Ithilion

Title: Ithilion
Author:Githoniel
Part: 6/??
Pairing: Melpomaen/??
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer:All elves belong to Mr. Tolkien!!!
Warning:AU, slash, male-preg.
Beta: my alter ego
Summary: There has never been much happiness in Melpomaen’s life, but when he finds out he is pregnant, he knows things have to change...
Authors Note: // = thoughts, ~~ = memories


Part 6

For the first time in all his years, Melpomaen thought life was good. For three months he was now living in Imladris. Upon his arrival, the lord of the valley, Elrond Peredhel had been nothing but graceful towards him and his son. He had been given a room in the family wing and clothes and toys for his little one, that once had belonged to Arwen and the twins.
Ithilion grew and learned everyday something new. Melpomaen’s son was a true delight. He laughed almost all the time and when someone tickled his feet or ears, he giggled so sweetly, that everyone simply had to open his heart to him. The little one had already become the new star of Imladris and was well loved, especially by lord Elrond’s children, Arwen in particular.
But for Melpomaen the most cherished hours of the day were the times, when he was nursing his son, for these were the hours, he spend with Elrohir, his saviour. It had become the younger twins habit, to come to Melpomaen’s room, when it was time for Ithilion’s feeding, first to help Melpomaen, who was still a bit unsure in handling his son, later because the son of Elrond himself loved these hours of the day the most. And Ithilion had literary adopted Elrohir as his other parent and after he was fed, he always fell asleep in the Peredhel’s arms.

It was in such a moment, that Elrohir adressed Melpomaen in a quiet voice.
“You should try to feed him with the bottle as well at times. You cannot always nurse him.”
Mel sighed. “I know... it’s just that I love having him this close.”
Elrohir smiled and gently rocked the sleeping child in his arms.
“But you must learn to let go little by little... and you should do something for yourself. When was the last time, you had some fun without your son.”
Melpomaen looked at Elrohir with anxious eyes, which made the younger twin laugh out.
“Now, now... Mel! Don’t look at me as if I wanted to take your child from you. Actually I only wanted to ask you for a picnic in the gardens now. Arwen would more than gladly be Ithilion’s babysitter for a few hours.”
And audible sigh of relieve could be heard in the room and the young elf nodded eagerly.
“Yes, I really would love to join you for a picnic. Who else will be coming?”
Again Elrohir laughed softly and for the young elf it was like the sweetest sound he had ever heard.
“No one else, silly. Only you and me! That’s what it is about after all...” And he bent down and placed the sleeping elfling in Melpomaens arm, but before he got up again, he softly kissed Melpomaens cheek. The young elf’s face blushed in a deep pink.
“I’ll go and ask Arwen to stay with Ithilion for an hour or two.” Elrohir whispered and left.
Melpomaen placed his son in the craddle and covered him with a warm blanket. He found himself a little reluctant to leave Ithilion with Arwen, even if it was only for a few hours. But when he thought of Elrohir... he touched the cheek where the Elf-knight had kissed him softly with his fingertips. Then he sat at the dresser and brushed his hair, wanting to look as good as possible for the picnic.

It was warm outside, when they sat in the garden on the ground between blooming hyacinths and narcissus. The flowers sweet scent was filling the air. The kitchen staff had outdone itself filling a basket for the younger twin and Mel, it was filled with the finest foods, sweets and a bottle of Elrohirs most favourite wine. It would have been perfect, if only Elrohir wouldn’t have been so quiet... something was not right with his normally quite talkative friend, Melpomaen felt it clearly.
After a while, the Peredhel ended the awkward silence with a long sigh.
“Mel, there’s something, I have to tell you.”
The young elf bit his lip and waited for what was to come next.
“I’m leaving Imladris for a while. I wish I could stay, but... well, you know, we are about to form an alliance with Mirkwood and since our realms, or should I say the rulers of our realms are not at the best terms... Adar needs us to go there as his negotiators. Elladan and I only waited till the passes were free... and now it seems they are, so...”
“How long will you be gone?” Melpomaens voice revealed his sadness.
“At least four months, maybe even six...”
“Ithilion will miss you. I will miss you!”
Elrohir sighed once again.
“I will miss you too, sweet one... both of you. Melpomaen... there’s something I wanted to ask you for weeks now, but there never was the right time. And now, that our time together is limited...”
The younger twin took a deep breath, then reached for the young elf’s hands.
“I... I have come to like you, Mel... very much so...“ He looked in Melpomaens gentle brown eyes. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you, Mel. And I wanted to ask for the permission to court you, once I’m back here. Will you allow me this, Mel? Is there a hope for me to win your heart?”
The young elf blinked in surprise. “Ro, I... I don’t know what to say. I...” but then he leaned forward and as an answer he gently brushed his lips to Elrohirs mouth in a first shy kiss.

