**Chapter 2: The Stranger in the Isles**

The stormy seas had tossed Iduna about like a toy, threatening to capsize her at any moment. She had survived the shipwreck, but her husband Agnarr had not been so fortunate. The pain of his loss still lingered, a raw wound that threatened to consume her. As she lay on the sandy beach, a young man with a kind face and a concerned expression approached her. He knelt beside her, speaking in a language she didn't understand. Iduna shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. The young man tried again, this time in broken Arendellean. "Are you hurt, woman? Can you walk?" Iduna nodded, still trying to process what had happened. The young man helped her to her feet, and she leaned on him for support. As they walked, Iduna noticed that the young man was dressed in simple but clean clothing. He seemed to be a local, and she wondered where they were. The young man seemed to sense her question, and he gestured to the surrounding landscape. "We are in the Southern Isles," he said. "You are safe now. But I must take you to my king. He will want to know about you." Iduna nodded, still trying to process everything that had happened. She had survived the shipwreck, but Agnarr was gone. The young man led her to a nearby village, where a group of people were waiting. They seemed to be a rough-looking bunch, but they seemed kind and concerned. They took Iduna to a nearby hut, where they gave her food and water. As she ate and drank, Iduna couldn't help but think of Agnarr. She wondered what had happened to him, and whether he had survived. But as she looked around at the people who had taken her in, she felt a sense of gratitude. They had saved her, and they seemed to be genuinely concerned for her well-being. The young man who had found her came back to the hut, and he spoke to her again. "My king wants to see you," he said. "He will be able to help you." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to rebuild her life here. The young man led her to the king's palace, where Iduna was greeted by a stern-looking man with a thick beard. He looked at her with a piercing gaze, and Iduna felt a sense of trepidation. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding. Iduna took a deep breath, trying to find her voice. "I am Iduna, Queen of Arendelle," she said, her voice steady. The king's expression changed, and he looked at her with surprise. "You are the queen?" he repeated. "I had not expected that." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "I am," she said. "And I am grateful for your hospitality." The king nodded, a small smile on his face. "You are welcome, Queen Iduna," he said. "We will do our best to help you." He paused, studying her face. "I must admit, I am curious. How did you come to be here, alone and shipwrecked?" Iduna took a deep breath, trying to summarize her story. "I was traveling with my husband, King Agnarr," she said. "We were bound for Ahtohallan, but our ship encountered a storm. I was washed up on the shore, but...but Agnarr did not survive." The king's expression softened, and he nodded sympathetically. "I am sorry to hear that," he said. "You are welcome to stay here, and we will do our best to help you recover." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but for now, she was safe. And that was all that mattered. As she stood there, the king's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. Iduna felt a sense of unease, but she also felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to rebuild her life here, and to honor Agnarr's memory. The king's voice broke into her thoughts, and she turned to him. "My name is King Westergaard," he said. "And you, Queen Iduna, are a long way from home." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of sadness. She knew that she would never forget her life in Arendelle, and that she would always carry the memories of her husband and her daughters with her. But for now, she was in the Southern Isles, and she would have to make the best of it.