**Chapter 9: A Mysterious Stranger**

The sun was shining brightly in the palace courtyard as Iduna walked towards the gates, accompanied by Elsa and Anna. They were on their way to a charity event, where they would be distributing food and clothing to the less fortunate citizens of Arendelle. As they approached the gates, a commotion caught their attention. A young boy, no more than five years old, was standing at the gate, looking lost and scared. He had auburn hair that was messy and unkempt, and his bright blue eyes sparkled with a mix of fear and curiosity. "Who is this?" Iduna asked the guards, who were standing nearby, their faces etched with concern. The boy looked up at Iduna with big, round eyes and said, "I...I don't know. I was walking, and then I got lost. I don't remember where I live." Iduna's heart melted at the sight of the little boy. She could sense the fear and uncertainty emanating from him, and she knew she had to help. She exchanged a glance with Elsa and Anna, who nodded in agreement. "Take him to the palace," Iduna instructed the guards, her voice soft and gentle. "We'll figure out who he is and where he belongs." The guards nodded and escorted the boy to the palace, with Iduna, Elsa, and Anna following closely behind. As they walked, Iduna couldn't help but notice the boy's curious glances around the palace. He seemed to be taking in every detail, from the intricate tapestries on the walls to the sparkling chandeliers above. Once they reached the palace, Iduna called for a servant to bring some food and water for the boy. As they waited, Iduna tried to engage the boy in conversation. "What's your name?" Iduna asked, kneeling down beside him. The boy looked up at her with a shy smile. "Hans," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Iduna smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's nice to meet you, Hans. I'm Queen Iduna, and these are my daughters, Elsa and Anna." As they ate and drank, Iduna couldn't help but notice the unusual aura surrounding Hans. There was something about him that seemed...off. But she couldn't quite put her finger on it. As the afternoon wore on, Iduna decided to have Hans's clothes changed and his hair washed. As the servants worked on his appearance, Iduna couldn't help but feel a maternal instinct towards the young boy. She remembered the countless times she had cared for Elsa and Anna when they were young, and a similar sense of nurturing washed over her. As Hans was led to a room to rest, Iduna turned to Elsa and Anna. "I think we'll have to try to find out who he is and where he belongs," she said, concern etched on her face. Elsa nodded. "I'll try to see if I can sense anything unusual about him," she said, her eyes narrowing in concentration. Anna, meanwhile, was busy chatting with Hans, who was giggling and playing with her. Iduna watched, a smile on her face, as the two of them quickly became fast friends. As the sun began to set, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Who was this mysterious stranger, and what had brought him to their doorstep? She knew that she and her daughters would do everything in their power to help him, and to uncover the truth about his past. Little did she know, Hans's arrival would change their lives in ways they never could have imagined.