**Chapter 3: The Locals**

The locals found Iduna washed up on the shores of the southern isles, her body battered and bruised from the shipwreck. They gathered around her, speaking in hushed tones, and Iduna tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from the saltwater and exhaustion. One of the locals, a young man with a kind face, gently lifted Iduna into his arms and carried her to a nearby village. The villagers followed, curious about the stranger who had washed up on their shores. As they approached the palace, Iduna caught sight of its grandeur and beauty. The stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the windows shone like gold in the sunlight. The young man carried her through the entrance and into a grand hall, where a regal-looking woman sat on a throne-like chair. "Welcome, Your Majesty," the woman said, her voice warm and kind. "I am Queen Alice, ruler of the southern isles. You are a long way from home, aren't you?" Iduna tried to speak, but her voice was barely above a whisper. Queen Alice nodded to one of her servants, who brought a cup of water to Iduna's lips. "Drink this, Your Majesty," the servant said, supporting Iduna's head. "It will help to soothe your throat." Iduna sipped the water, feeling a slight improvement in her parched throat. She looked up at Queen Alice, who was studying her with a keen eye. "Who are you?" Iduna asked, her voice still rough. "I am Queen Alice," the queen replied. "And you, Your Majesty, are a very special guest. You see, I believe I know who you are. You are Iduna, Queen of Arendelle, and the wife of King Agnarr." Iduna's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?" Queen Alice smiled. "We have had reports of your ship's journey to Ahtohallan. And when our locals found you washed up on our shores, I suspected that you might be the queen. You bear a striking resemblance to your portraits." Iduna nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. She was grateful to be alive, but she was also worried about her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and her husband, Agnarr. She remembered the storm, and how Agnarr had been swept overboard. A sob caught in her throat, and Queen Alice's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty," Queen Alice said. "We have reason to believe that King Agnarr did not survive the shipwreck. But you, at least, are alive, and we will do everything in our power to help you recover." Iduna felt a pang of grief, but she also felt a sense of determination. She would survive, for Elsa and Anna's sake, and she would find a way to get back to them. As Queen Alice summoned the palace staff to attend to Iduna's needs, Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters. She hoped they were safe, and that she would see them again soon. Little did she know, her journey was just beginning, and it would lead her to a new family, and a new purpose. The palace staff moved quickly to provide Iduna with food, water, and medical attention. Iduna was grateful for their kindness, and she began to feel a sense of hope that she had not felt in hours. As she lay back on her bed, Iduna closed her eyes, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over her. She knew that she had a long road to recovery ahead of her, but she was determined to survive, and to find a way back to her daughters.