## Chapter 6: A Tragic Separation

As the royal family of Arendelle prepared to leave the Southern Isles, a sense of relief washed over Iduna. She was eager to return to her castle and her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and leave the tension of the diplomatic visit behind. The grand palace of the Southern Isles, with its opulent decorations and intricate frescoes, seemed to gleam in the fading light of day, but Iduna's eyes were fixed on the horizon, her heart heavy with a sense of foreboding. As they made their way to the carriage, Iduna noticed that Hans was nowhere to be found. She asked her ladies-in-waiting if they had seen him, but no one seemed to know where he was. The sound of laughter and music drifted through the air, but Iduna's ears were tuned to the silence, the absence of the young prince with auburn hair. "I'm sure he's fine, Mother," Anna said, but Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She sent a servant to look for Hans, but he was nowhere to be found. The sun was setting over the palace, casting long shadows across the courtyard, and Iduna's unease grew with every passing moment. As they prepared to depart, Iduna saw King Westergaard's face twisted in anger, his eyes flashing with a fierce intensity. "Where is that boy?" he thundered, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "He's supposed to be here, accompanying us." Iduna's heart sank, her concern for Hans growing with every passing moment. She realized that he must have been left behind, and a sense of guilt washed over her. She had been so caught up in her own worries and concerns that she had neglected Hans. "Let's go without him," Elsa said, her voice calm and rational. "We can't delay our departure any longer." But Iduna hesitated, her mind racing with thoughts of Hans's safety and well-being. She couldn't just leave him behind, not after what she had seen in his eyes. She made a decision, one that would change the course of their lives forever. "I'll stay behind and find Hans," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "You girls go ahead to Arendelle. I'll catch up with you later." Anna and Elsa exchanged worried glances, but they knew better than to argue with their mother. They nodded, and with a flurry of farewell kisses and hugs, they set off on the journey back to Arendelle. The sound of their carriage wheels echoed through the courtyard, and Iduna watched as they disappeared into the distance. Iduna set out to find Hans, her heart heavy with concern. She rode through the deserted streets of the Southern Isles, calling out his name, but there was no response. The buildings seemed to loom over her, casting long shadows in the fading light, and Iduna's unease grew with every passing moment. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the town in a dark and foreboding shadow, Iduna's worry turned to fear. What if Hans was in danger? What if he had been hurt or worse? She spurred her horse on, riding through the streets with a growing sense of desperation. She had to find Hans, had to make sure he was safe. And then, just as she was starting to lose hope, she saw a figure huddled in the shadows. "Hans?" she called out, her voice soft and gentle. The figure stirred, and Iduna saw Hans's auburn hair in the fading light. She dismounted her horse and rushed to his side, her heart filled with relief. "Hans, what happened?" she asked, her voice full of concern. Hans looked up at her, his eyes filled with tears. "I was left behind," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to be. I was just...I was just trying to get away." Iduna's heart went out to him, her compassion and empathy washing over her like a wave. She knew that she had to help him, had to protect him from the abuse and neglect he had suffered at the hands of his father. "You're safe now, Hans," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "You're safe with me." And with that, Iduna knew that she had made a decision, one that would change the course of their lives forever. She would take Hans back to Arendelle, and she would adopt him as one of her own. She would give him the love and protection he deserved, and she would help him heal from the wounds of his past.