Ellie was raised in a small farmhouse in Combe alongside her older sister Alicea and her younger sister Faelo, as well as her father's two apprentices: Hudd and Gafford. Her father Robb Statler worked as the head blacksmith at the Red Anvil Smithy, a shop front that had been in family for generations, while her mother Maggie worked in vain to keep the children out of trouble. Unlike her sisters who never showed much interest in smithing, Ellie showed a natural talent at the work, even if she lacked the strength of the apprentices. She fell into a habit of constant competition with Hudd in particular, eager to surpass him in order to retain her father's attention. Hudd may have become a properly employed Journeyman before her, but she remained her father's favorite, so it didn't matter that Hudd won...Not even a little. Growing up, she found herself easily wrapped up in her father's fairytales, which he'd spin and weave with the steady accompaniment of his smithing tools against an anvil. Her mother would chide Robb for filling Ellinor's head with nonsense, but it did littleto hinder the stories. Inheriting her father's romantic streak, Ellie has longed for the kind of love that people sing about for about as long as she can remember, and ever since childhood she has had a heart that is easily won.

Life was simple for many years, as it should be in a place like Combe, and other than a few problems with brigands lurking about in Chetwood, the family knew very little strife. However, everything changed when her parents set out for an out-of-town delivery. For a long time, they had done trade with Hengstacer Farm and others in need of horse-shoes and building materials, but this time was different. This time they didn’t return. Saddled with responsibility, Alicea left to spend her days in the Prancing Pony, and Faelo drifted about the four towns on her own. Ellinor was left to man the shop with Hudd and Ford, to assume their father’s trade and to keep the homestead running without the help of her siblings. For nearly a year, Ellie held out hope that her parents would return alive, often getting into disagreements with her sisters on the occasions when she did see them. Inevitably, news came from Bree--news that would through their family into disrepair, never to recover: the remains of Robb and Maggie Statler had been found in a ditch along the Greenway. 

Naive and vulnerable, Ellinor allowed a suitor who called himself "Jack" to enter into her life. He offered a distraction -- he was a rough man with charming words, sorely in need of a good heart to fix him up. Ellie's love for him lasted for months, culminating in an instance where they planned to elope in secret. Jack's brigandry was no secret to Ellie, yet she trusted in his motives when he asked for her to pay her dowry without consulting the others. However if there is one thing Ellie has never been able to do, it is shutting up. She told her older sister and the boys about her plan to marry, but they were not so blind to reality as she, and thankfully prevented the union from happening. Jack stole a pair of silver candlesticks from the residence on the night that she refused his offer, and was never seen again. Driven by grief and heartbreak combined, Ellie threw herself wholeheartedly into her work, often worrying her friends with her habit of working herself to the bone. She is incredibly sensitive, especially since Mrs. Woodwright has lately taken to spreading rumors about her and her companions. She worries often about public opinion of her, as there is a rumor currently circulating that Jack "stole her thyme," which she feared might interfere with her potential for a happy marriage in the future. Living all alone with two young men does not exactly aid her situation, either...

Ellinor is a firm believer in the idea that all people have goodness in them, even if it is buried very very deep.  If there is no good, she puts faith in potential goodness, and attempts fruitlessly to fix others. She believes firmly that even bad people deserve love, and her trusting nature and urge to solve other's problems has lead to a strong proclivity for falling in love with disastrous results. Were it not for Hudd and Ford, the Red Anvil likely would have fallen years ago, as would her already questionable reputation, but even with their invaluable help, the business -- and it's young mistress -- are struggling. Yet, even when times are difficult, the Statler name has always been one of hope and resilience. No matter how grim the future looks, happiness can be found, if only one looks hard enough for it.

About half a year ago, she became engaged to Hudd Forester--an announcement which many claim is long overdue. With their engagement status under familial scrutiny, and Gafford off studying in Bree, the two remain hungry (as neither of them know how to cook well) yet undeniably inseparable. At times, the Red Anvil seems more like an arena than a smithy, due to Ellie's tendencies to turn everything into a competition, and Hudd's tremendous ego leaving him unable to refuse. Prone to bickering, neither party is particularly shy about voicing complaints, and the neighbors can attest that their arguments are usually equal parts loud and petty. However, no matter how they squabble, they love twice as fiercely. No matter how many times people leave them behind, neither fancies they could ever bear leaving or losing the other. Coin purses are tight, and the work is especially taxing since Gafford's departure. Moreover, upon their recent realization that they never asked her Uncle Bartram for permission to court, more and more obstacles loom on the horizon. From disapproval, to town gossip, to a slew of hopeful suitors and a Masterwork in need of fabrication, the path ahead is more daunting for the couple than ever before. Yet, even in the face of problem upon problem, Hudd and Ellie are determined to succeed together.

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Artist Credit:
1. stephengarrett1019
2. selenada
3. kitschie
4. Walther Firle
5. Ed Ko
6. drakonarinka
7. rusty001