**Chapter 5: Arrival in the Southern Isles**

As the ship docked at the port of the Southern Isles, Anna felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. The memory of her time with Hans, her ex-fiancé, flooded her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder what had driven him to such darkness. Lars, Hans' brother, stood beside her, his expression a blend of concern and gratitude. The Southern Isles, a land she hadn't seen in years, was a far cry from the frozen fjords of Arendelle. The air was thick with the smell of salt and smoke, and the sky was a deep, foreboding grey. The buildings seemed to loom over her, their stone walls bearing down on her like a physical weight. As they disembarked, Anna was struck by the stark contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the ugliness of the kingdom's reputation. The people of the Southern Isles were known to be hardened and rough, their lives made difficult by the harsh rule of King Westergaard. Lars led her through the winding streets, pointing out the various landmarks and buildings. They passed by the grand palace, its stone walls towering above them, and the bustling market square, where merchants and traders haggled over goods. As they walked, Lars filled her in on the situation with Hans. "He's been deteriorating rapidly over the past few days," he said, his voice low and worried. "The crew had to restrain him, but even that's not been enough to keep him from harming himself." Anna's heart went out to Hans, despite everything he had done to her. She knew that he was a complex person, driven by a mix of motivations, and that he deserved a chance to redeem himself. They arrived at the palace, and Lars led her to a small, dimly lit room deep in the bowels of the castle. Hans lay on a narrow bed, his wrists and ankles bound by thick leather straps. Anna's heart ached as she saw the state he was in. She remembered the charming, handsome prince she had fallen in love with, and it broke her heart to see him like this. Lars explained the situation to her, telling her about the letter he had received from the captain of the ship, detailing Hans' rapid decline. Anna listened intently, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. As she looked at Hans, she felt a pang of sadness and regret. She had thought she had left him behind, that she had moved on with her life. But seeing him now, she realized that a part of her still cared for him, still wanted to help him. "I'm glad you're here, Anna," Lars said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I know I can count on you to help him." Anna nodded, taking a deep breath. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to try and help Hans, for Lars' sake, and for her own. She wanted to see him get better, to find his way back to the person he once was. As she stood there, looking at Hans, Anna felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would do everything in her power to help him, to bring him back from the brink of destruction. And as she looked at Lars, she saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes, a hope that she shared. Together, they would face the challenges ahead, and they would do everything they could to save Hans from himself. The next morning, Anna decided to write a letter to Elsa, letting her know about her decision to help Hans and her current situation. She sat down at a desk and began to write: Dear Elsa, I hope this letter finds you well. I'm writing to you from the Southern Isles, where I've just arrived to help Hans. As you know, he's been struggling with his mental health, and I feel a sense of responsibility to help him. The Southern Isles are a difficult place, and I'm not sure what I'll be facing. But I'm determined to help Hans, to bring him back from the brink of destruction. I know that he hurt me deeply, but I also know that he's a complex person, driven by a mix of motivations. And I believe that he deserves a chance to redeem himself. I'll keep you updated on my progress, and I appreciate your support and guidance. Thank you, Anna She folded the letter, sealed it, and gave it to a servant to deliver to the postal service. Then, she decided to go and talk to Kristoff, to let him know about her decision and to get his advice. She walked to Kristoff's place and knocked on the door. Kristoff answered, and Anna told him everything. Kristoff listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. "I see," he said, when Anna finished. "You're going to help Hans, despite everything he did to you." Anna nodded, her jaw set. "Yes, I am. I believe that he deserves a chance to redeem himself, and I want to help him." Kristoff nodded, a small smile on his face. "I think that's a brave decision, Anna. I'll support you, no matter what." Anna smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Kristoff. She also decided to talk to Olaf, to let him know about her decision and to get his advice. She walked to Olaf's place and found him playing with Sven. "Olaf, I need to talk to you," she said. Olaf looked up, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's up, Anna?" he asked. Anna told Olaf everything, and Olaf listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. "I see," he said, when Anna finished. "You're going to help Hans, despite everything he did to you." Anna nodded, her jaw set. "Yes, I am. I believe that he deserves a chance to redeem himself, and I want to help him." Olaf nodded, a small smile on his face. "I think that's a brave decision, Anna. I'll support you, no matter what." Anna smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Olaf. Elsa also received Anna's letter and was very supportive. She decided to write a letter back to Anna: Dear Anna, Thank you for your letter. I'm glad you're safe and sound in the Southern Isles. I know that it can't be easy, but I'm proud of you for taking this step. I believe that Hans deserves a chance to redeem himself, and I'm willing to support you in any way I can. Please keep me updated on your progress, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Thank you, Elsa Anna received Elsa's letter and felt a sense of gratitude towards her sister. She knew that she could count on Elsa's support, and that gave her the strength to face the challenges ahead. With the support of her friends and family, Anna felt determined to help Hans, to bring him back from the brink of destruction. And she knew that she would do everything in her power to make it happen.