Petronelle was chosen as a nurse for Janna by Janna's parents, who were of the Deltoran city of D'Or. It is unknown exactly when Petronelle was selected, but it is clear that she settled in Dorne when Lady Janna was wed to Chieftain Farr, and became nurse to their son Zak. As tensions between Fellan and humans increased, Petronelle was viewed with suspicion due to her Fellan blood, though Janna was a strong supporter of her and trusted her with her son's life and her own. When Rye of Weld was injured protecting Zak, Petronelle nursed his back to health and named him Keelin, as she did not know his real name. It was soon clear that he had amnesia, though Petronelle assured him and later Chieftain Farr that it was only temporary.