Title: Mellon Challenges

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 9 Lightning

It was a good day, a special day in the land of Imladris. Today was the Summer Solstice, and everyone was busy helping out. New guards had been summoned to add to the security of the guests, guards from Lorien.

Estel being his usual exuberant self was busy making himself a nuisance. Although he tried to be helpful, his help had caused the lanterns to fall, and the cake to be taste tested into nothing. He was now currently helping one of the guards set up the gate which had fallen when Estel had ridden his horse through it.

"I do not know why Elrond keeps a human here. It can be nothing but trouble for him."

Estel heard the harsh words spoken by the guard and took off running. He ran and ran until at last he reached the edge of the gardens, and it was there he fell beside the bench and sobbed. This is where Elrond found him. "Ion nin, what is wrong?"

Estel did not answer him straight away, the sobs choking his words. Elrond knelt down beside his son and pulled him into his lap, formal robes be damned. "Tell me Estel, what has happened?" Elrond sat and listened to what was said. "Did he say this to you Estel?"

Estel shook his head no. "He did not know that I was there Ada, but it made me feel bad anyway."

Elrond sat for another few minutes soothing the pains of one so young as his son. Too often Estel was made fun of, too often he was ridiculed, and shamed for nothing more than the race he was born into and Elrond was getting tired of it. He knew he would speak to the guard, but not until after the party. Giving Estel a small hug he told him to go and find his brothers and stay with them.

The party was well underway, everyone enjoying the array of foods and wines. One in particular had much to say in way of Estel. He did not know that Lord Elrond was standing so near, or perhaps he would not have told the other elf what a useless thing it was to try and teach a human child how to be elven. No sooner had the words left his mouth, than a streak of lightening flashed from the sky, scorching the ground mere inches from where he stood.

The guard and his companion were shocked and moved quickly from their spot underneath the tree. "Strange weather here in Imladris," the one remarked as they walked back towards the table where everyone else was seated.

"No stranger than the ruler of the realm taking in an urchin." Again lightening flashed across the sky, and scorched the ground next to their feet. This time both elves took off running back to the table, where they found Lord Elrond, and his son seated along with many other guests.

"Lord Elrond, perhaps we should move the festivities inside. Twice already I have almost been hit by freakish lightening." This statement caused Elladan and Elrohir to stare intently at their father. Only they knew of the mighty gift he held. "It likely was nothing more than Manwe letting us know that something has angered him. Fear not my friends, for if your heart is pure, then you need not fear the elements."

Elladan did stare at his father then, his eyebrows reaching his hairline. "Ada!" he called, but was quickly hushed. The rest of the meal went without incident until dessert came. There were many confections, one for every delight. Estel's eyes gleamed with readiness and no sooner had the desserts been sat down he asked for a slice of cake. That slice was gone in minutes, and with crumbs still on his face he asked for another, and then a third.

Once the third piece was finished off, Estel sat back with both a smile, and a face smeared in chocolate. He was content, and quite full. "Do you not wish to finish your milk?" Elrohir asked him. Estel shook his head no, and asked to be excused. He had only made it a few feet when the guard again muttered. "Never seen anything like it in my life. The child is nothing more than a heathen." Again tears welled in Estel's eyes, and the cake in his stomach started to churn.

No one noticed the angry look on Elrond's face until it was too late. The bolt of lightening came from the sky, straight towards the guard. Two seconds later it found its target, and the guard was dancing around trying to put the flames out on his bottom. When the dancing on seemed to fuel the fire more, he found himself scooting across the dew soaked grass in attempt to put it out. This is when Lord Elrond stood.

"You should go to the stables and fetch your horse. Your services to the House of Elrond are no longer needed." The guard wasted no time running towards the stables, muttering all the way about odd weather, and crazy elven lords. Once mounted up he rode for the gates, but found it difficult to rein his horse in as the lightening struck at the ground in back of him. His horse reared and threw him off, heading for the gates without her rider, and the guard could do nothing but run after her shouting commands to stop.

Had he looked back he would have seen Lord Elrond chuckling as he held his son Estel, and the twin sons of Elrond staring at their father in both horror, and amusement. All three of the adults knew one thing though. Don't mess with a son of Elrond.