Ghân explains that if we are lucky enough to meet another healer (say ), we would explain what we wanted them to do, confirm what we would do for them and finally welcome them into the party with a salute or a handshake.
Ghân is doing the same thing, but in wolf terms.
Also Ghân thinks that Deor just meant a wolf and a large dog are similar in the way they would accompany us (and attack).
OK, the party have formed a pack circle to welcome the wolf.
Ghân asks the wolf his name, then casts Animal Friendship on him.
Thoroncir, although a bit troubled by the thought of a previously-wild wolf joining our party (particularly as a guardian of his friend Ghan), will raise no objection, trusting as ever to Ghan’s skills and good judgment.
He also thanks Prince Caramir for his willingness to intercede with the Order and thus permit him to remain with his new friends.
Well, they’re not all that different, are they? A dog is basically just a wolf that’s been tame for many generations, right? In any case, I trust Ghan’s experience pretty well here, and I’m definitely looking forward to having a bit of extra support in battles.
Yes, famously hobbits cook better than they cook… the feet are far too chewy.
Making a pet of a wolf now? Well, there’s little harm in them when they’re not making saddle-mounts for goblins, and certainly most elf-banes have been two-legged rather than four. I am sure Cúran will not mind him once they have been properly introduced. pats horse’s neck
I am willing for us to make a halt in the hottest part of the day, so that our prisoners may be granted a little shade for a time. The Elves were creatures of the night in the beginning - in the days before Day - yet we welcomed the Sun as a friend and ally when she arose; but we had not been ruined by Morgoth. The marks of his despoiling are on all that he marred unto the last generation.
I shall also take my meals out of their sight and scent, for I know that the waybread of the Elves is a loathsome stench to their kind.
Even with a stop we should be close to, if not actually arrived at, Minas Tirith by sundown.
I hope someone has sent a messanger ahead to Minas Tirith saying what we have here, otherwise we could give the guards quite a surprise at the city gates.
Brin continues quietly along, pondering what fate has brought him. Here he is, far from home, and the lord of the land has proposed, among other things, that he head into the marshes to take on the undead, with more talk of sorcerers and necromancers. This is far from the simple ways about Dale, hunting goblins. He wonders if he is in over his head, but he does not want to let down Lord Caramir.
Well, Deor, it seems as if we’ve now joined this odd band of travelers; how much weirder does it really get by adding a wolf? Welcome to the team, Fluffy.
Caramir says to Mulligan, “Actually we did not send a rider ahead. I will ask for one to rider swiftly now. Thank you my good Hobbit.”
Merry suggests to Gil-Gandel, “It is not yet noon and the distance to the city is short, perhaps we can provide them some hoods instead of halting?”
He then takes him aside for a private message.
Caramir agrees with Deor, “Dogs left wolves long ago, but they are indeed descended from wolves and still close kin. It would seem that when men first awoke the dogs came to them. Cats waited until men became home dwellers and builders and I understand that is was the Elves that tamed cats and then cats tried to tame men. In the end, it is rarely wolves that trouble men, but their other close cousins the Wargs and the Winter Wolves that were bred by the Witch King.”
Ghân appreciates your caution. Never let your guard down in Middle Earth!
However Ghân is confident about the wolf for several reasons:
the Animal Friendship spell ensures his friendship to me
he was hungry, lonely and trapped … now he gets excellent treatment
Ghân has told the Wolf he is part of our pack (including all the players and Brownie the Owl). He has emphasised that our pack do not fight for dominance.
Apparently the wolf can track a bit, so can help Brin if needed.
Oh, and if he is reluctant to enter the city, I’ll camp outside with him.
I will use him to guard the spellcasters, which frees up a Fighter / Flanker (and the wolf can track if Brin requests it). Otherwise he will stay out the combat.
I do have a responsibility to him (like the Fighters do with their mounts).
Well, at that, my lord Brandybuck was dragged half the length of Rohan under less favourable treatment than this, so at least we will serve them better than he was served. Someone can tell them that they will be out of the sunlight before it is well past midday - they will not wish to hear it from me.
Big ears!
Well, yes, sunglasses would help, but I doubt we have any.
It’s certainly no use saying “hobbits are fattening”. That just translates as “you don’t get hungry for days after eating one”, which is not exactly a put-off.
), we would explain what we wanted them to do, confirm what we would do for them and finally welcome them into the party with a salute or a handshake.
)
:smack: