Upon arriving in Celondim, Lefrinu and Diriana met a fellow elf who went by the name of Amnildir Wolfpaw. He introduced the odd pair to the Sworn Wanderers, a motley organization of adventurers who came together to help protect the lands of the Free People. With joining the Bree-Land Squad, a sub-faction of the Sworn Wanderers…Lefrinu felt that her quest was no longer a fool’s errand, and soon sent word to her family.
Meanwhile, back at the House of Valehaven, the house keeper Pumpernickle Honeybutter helped Krystic and her mother tend to Skrayper’s injuries. It was obvious to the little hobbit that the elven maiden was fascinated by the man’s adventurous stories, just as his demeanor seemed to brighten whenever she entered the room. Yes, Pumpernickle could see the bond forming between the two…and it made her smile with joy!
Pumpernickle had come to work for the Valehavens after her uncle swore to serve them for saving his life. When she lost her parents at a young age, her uncle took her under his care, as well as to Lindon with him to grow up and serve in the house. Though her family had been miners and tinkerers by trade, Pumpernickle learned to cook while under the service of the Valehavens, and never stopped loving it.
When the Matriarchs of the Valehavens decided that they would heed the call to Valinor, they dismissed Pumpernickle from their service. By then, her uncle had passed on, and while the elves were much like family to her, she still missed the humble comforts of the Shire.
The day Pumpernickle was set to leave was when one of Lefrinu’s messages arrived, describing what had happened on the way to Testlebridge. By then, Skrayper’s health had fully recovered, and eager to see the world and help her sister, Krystic decided to set out for Bree. While her parents objected, Skrayper offered to travel with Krystic; to keep her out of harm’s way as a favor for taking care of his injuries. Pumpernickle also suggested that they could at least escort her back to the Shire, and if the travel proved to be too much for the elf maiden, then the hobbit would be sure to send her home.
