Talulu' was the name given to at least two Cherokee settlements.One settlement located on the upper portion of the Tallulah River, One Cherokee legend tells of a young warrior who nearly married the sister of Thunder.  The young man met the maiden at a dance and fell in love with her immediately. He asked her to marry him, but she told him they must obtain her brother's consent.  The young lovers, and the girl's sister, travelled down the Tallulah River to Tallulah Falls. 

Under the falls was a cave where the sisters lived with their brother.  The warrior realized these were not ordinary women when they took off their hair and hung it on a rock to dry, The maiden asked the young man to sit beside her on a very large turtle.  There was a clap of thunder, signaling the brother's arrival.  The brother invited the young warrior to accompany him to a council and he agreed, but only if he could provide a horse.  One of the sisters fetched an uktena, a great snake with a magic crystal in its head, for the young man to ride. 

Frightened almost to death, the young warrior declared he could not live in a dark place with giant snakes.  Thunder became very angry.  Lightening flashed from his eyes and struck the young warrior.  When the young man woke he was standing in the Tallulah River.  The cave and the falls had disappeared.  He turned home and told his story.  But the young man lived for seven days after his return, for anyone who visits the underworld and tells others about the visit will soon die.