Chapter 156: Fangorn Forest

After handling Bree's pledge of loyalty, Kael prepared to venture out. Besides wanting to find Gandalf to see if he could help evolve his Animagus into a phoenix through his wisdom and understanding of fire, he also planned to travel to various places to check in, hoping for unexpected gains. If he could luckily obtain magical knowledge about phoenixes, that would be even better. Especially Dumbledore's knowledge and memories. Kael greatly desired these. As the owner of Phoenix Fawkes, he believed Dumbledore's understanding and research of phoenixes must be profound. Unfortunately, what he obtained from each check-in wasn't something his subjective will could determine. After arranging castle affairs, Kael took out the palantír to check Gandalf's location. As Gandalf's figure appeared in the crystal orb, Kael showed a surprised expression. Gandalf was speaking with a tall tree-person covered in branches and leaves. "Is this in Fangorn Forest?" Kael said in surprise. He recognized that the being conversing with Gandalf was an Ent, more human-like than Huorns. Not only could they move but also speak. In the vision, Gandalf suddenly seemed to sense something. "Who's there?" Gandalf called out vigilantly into the void. But then, as if sensing something, his alert and sharp gaze faded, showing a puzzled expression. "Kael, is that you?" Kael couldn't respond across the void. After determining Gandalf's location, he immediately traveled through the fireplace to Lórien, the closest to Fangorn Forest. "Kael, what brings you here?" Arwen said with delighted surprise. Seeing Arwen in Lórien, Kael was also somewhat surprised. He had thought Arwen would be in Rivendell. "I need Gandalf's help with something. He's in Fangorn Forest, so I'm transiting through Lórien first," Kael explained. But seeing Arwen's somewhat disappointed expression, he invited, "Are you interested in taking a trip to Fangorn Forest with me?" Arwen's eyes sparkled with starlight as she showed a bright smile. "Yes!" To take someone out, naturally he needed the parents' consent. Lady Galadriel nodded warmly in agreement. As for Celeborn, he neither objected nor agreed, his expression remaining steady and unmoved, his attitude toward Kael unchanged. But for some reason, Kael felt a chill down his back. Under the lord and lady's gaze, Kael gave Arwen the flying broomstick to ride while he transformed into an owl to fly alongside her. The two flew out of the Lórien forest, heading south. Fangorn Forest was located south of Lórien, not too far away. After flying for a short while, they reached the edge of Fangorn Forest. Kael landed and transformed back into human form, while Arwen also descended on her broomstick. They didn't rashly enter directly. Fangorn's Ents were very xenophobic. Due to past destructive behavior by humans and dwarves toward forests, Ents disliked humans and dwarves entering their homeland. Most people who entered Fangorn Forest rarely survived. Ents would kill those who threatened the forest. Though Kael was a wizard, he was essentially still human, not to mention he had the title "Tree-feller," and his wand core was from a Huorn, the Ents' close relatives. So facing Ents, Kael felt somewhat guilty. He directly put away his Old Willow core wand and switched to another wand with a mallorn core shaft and Lady Galadriel's hair as the core. He also put on the white gem brooch gifted by Thranduil. Then he waved his wand, summoning his Patronus to carry a message to Gandalf in the forest. Arwen, who had lived with Kael for over a year, naturally understood his situation. Seeing him being so cautious, she couldn't help smiling, her eyes full of amusement. Kael saw Arwen laughing and felt somewhat indulgent helplessness. When under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head. Ents, as a special race created by plant goddess Yavanna, not only possessed great strength but also, as "Shepherds of the Trees," could also control trees to attack enemies. They were like plant-type ability users. They could even defeat Saruman's Uruk-hai army, destroy Isengard, and capture Saruman. Kael naturally had to be careful in dealing with them. Kael and Arwen didn't wait long outside the forest before commotion came from within. As trees in the forest automatically moved aside, revealing a wide path, a tree-person six to seven meters tall slowly walked out. The Ent was extremely tall with a towering, robust frame like a giant. He had a large head with almost no neck, thick long arms, and slender powerful fingers. His skin resembled green and gray bark, with sparse branches and leaves growing on his body, some parts covered in moss, and huge feet with seven toes each. His movements were slow, his steps heavy, each one causing slight ground tremors. On the Ent's shoulder sat Gandalf smoking his pipe, smiling as he looked at them. "Gandalf!" Kael waved enthusiastically. The Ent stopped several meters before