**Chapter 4: A Royal Encounter**

As Iduna entered the grand throne room of Westgard Castle, she was immediately struck by the majesty of her surroundings. The high ceiling, adorned with intricate carvings, seemed to stretch up to the heavens, while the large windows let in a flood of natural light that illuminated the opulent furnishings. At the far end of the room, King Westergard sat on his throne, his piercing blue eyes fixed intently on her. Iduna felt a sense of trepidation wash over her as she approached the king, her brown braided hair done up in a bun, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never met King Westergard before, but she had heard stories about his wisdom and kindness. She hoped that he would be able to help her get back to Arendelle. As she drew closer, King Westergard rose from his throne, his movements fluid and powerful. He was a tall, imposing man with a strong jaw and piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "Welcome to Westgard Castle. I am King Westergard." Iduna curtsied, feeling a sense of respect wash over her. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said. "I am Iduna, Queen of Arendelle." King Westergard's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. "I have heard of your... situation," he said. "The shipwreck, the storm. I must say, I am impressed by your resilience." Iduna smiled wryly. "I have had to be," she said. "As a queen, one must always be prepared for the unexpected." King Westergard nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I can only imagine," he said. "My guards tell me that you were found on the shores of our islands, half-frozen and exhausted. I have ordered our best medical care to be made available to you." Iduna felt a surge of gratitude towards the king. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said. "I appreciate your kindness." As they spoke, a group of servants entered the room, bearing trays of food and drink. King Westergard gestured to them, and Iduna's eyes widened as she saw the spread before her. "Please, eat and rest," King Westergard said. "You must be hungry and tired. We will talk more later." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful for the king's kindness and generosity. As she sat down to eat, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she would be able to find a way back to Arendelle with King Westergard's help. The king watched her for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. Then, he nodded to one of his guards. "Bring me a chair," he said. "I would like to sit with Queen Iduna and talk with her." The guard brought a chair, and King Westergard sat down beside Iduna. They talked for a while, discussing everything from the weather to the politics of the Southern Isles. Iduna found herself feeling more and more at ease in the king's presence, and she began to realize that she had stumbled upon a valuable ally. As the conversation drew to a close, King Westergard turned to her with a curious expression. "Tell me, Queen Iduna," he said. "What do you think of our islands so far?" Iduna smiled, feeling a sense of wonder. "They are beautiful," she said. "I have never seen such lush green forests and sparkling waters." King Westergard nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, our islands have a certain charm," he said. "I am glad you are enjoying them." As Iduna finished her meal and settled in for a well-deserved rest, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards King Westergard. She had been through a terrible ordeal, but she was starting to feel like she was on the road to recovery. And she had a feeling that she was going to like it here in the Southern Isles.