When he reached his father the king was indeed closed to death and asked his son if he would marry a certain princess. Unwilling to upset his father the prince agreed. A promise the prince could then not refuse, once king he made arrangements for the wedding.

When his first love heard of the forthcoming marriage she was so upset that she nearly died. Her father greiving at her distress promised to get her anything that she asked for. The girl asked her father to find eleven maidens who matched her in face, height and build. When this was done she made a set of twelve hunting costumes, all alike. She rode with the maidens to the new king and asked if he would take them on as his huntsmen. The king did not realise that the hunters were women and he was so impressed by their hansome appearance that he employed them at once.

In the kings court was a lion who was very wise. He approached the king and told him that he believed the hunters to be women. When the king asked how he could know for sure the lion advised scattering dried peas across the floor. A man would tread firmly and not dislodge the peas but a women would skip and the peas would roll around.

One of the kings servants had become firm friends with the new hunters and warned them of this test. So when the maidens we summoned they walked firmly across the peas and they did not move. The lion was still convinced that the hunters were female and told the king that they must have been forwarned. He suggested taking them to a room filled with spinning wheels. They would be sure to go and admire them as no man would do. The king tried this test as well but again his servant warned the maidens of his plan. They showed no interest in the spinning wheels and the king had no doubt that the lion was mistaken.

By this time the hunters were firmly in the kings favour and rode with him every day. Then one fateful morning a messenger arrived with the news that the king's betroved was approaching. His first love was so distressed to hear this that she fell from her horse. The king, fearing for his hunter's well being rushed to her and drew off her glove. On her hand was the ring he had given her and he remembered his promise. He was so touched that he told the messenger to tell the princess that he already had a wife, and a man who has found an old dish does not require a new one.

Source:
Household Tales
Brothers Grimm
Pan Books, 1977