The young maidens life as it was, is now gone forever also.  

Her parents instantly age 100 years, and offer to keep her in luxury and riches in the castle for the rest of her life.

The young maiden says that she would rather wander the forest, depending on the kindness of strangers, as a beggar.  She no longer feels that she can stay with them.

So, the next evening, they bind her stumps in gauze, and she leaves the forest.  She is now descending into the unknown, where a whole new life awaits her.  

She has no idea what is in store for her, but she is following her inner guidance, as so we begin the descent into the underworld, with the handless maiden.