Chapter 7: A Disturbing Discovery

As Iduna helped Hans to his feet, she couldn't help but notice the look of exhaustion and despair etched on his face. The flickering torches that lined the deserted streets of the Southern Isles cast eerie shadows on the walls, making Hans's eyes seem sunken and his skin pale. Iduna's heart went out to him, and she knew that she had to get him out of this place, away from the toxic influence of his father, King Westergaard. She led Hans back to her horse, and he mounted it gratefully, his movements stiff and awkward. Iduna rode beside him, her arm around his waist, holding him close as they rode through the darkening streets. The sound of horse hooves echoed off the buildings, and the wind rustled through the trees, but Iduna's focus was on Hans, on the pain and fear that seemed to emanate from him like a palpable aura. As they rode, Iduna noticed that Hans seemed to be favoring one arm over the other. She gently asked him what was wrong, and he hesitated before revealing that his father had hurt him, often. Iduna's heart sank, and she felt a surge of anger towards King Westergaard. She couldn't believe that he could be so cruel to his own son. When they arrived at the stables, Iduna helped Hans down from the horse and led him to a nearby bench. She sat down beside him, taking his hands in hers, and looked into his eyes. Hans's eyes, a deep brown that seemed to hold a world of pain, met hers, and Iduna saw the depth of his sorrow, the weight of his suffering. "Hans, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "I'm going to help you, okay? You're safe now." Hans nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. Iduna pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly as he began to sob. She stroked his hair, whispering words of comfort in his ear, and slowly, Hans began to calm down. The tension in his body eased, and his breathing slowed, but Iduna could still feel the pain and fear that lingered beneath the surface. As they sat there, Iduna noticed that Hans's wrists were bandaged. She gently asked him what had happened, and he hesitated before revealing that his father had beaten him, often. Iduna's heart sank, and she felt a surge of anger towards King Westergaard. She couldn't believe that he could be so cruel to his own son. She looked at Hans's wrists, and her eyes widened in shock. There were bruises and cuts, evidence of the abuse he had suffered. Iduna felt a wave of nausea wash over her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on Hans's needs. She knew that she had to get him medical attention, to help him heal from the wounds of his past. "Hans, we're going to get you help," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "You're going to be okay." Hans nodded, his eyes filling with tears again. Iduna pulled him into another hug, holding him tightly as he began to sob once more. She knew that she had to do everything in her power to help Hans, to give him the love and protection he deserved. As they sat there, Iduna made a decision. She would adopt Hans, give him a new life in Arendelle, away from the toxic influence of his father. She would help him heal, give him the love and support he needed to overcome his trauma. And she would make sure that King Westergaard never hurt him again. Iduna's mind was made up. She would do everything in her power to help Hans, to give him the happy ending he deserved. And as she looked into his eyes, she knew that she would succeed, that together, they would overcome the darkness of his past and build a brighter future. The stars were beginning to twinkle in the sky, and Iduna felt a sense of hope, a sense of possibility, that she hadn't felt in a long time. She knew that this was just the beginning of their journey, but she was ready, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as Hans was by her side.