Harriet de Groot

A human woman sits on a log in the middle of the forest. She has curly brown hair, emerald eyes, and fair skin. She is surrounded by small woodland creatures - birds, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and others. Her bearing suggests noble birth, but the wild look in her eyes suggests anything but the serenity of privilege.
"I am Lady Harriet de Groot, daughter of Duke Harold and Dutchess Mary de Groot, of the Duchy of Welchester in western Breten. Or I was, before they came." She looks down at the animals. Her right eye twitches.
"They appeared on my sixteenth birthday. They told me I was chosen to be the speaker for the animals. Oh yes. They talk to me, and they can understand me." A bird twitters on a nearby branch. Harriet tenses, but does not look at the bird.
"It was cute at first, having your own entourage of woodland creatures. I think every girl dreams of being a magical princess. But it turns out the novelty fades quickly when they never... ever leave your side. They walk with me. They sleep with me. They..." She shudders. "Bathe with me..."
"And the things they say..." Her right hand moves to her forehead and she combs her fingers through her messy ringlets. "They look cute, but they're still just animals. Do you know what rabbits say to each other when there aren't any predators around? I do, and it's disgusting."
"Anyway, no young Lord is going to put up with a Lady with a retinue of vermin, so I was of no use to my parents. My father had plans to ship me off to the Church of St. Cuthbert, but I... changed his mind. Oh, that's the other thing. Being chosen also means I have magic. The creatures have tried to teach me how to harness it. They aren't good teachers. I don't always have... control..." Harriet's eyes lose focus and she pauses for a moment. "I don't think my family will be looking for me."
"And I've been wandering ever since. I don't go hungry. The animals find food for me. They keep me warm. They protect me. Even though every day I wish I was alone in my room back at the manor." Her voice raises. "I keep telling them to leave, but they keep saying they're here to serve me and they can't leave." She is nearly shouting. "THEY WON'T LEAVE!"
She pauses for a moment, eyes wide. Then, as if she has found another thread of thought to cling to, she composes herself and continues.
"I wound up helping the Stitchers and I cannot for the life of me remember whether it was my idea or theirs. Maybe this is the reason I was chosen. I don't know. I just don't know anymore."