**Chapter 6: The Abandoned Prince**

The silence that filled the castle halls was almost deafening as Iduna, Elsa, and Anna went about their daily routines, still reeling from the loss of King Agnarr. The days blended together in a blur of sorrow and adjustment, with Iduna struggling to come to terms with her new role as a single mother. As the reality of their situation began to sink in, the weight of their grief slowly started to lift, replaced by a sense of determination and resilience. Meanwhile, in the Southern Isles, a different story was unfolding. Hans, the young prince with auburn hair, stood alone in his chambers, feeling abandoned and scared. He had been left behind by his family during their diplomatic visit to Arendelle, and no one had bothered to tell him that they were leaving without him. The sound of his family's departure still echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of his isolation. At first, Hans tried to contact his family, but his attempts were met with silence. He sent messengers and letters, but they were either ignored or returned unanswered. The realization that he had been deliberately left behind was a painful one, and Hans couldn't help but wonder if he was somehow to blame. The shadows in his room seemed to grow longer and darker, as if they too were a reflection of his despair. As the hours ticked by, Hans's anxiety grew. He paced back and forth in his room, trying to make sense of what had happened. He thought about his father, King Westergaard, and his brothers, Rudi, Runo, and Caleb. Were they aware that he had been left behind? Did they even care? The memories of his family's indifference and cruelty began to surface, and Hans felt a familiar sense of dread creeping over him. The physical signs of his abuse were already starting to show - bruises on his arms, a cut on his cheek, and a growing sense of despair in his eyes. His father, King Westergaard, had always been a hard and unforgiving man, and Hans had often been the target of his wrath. The thought of facing his father again filled Hans with a sense of dread, and he knew that he had to escape. As night began to fall, Hans made his way to the castle gardens, hoping to clear his head and find some sense of peace. But even the cool night air couldn't calm the storm that was brewing inside him. He felt lost and alone, with no one to turn to. The stars above seemed to twinkle with a cruel indifference, and Hans felt like he was drowning in his own despair. Back in Arendelle Castle, Iduna was unaware of the turmoil that was brewing in Hans's heart. She was busy attending to her royal duties, trying to keep the kingdom running smoothly in the absence of her husband. But as she went about her day, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was still much to be done. She knew that Hans was out there, alone and adrift, and she was determined to bring him to safety. As she sat in her chambers, Iduna began to make plans for Hans's arrival. She would send a team of guards to fetch him from the Southern Isles, and provide him with a safe and comfortable journey to Arendelle. She would make sure that he was given a warm welcome, and that he knew he was not alone. The thought of Hans's arrival brought a sense of hope and purpose to Iduna, and she felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. Little did she know that Hans's journey to Arendelle would be just the beginning of a long and difficult road to recovery. But with Iduna's love and support, he would finally find the chance to heal and start anew. The darkness of his past would slowly begin to recede, replaced by the warmth and light of his new family. And as he looked to the future, Hans would finally be able to see a glimmer of hope, a chance to leave his painful past behind and start a new life in Arendelle.