Icelandic folktales are the close cousins of Viking fairy stories, although perhaps a little darker in their tone, but they share many of the same themes of innocence and trickery, triumph of good sense over pride, and all with a strong moral message. One particular characteristic though is that often the prince is rescued by the princess who has suffered much hardship in the journey to rescue the foolish male from the clutches of an ogre or a wicked crone. Stories include: The Story of the Three Princes, Hildur, Queen of Elves, The Giantess and the Granite Boat, The Magic Scythe.