Ullian (Ullie for short) ran away to join the circus at an early age.  It wasn't that his home life was that bad; to the contrary his parents were very nice and they were nowhere near the "elf poverty line."  It was just that the circus sounded like fun.

Ullie's agility enabled him to apprentice as an acrobat, and he eventually began performing.  For extra thrills (and money) he began using his skills (and developing others) in order to engage in thievery.  At first he'd steal from the customers, slipping coins and items from their pockets.  Then, he began venturing out at night when the circus was in town to engage in a bit of burglary.

Ullie wasn't savvy enough to realize that as his endeavors became bolder he was establishing a noticeable pattern.  Fortunately, he became aware that suspicion had been aroused just before consequences (i.e., arrest, severe beatings, etc.) could befall him, and he skedaddled.

But now, the last bits of "his" wealth are dwindling away . . . And he sorely requires funds.