomaen watched the elflings ran in the different directions and bluffed each other for their count.

"I got ten already!"

"I got twelve!"

"Damn!"

"Mel!" The twins called out to the tutor. Melpomaen walked to the elflings who were sitting on their knees and looking at something in the bush.

"What is it?"

"A kitten." Elrohir replied.

"It hurts." Elladan poked a small bunch of fur gently. "Can we help?"

"Let me see." Mel took the kitten into his palm, and looked closely. The kitten meowed loudly. "We should take it to the infirmary."

"Let's go."

The kitten had a broken leg and some scratches. A healer examined the small kitten before bandaged its leg and patched the scratches. He placed the kitten on a fresh towel in a basket and gave it to the apprentice.

"She'll be fine."

"Thank you, healer Halion!" The twins said in unison and then followed Mel out of the room.

"Can we keep her?" Elladan asked.

"Should we find her mama?" Elrohir asked.

"Yes, Elrohir, her mama must be worried."

They tried to search for the kitten's mother but found none.

"Poor kitten, can I keep her?"

"You must ask your father, Elladan." Mel answered.

"I need your opinion." The elfling looked at his tutor with trust in his eyes.

"The kitten needs someone to take care of her. I think you two will be able to do that, but you still need your father's permission."

"Thank you for today, Mel. We had a very good time." Elrohir said.

"You are welcome, my lords."

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Melpomaen was an early risen elf. He always came to the kitchen before any other staffs, but the cook herself. Sometimes, he even helped the head cook starting the fire and checking stock and supplies. Today was no exception. After checking supplies to report to his boss, he sat down on the long table with his breakfast.

"Good morning, Mel."

A voice called him from the kitchen door.

"Good morning, my lord Elrohir. Why are you up so early?" Melpomaen greeted back.

"Have you seen Dan this morning?"

"No, I haven't." Mel put his spoon down and gave his attention to the young lord. "Why? Where's he?"

"Meo was missing. Dan went outside to search for her." Meo was the kitten the twins rescued several months ago.

"Since when?"

"About an hour ago." Elrohir was about to cry.

"Alright. Don't worry about your brother, pen-neth. I'll go looking for Dan. You stay here, alright?"

"I want to go too!" Elrohir shook his head.

"Nay, please stay here and wait for Saelbeth. When Saelbeth comes, tell him everything. He'll know what to do, alright?"

Elrohir nodded his head reluctantly.

"Now tell me, what direction did your brother go?"

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The ground was still wet from the morning mist, so Melpomaen could see a trace clearly. He followed the trace to a big oak tree and heard Elladan's voice. He looked up and found the twin clinging to the tree branch with his legs and one hand while the other hand held the small kitten carefully.

"Good morning, Lord Elladan, what are you doing there?" Mel smiled to the elfling.

"Oh, hey, Mel! Good morning." Elladan greeted back. "I'm just getting some fresh air."

"I see." Mel nodded. "You must need your alone time with Meo. Please excuse me."

"Wait!"

"Yes, my lord?" Mel turned to look at the elfling.

"Could you please.. help me?" Elladan mumbled.

"Pardon me?" Mel grinned.

"Help me down please? I can't with only one hand."

"In one condition." Mel smirked.

"Anything!"

"Don't ever go outside by yourself without adult's supervision again. Deal?"

"Alright! Now help me!"

Mel climbed up the tree to where Elladan was. He let the elfling hang to his back and climbed back down easily.

"Thanks, Mel."

"You are welcome."

They sat there in silent while Meo was playing with the rim of Mel's robe.

"Mel, will you marry me?" Elladan suddenly spoke up.

"Pardon me?" Mel looked at the elfling, wide eyes. "What gave you that idea?"

"Except for my family, Erestor and Glorfindel, it's only you who can tell the different between us. You are kind. You understand us. You are trustworthy, and you are beautiful. We like you a lot. Is that not enough?"

"I'm flattered, my lord." Mel bowed his head. "But there're still more for two people to get married. First, you must be adult."

"I didn't mean now. I mean when I grow up." Elladan pouted.

"Then we can talk again when you are grown up, alright?"

"But you'll wait for me, right? Don't get married before I grow up?"

"I'm not planning to be in a relationship very soon."

"Good." Elladan smiled widely.

Mel chuckled softly.

Elfling.

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"Are you in a relationship with Lindir?"

Melpomaen was startled by the voice and the question. He was in the library, arranging books to their places when Elrohir approached him and asked the question.

"What gave you that idea?" Melpomaen knitted his eyebrows.

"D.. uhm.. I saw you and Lindir kissing the other day. I'm just curious."

"Oh.. That was just an accident. We didn't look at where we were going so we just happened to crash into each other. Considering our height, our lips were accidentally touched when we were on the ground."

"Oh, that's relieved." Elrohir smiled.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Thanks for the answer, Mel. Gotta go."

With that the younger twin dashed out of the library. Mel's eyes followed the twin, and saw someone's hand grabbing Elrohir to the side and they just disappeared.

"What's with him?" Mel shook his head and went back to his job.

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"What do you think of the new musician in Lindir's band?"

Elladan asked his tutor when they were alone in their classroom. Today Mel was assigned to teach the twin about politics in the ancient cities. Elrohir was fast learner in political matter while his brother preferred military lesson. To catch up with his younger twin, Elladan must spend extra time in class with the tutor.

"I don't think that's related to Politic, my lord." Melpomaen raised his eyebrow.

