Agreed!
Elfstan is feeling much better by supper and gets caught up on things. His opinion is that we should at least meet with Gorbo Marshsweeper. A good guide could cut time off our journey. If our impression of Gorbo is less than favorable, all we are out is a small keg of ale and some meat.
Sorry, thanks, I forgot that.
Curunauth, “Pardon me for interrupting. I do know the rivers have many rapids that we could not hope to get past, especially with the horses. There are also marshes that would be less than friendly to the Hobbits and Humans in the group. I understand many died from disease that encountered these ancient fens. I see two so far in favor of contacting this Hobbit Gorbo. Perhaps the rest could weigh in and we can make our plans. A guide might be excellent. At least I can get us into Imladris itself but I don’t know the way to the bridge from here.
…Mulligan and Elfstan have you ever visited? Meridoc was often a guest and Samwise more than once. I think your Uncle Pip was there once with Meridoc. Gil-Gandel surely you have visited before?”
The two young Hobbits have never made the journey before though many in their families have. Gil-Gandel has indeed visited before, his Lord now resides there most of the time.
Thoroncir shares Elfstan’s opinion as to possibly hiring the colorfully-named Gorbo Marshsweeper.
Deor is in favor of hiring this guide (after thoroughly vetting him!) and is willing to put 10 gold towards buying some ale as a sign of good faith in bargaining!
Ghân will put up 10gp for salted meat.
These offers of gold are far more than needed. A total of 10 gold would be plenty and could be taken from the fees received from the Dwarves and Lorliana.
OK, is the party in favour of hiring Gorbo and paying out of party income?
Ghân is happy with Lord Ianthír’s recommendation - but would like to check when we meet Gorbo that nobody is impersonating him!
Lord Ianthír thinks on what Ghân said, “That is an excellent point. It never occurred to me that someone would try to imitate Gorbo Marshsweeper. He has very dark greasy hair with a touch of grey on the sides and a receding hairline. He looks to be about 65 for a Hobbit. He is no more than 3’1” tall. He does not have the best hygiene and usually smells of the marshes if you are close to him. He is a very excellent swimmer. Far superior to any Hobbit I have met. He has no pot belly as most Hobbits his age have and is a tough little customer and a great tracker. He also knows everything that is edible in this region between here and the Last Bridge. Oh wait, he has a distinct scare on his right hand, it appears at some point a knife was driven through his hand. He is shy at least three teeth last I saw him.
…He has a beloved pony that also looks decrepit but appears to have great endurance. It is dun colored with a white diamond on his head and he calls it Beast. He also usually has several swamp dogs about. They are as big as he is and run to a dirty yellow color. That makes them much smaller than Anca or Fang.”
Hmmm. Does he play the banjo? 
Ghân thanks Lord Ianthír for his excellent description. 
Not only would it be very difficult for anyone to be so precise an impersonator, but the Hobbit’s swamp dogs will know if trickery is afoot.
As the party has a majority opinion to try and hire Gorbo Marshsweeper, they will use 10 gold in party funds to procure a few small Kegs of good Ale and much salted meat. Gilraen thinks to throw in a few tins of bread flour.
**Does Deor turn Elfstan invisible? **
The party sets out early on July 27[sup]th[/sup] with the riding order suggested by Thoroncir. The weather is hot, hitting 95° but water is plentiful along the path to Gorbo. The first 10 miles are easy going at a good rate. The next 5 get steadily tougher for horses and the party must dismount at times. Several times Folca kept the party to the paths that would lead back to the river. It is nearly noon when the party arrives, tired and muddy.
How does the party approach the low hill that he lives in?
Catching up…
Elfstan to Curunauth, “I have never visited, but I’ve listened to many tales of Rivendell. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing it!”
“Let’s wait until after we have spoken to Gorbo. Depending on how reclusive he is, having two Hobbits front and center in the negotiations should help. One of us being invisible may send the wrong message.”
“Can I suggest that Mulligan and I approach him along with our captain?”
I agree with Elfstan’s thinking here.
Likewise. Good idea.
Elfstan
“Can I suggest that Mulligan and I approach him along with our captain?”
Ghân thinks sending fellow hobbits plus our Captain is fine.
He offers to come along if the party need someone to talk to the swamp dogs…
(Duplicate post)
BTW, once we meet this redoubtable backwoods Hobbit, Thoroncir will say “sir” whenever possible, to avoid the indignity of dissolving into schoolboy giggles after speaking the words “Gorbo Marshsweeper.” 
Off we go then, with me much more in command of my dignity than our sea-knight appears capable of managing.
How do the Hobbits and Gil-Gandel approach the low hill that he lives in?