**Chapter 8: The Sponge Bath**

Iduna gently wet a clean rag with warm water, the soft sound of the water splashing against the rag a soothing accompaniment to her task. She added a small amount of soap, the fragrance of lavender and chamomile wafting up to her nostrils as she began to clean Hans's battered body. The warm water and soap suds danced across his skin, cleansing the dirt and grime from his wounds. As she worked, Iduna couldn't help but notice the extent of Hans's injuries. His brothers had been cruel and merciless, leaving him with deep cuts and bruises that marred his skin like a topographic map of pain. She felt a surge of anger on his behalf, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. Hans lay still, his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. Iduna's heart ached as she looked at him, her compassion and empathy for the young man evident in her gentle touch. She carefully washed his face, her fingers tracing the contours of his cheekbones, his nose, and his lips. She then moved on to his neck and torso, her hands gentle as she cleaned every area. The sponge bath was a slow and meticulous process, one that required patience and care. Iduna took her time, making sure to clean each wound, each bruise, and each scratch. She rinsed the rag and repeated the process, ensuring Hans was clean and comfortable. As she worked, she hummed a soft melody, one that she used to sing to Elsa and Anna when they were young. As she rinsed the rag and repeated the process, Hans stirred, his eyes fluttering open. "Iduna?" he whispered, his voice weak and barely audible. Iduna's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, her eyes locking onto his. "Shh, Hans," she said, her voice soothing and calm. "I'm here to help you. You're going to be okay." Hans's eyes searched hers, and Iduna saw a glimmer of gratitude there. She smiled, her heart full of warmth for the young man. As she continued to tend to Hans's wounds, Iduna couldn't help but think about her own daughters, Elsa and Anna. She knew that they would be worried about her, but she also knew that they were in good hands with their governess and the rest of the palace staff. She wondered what they would think if they knew she was giving a sponge bath to a young man in a foreign land. The thought brought a smile to her lips, and she focused on the task at hand. With a final rinse, Iduna finished the sponge bath, her hands gentle as she patted Hans's skin dry. She pulled the covers up to his chin, her heart full of warmth for the young man. As she turned to leave, Iduna caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her brown hair was pulled back in a simple style, similar to the one Elsa had worn at her coronation. She smiled, a sense of nostalgia washing over her. Iduna knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she was ready. She was going to help Hans, no matter what it took. And she was going to bring about change to the Southern Isles, even if it meant facing the cruel and harsh King Lars himself.