Thendryl Strongbow, a young elf from the Southern Forest, has taken on a mission that has nearly cost him his life--a mission to meet the Mountain Folk on behalf of his people. He succeeds beyond his hopes, befriending the chieftain's son and arranging the beginnings of diplomatic relationship. However, when he makes a grave error, he will do whatever he can to try to make up for his mistake. And whatever he can means trying to get the girl who hates him, Dagmar Torsteinsdottir, back home alive.