Chapter 5: The Southern Isles

As Iduna continued to recover, she began to learn more about the southern isles and the people who lived there. The kingdom, ruled by King Westergaard, was a stark contrast to the warm and welcoming land of Arendelle. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, and the sound of hammering echoed through the streets. Iduna's ears rang with the constant clang of metal on metal, a reminder of the kingdom's focus on industry and production. The people of the southern isles seemed wary and afraid, their eyes darting nervously about as they went about their daily business. Iduna saw the way they whispered to each other in huddled groups, their faces etched with worry and fear. She heard the rumors of King Westergaard's brutal suppression of dissent and the suffering of his people. It seemed that anyone who dared to speak out against the king was swiftly silenced, often in a brutal and public manner. Iduna's heart went out to the people of the southern isles, and she couldn't help but wonder how they had allowed things to become so dire. She saw the way they lived in fear of King Westergaard and his sons, who seemed to take great pleasure in causing pain and suffering. Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and she knew that she had to protect them from people like King Westergaard and his sons. As she walked through the castle, Iduna caught glimpses of the kingdom's inner workings. She saw the way the servants scurried about, their faces downcast and their eyes averted. She heard the sound of King Westergaard's laughter, a cold and mirthless sound that sent shivers down her spine. Iduna knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster. King Westergaard himself was a tall, imposing figure with a cruel smile and a cold, calculating gaze. Iduna had seen him in action, dispensing harsh punishments and cruel decrees with ease. She had no doubt that he was a man who would stop at nothing to maintain his grip on power. Iduna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices raised in argument. She followed the sound to a large hall, where a group of men were gathered around a table. They were arguing over something, their voices growing louder and more heated by the minute. As Iduna watched, a young man with a look of desperation in his eyes stood up, his face reddening with anger. "You can't keep taxing us like this," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "We're already struggling to survive." King Westergaard's son, Caleb, sneered at the young man. "You're just a weakling," he said. "If you can't handle the taxes, then maybe you shouldn't be living here." The young man's face fell, and he sat down, defeated. Iduna felt a surge of anger at the cruelty of the young prince. She knew that she had to do something to help the people of the southern isles, but she wasn't sure what. As she turned to leave, Iduna caught sight of Hans, the king's son, standing in the shadows. He looked tired and defeated, and Iduna felt a pang of sympathy for him. She knew that he was not like his family, and that he was struggling to navigate the complexities of his own dark legacy. Iduna's eyes met Hans', and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Iduna saw the pain and desperation in Hans' eyes, and she knew that she had to reach out to him. She took a step forward, and Hans nodded slightly, as if in acknowledgement. In that moment, Iduna knew that she had found a potential ally in Hans, and that together, they might be able to do something to help the people of the southern isles. She also knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster. But for now, she was willing to take that risk.