The Single Father's Club

Tobi is a good boy

I do not own LOTR

Rated: T. Set in Modern AU. Elrond has been a single father for seven years. Glorfindel convinces him to join a Single Parent's Club. There, he meets the mysterious and enigmatic Thranduil, who is also a single father.

Elrond looked up in apprehension at the foreboding grey building. The rain was falling heavily and his thin jacket did not offer much protection. He forced himself to take a deep breath and opened the door, entering the dimly light building.

At the foyer, there was a single table with a sad little cheery banner exclaiming in bright colours 'Single Parents' Club.' The woman at the table looked a little confused as Elrond approached her.

"Hello, sir," she said, "If you're looking for the gym, it's down the hallway to your right."

Elrond swallowed, "I'm here for the single parent's night," he nearly whispered.

The woman's eyes visibly widened her mouth dropping into a small 'O'. "What's your name?"

"It's Elrond," murmured Elrond, wringing his hands nervously.

"Alright, Elrond, it's just through that door there," she pointed towards the most ominous doorway Elrond had ever set his eyes on. It loomed above him.

Nervously, Elrond approached, going through the doorway and into a small room with a kitchenette attached. There was already a circle of chairs and a gaggle of women sitting in them. They all turned their heads once he entered, and some giggled.

Elrond went and sat down in one of the empty chairs, taking of his drenched jacket and folding it on the back of the chair. He took out a pen and a notebook from his bag and absentmindedly began chewing the pen.

"Alright ladies, leave the poor man alone," chuckled a deep timbered voice from the kitchenette. Out stepped a tall man, with golden hair tied in an exquisite braid, his blue eyes shining with mirth. He was wearing a well-tailored blue suit that clung to the man's finely muscled frame. In the man's pale hands he held a mug of steaming tea. The man strode over beside him and put the tea on the table beside Elrond. "I'm Thranduil," he murmured, his blue eyes meeting Elrond's. "You look like you could use a cuppa."

Elrond uncontrollably felt his face flush at the presence of this man. "Elrond. I mean, thank you, I am Elrond"

Thranduil clapped his hands and the gaggle of women immediately quietened and sat attentively. "Welcome all, new and old, to the Rivendell Community Single Parent's Club. Let us all begin with introducing ourselves. I am Thranduil, I have been a single father for five years and I am a psychologist. My wife died from cancer."

They went round the circle, murmuring their names, how they came to be single, what they did. Elrond half listened, but did not pay much attention.

"Elrond?" came Thranduil's voice across the mist.

Elrond suddenly came to attention, aware that the whole group was staring at him. He blushed once more. When he had Celebrian with him, she helped him cope with his anxiety. Found ways to make it easier for him to speak. She was patient with him.

She was dead.

When he spoke, his voice was quiet, "My name is Elrond, and I have been a single father for seven years. I have two twin boys, and one baby girl. I'm a social worker. My wife was murdered."

There was silence after this pronunciation.

Thranduil coughed. "Thank you all, for sharing these things. Today, we are going to talk about moving on. All of us here have moved on from terrible things by being here today. Elrond, what convinced you to come here after seven years of being a single parent?"

Elrond met Thranduil's gaze once more, "I was forced to attend by well-meaning friends." This was the truth. Glorfindel, his roommate and long-time friend, had basically dragged him to the community centre. Elladan and Elrohir, his young cheeky twins, were leaving suspicious notes suggesting that Elrond begin dating again.

Thranduil's grey eyebrow rose as he peered at Elrond. His gaze was disconcerting and Elrond found himself turning away from it, drowning the rest of the session out by returning to the warm comfort of his memory.

x

Elrond turned the key of his apartment and was greeted by his two rambunctious boys yelling.

"Calm down!" he laughed as he came into the warmth of the apartment.

The two boys grinned at him, "But Uncle Glorfy says that he's going to eat us Da!"

Elrond raised an eyebrow and turned towards his roommate. "Is he now?"

Glorfindel grinned and shrugged. He was built like a tank, with short blonde hair and a tattoo of a demon on his shoulder. He wore a tank top, regardless of the cold weather. The man was a personal heater. "I am if they don't do their homework!"

Elladan and Elrohir giggled and bounded off.

Glorfindel gave Elrond a warm, friendly hug. "How was the club?"

Elrond sprawled himself on the couch. "Strange. The leader was nice. His name is Thranduil."

Glorfindel peered at Elrond, "Thranduil? You sure?"

Elrond pushed himself up the couch. Glorfindel gossiped like a fishwife and seemed to know about everyone's business.

"Why?" he said, interested.

Glorfindel's blue eyes darkened. "I wouldn't trust him, El."