[THE Ka]

Near the northern edge of The Old Forest, on the eastern side of the broad Brandywine River, stood a collection of ash trees that were scattered into the distance of other trees and among the shore. Among them stood a sentient shepherd of this end of the forest, an ent. Dozing off into the glassy distance of the river, it was watching what may be passing in its waters, to pass the time, as it did most everyday, for about most of the third age so far.

Ho hmm… If I stand in anymore of this I am going to go treeish… Wait, maybe I already have! No, no, I couldn’t have, I still can move my roots, and I’m not as grumpy as that old huorn willow down the river. I can’t blame him though; humans and other beings alike seem to be greedy for wood and land. It’s amazing I haven’t been felled yet, I guess it comes with your neighbors’ reputation. Even so, drowning and other forms of discouragement do not seem to be that effective to keep men away. If there was something else to feed this greed of theirs, and possibly make a trade of land with them for it, they might keep away long enough for new trees to move in. Hah ho hmm… What do men greed after, besides land and wood? I’ve thought of this before, but did I reach a decision? Ha, now that’s a funny thought, hasty decisions, from an ent!

This ash ent, called Kafkalina, was about to sigh another day away and maybe tend to a few rowdy adolescent ash trees, when the ent noticed a few objects floating down river. They seemed to belong to either men or elves, possibly the result of an ill-gone boating trip, or an ambush. As the first of them approached, the ent saw that they were not harmed in anyway, and seemed to only but recently have entered the water.

… Well, it’s been the right amount of time I guess to make one. Hmm… I’ve seen them carry those bags full of pressed gold, and they seen to value them quite a lot. Also, minerals that shine when struck and shown in Arien’s rays, they use those to adorn themselves and their tools too. So they value minerals, birthed from deep within Arda, and they want to have much of them as well…

The first was a barrel, which Kafkalina bent down to scoop out of the water. The ent found this to be empty, and the inside stained a purplish colour. Another barrel came, and the ent didn’t bother with this one, since it seemed the same. Then the third came, a crate of empty long necked bottles that clanged together with the crate. Forth and lastly, came an unopened bottle that seemed to be tagging along. The ent spurred by some unknown reasoning, slowly bent down and retrieved the bottle. The bottom was broken and the drink inside now long gone, but it oddly had a paper wrapping of some kind.

… They are not easy to come by, that is for sure, that must surely add to their value among men. Then there it is! Men have a want for these precious minerals. Now that I have my decision, I only have to find some of these minerals, rare in abundance, though I will need many to sway their wants of this land. Ho hmm… Though, how could I even find these minerals of great value with any greater or, similar chance than men?

Carefully, Kafkalina peeled back the damp wrapper to find a curious message written on the inside. Though slightly smudged, the ent could clearly read the speech of it’s author:

If you are a great adventurer in your heart, leave all that you have and come. Come to Dorwinion on the banks of the Sea of Rhun. You will there embark on your life's greatest adventure, with a prize to be won. Come alone and bring with you only these things.

The ent stood as still as it usually did, but it’s mind was swimming with thought. Obviously this message was meant for the drinker intended, but they seemed to be too consumed in some other state to wonder why this bottle had a slim paper wrapped around it. Kafkalina read it again, and rethought again. This obviously as well, would take some good crafted ent decision making.

I have never left my trees before, but if I am to have any forest to call home to, I must find a means to secure it. Ho hmm… A prize to be won? Anything could be a prize to be won, they are not material things only. No, no, I’m thinking too hard about this, I have to remember to whom this was most likely written to, and it’s author. This was intended for either men or elves, or any other of Eru’s children. It was called ‘life’s greatest adventure’, now, I can see any day men fell trees for wood and land; it is only often that they fight with neighbors over it. If I was a man or, an elve I wouldn’t consider that a great adventure worth my risk and life. Then this treasure must be of much greater importance, and rarity. Ha he ha! Men and elves, and other beings would truly risk so much for their value!
If it was possible for me to acquire these precious gems and gold, enough in abundance could reclaim land and keep men and others satisfied themselves. If I’m ever going to keep myself from turning into a feeble minded, angry old Huorn, I have to find a way to retrieve lost land and forests. Fine then, I will go upon this adventure, and maybe even chance upon other ents not already lost to becoming treeish.

Once settled, the ent scanned the list of things needed for the journey. Trying best as it could, the ent gathered supplies as it could.

Now let’s see, it calls for ‘2 sets of clothing’… Well, let me see here…

Kafkalina looked at its branches, and down to its roots. Trying to find something similar to what was called for, the ent plucked off a few stray shoots and shook out a few empty birds’ nests from it’s head, it was spring already and it was already in full green. The other set would have to wait for the autumn season, and colder weather. Next walking down into the forest deep, the ent collected the rest of the called for items, a rope made of strong willow strands, entwine and other needed food, and as for weapons, Kafkalina would be able to acquire such at Dorwinion's nearby nature easily.

Finally, ‘one novelty item’. Ho hmmm… must be ‘cariable’. Well, maybe I could bring an ash tree with me. No, they would attract axes with their complaining and drink all of the entwine… Lazy homebodies…. Wait, I have those mallorn seeds hidden away, the ones the elves left so many years ago. They are no use here among these common sprouts, maybe they can help my way in Dorwinion.

With all things in stow, the ent gave farewell to the ash trees and their Huorns, and made way to the beginning of the adventure. Kafkalina arrived to Dorwinion with little challenge and upon Rhun’s banks viewed two human figures and another in the water. Though never meeting any ents so far, Kafkalina was not discouraged to catch up on what other children of Eru had become, and with caution approached them in the shroud of nearby trees.