The Twelve Hunters

The prince of the kingdom of the East was called to his father's deathbed to hear his last word: 'Promise me that you will marry the queen of the Kingdom of the North. 'The prince felt his heart freeze, for he was already in love with the princess of the Kingdom of the South, but he did not dare to go against his father, and he made the promise. When he failed to return to his true love, she decided to go and see for herself what had happened to him. She chose eleven handmaidens and bade them dress up as hunters. She, too, disguised herself and, with her companions, she went to the Kingdom of the East, where her loved one was now the ruler. The prince took the hunters into his service, not realising that they were maidens; nor did he recognise his beloved. But when the royal wedding was proclaimed, the princess of the Kingdom off the South was so pained that she swooned. The prince rushed to help her and then recognised on her finger the ring which he had given her as a token of his love.

Then the king realised that he loved her too much to be able to keep his promise to his father to marry the queen of the Kingdom of the North, and, when she saw how happy the two lovers were together, went back home and left them to their joy.