jondalar's first romantic interest, zelandoni, formerly known as zolena, has now become the first among the spiritual leaders. she supports adopting ayla into their society, if not least for the healing arts she brings to the cave, although ayla also must overcome the feeling that she is uncomfortable with a full connection with the spirit world. after ayla helps a mortally injured hunter live long enough to see his mate, the first senses that ayla needs to be brought into the fold of the zelandonia (mystics, named after their culture so as to identify themselves with it) so that she will be accepted as a healer by all the people of the cave.