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 48 (Colorless)

Estel was very excited about going to the celebration. This would be the first one he was entitled to go to, as his Ada said he was now old enough. Usually his father had made him stay in the palace with a she elf to mind him, but he was a big boy now, four summers to be exact.

Estel finished getting dressed and ran over to his shelf, pulling the piece of paper down. On it was a picture of his family that he had drawn, even including Glorfindel and Erestor. Right on time Lord Elrond entered his room. "Are you ready to go?" he inquired of his youngest.

"First I have to give you this Ada," Estel told him, handing the paper to his father.

Elrond studied the picture and smiled. "What is this over here Estel?" he said pointing to the brown spot on the left.

"That is the deer that I sometimes feed when the twins take me out." Elrond smiled at his son, and took the brush, trying to straighten the few tangles out of his hair. Once satisfied, both of them walked hand in hand out the door.

Estel was ecstatic. Everywhere in the gardens were brightly colored lanterns, and cakes of every shape and size. The trees had ribbons in them, and people were dressed in bright colored robes. Estel stood next to his father, as several elves from other realms came to greet him. Estel was used to elves, and he had even saw a few rangers now and then come through Imladris, but he had never had contact with anyone else.

As the day progressed more and more showed up, elves, men, and then through the gates came a few dwarves. Estel was at first frightened, and ran to his father's side. "Do not fear them Estel, for they are only dwarves." Elrond chuckled, and Estel slowly crept away from his father's safety to visit with the people who were not much bigger than they.

Estel had been so distracted in his play, that he had not noticed anyone else for the remainder of the hour. It had come to the time of the speech, and Elladan came to take Estel to his seat. Not being one for long speeches, Estel fidgeted in his seat a bit, playing with the cat that had wandered underneath his table. When the speech was over it was time for them to eat.

Estel lifted his head from underneath the table when someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me young one, but could you pass me the peas?"

Estel went to hand the person the peas, but instead jumped back, staring in horror at the man before him. In a flash he took off running towards his father, trying to hide in the folds of his robes. "Estel? What is the matter?" Elrond asked, leaning down to be face to face with his son.

"Those men, they are not like us." Estel pointed to the man who had scared him. Elrond glanced over to where Estel was pointing and saw the man from Harad. He then knew what had frightened his son, but he wanted to make sure.

"Estel why were you scared?"

"The man, he is different, his skin is brown, not like other men, or even elves."

Elrond sat Estel down on the nearby bench. "Estel, everyone here loves you and everything we stand for in Imladris, which is peace and harmony between all peoples."

"So they love me too?" Estel said seeming confused.

Elrond smiled, "They truly do love you son, just as I do. Love is colorless, having no boundaries except the ones we make ourselves. You are safe now, go and get something to eat."

Estel spent the rest of the day playing with his brothers, and the children of the men who had come. It was nearing time for the guests to leave when he knew his father would make another announcement. This time instead of staring off into space Estel listened, and when his father was done he stood on the chair beside him, watching the guests shake his father's hand before they left.

As the man from Harad shook his father's hand. "I am thankful you have let me come here today. Not many trust the men of Harad, but you have seen past that." Elrond and he talked a bit more, as his wife smiled at Estel. Just before they turned to leave his wife leaned down and placed a kiss on Estel's cheek.

Estel flinched back, grimacing, and then wiping his face. After the man from Harad walked away he stared down at his son. Estel knew his father was wondering about his reaction to the lady. "Just because you said love was colorless, doesn't mean I want a girl slobbering on me."

Elrond and the twins burst into laughte,r and all of them headed inside the Last Homely Home.