I am a recent newcomer to The Shire - and under the most peculiar of circumstances for a most shameful reason. Unlike many Hobbits  I am becoming acquainted with, I have no blood relatives or kinfolk. Indeed, I have no recollections of The Shire prior to my arrival some weeks ago.

While still a wee thing I was discovered by two wandering Elves bundled up in an apple basket on a dangerous road linking The Shire to Bree-Land. As it was shortly past the Witching Hour, my guardians have surmised that my parents and anyone else with them were amongs the earliest ranks of the disappeared. Rather than leave me to an unknown fate in The Shire, the two friends decided to take me with them. Like my situation, even the origins of my naming is odd as it was down to my guardians- people generaly call me Molly because trying to say or spell Erszhebet is a bit of a stretch.

Though I have seen some interesting places, I have never had a place that I could truly call home. The elves were not unkind - but their manner is very different to Hobbits. Like them, I have a fine appreciation for scholarship, the arts and music. But unlike them I need the companionship and support that can only come from trustworthy friends and loyal kin. As I began to age into what they call a sort of "maidenhood", this "quirk" became more pronounced. And so it was that they took the decision, backed by Elrond Halfeven and members of his Council, that I must return to the place of my birth and my own people.

The Elves have very kindly established a home for me with the proviso that I must endeavour to learn the ways of Hobbits and become an asset to my community and my eventual kin. So please forgive me if it seems that I try too hard and am very thick in the haid for a Hobbit. The journey I am on is more important than any single goal. It is exciting but scary to be set loose alone in the world. As I'm on my own I take on odd jobs all over The Shire. My love of fancy clothes and purple things requires a deep coin purse which I seldom have due to shopping on Market Days in Michel Delving. I'm a firm believer in supporting the local economy.

I have a decided liking for prospecting, cooking and making jewellery of all kinds. As I have an innate love of oramental design, no thanks to my Elvish education, I am of the mind that I will likely join the Jeweller's Guild when I have achieved the appropriate rank. I love music and singing  - and the merriment to be found at the fortnightly market in Michel Delving and Friday Fleidhs at The Green Dragon in Bywater. Miss Sevelda has started instructing me on playing the harp and insists that I must work to overcome my stagefright, practice my music along with my spelling and writing, and be an active participant at the Green Dragon gatherings. I have to say, it's rather hard for me because I have a really bad memory on top of being woefully ignorant about Hobbit & Shire matters. At such times I either turn red with embarassment or faint outright.

Update:

It was brought to my attention that "Erszhebet" was just too cumbersome a name to remember and also too strange. I was encouraged to change my name - and am henceforth to be known as "Mollywobbles Puddingdale" (my Guardians will be livid but what's a Shire Hobbit to do... I need to fit in round here...). ((OOC as of 26th September 2012))