I think you are probably right, elf. If the king is dying we should do what we can to meet him.
Aldor, “The heir to the squire of the Ring Bearer. He who helped most to destroy the Dark Lord?! I would be honored to help you find an excellent pony.”
He thinks for a short time, eyes you up for size and weight and calls for an assistant. “Get me Stibba, Ludmin and Flower.”
Back to Elfstan, “I have three ponies in mind for you, lets see if they like you. Stibba is a good pony, fit for long travel. I can let you have him and his tack for only 40 gold. Ludmin is a grand little mountain pony worthy of a Dwarven warrior but perhaps a bit undersized. He will do well in combat and is very strong. I can let you have him for 100 gold. Finally is Flower, she is among my finest ponies. Lord Gimli himself rides on one of her siblings. She is trained for war and to fight on her own. She is extremely bright and sure footed for plains, sands or rocky slopes. I will throw in fine chain barding for her and her tack. I can let you have her for only 420 gold. She is the fastest Pony I have ever had. She can nearly keep up with a Light War Horse and is made of sterner stuff.”
All three ponies approve of Elfstan. Ghân sees all three are wonderful and happy ponies.
"Elfstan, Uncle Aldor doesn’t overstate the qualities of his horses, and certainly never to friends. I’ve got only 20 gold on me, but it’s yours if it’ll make the difference in buying a better pony.
Uncle Aldor, we ran across some brigands on our way here and took some captured letters off of them, two of which were addressed to you. I had them in a pocket here… somewhere… Ah! Here, these are yours."
Flower? For a “war pony”. 
“My thanks for your help, Master Aldor! Flower is indeed a magnificent animal. Regrettably, I’m not sure that I have the means to afford her. I do have my own tack (referring to emails between me and Jim when it was discovered that Elfstan did have a pony) if that can help with the price?”
Sir Thoroncir quietly offers to give Elfstan some gold if he can’t afford the pony of his dreams.
The Sea-Knight also takes Aldor aside when there’s a spare moment, and asks his permission to feed some apples to the horses he just met (and can he suggest where apples are available nearby, to pick or buy?). He asks Aldor to keep his Horse-speaking skills secret.
Uncle Aldor to Deor, "Thank you so much nephew. These are probably more orders and ones I hope I can fill.
Now having a Princess speak for you and your brother is quite excellent, but what can you show us humble farmers of your arcane skill?"
The tack is of little value compared to the rest, but in trade as Flower will want to keep her own, Aldor would be happy to knock 15 off.
Thoroncir can afford to loan you the gold, but he will probably need it by Rivendell. A few others might be able to help. Were you looking at Flower?
Aldor to Thoroncir, “Well Sir, a short distance down the road to the East is a farmers market where you could get apples cheaply enough. You are welcome to give them an apple apiece but no more. They can be a bit greedy when it comes to sweets and it does them no good in the long run.”
Ghân is happy to help with assessing ponies.
As he has 690 gold of his own, he looks to see if he can upgrade his mount (perhaps Aldor would look after his old mount, if Ghân gives him away…)
I will happily match Thoroncir coin for coin - I have more than I need for now.
Thoroncir, with a smile, will invite Princess Gilraen to accompany him on a stroll down to the market to buy some apples, and anything else she might need. He will buy as many apples as horses he spoke to.
So that’s 405gp for Flower. Elfstan has 150gp in coin, plus another 8gp from the sale of his old mount. Add to that four 50gp trade gems, so he’s sitting at 358gp. Although I’m hesitant to seek a loan from any of you, it looks like 60gp would cover the mount plus give Elfstan a little spending money (13gp) for incidentals (like pints!) on the trip. That would give him a mount that can keep up with the party in most situations and that can fight.
On the flip side, Elfstan won’t be able to pay it back until we once again divide up loot.
Aldor to Ghân, “What sort of horse are you looking for, I saw you ride up on a light riding horse from Gondor. Are you simply looking for a second horse or an exceptional horse of high quality? I have everything from a very good Light War to a full out cavalry horse suitable for a mounted knight with a heavy lance that moves as swiftly as a light war.”
Gilraen accepts in taking the walk. For a few silvers you bring back plenty of nice apples for the horses you talked to and the horses in the party and troop.
RogueRacer, I think Thoroncir and Gil-Gandel can well afford to take a chance on you for 30 gold apiece. They made the offer, take it. 
“Oh, I didn’t prepare (uses Distract to make his uncle notice his left hand) this morning for flashy (uses Firefinger on his left hand, playing with the jets of flame) spells. I’ll do some reading (uses Palm to pick his uncle’s pocket with his right hand) after lunch and Levitate us up over the fields, and we’ll enjoy the view.” Deor will then give back his uncle anything he’s managed to snatch, grinning.
While Aldor talks to Ghan about a new mount, Elfstan discreetly asks if Gil-Gandel and Thoroncir can both spare him 30gp. If so, he will purchase Flower.
Flower is a most exception Pony. She is very swift; especially with only a small Hobbit and not an armored Dwarf on her. She is a solid brown color with a small white flower like shape on her head between her ears. Her movement is 21" and with the chain and her speed she is AC: 0/F. She will attack for 1-3/2-5/2-5. She is 4 years old and of a long lived line. She is very smart and knows dozens of commands already. The chain mail is well made and from Aglarond.
“Gladly, friend Hobbit,” says Thoroncir, giving him the money and closing his fingers over it. “Consider it a gift, not a loan, and may your new pony henceforth carry you both safely and swiftly wherever you wish!”
Ghân: Thank you. I only need one horse, so would like to trade in my old one. I would like a speedy mount for me (willow jerkin armour) that is not scared by combat (it doesn’t have to fight - but it could be useful if it could defend itself).
I already have a wolf + dog as companions, so the horse would need to cope with them.
Gilraen to Ghân, “I will purchase Scout from you so we have another spare mount. What did you pay for him? i will gladly match that.”
Aldor, "I have a few well trained fast horses that are not quite strong enough for metal barding and armored knights but have still trained to defend and flee at the right times and not in panic. Let me bring 3 of them up. The range in price to a friend of Deor’s from 20 to 120 gold. Hadrine is a young fleet horse but nothing special.
Oldrine is a tough horse and good fighter that needs a good friend like you. You’ll find that he fights well as long as his load is light. He is 7 years old. You can have him for only 50 gold.
Finally Palafax is a very swift but small horse. He is just the right size for you, a lesser descendent of Shadowfax himself. He is suitable for an excellent young rider, an elf or in this case a light Wose. He is faster than your Scout but not so fast as the Elven Horses. I can let you have him for only 120 gold. He is not much use in a fight, but can outrun most dangers and keep his head about him as he is doing it. He is already 10 but should have a very long life. His father is nearly 50.”
That goes for me too. I am sure I will not regret the investment.
If for no other reason, you will be free of riding with an inquisitive Hobbit on your horse. 
“Thank you, Sir Thoroncir! Le hannon, Gil-Gandel! You both call it a gift, but I will not forget my debts or the favor.”
Elfstan looks for a spare apple for Flower. When everything is finished with the transactions, he would like to talk to Aldor about the commands that Flower answers to.
Later, he will see if Ghan (or possibly Thoroncir) will help him communicate with Flower. He would like her to know that he is honored to have her as a mount and that his mother, Elanor, is named for a flower. He will promise to make introductions when possible.
Flower understands well all basic and advance commands. She will attack left, right, rear or front. She will leap and even sidle.
The lunch is quite excellent with plenty of cool water, rich milk or good ale. There are raspberries treats for a sweet and a roast beef and taters.
Aldor is happy to give Ghân some time to make his decision.