His Gift Is of Hope

Stefan was happy living on the Isle of Mer. He learned the true source of his powers and how to control them. Now that he was a man, the Merwomen taught him the ways of love. The Mermen taught him how to fight and defend himself, and he fought at their side against their enemies. He was now strong and confident, and it was time to go home. Along the way, over the sea and by land, Stefan was able to put into practice all he had learned on Mer.

Stefan had matured so much that, once home, his family hardly recognized him. Stefan felt more at ease in the city now, but he felt best while working as a ranger in the countryside. There he found the woman of his dreams, but she was a Gray Elf and he felt reluctant to tell his family about her. Shaella was uncertain about loving a man, but she was convinced that he could help the elves with their new, mysterious enemy. The Gray Elves, however, feared that Stefan was their enemy and, if he wanted to remain with Shaella, he would have to prove himself to them.