Bouteloua (or as she prefers Bootsy) Frogfurlong was born on a small Tater farm near Frogmorton, The shire.

Her Mother died not long after giving birth to her younger sister Popsy, the despair of this drove her Father to strong drink and long absences from home.

Her older brother Throngol had come of age and had already left the family farm to become an apprentice armoursmith in Bree-town.

Keeping the farm working and the raising of her baby sister fell upon young Bootsy. Only a bumper crop of taters and frequent letters home from Throngol containing a few copper coins and the occasional Silver piece kept the family farm from ruin.

Her coming of age passed unmarked and forgotten except for a chance meeting with a Gentleman Elf passing through Frogmorton. They talked for several hours about the world that she knew and he described the world beyond the bounds of the shire and of days long passed.

That day her love of history was born.

The Gentleman Elf escorted Bootsy home, then continued on his journey. Three days later a package arrived via the quickpost, inside was a basic beginners lute and instruction on how to play, a blank journal and a letter.