"Come on, Mel. I need a time off. Entertain me." Elladan folded his arms over his chest.

Mel shook his head disapprovingly.

"Which one?"

"The new elleth with light brown hair and big hazel eyes." Elladan grinned.

"Lyra? She's a good elleth. She's polite, optimistic and sweet. She's very good in playing harp and lyre. Why do you ask?"

"I think she's pretty." Elladan smiled.

Melpomaen looked at his student in bewilderment. The twins grew up so fast. They were adolescence and already interested in elleth!

Time flied.

Melpomaen mused.

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Years passed and the twins grew up to be decent elves. Melpomaen was their tutor no more, but became their friend. He was now the counselor's assistant and had to supervise new apprentices for his boss.

Today he worked until late as usual. While he walked pass the library, he saw dimly light from inside.

"Somebody forgot to distinguish candles perhaps."

He entered the library and walked to where he saw the light.

"What are you doing here, Elrohir?"

The younger twin was startled when he heard the assistant's voice.

"Mel!" He cried out. "You scared me!"

"Sorry. What are you doing here in this ungodly hour?"

"I.. I.. uh.. I'm looking for a book." Elrohir stuttered.

"What kind of book? May I help?"

"Nay, I'm fine. I think it's around here."

Mel glanced at the shelf Elrohir indicated to.

"Dictionary? Do you want to translate some documents?" Mel was confused.

"What?" Elrohir blinked his eyes in confusion.

"Dictionary." Mel pointed to the shelf Elrohir referred to earlier.

Ahhh..

There was a sound from behind the shelf. Mel raised his eyebrow and listened carefully.

There were moans, groans and some heavy breathing.

Mel looked at Elrohir who now his face turned white.

"I see."

Melpomaen folded his arms over his chest and looked at Elrohir with a disapproving look.

"Good evening my lord Elrohir. What are you doing here in this hour?" Melpomaen raised his voice.

The sound was stopped.

"Where is your brother by the way?"

"Uh.. Dan is.." Elrohir was stuttered.

"I'm here."

Elladan appeared from behind the shelf. There were footsteps and sound of open and close door. The poor elleth might leave the scene by another door.

"I know you two know that's not appropriate." Melpomaen sighed. Even though, they used to be his students, they were still the lords of this house. He could not do anything more than talking with them with reason.

"What's not appropriate?" Elladan raised his eyebrow.

"Dan, don't.." Elrohir tried to warn his brother.

"Well?" Elladan looked at Melpomaen challengingly.

"If you want me to say it, alright." Mel shook his head. "The library is not a place for you to make out with your lover. It's a place to find knowledge, not to find pleasure or to satisfy your lust. If you want to have some fling, go to your bed." Mel said straightforwardly.

Elladan's face turned red with anger and embarrassment.

"First, she's not my lover." The older twin gritted his teeth. "Second, I've never taken anyone to my bed."

"Oh, the rumors are fault then. Anyway, next time, you can go to your partner's bed then." Mel shrugged. "Just not the library or my office or Lord Erestor's office. Then it'd be fine. I know you two are of age already. You can't help yourselves, but just try, alright?"

Mel spoke like he's having a lecture to his young students, not the adult lords who were practically his bosses. Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other in despair.

"I know you two understand. I'll go to my room now. Good night my lords."

"Wait! Mel!" Elladan grabbed the assistant's arm before he left.

"What?" Mel raised his eyebrow in question.

"You said about rumors. What rumors?"

"Oh, that. Don't worry. They're just nonsense." Mel waved his hand.

"What are the rumors?" Elladan narrowed his eyes.

"Just.. that you are flirtatious and you take everyone you are interested to your bed."

"What?" The twins cried out in disbelieve. "And you believe it?"

"What's not to believe?" Mel shrugged. "You two are charming and being the lord's sons. You two can have anyone."

"Not anyone." Elrohir mumbled.

"I don't care about anybody, but you, our friend, believe that rumor? It hurts our feeling, you know?"

"I'm sorry." Mel apologized. "But it's reasonable. Besides, you just prove the point a moment ago."

"That's.. that's.." Elladan couldn't find a word to defend himself.

"You are doom, brother." Elrohir whispered to his twin who now held his head in his hands.

"Yes, I am."

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The mission went wrong since the beginning.

The group of five elves with two twin lords, one prince, one soldier and one scholar went to investigate unusual traces in a human village near the high pass. It was supposed to be a simple mission; investigating, gathering information and going back home. However, the mission had gone too far with the combination of bandits and orcs.

Elrohir and Melpomaen were fatally wounded. Fortunately, they were brought back to Imladris in time. While they were in the infirmary, Elladan proved to be a good healer for his brother and his friend, even though Elrohir preferred Legolas to be his nurse. Even after they move out of the infirmary, Elladan insisted (forced actually) that Melpomaen must stay in the twin's chambers for close supervision.

Melpomaen could not comprehend how it happened, but he felt his heart beat faster every time Elladan touched him even when he changed his bandage. His face was burning when he saw the beautiful body of the older twin lying in bed beside him. He felt nice when Elladan held him in his strong arms.

He didn't realized what these feelings told him until he found himself looking at the stormy grey eyes looking back at him with love and passion. The enticing lips nearly touched his own.

"I got you in my bed, and I promise I won't let you go.. EVER.."

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[..tbc..]

A/N: This is 2 chapters story that explored the development of Elladan and Melpomaen's relationship. Mostly in Mel's view. Good, bad, so so? Please review. ^^