The subject derives from a Norwegian folk tale published by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. The Daughter of the Mountain King, Princess Kristin, has to get married immediately when she turns 18, otherwise a troll will kidnap her. The story ends with the shepherd boy Askeladden killing the troll, marrying the princess and winning half the kingdom. Carl Larsson had in his youth worked with illustrations for an edition of Asbjørnsen's and Moe's fairy tales.