Well, Ghân still favours having less travellers than escort.
We already have Curunauth and we agree on the woman.
(Ghân suggested the Dunlanders even though they have no horses because he expects the party to buy several spare mounts anyway.)
If the families are nervous about Druadan Forest, then Ghân votes strongly against them.
The Dwarves are well organised.
It comes down to whether the party want a couple of extra people fitting in with them, or a caravan of around 20 people.
Elfstan agrees on bringing Lorliana. He’s not completely sold on the others, but is really only against the Dunlanders.
The lone woman, Lorliana, seems like a good choice. We might want to check with Curunauth to make sure that we aren’t stepping over any bounds if we take her all the way to Rivendell.
The dwarves would probably be beneficial to us. I’m not really even seeing what they gain by wanting to go with us, but they seem to be willing to supply us with food and drink plus some coins. The only reason I can see to turn them away is if they would be unwelcome in the Druadan Forest. Also, Gwaelur may have a hard time saying no to them and we are his friends.
The family is where it gets sticky. We aren’t taking the safest route, but on the flip side, we will be providing plenty of protection (especially with the dwarves). They will most likely slow us down, but they are possibly the most in need. Thoroncir may be close to duty bound to help.
The Dunlanders would definitely slow us down since they have no mounts. The party doesn’t have extra mounts and I believe Elfstan was the only one planning on still purchasing one and that wasn’t until we hit Edoras. They may have to walk their own path.
Indeed, horses are in short supply here at Minas Tirith. Lorliana was hoping to buy a spare in Rohan. Buying spare mounts here will be at a premium.
I am going to assume the family was told that the trip is through the forest. They will bow out and hope to maybe catch you or another group at Edoras. They wish you luck.
The Dwarves are a valuable target, while the family could fall prey to highwaymen, the Dwarves could well attrack an organized group once north of Aglarond. The Road from the Isen to Tharbad is still considered dangerous. They will try to find additional guards to Bree. They also hope you don’t need all 200 gold. They thought the offer posted was for companions and not guards.
Deor supports taking Lorliana, supports taking the Dunlanders only if they can find horses, supports taking the family but understands their reluctance to go through the Forest, and is definitely interested in taking the dwarves- they seem like organized, helpful sorts, and will be most capable of taking care of themselves in a fight. However, Deor believes he remembers that dwarves are in general mistrusted by the Woses, and doesn’t want to provoke any fights by bringing them into the forest.
The Dunlenders, “We don’t even plan to buy horses. Don’t you realize that would cost over 100 gold and maybe closer to 200 gold. That is a fortune. We are gone, we will look for some walkers.”
appleciders, you may have stumped me, I don’t recall any mention of relations between Drúedain and Dwarves. Are you thinking Ents?
OK, things are getting simpler.
Lorliana is completely popular.
However the Dunlanders didn’t want to ride and the families need a different route.
Ghân will contact his tribe to ask about allowing the Merchant Dwarves through.
But the party will surely want a couple of spare mounts…
“Our good wishes go with you. Sorry to have put you to needless trouble.”
I will be delighted to converse with our fellow-traveller who wishes to know more of the Elves. 
Between Ghân & Gilraen, you best hope the horses hold up until Edoras. Getting a horse here currently will be very expensive. If you insist, Gilraen might be able to call in a favor, but she thinks that it will be fine to get to Edoras.
When you contact your tribe, the suggest you warn the Dwarves it is only you that provides them safe passage.
Lorliana is pleased to ask Gil-Gandel questions until he gets tired.
Miron also volunteers to let Lorliana interview him, but asks in return that she teach him anything she knows about exotic plants or medicine.
I had the idea that when Ghan-buri-Ghan led the Rohirrim through the forest, he was especially suspicious of Gimli, but I think I was conflating that with entering Lothlorien and the Ent’s mistrust of Dwarves and their axes. My mistake.
I don’t recall any mention of distrust between the Woses and Dwarves, either. It was the Rohirrim who had, in the past, hunted them for sport. I presume relations have been much better under King Eomer.
Worse yet, Gimli was with Aragorn and the Grey Company, having just passed through the Paths of the Dead.
So can we finalize this? We now know the path to be taken, but will we escort the Dwarves?
Lorliana is pleased to ask many questions of Miron and she recites from memory the names and described properties of dozens of medicinal herbs and plants.
I vote yes. Ask for 100 gp, and let them bargain us down to 75 or so.
That sounds about right: the dwarves and Lorliana, allowing our best negotiator to work out a price with them.
Deor’s not interested in screwing every last nickel out of this transaction, just getting a little extra for our efforts and doing a good deed or two on the way.
I know, and actually I felt better about that, because I was afraid I had completely misremembered the passage.
If the dwarves are providing supplies for us, I’m fine with not charging them anything.
Hmm, dwarven craftsmen and merchants could be worth a lot more in the long term the fair price we could ask for the escort- perhaps we should ask if they’d be willing to pledge several small favors (information, appraisal, introductions to dwarven artisans who usually wouldn’t give us the time of day) in return for our assistance?
Yes - a spot of logistics and a few recommendations will be worth more than gold to us; we’re hardly broke.
Ah, when it comes to discussing ancient lore, I do not tire easily. But we have a long journey and many campfires ahead of us.
Ghân says that his grandfather told the father of the Horsemen about an old road, because Woses hate orcs.
Later King Elessar gave the Druadan Forest to the Wose forever.
Ghân states that any travellers with the party must agree to treat the Forest respectfully (e.g. no fires or gathering wood without permission).
He asks Gwaelur to tell his Dwarven kin this.
When the party are being honoured in the tribal ceremony, the other travellers will have to wait (under Wose protection) elsewhere. This too is not negotiable.
Ghân is confident the party realise that the Druadan Forest is the Wose’s sacred homeland.
(Ghân adds that merchants seem to like bargaining, so letting them push our price down could be satisfying for them.)