Chapter 4: The Queen's Revelation

The grand hall of King Westergaard's castle was dimly lit, with only a few torches flickering to light the space. Iduna, still reeling from her loss, stood before the king, her eyes cast downward. The weight of her grief and fatigue threatened to overwhelm her, but she steeled herself, determined to reveal her true identity. As she raised her gaze, King Westergaard's piercing eyes met hers, his expression a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. Iduna took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am Iduna, Queen of Arendelle," she said, the words tumbling out like a confession. The king's eyebrows shot up, his expression changing from curiosity to surprise. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "The Queen of Arendelle?" he repeated, his voice laced with intrigue. "I had not expected that. You are a long way from home, Your Majesty." Iduna nodded, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. "I was on a journey to Ahtohallan, seeking to understand my daughter's powers." She paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "My older daughter, Elsa, has...abilities that I do not understand." King Westergaard's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes never leaving Iduna's face. "I see," he said, his voice measured. "And what makes you think that Ahtohallan holds the answers?" Iduna hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about King Westergaard's demeanor put her at ease, and she found herself pouring out her story, telling him of Elsa's powers, of her fears and doubts. The king listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. As Iduna finished speaking, King Westergaard nodded thoughtfully. "I think we can help you, Your Majesty," he said, his voice firm. "But first, you must rest and recover. You are welcome to stay in our castle as long as you need." Iduna smiled, a wave of gratitude washing over her. "Thank you, King Westergaard," she said, her voice sincere. "I appreciate your kindness." As the king nodded and turned to one of his guards, Iduna felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had revealed her true identity, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt a glimmer of hope. The guard approached, bowing low. "Your Majesty, I will show you to your quarters," he said, his voice respectful. Iduna nodded, following the guard out of the grand hall. As they walked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the strange turn of events. She had survived the shipwreck, and now, she was a guest in the castle of a foreign king. But as she lay in her bed that night, Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, Elsa and Anna. She wondered how they were faring, and whether they knew of her fate. The thought of them, and the life she had left behind, filled her with a deep longing. As she drifted off to sleep, Iduna knew that she had a long and difficult journey ahead of her. But for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered. Days passed, and Iduna slowly began to recover from her ordeal. She spent her days resting and eating, trying to regain her strength. King Westergaard visited her often, talking to her about her daughters and her life in Arendelle. Iduna found herself opening up to the king, telling him things she had never shared with anyone before. He was a good listener, and she felt a sense of comfort in his presence. As the days turned into weeks, Iduna began to feel like herself again. She was still grieving, but she was starting to heal. And as she looked around the castle, she felt a sense of gratitude towards King Westergaard and his people. They had taken her in, and given her a place to stay. They had shown her kindness and compassion, and for that, Iduna was eternally grateful. But as she walked through the castle, Iduna couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the warmth of the people and the cold, harsh rule of King Westergaard. She saw the fear in the eyes of the servants, and the way they scurried to avoid the king's sons. Iduna's heart went out to them, and she knew that she had to do something to help. But for now, she was still a guest in the castle, and she had to be careful. As she walked, Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, and the life she had left behind. She knew that she had to find a way to get back to them, but for now, she was stuck in this foreign land, with a king who seemed to rule with an iron fist.