**Chapter 5: A Glimpse of Hope**

As Iduna recovered from her ordeal, she began to take notice of her surroundings. The castle, with its cold, dark stone walls, was a far cry from the warm, welcoming palace of Arendelle. But despite its bleakness, the castle was alive with the sounds of activity. Servants scurried about, attending to their duties, while the sound of laughter and music drifted from the great hall. Iduna's thoughts often drifted back to Agnarr, her trusted advisor who had perished in the shipwreck. She remembered his kind face, his wise words, and his unwavering loyalty. A pang of sadness washed over her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on her new surroundings. One day, as she walked in the castle gardens, Iduna caught sight of a group of young men. They were princes, she learned, the sons of King Westergaard. There were five of them, each with their own unique personality. Rudi, the eldest, was a tall, imposing figure with a cruel smile. Runo, the second eldest, was equally as unpleasant, with a sneer that seemed to be permanently etched on his face. Caleb, the crown prince, was a bit more reserved, but his eyes seemed to hold a cold, calculating glint. Lars, on the other hand, was kind and gentle, with a warm smile that put Iduna at ease. And then there was Hans, the youngest of the princes. Hans, with his auburn hair and bright blue eyes, seemed to be the complete opposite of his brothers. He was quiet and reserved, observing the world around him with a curious gaze. Iduna was immediately drawn to him, sensing that he was different from the others. As she watched, Hans was summoned to the great hall for a meeting with his family. Iduna followed at a distance, curious about the dynamics of the royal family. Inside the great hall, she saw Hans take a seat at the table, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of anxiety and apprehension. Rudi and Runo, seated on either side of him, began to taunt him, their voices rising in a crescendo of mockery. Hans tried to defend himself, but their words cut deep, and Iduna could see the pain in his eyes. Caleb, the crown prince, seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, his eyes gleaming with amusement. Lars, however, looked on with a mixture of discomfort and concern. He seemed to be the only one who was not participating in the bullying, and Iduna sensed that he might be the only ally Hans had in the family. As the meeting drew to a close, Iduna saw Hans's face pale, his eyes welling up with tears. She felt a surge of compassion for the young prince, sensing that he was trapped in a world that was hostile and unforgiving. She knew that she had to do something to help him, but she didn't know what. As she turned to leave, Iduna caught sight of King Westergaard, seated on his throne, watching the scene with a detached gaze. She sensed that he was not going to intervene, that he was going to let the bullying continue. And in that moment, she knew that she had to act, to find a way to protect Hans from his family's cruelty. The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor as Iduna walked back to her quarters. She felt a sense of determination rising within her, a sense that she was going to make a difference in Hans's life. And as she closed the door behind her, she smiled, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart. She was going to help Hans, no matter what it took. In the stillness of her room, Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, Elsa and Anna. She wondered what they were doing, and if they were safe. She also thought about Agnarr, and the hopes that she had been holding onto. But most of all, she thought about Hans, and the pain that he was enduring. She knew that she had to be strong for him, to be the one person who could make a difference in his life. As she sat down on the bed, Iduna felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she had a long journey ahead of her, but she was ready. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to protect Hans from his family's cruelty, and to help him find his voice. And as she drifted off to sleep, she smiled, a sense of hope rising in her heart.