Summary: These are a series of drabbles written for the Mellon Fic 100 Challenge on the mellon chronicles group.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, sue me and find yourself poor as well.
A/N: The majority if not all of these drabbles will be AU.
Chapter 2 (Enemies)
Estel was anxious to be going with his father to the neighboring town to help out with their sick. He was even more proud that he got to ride with Legolas. It was not often that the Prince of Mirkwood visited, so Estel cherished each one.
They had only been riding for a couple of hours when the horses were halted near the shabbily built structures the people loved in. Estel heard his brothers gasp in surprise. "It is a wonder any of them are alive living in these conditions Ada."
Elrond dismounted from his horse and started unpacking the supplies, bandages, and herbs they would need. "It is not for us to question their circumstances. We will do what we can for them and that is all that we can do."
Estel ran behind Legolas, helping to carry the bandages into the huts. He watched diligently how his father and brothers wrapped cuts, and gashes. How they applied salves were needed and gave athelas to those who needed it. Estel had been in charge of refurbishing the water by going to the nearby well.
He and Legolas went together, making many trips as there were many wounded, but soon even Legolas was needed to help inside the makeshift healing house "Estel, will you go and fill the buckets once more, and then I think that we will not be of anymore."
Estel grabbed the bucket from the nearby table and was headed for the door when Elladan grabbed him by the arm, stopping him dead in his tracks. "Ada, do you think it wise to let him go alone?"
Estel's eyes squinted in a glare at his brother. "I am not a baby anymore Dan, I am eight years old," he protested.
Elrond stood from where he was trying to hold down the struggling man in the bed. "Perhaps you are right. Legolas, you would not mind going with him would you?"
Legolas walked to the door, grabbing Estel's hand from Elladan. "I do not mind Lord Elrond. We shall return quickly."
Estel scowled, but then forgot the incident as he and Legolas made their way to the well across the way. They could see a group of men, rather haggard looking men that appeared as if they hadn't bathed in quite some time, standing around arguing. Once they stepped closer they could hear what their argument was about.
"I tell you those elves are in there poisoning Thomas right now. They shouldn't be here at all. Their medicines are for elves, not men. How do we know they are not killing off our kin one by one?"
Legolas stopped dead in his tracks, but a few feet from the well, dropping the bucket, and clenching his fists in anger. Estel not hearing the men's conversations picked up the bucket and started walking towards the well, grabbing Legolas' hand and dragging him forward.
The men all stopped what they were saying when the pair neared, all but one. "Look here boy. Why are you with that elf?"
Estel dipped the bucket in the water, and sat it back down before answering. "Legolas is my friend."
"No child of man can be friends with a elf!" the man roared, and only then did Legolas notice the men were drunk, the empty bottles of wine laying about their feet.
"Legolas is too my friend, and my Ada is an elf, and so are my brothers!" Estel yelled back. This made the man take a step towards Estel, grabbing him roughly.
"You would do well to stick to your own kind. Look at you, adorned in their clothing, hair twisted in that odd way. I shall take you as my own, and raise you with a proper understanding of how elves will only poison your mind and body."
Estel tried to jerk free but the man's grasp on him was too tight. "I would advise you sir to release him," Legolas said, bow poised at his throat. The man looked from Legolas to Estel, and then back to Legolas again.
"You have no claim on this child, he is human not an elf. What right do you have?"
Legolas stood ready to kill them man, but was hesitant all at the same time. They had come here to bring comfort, solace, and healing to these people, not to kill them. He was torn at whether to kill the man or to try and talk him into releasing Estel on his own. "You will release the son of Lord Elrond, for he would not be as calm as I in this matter."
Legolas' words only seemed to fuel the man's anger and soon the others were standing against the Silvan elf. "We shall not let you take him! He is not yours to raise or this Lord Elrond. I will take him far from here and raise him as he should be, as a son of man."
Estel's eyes began to tear up thinking of being separated from his family. "Ada! help me!" he began screaming when the man's grasp became too tight, turning his arm a lovely shade of red.
Elrond from inside the hut heard Estel scream, and without thinking grabbed his sword, followed by both Elladan and Elrohir. When they saw Estel he was being held by one of the men, his face tear stained, his face pitiful as he whimpered.
"You will release my son at once or suffer the consequences!" he demanded, his sword arched to strike. This stir the men into a frenzy and soon there was total chaos. Men rushed the elves with rocks and various other items, trying to maim them. The blows were swift, their deaths quick, and soon the outside was covered in the blood that had been spilt.
Legolas and the twins watched as Elrond picked up Estel and carried him to the horses. "Come we shall leave from here promptly." Estel continued to cry, but before they could mount up he stared into the eyes of his father.
"Why did they call you my enemy?"
Elrond hugged Estel to him, wiping at the tears still spilling down his face. "Men, are not always going to accept your family. To these men we were enemies it seems."
"But why Ada? Why would they think that we should be enemies?"
"I do not know Estel. I only know that you are now safe, and that those who wished you harm are gone. Some men will accept you, elven family and friends as well, but some will consider you an enemy just because of where you live."
Estel swiped at his tears then as his father mounted up. "I do not care if they think I am their enemy or not. I shall love all peoples of Arda whether they are men or elves or even dwarves."
Elrond and the others smiled over at the seven year old who was wise beyond his years. "This is why one day you will be a fine ruler of men," Elrond said, before heeling his horse back towards Imladris, his family behind him, elven, and adan.