**Chapter 3: The Locals' Discovery**

The biting wind whipped through Iduna's brown hair, which was neatly secured in a coronet braid, as she clung to a piece of debris, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The storm that had ravaged her ship had finally begun to subside, leaving her exhausted and battered. She lay there, her body aching from the relentless pounding of the sea, her mind foggy from the ordeal. As the sun's warm rays on her face roused Iduna from her torpor, she groggily opened her eyes to find herself washed up on a sandy beach, the remnants of the ship scattered along the shoreline. She lay there, assessing her situation, taking stock of her injuries. She was bruised and sore, but she seemed to have escaped any serious harm. With a Herculean effort, Iduna hauled herself to her feet, her gaze scanning the horizon for any sign of civilization. The coastline stretched out before her, a seemingly endless expanse of rocky shores and sandy beaches. She knew she had to find help, and fast, or risk succumbing to her injuries. As she stumbled along the beach, Iduna spotted a cluster of buildings in the distance. Smoke drifted lazily into the air, carrying the scent of cooking fires and baking bread. With a surge of hope, Iduna quickened her pace, her heart beating with excitement. She knew not what lay ahead, but she was determined to find refuge and safety in this strange, new world. The buildings grew larger, and Iduna saw that they were part of a small village. She stumbled towards the center of the village, her legs shaking beneath her. As she entered the village, she saw people going about their daily business, seemingly unaware of her presence. Iduna's eyes scanned the village, searching for someone to turn to for help. She spotted a group of villagers gathered near the center of the village, and she made her way towards them. As she approached, they turned to face her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Iduna stood tall, her royal bearing evident despite her disheveled appearance. "Please," Iduna said, her voice weak but determined. "I need help. I'm...I'm the Queen of Arendelle." The villagers exchanged skeptical glances, but one of them stepped forward, a kind-eyed old man with a warm smile. "You're a long way from home, Your Majesty," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll take you in, and tend to your wounds. You're safe now." The villagers led Iduna to a small cottage on the outskirts of the village, where a warm fire crackled in the hearth. Iduna collapsed onto a nearby pallet, her body exhausted from the ordeal. The villagers provided her with warm clothing, food, and drink, and tended to her wounds. As she rested, Iduna couldn't help but think of her husband, Agnarr, and their daughters, Elsa and Anna, back in Arendelle. She wondered if they were safe, and if they knew that she was alive. The thought of them kept her going, and she knew that she had to find a way to get back to them. The next few days passed in a blur as Iduna recovered from her ordeal. The villagers were kind and attentive, and Iduna began to feel like herself again. She was grateful for their help, and she knew that she would never forget their kindness. One of the villagers, a young woman named Elara, took a particular interest in Iduna's well-being. She helped to tend to Iduna's wounds, and brought her food and drink. Iduna was grateful for Elara's kindness, and the two women began to form a bond. As Iduna recovered, she began to ask questions about the village and its people. She learned that the village was part of a larger kingdom, ruled by a king named Westergaard. Iduna was intrigued, and she wondered what kind of ruler he might be. The villagers seemed wary of King Westergaard, and Iduna sensed that there was more to him than met the eye. She made a mental note to be cautious, and to learn as much as she could about the king and his kingdom. For now, Iduna was content to rest and recover, surrounded by the kindness of the villagers. She knew that she had a long journey ahead of her, but she was determined to find a way back to Arendelle, and to her daughters.