Ghân thanks Thoroncir for his support and vigilance.
Ghân will work with Brownie and Fang on building the relationship (including command words).
To help the Cavalry, he can Purify Water, offer some Goodberries as food and use Plant Growth as e.g. food for mounts.
Renee is happy to have Thoroncir’s help, especially when she realizes you understand the horses and what hurts them and can relay calming information to them. You are picking up a some excellent basic healer training.
Ghân has become quite the popular person as the not very pleasent plains are now sprouting good horse fodder and fresh vegetables and fruits. The Orange seeds that Renee brought are doing exceptionally well in this climate and are a huge treat for the men. The water is appreciated, but they have located a few good springs and even a small stream only 2 miles from the current camp. The Goodberries are of course a big help.
Fang and Brownie are picking up commands and your communication with them is becoming fluent. Please let me know the exact special trick you are working on.
(Small point, in general, animals are smarter in Middle Earth than in regular D&D games, so the Druid’s friends are capable of more advanced commands and tricks and communication is simpler. You should be able to teach Fang anything a top Border Collie could do and everything a war dog could)
Gil-Gandel returns after 7 days but he has a different Hobbit as a passenger this time. He is introduced as Elfstan Fairbairn, Fastred & Elanor’s son. Elanor of course being Samwise Gamgee’s eldest daughter and a favorite of the Queen.
He appears to wearing a Cloak of Lórien and Boots of Imladris. He has a short sword in his belt and a sling. He has a small well made backpack and several belt pouches. He is 3’ 9" and looks youngish.
Gil-Gandel quickly explains that Pippin has taken ill and Mulligan returned to Minas Tirith with the Messengers. Elfstan has agreed to take Mulligan’s place and is apparently also an accomplished ‘burglar’.
Thoroncir bows to the Hobbit, and clasps his hand. “Welcome, Elfstan, and well met! Although Mulligan was a valued member of our party and not easily replaced, I’m glad to meet you, and hope you soon will become as close a friend and as key an ally as he. Ered Lithui is not the Shire, I confess, and yet it has its charms. Make yourself at home, and know that you are most welcome.”
I presume he’s going to recognize Renee/Gilraen.
I forgot to mention an important fact. Gwaelur breaks out his large saddlebags holding hammers, rings, plates, a small anvil, etc. to repair armor and barding. The pair of Farriers act as his assistants.
It is hard work, but Gwaelur enjoys it immensely.
It is nice to work metal again. 
Thoroncir says, “Gwaelur, my Dwarven friend, if you could have a look at my armor and make any necessary repairs, I would be much obliged. I have taken something of a pounding during our recent adventures. Of course if there are any in greater need than me, please help them first. Many thanks!”
Have we divided the spoils of war yet? My interest was in the arrows and the longsword +1, in that order.
Brin will do his best to learn the patterns of the local flora and fauna, at least as pertains to the current season. Obviously, he won’t have time to learn seasonal impacts, weather impacts, migratory patterns, etc. Hopefully it does not need saying, but he will ensure his leather armor and boots and his weapons are in good repair.
**Ghân ** will take the +2 Scimitar.
Gil-Gandel: Leather Riding Harness that provides mount a +1 protect and additional 10% endurance while mounted. Unknown make.
Thoroncir: Long Sword +2: Númenórean make.
Brin: 18 Strong Bow arrows +1: Uruk-Hai make, expect them to get an overall +9 saving throw per use.
They fit strong bows the best. They would not work as well for a long bow user. They are +1 and built very sturdy. They should last for a long time.
Deor: Tinder Box: Dwarf make. Light fire under any conditions, max of 3 rounds under worse conditions. It would also act as a spell enhancer for some fire spells. Identify could not determine which ones.
Gwaelur: Banded Armor +2 for about 6’ tall: Númenórean make. The riders and Rangers dislike heavy banded armor; it is more suitable for infantry or heavy cavalry. It probably will fetch much in trade value.
Hooray! Thanks for the Numenorean +2 longsword, What Exit? I’ll come up with a name and backstory for it soon.
