**Chapter 2: The Wreck**

The storm that had ravaged Iduna's ship finally began to subside, leaving behind a trail of destruction and debris. The queen, battered and exhausted, was washed ashore on the southern isles, her body numb and her senses dulled. She lay on the sandy beach, her vision blurring as the waves lapped at her feet. As the sun rose higher in the sky, Iduna's consciousness began to return, and with it, a searing pain that shot through her head and torso. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the sand. Her brown hair, once neatly worn up in a coronet braid, was now tangled and matted with salt and seaweed. The sound of footsteps echoed through the stillness, and Iduna turned her head to see a group of locals approaching her. They were dressed in simple tunics and leggings, their faces weathered from years of working outdoors. One of them, an older man with a kind face, knelt beside her. "You're a lucky one, lass," he said, his voice gentle. "Most folks don't survive a wreck like that." Iduna tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from swallowing saltwater. The old man handed her a flask of water, and she took a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. As she drank, Iduna's gaze wandered to the locals, who were watching her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. She saw the way they looked at her, with a hint of uncertainty, and she knew that she had to tread carefully. The old man seemed to sense her unease and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, lass. We'll take care of you. You're safe now." With that, the locals lifted Iduna into their arms and carried her to their kingdom. As they walked, Iduna caught glimpses of the southern isles, a land vastly different from the frozen fjords of Arendelle. The air was warm and humid, filled with the scent of exotic spices and fresh seafood. Eventually, they arrived at the kingdom, a sprawling complex of buildings and courtyards. Iduna was taken to a large throne room, where a man with a stern face and piercing gaze sat on the throne. "So, you're the survivor of the shipwreck," he said, his voice firm. "I am King Westergaard. And you are...?" Iduna hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about King Westergaard's piercing gaze made her feel like he would see through any deception. "I am... a traveler," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lost at sea." King Westergaard's expression was unreadable, but Iduna sensed that he did not believe her. He nodded to one of his guards, who stepped forward. "Take her to the guest quarters," King Westergaard ordered. "She needs rest and care. I'll decide what to do with her later." As Iduna was led away, she caught a glimpse of the king's face, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. She knew that she had to be careful, for she sensed that King Westergaard was not a man to be trifled with. The guards took Iduna to a small but comfortable room, where a warm meal and a soft bed awaited her. She ate and slept, her body recovering from the ordeal of the shipwreck. But as she drifted off to sleep, Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and the life she had left behind in Arendelle. She wondered if she would ever see them again, or if she would be able to help them navigate the complexities of their royal duties. In the southern isles, Hans and his brothers continued to live under the shadow of their father's tyrannical rule. Little did Iduna know that her arrival would set in motion a chain of events that would change the fate of the kingdom and her own life forever. As Iduna slept, she was unaware of the turmoil that was brewing in the kingdom. King Malakai, the ruler of the southern isles, was a just and fair ruler, but his sons, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and Lars, were a different story. They were spoiled and entitled, and they took great pleasure in causing chaos and destruction. Hans, the eldest of the princes, was struggling to find his place in the world. He was caught between his desire to do what was right and his loyalty to his family. Iduna's arrival would soon change everything, and Hans would find himself drawn to the queen's kindness and compassion. The stage was set for a dramatic confrontation, one that would change the fate of the kingdom and Iduna's life forever.