The Bustle of Preparations

The grand hall of Arendelle's palace was alive with the sound of clanging pots and pans, the aroma of roasting meats wafting through the air as the royal staff prepared for a grand feast in honor of Grand Pabbie's visit. Iduna, still reeling from the loss of her husband, King Agnarr, tried to focus on the task at hand, but her mind kept wandering back to the shipwreck that had taken his life. She had been so caught up in her grief that she had almost forgotten about the diplomatic visit, but her daughters, Elsa and Anna, were excited to spend time with their cousins. As she descended the stairs, Iduna's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of her brother's family. There was Grand Pabbie, her husband, and their children, including Hans, who had auburn hair and a charming smile. Iduna's heart swelled with warmth as she smiled and waved in greeting. Her brown hair was styled in a neat coronet braid, a testament to her resilience in the face of grief. The air was thick with the scent of roasting meats and freshly baked bread as the royal family and their guests made their way to the grand hall. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the room, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the soft strains of a string quartet. Iduna's daughters, Elsa and Anna, were bubbling with excitement as they greeted their cousins. The two royal families exchanged warm words and hugs, the tension and grief of the past few days momentarily forgotten. As the evening wore on, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Grand Pabbie and her family. Their visit was a much-needed distraction from the sorrow that had engulfed the palace. She watched with a warm smile as Hans regaled Elsa and Anna with stories of their adventures on the road. But as the night drew to a close, Iduna began to feel a sense of unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that beneath the surface of this diplomatic visit lay a more complex and sinister reality. She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the warmth and camaraderie of the evening. The next day, Iduna was busy with her royal duties, attending meetings with her advisors and meeting with the various dignitaries who had come to pay their respects. She was so caught up in her work that she didn't notice Hans lingering in the background, waiting for his family to prepare to leave. As the day drew to a close, Grand Pabbie's family said their goodbyes and began to make their way to the harbor. Hans, distracted by a conversation with one of the palace guards, lagged behind, unaware that his family had already departed. Iduna, still busy with her duties, didn't notice that Hans was missing until it was too late. She smiled and waved goodbye, thinking that Hans had already left with his family. Meanwhile, Hans was left standing alone in the emptying palace, his auburn hair ruffled by the gentle breeze. He looked around, wondering what to do next. The palace seemed quiet and still, the only sound the soft rustling of servants and guards as they went about their duties. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Hans made his way back to the palace, hoping to find someone who could help him catch up with his family. He was greeted by one of the palace guards, who looked at him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "Can I help you, young prince?" the guard asked. Hans explained his situation, and the guard nodded sympathetically. "I'll send a messenger to find out what's happened to your family," he said. "In the meantime, you're welcome to stay here in the palace until we can arrange for you to catch up with them." Hans nodded gratefully, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had no idea that his unexpected stay in the palace would set off a chain of events that would change the course of Iduna's life forever. As he made his way to his new quarters, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change in the palace, something that would bring him and the royal family closer together.