Chapter 10: The Boy's Story

The next morning, Iduna decided to sit down with Hans and try to get to the bottom of his story. She called for a servant to bring some breakfast, and then turned her attention to the young boy. Hans was sitting at the table, looking a bit more at ease than he had the day before. His bright blue eyes sparkled as he looked up at Iduna, and his messy auburn hair was still damp from the previous day's bath. "Hans, can you tell me a little bit about yourself?" Iduna asked, her voice gentle. Hans looked down at his plate, and Iduna could sense a hesitation. "I...I don't remember much," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was walking, and then I got lost. I don't know where I live or who my family is." Iduna's heart went out to the young boy. She could sense the fear and uncertainty emanating from him, and she knew she had to help. She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him. "Don't worry, Hans," she said. "We'll do everything we can to help you figure out who you are and where you belong. Can you tell me anything about your past? Any memories that you have?" Hans thought for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I remember...I remember being older," he said, his voice filled with a longing. "I remember having a life, and people who cared about me. But it's all fuzzy. I don't know what happened." Iduna nodded sympathetically. She could sense that Hans was telling the truth, but there was something more to his story. Something that he wasn't quite ready to share. As they ate breakfast, Iduna tried to engage Hans in conversation, asking him about his interests and hobbies. Hans seemed to be a curious and adventurous boy, and Iduna found herself smiling as she listened to his stories. But despite his charming exterior, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unusual about Hans. Something that set him apart from other children his age. As the morning wore on, Iduna decided to call for Grand Pabbie, the wise old troll who had been a trusted advisor to the royal family for many years. She knew that Grand Pabbie would be able to sense any magic or unusual energies surrounding Hans, and she hoped that he might be able to shed some light on the boy's mysterious past. As she waited for Grand Pabbie to arrive, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Who was this young boy, and what had brought him to their doorstep? She knew that she and her daughters would do everything in their power to help him, and to uncover the truth about his past. When Grand Pabbie arrived, Iduna introduced him to Hans and explained the situation. Grand Pabbie listened intently as Hans told his story, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "I sense that there is more to this boy's story than he is letting on," Grand Pabbie said, his voice filled with wisdom. "But I also sense that he is not a danger to anyone. At least, not yet." Iduna nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew that she had to be careful, but she also knew that she had to help Hans. She couldn't just turn him away, not when he needed her help so desperately. As Grand Pabbie departed, Iduna turned her attention back to Hans. She knew that she had to get to the bottom of his story, and she was determined to do just that. Little did she know, Hans's arrival would change their lives in ways they never could have imagined.