Preface: Hello, everyone. The story I have written here is something that's been on my mind ever since a lengthy discussion broke out on Riot's official League of Legends forums about League's lore; a Rioter had asked what we wanted to hear about, what champions we wanted to hear more of. This of course was in the wake of the retcon situation and the confusing state of the lore that we're now in the middle of.

Anyway, a few people brought up an interesting question and sparked this story idea for me; some of the people in the thread posted about how we don't know a whole lot about Nidalee's origins. Just enough, but we don't really know about her parents, how she gradually transcended from a mere ordinary human to someone beyond both human and cougar through the magic of Kumungu, or the exact reason she acts to defend the jungle from the outside world. They gave me this idea: I wanted to write a personal take on Nidalee's lore background and origin.

Although, another reason for writing this is that it doesn't seem like too many fanfic authors have written about Nidalee, which makes me a little sad. So I want to correct that.

(Disclaimers:

Cover illustration source: Alex Chow. Image used with permission. For the purpose of further sourcing, by the artist's request, Alex Chow's tumblr is linked in my profile.

All official characters, locations, etc., are the property of Riot Games.)

A Huntress Is Born

We may not be in control of our birth, our past. We may begin at the mercy of fate, but we are always in control of our choices and our future. To allow fate to determine our future is to live in fear. Living by this creed taught me survival; I learned to live free of fear, to instead allow both my instincts and my choices to guide and define me.

My name is Nidalee, the untamed survivor. Let me tell you my story.

Chapter 1- Journey

The morning sun had already lit up the vast deserts of southern Shurima, the bright, blinding sands seemingly devoid of life except for three figures; a husband, his wife, and their daughter. The father led, holding both a map and a trinket; his face was marked with determination, perhaps even boldness. The mother followed, holding the girl's hand; she had a softer look about her, but shared the same look of determination as her husband. They were approaching what looked like a small Shuriman temple near an oasis; double doors guarding a two-story tower.

Wiping a trickle of sweat off of his brow and rolling up his map, the father said, "This must be the place. Let's hope the townsfolk were right about him."

As he spoke, the doors swung open and a figure appeared in the building's entrance. It was a man dressed in dark, ornate robes. His shoulders were adorned with shield-like mantles, each having the design of a blindfolded face on the front, and a scepter hung across his back. He had a clean-shaven face and long, dark hair, and on his forehead and hands were runic symbols. He was a Shuriman hermit and magus, knowledgeable in the history of the lands south of the Great Border. In spite of his sage-like reputation and manner of dress, he was unusually young-looking.

"I received word that you were looking for me. Come in, show me what you found."

The trio entered. The room was warmly lit, partially with candles, partially with arcane crystals. It looked like a scribe's quarters: most of the walls were lined with bookshelves, desks with quills, scrolls, and history books were scattered around. In the center of the room was an ornate table with a scrying orb. The father presented the trinket he was carrying. The hermit accepted it, looking it over carefully. It was an amulet, hung by a silver chain, with a green jewel encased in the amulet's center. It glowed softly with jade-colored light. He frowned and glanced at the man. "You found this in Shurima?" A nod in return. The hermit set the amulet on the table and lay a hand on the scrying orb, arcane energy channeling to and from the mage. After a moment he let go, then began to rummage through one of his bookshelves. Finding a map scroll, he turned back to the treasure-seekers. "This artifact actually came from the lands south of Shurima. How it ended up in the region, I do not know. Near as I can tell, the point of origin was actually in the-…" Looking the map over, he paused, frowning again. He glanced at the family, looking at the child, then back to the father. "The Kumungu jungle."

The father didn't seem to heed the hermit's discomfort. "Well, a lead's a lead. We thank you for your help. Come-" Having been calm and somewhat kind-looking up until this point, the hermit suddenly snapped his fingers sharply, catching his attention, and beckoned him closer. Speaking lowly, he asked, "Sir, you are aware of the dangers of Kumungu? There's a reason we know very little of that jungle. Few people who venture there return, or those that do are not… members of the civilized world, let's just say." The man shrugged. The hermit could tell at that moment, this couple was intent on finding whatever treasures they had heard stories of from the region with little regard to their own well-being. He then asked a stronger question: "What of the girl? Does not her safety matter to you?"

The father was caught off-guard. He almost even seemed slightly angry for a brief moment, but he walked over to join his family and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "This is our daughter, Nidalee. You would find that… she's very brave. You'd be surprised at what we've been through together so far." Nidalee smiled at her father, and nodded at the hermit. By his guess, she was near the age of at least ten. He continued, "Besides, we've made necessary preparations and we have medical supplies for our journey." The hermit didn't look very convinced, however. But his face softened and he conceded; "Very well, I suppose I'll have to take your word for it. I still urge you to take no unneeded risks. If the jungle proves a greater challenge and threat than you predicted, please turn around. No treasure in the world is worth that level of sacrifice."

"They always have to be right…" The words were weakly muttered, followed by a hacking cough. Nidalee's father stood crouched over a tinderbox, hopelessly trying to start a campfire to no avail.

Over the course of a week, the family had traveled deep into the wilderness of Kumungu before the couple realized they had contracted some sort of illness that neither of them could identify. The supplies they had brought with them had no effect on the disease, and their health had been rapidly deteriorating; they had developed high fevers and, every so often, would spit up blood. Attempting to survive had long since overtaken the treasure-seekers' desire to find what they were looking for; the family had come to rest at a small clearing in the rainforest and was trying to set up a camp. They had a small, fragile tent pitched, with Nidalee and her mother sheltered inside. It was then that she realized: her daughter had no symptoms. The disease had not affected Nidalee.

"Mother, whatever will become of us?" In spite of not sharing her parents' sickness, she still felt the same amount of fear as they did, pressed up against her mother, shivering; although her fear was that of an innocent, naïve child rather than the mortal panic of an adult. In spite of her mother's weakness, she put a comforting arm around her daughter and said, "My child… whatever may happen to me or your father, remember to be brave." She paused, not knowing how her next words could possibly be true, but continued. "Everything will be alright. Don't… don't be afraid." Nidalee continued to shiver, but gave a small nod.

At that moment, there was a soft crash outside the tent. Her father had collapsed, blood seeping out of one ear. Without thinking, she dashed out to check on him, but there was nothing to be done. She began to gasp quietly, and took a few steps backwards, her heart pounding. Upon turning around towards the tent, she choked on a sob. Both of her parents lay motionless.

A shrill cry reverberated throughout the nearby forest.

"Mother… Mother!"

Back at the hermit's tower, a quiet gasp rang out. The young magus was in a chair, having been asleep while at the same time having visions of the couple, and their condition. He opened his eyes, sitting motionless for about a minute, then put his head in his hands. They didn't… listen… But the child. The daughter still lives. He stood up, but then knelt down and bowed his head. Please, he begged, let the child be spared.

May protection find you. Nidalee…