Chapter 3: Rescue

Days passed, and Iduna slowly began to recover, her body healing, her spirit slowly lifting. She was still shaken by the memory of the shipwreck and the loss of her beloved husband, King Agnarr. The pain of his sacrifice weighed heavily on her heart, and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see her daughters, Elsa and Anna, again. As she sat on the fishing boat, wrapped in a warm blanket, Iduna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. A kind-faced fisherman, with a bushy beard and a warm smile, came over to her. "Your Majesty, we've got some news," he said gently. "We've been talking to the other boats, and it seems that a few people saw your daughters being washed ashore a few miles north of here. They're safe, and they're being taken care of by some of the local villagers." Iduna's heart swelled with relief, and she felt a lump form in her throat. She nodded, her eyes welling up with tears, and the fisherman handed her a cup of hot tea. "Drink this, Your Majesty," he said. "It'll help warm you up." As Iduna sipped the tea, she noticed Hans, the young prince with auburn hair, sitting quietly in the corner of the boat. He looked lost and scared, and Iduna felt a pang of sympathy for him. She knew that he must have gone through a traumatic experience, and she made a mental note to make sure he was taken care of. The fisherman, noticing Iduna's gaze, nodded towards Hans. "Don't worry about him, Your Majesty," he said. "He's a tough one. He's been through a lot, but he's a survivor." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the fisherman. She knew that she had to get back to Arendelle, to her daughters, and to the life they had left behind. As the boat sailed into the harbor, Iduna saw the familiar outline of Arendelle Castle, its towers rising above the trees. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, and she knew that she was home. But as she stepped off the boat, Iduna's heart sank. There was no sign of Agnarr, no welcoming committee, just a small group of courtiers, their faces somber. "Your Majesty," one of them said, bowing low. "We have been searching for you. The king... he did not survive." Iduna felt a sob rise in her throat, but she bit it back, her eyes fixed on the castle, her heart heavy with grief. She knew she had to be strong, for Elsa, for Anna, for the kingdom. As she walked towards the castle, Iduna was greeted by her daughters, their faces etched with worry and concern. They hugged each other tightly, holding each other close as they all cried together. In the midst of their grief, Iduna knew that she had to think about the future, about how they would move forward without Agnarr. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to do it, for her daughters, for the kingdom. A few days later, the royal family of Arendelle, including Elsa, Anna, and Iduna, embarked on a diplomatic visit to the Southern Isles. Hans, who had been closely associated with the royal family, was supposed to accompany them but was accidentally left behind. It was only when they returned that they discovered signs of abuse on Hans, indicating a dark past. Iduna, being the compassionate queen she was, decided to take Hans under her wing and adopt him. As Hans began to open up, the extent of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, King Westergaard, and possibly his brothers, Rudi, Runo, and Crown Prince Caleb, came to light. Hans's situation took a turn for the worse as he attempted to harm himself, slitting his wrists in desperation. He was quickly subdued and placed in a straight jacket, given a sedative to calm him. Iduna could not bear the sight of Hans confined and hurting. She personally took him out of the straight jacket and began his care, starting with a gentle sponge bath. With tender care, Iduna wiped down Hans's body, slow and gentle, trying to erase the marks of his past. She cleaned every inch of him, speaking softly to comfort him. As she worked, Iduna couldn't help but think about her own daughters, and how they had been affected by their father's death. She knew that they would need time to heal, but she was determined to be there for them, to support them through this difficult time. And as she looked at Hans, she knew that she had to be there for him too, to help him heal from the wounds of his past. She smiled softly, and Hans looked up at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. In that moment, Iduna knew that she had made the right decision, to take Hans under her wing, to adopt him as her own. She knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to help him heal, to help him find happiness. As the days turned into weeks, Iduna and her daughters, Elsa and Anna, worked to help Hans heal. They spent countless hours with him, listening and offering comfort. And slowly but surely, Hans began to open up, to trust them. The royal family adjusted to life with Hans, and Iduna made sure he received the best care, including therapy and education, to help him overcome his past. And as they sat together, as a family, Iduna knew that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, together, as a family.