Zeylheim grew up in somewhere near Dale or the Dale-Lands (TBD), and was raised by his much older sister Evainlyn, and his not much older brother Harathein. They lead a relatively peaceful, uneventful life in a shack on the edge of a town near the woods that they had inhabited and fixed up themselves. Evainlyn used to tell Zeylheim and Harathein a collection of wonderful stories about their parents, and the places they would travel together. Especially of Bree, Evainlyn was fond of that story. However, this happiness only lasted two decades or so, when Evainlyn fell deathly ill, and passed away, her dying wish that her brothers set to Bree, this city she was so fond of, and build a life for themselves there.

Zeylheim and Harathein were about as close as brother's could be, rivaling twins in fact. Even before their time traveling south from their home, they were close. They relied on each other for everything, and Zeylheim was certain that if there was anyone to show him how to live true to himself and to others, it was his big brother Harathein. Their journey and the passing of their sister only brought them somehow closer, inseparable. They had decided to go through the Gap of Rohan, instead of over The Misty Mountains, and took their time to make their way through the rolling fields and winding paths of Rohan. They never stopped in cities too long, save to pick up some supplies, but mostly they stayed camped out just past the road. They stopped briefly just on the west edge of Rohan, where in a small establishment, where Harathein was given a chance to make some coin by helping out a group of glassblowers. Alongside the funds, Harathein made a gift for his brother, a small blue sapphire, tucked inside the middle of a perfectly spherical glass ball, which Zeylheim would treasure dearly.

Misfortune met their path when crossing into Dunland from the Gap of Rohan. They were jumped by a group of brigands, and while trying to protect his brother, Harathein was mortally wounded, while Zeylheim only got away with a scratch on the side of his head. They fled, and Zeylheim did his best to patch his brother up, insisting that they rest, hoping it would help, even though he knew that his brother would soon pass, and there was nothing he could do about it. The next morning, Harathein was gone, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Zeylheim followed the trail to a nearby river, where he found the bandages he had used to attempt to mend his brother torn and discarded, as well as a hastily scribbled note. His brother's note was that he wouldn't have to worry for him anymore, and that his condition would only be a burden on Zeylheim. He was apologetic in leaving Zeylheim all alone, but wanted to give him his best chance, should he be assaulted by brigands again, and not be weighed down by his wounded brother. 

Zeylheim searched up and down the river for weeks, finding no trace of his brother. Eventually he regained the strength to move on, clutching the glass ball his brother had given him, swearing to fulfill his promise to his sister to start a life in Bree, and carry on the memory of her and his lost brother by making them both proud. He found solace in his isolation and solitude, which gave him time to grieve, so by the time he had reached Bree, he was ready to face the challenge with a lifted heart.