them and set Gandalf down from his shoulder. "Long time no see, Kael!" Gandalf cheerfully approached them. "And the beautiful Lady Evenstar!" "Mithrandir," Arwen nodded with a warm smile in greeting. Gandalf looked at them with smiling eyes, then secretly winked at Kael with approving eyes. Then he introduced the Ent behind him. "This is my old friend, the leader of the Ents, Treebeard." "And these two, this beautiful Elven lady is Evenstar of Lórien and Rivendell, White Princess of the Noldor, daughter of Elrond!" Gandalf introduced to Treebeard. "As for this one, he's the Black-Robed Wizard from Weathertop's Hogwarts Castle I mentioned to you. Kael, master of the dragon Smaug, bane of Orcs, and my companion." "Hello, Mr. Treebeard. I've long heard the great name of the Shepherd of Trees. Very pleased to meet you!" Kael said politely and courteously. Arwen also greeted him. Treebeard looked down at them and slowly spoke. "Welcome, Elven lady." His voice was slow and deep, like distant rumbling thunder, possessing a heart-shaking power. Treebeard's attitude toward Arwen was friendly. Elves had close relationships with forests, viewing forests as home. Ents themselves were forest incarnations. Even in ancient times, Elves were the first to discover and awaken sleeping Ents, teaching them language and thought. So both sides established friendly connections as ancient allies and partners. Regarding Kael, Treebeard was somewhat hesitant, his brown eyes flickering with green light as he stared sharply at Kael. "I sense the anger of trees about you. You have brought harm to the growing things!" Kael's heart immediately sank. He didn't hide anything and recounted his past grievances with Old Man Willow from the Old Forest. After hearing Kael's explanation, Treebeard remained silent for a long time. Kael felt somewhat anxious, but seeing Gandalf smiling silently nearby, he felt slightly reassured. Finally Treebeard looked at Kael and slowly spoke. "Since you're Gandalf's friend, I believe you're not a bad person. As long as you promise not to harm trees again, Fangorn Forest welcomes you." "I promise not to actively attack trees!" Kael replied. Treebeard looked at him deeply and nodded. "Then follow me." He lifted Gandalf onto his shoulder, turned and walked into the forest. Seeing this, Kael breathed a sigh of relief. This should mean he passed? Then he and Arwen mounted the flying broomstick to follow. The Ent walked toward the forest's depths. His speed was slow, but due to his towering frame, he covered great distances. He was like the forest's king. All trees automatically made way. Following Treebeard deep into Fangorn at the foot of the Misty Mountains, they reached the Ent's dwelling. The Ent's dwelling was like a great hall carved from the mountainside, with a flat clearing before the hall and tall, straight trees on both sides that grew taller as they went deeper. Kael discovered these trees were all Huorns. They were like the Ents' guards, silently standing watch. Following Treebeard into the hall, the walls extended up to a fifty-foot-high ceiling, ending in steep rock faces. The hall's center had an opening allowing light and water to enter. Nearby was a massive stone table with no chairs, and on the room's right was a low, huge bed covered with dried grass and bark. The entire room was filled with primitive, natural style. This was Treebeard's dwelling, Wellinghall. Ents didn't live together. Each usually guarded specific forest areas or groves, each having their own territory and dwelling. So Kael didn't see other Ents. Only during important moments like "Entmoots" would Ents gather from throughout the forest to discuss major matters. Treebeard set Gandalf down and had everyone sit casually. He took two large containers and placed them on the stone table at least six feet high. After moving his hands above the containers, they emitted golden and green light, illuminating the entire room. Then he went to another part of the room, opened a large urn with a heavy stone lid, used a long ladle to scoop out liquid, and filled one large and three small bowls. Kael's attention was drawn to the two containers Treebeard used for lighting. They were obviously magical items, their light emanating a vigorous life force that felt comfortable. But then his attention was diverted to the liquid in the bowls Treebeard brought. "You're in for a treat today. This is the unique Ent-draught of the Ent race, impossible to find outside," Gandalf said with bright eyes, introducing it to them with a smile. Kael remembered this drink. During the Fellowship's journey, Merry and Pippin had drunk Ent-draught. Not only had their wounds healed and fatigue vanished, but they had even grown much taller, becoming the tallest hobbits. Thinking of this, Kael became very expectant. A drink that could increase height. This was good stuff. Though he wasn't short by any means, who could refuse the chance to grow a bit taller?