This is Cat's first time as far West as Bree - so I fear that pre-existing connections would be hard to justify.<br/><br/>They could conceivably have encountered some people in common, but Cat's from an area that's remote even by the standards of Rhudaur.  It would need to be a<em>very</em>bold merchant to roam much within the area... though I suppose that an extremely bold merchant might help to serve as inspiration for a young hobbit to go adventuring!<br/><br/>I am very much looking forward to meeting you.  Cat is very eager to talk to all the people from distant lands, especially the non-humans - but a hobbit might seem a lot less intimidating than an elf!