The villagers who proved their skills with an ash shortbow were brought into the forest by a Wild Knight instructor in search of more durable wood. The oak stood proud and tall in the forest, standing firm against the ebb of time. Villagers would gather the sturdiest branches that they could and be brought to a quiet place in the wood to begin carving their new bows.
The Wild Knight would tell them that a good bow is more than just a weapon, but an extension of oneself. They encouraged each villager to put a piece of themselves into the bow, a decoration on the handle, or a poem carved into the wood. Whatever made the bow personal to them.
This connection in the crafting process would help the villagers feel comfortable with their new weapon, and many young hunters would use the same bow throughout their lives. It even became a tradition for young hunters to gift a bow to their beloved as a marriage proposal. A tradition that survived into the third age.