The Single Father's Club

Tobi is a good boy

I do not own JRR Tolkien's works.

Chapter Three


Thranduil smiled warmly at Elrond. Elrond's eyes narrowed in suspicion at the taller man.

"I am glad you came," drawled the man, his blue eyes shimmering with a mischievous glint. "I hope the others have not been gossiping too much about me."

Elrond's suspicions were confirmed.

The other man knew that something had been revealed about him.

"Oh no," Elrond shook his head, glancing at the chitterling women, "I have other…more reliable sources."

Thranduil raised a slim, grey eyebrow, as remote as King.

He leaned in towards Elrond, so much so that Elrond could smell the musk of his body. It was almost the scent of pine trees, mixed with fresh berries.

"Would that source be Glorfindel Fontaine?"

Elrond stiffened his reaction, trying to appear nonchalant. "Why yes, it is."

Thranduil's lips seemed to curl in pleasure.

"Perhaps, you would care to invite him and your boys to dinner with me," here the man paused, "To set the record straight."

Elrond swallowed nervously. He summoned his best courage, "I shall ask him on your behalf, Doctor."

Elrond then turned on his heel quickly, walking away from Thranduil and heading for home.

X

Elrond packed his bag, ready to go out for his home visits. He had not yet had the time to speak to Glorfindel about Thranduil's invitation.

Perhaps it would be best if I just ignored that conversation.

Indeed, in the past week, Elrond had been concentrating on his young boys and darling daughter. Glorfindel said he spoiled them rotten, but Elrond found that it took away the pain of his wife's death. Somehow, being with his children brought him closer to her.

The first on his list today was a young mother, Gilraen.

Elrond frowned.

As one of the more senior social workers, it was his responsibility to deal with the 'problem' cases. Gilraen stubbornly denied social workers entry or denied that she needed help and support.

Elrond was one of the few that she had trusted and let into her home.

From the cupboard, Elrond placed on one of the special I.D. badges that social workers were now required to wear. They, like club bouncers' badges, had small CCTV cameras and a panic button.

Most of his colleagues did not phone before they came, but Elrond always phoned Gilraen before he arrived. He found it put her at ease.

Gilraen, like Elrond, lived on the council estate. Her flat was in the run-down block of towers that were due to be demolished five years ago.

He knocked on her door with two quick raps, "It's Elrond, Gilraen."

Bolts behind the door were withdrawn, and two locks turned before the door opened a crack. A pale woman, with dark, long hair and haunted eyes appeared in the slim crack of the doorway.

"Hullo, Elrond," grinned Gilraen, her face pinched (no doubt from hunger).

"May I come in today, Gilraen?" asked Elrond, keeping his face neutral.

Gilraen seemed to hesitate for a moment, scanning the hallway with beady eyes, "Course", she smiled again, "Little Aragorn wants to see you again."

"And I want to see him," replied Elrond, truthfully.

Gilrean opened the door wider to admit him. Once over the threshold, the door was locked and bolted. The whole entire apartment was dark, the windows blacked out with newspaper and curtains. Elrond was glad to see that Gilrean had made an effort to tidy the flat to make it habitable for a now three year old Aragorn.

The toddler was lying a cot, with healthy pink cheeks and deep green eyes. He gurgled and smiled as soon as Elrond came near.

"Hello, Aragorn, why aren't you handsome?" Elrond sat down on the couch, taking a broken mug of tea gratefully from Gilrean.

"Now, Gilrean, how have things been for you? I really like how you've made such a cosy area for Aragorn. I bet it's an improvement for both you and him."

"Aye, I think he been liking havin' his wee space an' all. I'm still a'feared for him, though."

"And why are you afraid?"

"I know Sauron's gonna come lookin' for us. After all the things my husband said to the police about him an' all. I'm afraid he's gonna take my bairn and use him to keep me silent."

"Well," Elrond withdrew a heap of paperwork, "I am going to try and wrangle some things to make you and Aragorn feel a bit more secure. You know how my badge works?"

The young mum nodded, "Yeah, it records everything."

"Well, if we can install some cameras outside and in your hallway, would that make you feel a bit more safe?"

Again, she nodded, "You'd do all that paperwork for me?"

"Yes. For you. And for your son."