**Chapter 3: Stranger in a Strange Land**

Iduna slowly sat up, assessing her surroundings. She was on a rocky beach, with no sign of her ship or her crew. The storm had passed, leaving behind a eerie calm. Her head pounded, and she could feel the saltwater stinging her eyes. She stumbled to her feet, taking stock of her situation. She was alone, stranded on a foreign shore, with no idea how she was going to get back to Arendelle. As she looked down at her clothes, Iduna realized that she must have been washed up on the shore in a sorry state. Her coronet braid had come undone, and her brown hair was matted with seaweed and salt. She was bruised and battered, but she was alive. And that was all that mattered. Iduna took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. She would survive this ordeal, no matter what it took. She would find a way back to Arendelle, and to her family. And she would make sure that they knew she was still alive, and that she would never give up on them. She began to explore the beach, searching for any signs of civilization. The shore was rocky and barren, with no signs of buildings or people. Iduna walked for what felt like hours, her feet aching and her body tired. She stumbled over rocks and fallen trees, but she kept going, driven by her determination to survive. As the sun began to set, Iduna spotted something in the distance. It was a small cottage, nestled in a valley surrounded by trees. Smoke was rising from the chimney, and Iduna's heart leapt with hope. Maybe she would find help there. She made her way towards the cottage, her legs trembling with exhaustion. As she approached, she saw a figure moving around the garden. It was a woman, tending to a patch of vegetables. Iduna called out, her voice hoarse from shouting over the wind. The woman looked up, startled, and Iduna saw a look of surprise on her face. "Can I help you?" she asked, approaching Iduna cautiously. Iduna explained her situation, and the woman listened intently. "My name is Elara," she said, when Iduna finished. "You can come in and rest for a while. We'll figure out what to do next." Iduna nodded gratefully, following Elara into the cottage. She was given a warm meal and a place to rest, and for the first time since the shipwreck, she felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she would make it through this after all. As she lay on the bed, Iduna thought about her family back in Arendelle. She wondered if they were looking for her, if they thought she was dead. She hoped that they knew she was still alive, and that she would do everything in her power to get back to them. Elara sat beside her, stroking her hair. "You're safe now," she said softly. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you need." Iduna smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards this stranger. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I would have done without your help." Elara smiled back, her eyes warm with kindness. "You're not alone anymore," she said. "You're safe here." As Iduna drifted off to sleep, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but for the first time since the shipwreck, she felt like she was going to make it. And she knew that she would never forget the kindness of this stranger, who had taken her in and given her a second chance. Days turned into weeks, and Iduna grew stronger under Elara's care. She helped with the household chores and learned about the local customs. Iduna found herself feeling at home in this small cottage, surrounded by the gentle rhythms of rural life. But as much as she grew to love her new life, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong. She was a queen, after all, and she had a duty to her family and her kingdom. She knew that she couldn't stay here forever, no matter how much she might want to. As she sat by the fire one evening, Iduna made a decision. She would ask Elara about the outside world, about the kingdoms and cities beyond their small village. She would find out if anyone knew anything about Arendelle, and if there was any way for her to get back home. Elara looked at her with a curious expression, but she nodded. "I can tell you about the world beyond our village," she said. "But it won't be easy. The world can be a hard and unforgiving place." Iduna steeled herself, knowing that she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She was a queen, and she would do whatever it took to get back to her family and her kingdom.