Chapter Text
Elrond encouraged practical hobbies in his children, so he was quite pleased when Elrohir took an interest in keeping and breeding chickens.
"Why haven't we been keeping chickens for ages?" he asked Erestor.
"They're more trouble than they are worth," Erestor replied, shuddering slightly.
Lindir nodded. "They get into the gardens, and there are droppings everywhere. It's neither fun nor hygienic. I hope Elrohir is good at building fences."
"And Imladris just isn't a good place for chickens in general," Erestor added. "I'd strongly advise against it, but since it has already been decided…"
"A hobby will do Elrohir good," Elrond said, thinking of how his sons had changed after Celebrían was attacked and sailed West.
Glorfindel nodded. "I'm looking forward to eating fresh eggs regularly, not just when the Dúnedain come for visits."
"That's because you weren't around the last time it was attempted," Erestor said glumly.
"Why don't you just tell me what you are worried about rather than speaking in ominous riddles?" Elrond asked.
"You wouldn't believe me anyway," Erestor said, and left the room.
The chickens arrived, and Elrond had to admit that Elrohir had chosen them well. Elrond had somehow always thought that chickens were chickens, but Elrohir had done his research and told Elrond about the various different breeds. He explained which ones he had chosen and why, as well as what he hoped to achieve with his breeding program. And although Elrond had never had much interest in chickens before, he found himself excited about the new project.
In the evenings, Elrond liked to relax while watching Elrohir send his chickens back into their coop, to make sure that the fox that lived further up the valley didn't pay them an unwelcome visit during the night. It helped him take his mind off the day's work to watch the white and black speckled chickens stride inside calmly, while one of the grey ones always liked to make a huge fuss.
He really didn't understand why Erestor had been so opposed to chickens. It even took a lot shorter before they had the first eggs than Elrond had thought it would. Perhaps it was merely that Erestor was not a morning person, and the roosters did start their days fairly early. Yes, that had to be it.
"Ada, do you have any idea what's wrong with my chickens? I just found this in one of the nest boxes, and it makes me worry that some of the chickens might be ill or malnourished."
Elrohir was holding out two eggs that looked perfectly normal, aside from the fact that they were less than a quarter the size of a regular egg.
Elladan looked at them and shrugged. "Perhaps a cuckoo or another smaller bird laid them there."
Elrond shook his head. "Those are fairy eggs. They are just eggs that aren't viable. Someone kept chickens when I was a child, and Elros and I collected the fairy eggs when some showed up. No idea why, really."
Elladan looked a little disappointed. "Oh. I was looking forward to seeing whatever emerged from those."
"Whatever you do, destroy those eggs as soon as possible!" Erestor said, walking past with a thunderous expression.
Elrohir rolled his eyes. "They're just eggs. I really don't know what his issue with my chickens is," he muttered quietly.
"If he'd just tell us what the problem is, we might be able to solve it," Elrond said. "I think it might just be the roosters waking him earlier than he'd like."