There was once a king\\u0027s son who had a bride whom he loved very much. And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his father lay sick unto death, and desired to see him once again before his end. Then he said to his beloved: \\u0027I must now go and leave you, I give you a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am king, I will return and fetch you.\\u0027 So he rode away, and when he reached his father, the latter was dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to him: \\u0027Dear son, I wished to see you once again before my end, promise me to marry as I wish,\\u0027 and he named a certain king\\u0027s daughter who was to be his wife. The son was in such trouble that he did not think what he was doing, and said: \\u0027Yes, dear father, your will shall be done,\\u0027 and thereupon the king shut his eyes, and died.
When therefore the son had been proclaimed king,and the time of mourning was over, he was forced to keep the promise which he had given his father, and caused the king\\u0027s daughter to be asked in marriage,and she was promised to him. His first betrothed heard of this, and fretted so much about his faithfulness that she nearly died. Then her father said to her: \\u0027Dearest child, why are you so sad? You shall have whatsoever you will.\\u0027 She thought for a moment and said: \\u0027Dear father, I wish for eleven girls exactly like myself in face, figure, and size.\\u0027 The father said: \\u0027If it be possible, your desire shall be fulfilled,\\u0027 and he caused a search to be made in his whole kingdom, until eleven young maidens were found who exactly resembled his daughter in face, figure, and size
When they came to the king\\u0027s daughter, she had twelve suits of huntsmen\\u0027s clothes made, all alike,and the eleven maidens had to put on the huntsmen\\u0027s clothes, and she herself put on the twelfth suit.Thereupon she took her leave of her father, and rode away with them, and rode to the court of her former betrothed, whom she loved so dearly. Then she asked if he required any huntsmen, and if he would take all of them into his service. The king looked at her and did not know her, but as they were such handsome fellows, he said: \\u0027Yes,\\u0027 and that he would willingly take them, and now they were the king\\u0027s twelve huntsmen.