***

It was about two months later, the twins were already in mirkwood and their presence was sorely missed in Imladris, especially by Melpomaen, that lord Elrond adressed the young elf in the hall of fire. Melpomaen had his son sitting on his lap, nibbling on a strawberrie and making sweet little grunts while touching his fathers robe with juicy red chubby hands. Elrond nuzzled the elflings hair and sat down next to Mel.
“There is something, I wanted to talk with you about. Actually we need your help, Melpomaen.”
“I can never repay what kindness I was given here. How can I be of service?”
“My son told me you once worked as a scribe and that’s exactly what we need the most. Erestor just told me this morning, that one of his head scribes will leave for Lorien soon, since he has found love there. The work will be too much for the others... Please, think about it. At least a few hours every day. And of course, Ithilion would be well cared for during that time. Arwen already expressed her wish to spend more time with the little sweetheart.”
Melpomaen bit his lower lip. To work as a scribe.... He had never really learned what a scribes duties were... but then again, how difficult could it be to help in writing letters and copying manuscriptes. For sure he could do that... and what other choice did he have, he couldn’t possibly turn Elrond down. He was indebted to the Lord of Imladris.
“I will gladly work as a scribe for you, my Lord.”
“Wonderful!” Elrond said. “Well, I’ll take you to Erestor, my chief advisor, you’ve already met him for sure... tomorrow after the morning meal, if that’s ok with you. He will show you everything.”
Melpomaen nodded.

***

Seldom had Mel been as nervous as he was on this morning. After morning meal, Elrond brought him to the library of Imladris, where the chief advisor Erestor had his study. Erestor was really happy, to have a little more help, with all the paperwork, that needed to be done. He showed Melpomaen around a little, then guided him to the desks, where the other four scribes were working at.
“If you have some more questions, don’t hesitate to ask me or the others... You will do only the correspondance this morning. Sort the incoming letters first after their urgency, then after their importance. Oh and letters from Mirkwood currently have priority of course. That is a very simple task at first, I know, and it’s not, that I don’t trust your skills, but I want to explain you our system properly first and I won’t have time to do so this morning.”
Mel sighed relieved. No, that wasn’t a too complicated task. He sat at the desk and looked through the huge pile of letters. Some of them had red, some blue, one or two had green seals. Melpomaen started to open the first and quickly scanned its content.
For two hours he worked like that, every now and then, he felt eyes upon him, but when he looked up from his work, he had no idea, if really someone was watching him, or if this feeling only existed in his head.
It was when the bell for midday meal sounded through Imladris, that Erestor laid his hand on Melpomaen’s shoulder and said: “Please come to my study, when the others have left for midday meal. I would like to have a word with you.”


Melpomaen entered Erestor’s study and desperately tried to swallow his nervousness when the dark elf looked up from his writing but remained silent.
“You... you wished to see me?” the young elf stammered.
“Yes, Melpomaen! Please sit down.... You told me, you’ve worked as a scribe in Lorien? Who was your tutor? Master Glaurion?”
“Ehm yes... -Master Glaurion was my tutor.”
“Ah... well, I’ve watched you this morning, pen-neth. It seems you’ve never handled the royal correspondence in Lorien, have you?”
“N-No...”
“Oh, but I’m sure Master Glaurion told you about the significance of seals and their coloring? You know that only a lord is allowed to break a green seal?”
“I...I...” Melpomaen looked into the advisors face and to him it felt, as if the stern dark eyes were looking right through him.
“There isn’t a Master Glaurion in Lorien, is there?” he asked in a small voice.
“No, there isn’t.” Erestor confirmed. “Just as you have never worked as a scribe in Lorien. Why are you lying about your past, Melpomaen? What do you hide?”
Melpomaen’s eyes filled with tears. “I.. I was just so afraid, you would cast me out... me and my son, just like the Lady Galadriel did.”, he sobbed.
“Why don’t you tell me the truth now? Have you done something against the laws of Lorien? Is that why you have been thrown out of the Golden Wood?”
“No! What I did wasn’t against the laws, but still...” Mel hesitated, but then he took a deep breath and and told Erestor about his life.
“... and then I got pregnant. Don’t ask me about Ithilion’s father... he was a customer, that’s all I will tell you! His name I’ll keep secret forever. I never wanted to lie to you or Lord Elrond in the first place, but my son and I need this chance we were given. I need to start my life anew for him... so please-“
Erestor’s eyes revealed nothing and Melpomaen slumped down in his seat defeated.
For sure he and Ithilion would have to leave this valley now. And it was all his fault. He had failed his son. They would be cast out again, now that they just begun to feel at home in Imladris... and his newfound friends.... Elrohir...
“You will work hard to learn everything a scribe needs to know.” Erestor suddenly said. “Your writing is quite good, you’ll learn the rest quickly enough, I’m sure. I’ll ask Elrond to assign you as my personal assistant so that I can act as your tutor. We start working right after the morning meal. I won’t tolerate tardiness or you being lazy...”
“But... but, won’t you...?” Melpomaen almost didn’t trust his ears.
“I still think, you should tell Lord Elrond and his sons the truth. I’m sure, they wouldn’t judge you for your past. But no, I won’t reveal your secret.”
“Why?”
“Suffice to say that once I’ve been given a second chance too! Use this one well, Melpomaen!”
“I will – thank you, Master Erestor. I’ll work hard and learn everything I need to, I promise.”

Tbc.