Ayla and Jondalar end their epic cross-continental journey, arriving at the Ninth Cave of the Zelandonii, Jondalar's family home. At first the tribe are wary of this striking girl with her tame wolf and her pet horse, but they are gradually won over by her grace and courage and her skill with herbs. However, Ayla cannot forget the Clan - the Neanderthals who brought her up - and in particular her lost son, Durc. She is determined to teach the Zelandonii that the Clan are not ignorant animals, but wise and generous human beings with skills and traditions that are just as valid as their own. After her adventures, and dangers she has experienced so far, Ayla's overwhelming desire is to lead a settled life. But her wisdom and her spirituality cannot be ignored and as the novel ends, with the birth of her daughter Jonayla, Ayla is coming to accept that she has a more important role to play - as the future Zelandoni.