I like debellish; embark, debark; embellish, debellish.

Candy, I googled Maiden Bright-eye and found a couple of fuller versions of the story; neither had the word, though. Perhaps yours was an older version or a different story altogether.

Edit: I believe I have somewhat frobnicated this thread; sorry, tsuwm. I shall (most likely) desist. (Is there emsist? Or just sist?)