[Garen LiLorian]

Ned sat bolt upright when he heard the announcement. He was going to be hunting the Wargs! Of course, this is what he wanted, but he'd always had a sneaking suspicion that Gaddy thought him a bit too... something... for that job.

He hoped Old Man Thistle didn't remember him, though. It would be a tough trip through the countryside if that was the case. Ned hadn't done anything wrong persay, but Elfred hadn't appreciated his idea of re-enacting the Battle of Five Armies using groups of sheep. It had been a good idea too, he remembered ruefully. All planned out perfectly. But when he had charged out of the woods, playing the part of Thorin, Nop had immediately jumped him and Elfred had laid the great Thorin Oakenshield across his knees and given him an ignonimous defeat. But that was years ago. He couldn't possibly still remember that. Ned had barely been into his teens.

While locked into this memory, most of the other members of the group had already selected weaponry. Fin in particular grabbed a knife that Ned had had his eye on. He pouted, then moved up to the table to see what was left. He collected another little axe, that balanced much better than the one he had. Then he went rummaging for a sword. He didn't particularly know how to use one, but every hero he had ever heard of carried his trusty elven blade by his side, so Ned would too. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be an abundance of Elven craftsmanship on the table. He ended up with a light little sword, perhaps a bit too long for him, that had probably been made as a training weapon for a youngster of the Big People. It was light enough for Hobbit use, though, and Ned was pleased with it.

Newly armed, he retired to a corner, waiting for both Autumn and Elfred (whom, he realized, he hadn't seen yet today) to join him.