Thanks for having me in your game! Feel free to give me tips or suggestions in the setup thread.
As Elfstan Fairbairn dismounts, you see a fairly tall hobbit, though still well short of Merry and Pippin’s height. With his dirty blond hair his looks favor his mother, who was not called Elanor the Fair without reason. Whether it’s his cloak and boots or something more, there is somewhat of an elvish (elfish?) air to him, or at least there would be if he was not introduced in the company of Gil-Gandel. The hilt of his sword (really more of a dagger for big folk) is finely crafted and also has an elvish look. Like most Hobbits, there’s likely more to him than meets the eye!
Elfstan appears weary from the journey, but also looks excited. His eyes are big taking in all of the sights of the camp and the people in it. He may very well be having the time of his young life so far. Inside is a jumble of emotions including joy at having spent the last few days in the company of an elf and apprehension over taking the place of a proven member of this group.
To Gil-Gandel on arrival: Le hannon! Your company made the long miles pass swiftly!
To the group in general: Well met and thanks! Mulligan had much good to say about this fellowship. Although I don’t know him well, the word of one of his family is something I take to heart. I will do my best to take his place while he attends his uncle.*
There was something that I was hoping to work out with Mulligan, but apparently I spent too much time asking him about his cousin Angelica and forgot. It has to do with mounts. Can I assume that I will be using Mulligan’s for the time being, at least until we are back to Minas Tirith?
*Not knowing their exact relation and assuming an elder male of the family will take a generic title of uncle.
I meant to mention, that was exactly the deal I expected for the Ponies, Mulligan would borrow yours and you would borrow Mulligan.
Uncle Pippin is exactly correct, though Mulligan also refered to Merry as Uncle and that was not true.
Renee and Caramir both welcome Elfstan son of Elanor the Fair. Renee asks after Pippin health and gets what information she can from you.
Apparently the rest of the party is nit much on welcomes. 
The infantry is expected in another 7 days, in the meantime Caramir does not want to hold the party to service in this campaign. If you want to return I understand or would you be willing to try another mission why waiting? Riglo had found tracks 2 days walk East of here that might be worth investigating in force. Your group might be perfect to escort him back and investigate.
Riglo, “Actually, I would prefer to bring them their and then continue my own solo scouting if possible.”
Folca sights another Hawk in the air. It is a large mainly grey Goshawk with a 40" wingspan. It is wearing jesses. Folca carefully approaches the small hawk and cries out a greeting to it. It cries back, “Is Caramir* around?”
Well, I’ve had plenty of time to make Elfstan’s acquaintance already. A pleasant sort, if a little garrulous. 
Au contraire*. See post 863.
Where Renee goes, Thoroncir will follow. He’s ready for any further adventure.
Caramir asks, “So do you wish to stay, go home or take this extra chore on?”
Sorry EH, I know you said hi and that Gil-Gandel had traveled with the Hobbit, but I was surprised no one else responded to his post. BTW: Anyone see **Appleciders ** anywhere? Did he say if he was gone this week?
Gwaelur, possibly to himself, possibly to the godlike voice he seems to hear from time to time since he met with the party, “So, we have a new member of the party. A hobbit. I would love to be able to greet him and say welcome, but I am waist deep in badly destroyed armour, and the armour isn’t going to fix itself. Maybe we will have the chance to talk once the repairs are finished.”
“Ready for any further adventure”. Is that what the Edain are calling it these days?
Ah, there’s nothing like an Elf with a dirty mind.
Those two sentences are not necessarily to be read in conjunction with each other. Maybe I should’ve put in a paragraph break.
“I am currently in service to the crown of Gondor, and will undertake any task put to me by my commanding officer, Lord Caramir.” The astute Ranger of Ithilien might pick up a hint of homesickness in Brin’s voice.
We have a new hobbit? Couldn’t tell, youz guyz all look alike. Well, at least all two hobbits I’ve met in my short lifetime. 
Renee, “But you met 4, remember Merry and Pippin? You know the old ones instead of the young ones.”