The local dryad was heading back indoors with a big armful of freshly-cut branches and a piece of tarp full of thorns. If no one interrupted him, he'd be going into the room set up for cooking, to set those out to dry. They'd probably be destined to be used for firewood for the soup pot....

Maybe find him while he's arranging them, or tending to the fire, or maybe just giving the pot another stir to make sure nothing's sticking to the bottom?