Chapter 3: Shipwreck

The storm intensified, its fury unrelenting as it bore down on the ship. Iduna clung to the rail, her knuckles white with fear, as Agnarr wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. The crew was shouting, struggling to keep the ship afloat, but Iduna couldn't hear their words over the roar of the storm. The wind howled like a chorus of banshees, threatening to shatter the ship's timbers. Waves crashed over the deck, sending Iduna stumbling backward. She grabbed onto Agnarr, her eyes locked on his, as the king's face set in a determined expression. "We need to get below deck," he shouted above the din of the storm. "It's safer there." Iduna nodded, and together they fought their way across the deck, battling against the wind and waves. But it was too late. A massive wave crashed down, striking the ship with incredible force. Iduna felt the world spin around her as the ship lurched violently. She was thrown off balance, her feet slipping on the wet deck. Agnarr grabbed her, pulling her close as the ship creaked and groaned, taking on water at an alarming rate. Iduna felt a jolt of terror as another wave crashed over the bow, sweeping her off her feet. She landed hard on the deck, her head spinning. As she struggled to her feet, Iduna saw Agnarr standing a few feet away, his eyes locked on hers. But before she could reach him, a massive wave crashed down, separating them. Iduna felt herself being pulled away, her hands grasping for Agnarr, but he was gone, lost in the churning waters. The storm raged on, tossing Iduna about like a rag doll. She managed to grab onto a piece of debris, clinging to it as the waves pulled her away from the wreckage. She was alone, adrift in the icy waters, with no sign of Agnarr or the ship. The debris bucked and twisted beneath her, threatening to send her tumbling into the sea. Iduna wrapped her arms around it, her fingers interlocking as she clung to her makeshift liferaft. The storm slowly began to subside, leaving behind a eerie calm. Iduna's body was numb with cold and shock. She was exhausted, her eyes heavy with tears, but she refused to give up. She had to survive, for Elsa and Anna's sake, and for Agnarr... though she couldn't shake the feeling that she might be too late. As she floated on the debris, Iduna's mind replayed the events of the shipwreck. She remembered the sound of the waves crashing against the ship, the feeling of being swept off her feet, and the terror in Agnarr's eyes as they were separated. She called out his name, her voice hoarse from shouting, but there was no response. The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the water. Iduna spotted a fishing boat on the horizon, its sails billowing in the breeze. With a surge of hope, she flagged down the sailors, her voice weak but determined. As the boat drew closer, Iduna saw the faces of the sailors, etched with concern and curiosity. They threw her a lifeline, and Iduna grabbed onto it, letting them pull her aboard. The sailors wrapped her in a blanket, offering her hot tea and words of comfort. Iduna sipped the tea, feeling a warmth spread through her chilled bones. She looked out at the sea, her eyes searching for any sign of Agnarr or the ship, but there was nothing. Only the endless expanse of water, and the faint memory of the man she loved. The sailors told her that they had seen no signs of the ship or its passengers. Iduna's heart sank, and she felt a sob well up in her throat. She had survived, but Agnarr... Agnarr was gone. As the boat headed back to shore, Iduna wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a sense of loss and grief wash over her. Her brown hair, done up in a coronet braid, was now disheveled and wet, but she didn't care. She was alive, but her world had been shattered. The thought of facing Elsa and Anna, of telling them that their father was gone... Iduna felt a shiver run down her spine, and she knew that she had a long and difficult road ahead of her. The darkness closed in around her, and Iduna let the sailors lead her below deck, where a warm fire and a soft bed awaited her. She lay down, feeling the weight of her grief settle upon her, and let the tears flow, mourning the loss of the man she loved, and the life they had shared.