Charming the Moon ~ Tales from the Twelve Kingdoms (Fantasy Novella)
Emily Snyder's mythical world of the Twelve Kingdoms, introduced in the full-length novel Niamh and the Hermit, is brought to life again in Chaming the Moon. This little tome contains a pair of short stories which elaborate upon the ancient history of the Twelve Kingdoms, hearkening back to the Perpetual Twilight when there was no Day or Night.
In the first tale, Brigglekin the Dwarf is called upon to free a beautiful girl trapped within a silver sphere. Once she is in his possession, however, he is unable to liberate this precious treasure and watches as she slowly wastes away within her protecting globe.
Östrung the Giant tells the tale of the pining young Sun who longed to be reunited with his love the Moon, enlisting the help of a kindly giant to carry him to the very western edge of the world.
Arx Publishing, LLC
Amazon.com
2005 ~ 72 pp. ~ 4 illustrations
paperback ~ ISBN: 1-889758-76-0 ~ $9.95
The daughter of a king and a fairy, the Princess Niamh is glorious fair—perhaps overly so. Her incredible beauty proves a curse for no man can withstand even a moment in her presence without running mad. Suitor after suitor is turned away, since no one regardless of family name or credentials, is able to approach the Princess without suffering intense burning. The kingdom’s only hope rests upon a most unusual bridegroom: the Hermit. With the claws and wings of an eagle, and the head and tail of a lion, the mystery of a magician, and the piety of a saint, he alone may hold her—that is, if he can find his bride before she is led to perdition by the wicked Count and his shadowy minions.
Although this story doesn't strictly take place within the context of the Twelve Kingdoms, it served as a precursor for me writing that world!
