Lore, Keeper of Legends
Chapter 2: Living Legends

Disclaimer: I do not own League of Legends or any of the characters involved except Lore

The boy and Braum spent the next few years tending to Braum's goat herds in peace, occasionally a villager or two would appear to seek assistance, but their lives were generally left alone. As The boy grew older, he became crestfallen as he realized that he would not become like Braum. Where the legendary goat-herder was large, muscled, and an imposing figure, The boy was slight, thin, and more effeminate looking, but he was still only a thirteen, he hoped he had time to change things before it was too late.

He took this in stride though, and where Braum solved problems with his strength and a few clever ideas, The boy resolved them with his mind and quick thinking. The two were inseparable however, like a father and son, until one day…

Braum and The boy were working in the goat pasture when they both felt a presence approaching. It was unusual for them to feel something like this. Looking up from their work they noticed a large group was making their way up the valley pass that led to Braum's secluded home.

"Stay here," Braum told him as he walked over the fence and approached the group.

Being as disobedient as ever The boy followed quietly behind.

The pair met the entourage a short distance from the valley's entrance and once they were close Braum and The boy realized why they had sensed something: The leader of the band was a woman; thin, graceful, and in The boy's eyes: Beautiful. She carried herself with a proud, strong bearing, and both men instantly recognized the bow on her back made from True Ice. She gave them a moment before clearing her throat, drawing the two's attention from the bow back to her.

"I've come seeking a man named Braum, I was told he lives here," She said.

Braum nodded and bowed low, putting a hand over his chest and throwing the other one widely out to his side. The boy replicated the action a moment later.

"Please, there is no need for that here. I have to ask for your aid, not your service," she approached a put a hand on Braum's massive shoulder.

The boy noticed the incredible difference in size between the two as Braum stood and towered head and shoulder above this woman.

"What can I do to help you?" Braum asked her.

"My name is Ashe of the Avarosa tribe, I am seeking a united Freljord, but there are those who stand against our idea of peace and prosperity through conflict avoidance,"

The boy looked surprised at this, which drew a quick glance from Ashe, but she quickly returned her gaze to Braum.

"A peaceful Freljord would be a strong Freljord, a united one even better," he said after considering it for a moment.

"Exactly, please, I need your help if we are to succeed in our endeavor, your daughter will be welcome amongst us as well," Ashe said indicating The boy.

Braum began to laugh as The boy's face flushed.

"He is no child of mine, at least not bound by blood," Braum said as he wrapped a massive arm around The boy and pulled him close.

Ashe's mouth opened in surprise and shock as she realized her mistake.

"Please, forgive me, it is just, your features are…"

"I know, it is fine," The boy told her, "I'm glad to be included, and will do whatever I can to help,"

Ashe nodded and reaffixed a smile on her face. "I'm glad to hear that, and to count both of you as companions by my side,"

The next few hours were spent with Ashe, Braum, and The boy discussing in Braum's cabin of what they needed and their current issues, additionally the logistics of taking Braum's goat herd with them, since this would be a permanent move he couldn't leave them here, and the Avarosans sounded like they could use the herd more than Braum and The boy. After discussions were finished Braum, The boy, Ashe, and her entourage, now including Braum's goat herd, began to make their way back through the valley and down the mountains to the southern lands where Ashe's tribe had begun their attempt as peaceful civilization.

The boy would not see the journey completed.

As they travelled, a massive snowstorm began to creep over the mountain slopes from the North, forcing them to march in the near blinding conditions. Ashe had originally wanted to set up camp, but with the group as large as it was they needed to keep moving, and Braum had insisted that he and The boy would be able to keep up and still tend to the goats. As they travelled however the storm only grew worse, and eventually Ashe had to relent, she commanded everyone to set up camp.

The large company set their tents and Braum had managed to tie his goats together so that one couldn't wander without the rest, and they waited out the blizzard in uncomfortable silence, save for the howling winds outside their tent walls.

The next morning, the blizzard had finally relented and the company began to move once again, reaching the southern tribes by day's end they were welcomed warmly. Braum and The boy were given a small cabin as their new home with the Avarosan tribe, and they spent many years there assisting Ashe as best they could, at least until The boy was of age. Many had come to know of the nameless boy that followed Braum. He had become known as a storyteller, as he traded tales of Braum's many exploits with tales of Ashe and her legendary bow, but once he was old enough he thanked Braum and made his own way, claiming that he would never be of use to Ashe as he was now, he would need to grow stronger, and if he hadn't already done so with Braum, perhaps his fate lie elsewhere.