JL Merrow

In this fairytale inspired by a classic children’s story, weaver’s daughter Adrien is tired of turning down marriage proposals. So she disguises herself as a boy and sets out on a journey of discovery, accompanied only by her faithful piglet Ferkel. Rescuing a young monk named Felix from brigands, Adrien agrees to act as bodyguard on his journey to the King’s castle to present the princess with a telescope.<br><br>The lovely Princess Selene has also had more than her fair share of suitors, but she refuses to marry until someone gives her the moon. Felix’s telescope could grant her heart’s desire, but it’s Adrien who finds herself in love with the lively, beautiful princess.<br><br>Astonished to find Selene loves her in return, Adrien’s joy is short-lived. Surely Selene’s love will die when Adrien reveals her true gender? And in any case, two women cannot be married -- can they?

Capture the Moon

And as the princess’s face fell, Adrien’s heart fell with it and shattered on the cold stone floor. Wresting herself free of the princess’s grasp, she fled the tower, leaving her poor, broken heart behind her.


Unable to face her friends in the guardroom, Adrien took refuge in the stables. There she sat upon a bale of straw, miserable and alone, until a gentle snuffling alerted her that Ferkel had found her hiding place. “Oh, Ferkel!” she cried, as he leapt into her arms. “If only this were a story from one of my mother’s books! Then you’d turn out to be my fairy hogmother and somehow you’d find a way for me to be with the princess! Oh, but she will hate me when she learns I’m no man. There’s no help for me, no help at all.” And she cried a little, but being strong in spirit, she soon dried her tears and made her way back to the guardroom.


Chapter 11