**Chapter 3: Recovery**

Iduna slept fitfully, her dreams haunted by the memories of the shipwreck and Agnarr's tragic death. When she finally woke up, she felt groggy and disoriented, but as she looked around her unfamiliar surroundings, her senses began to clear. She was in a grand, high-ceilinged room with ornate furnishings and rich tapestries adorning the walls. A warm fire crackled in the hearth, casting a golden glow over the space. As she sat up, a gentle voice spoke from the doorway. "Good morning, Your Majesty. How are you feeling today?" A soft-spoken servant, likely a woman from the Southern Isles, entered the room with a tray of steaming food and a pitcher of fresh water. Iduna smiled weakly, still feeling the effects of her ordeal. "I...I'm fine, thank you," she said, trying to hide her exhaustion. The servant, whose name was Elara, helped Iduna eat and drink, chatting softly about the castle and its inhabitants. Iduna listened intently, soaking up information about her new surroundings. As Elara finished her tasks and prepared to leave, Iduna asked, "What is the custom here? How do I...how do I fit in?" She felt a pang of uncertainty, wondering if she would ever find her place in this new land. Elara smiled kindly. "You will be taken care of, Your Majesty. King Westergaard has made it clear that you are to be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. You will want for nothing." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the king, despite his stern demeanor. As Elara departed, Iduna noticed a figure standing in the doorway - Prince Hans, the auburn-haired young man she had met earlier. "May I have a word with you, Your Majesty?" he asked softly, his eyes locked on hers. Iduna nodded, intrigued. "Of course, Prince Hans. What is it?" Hans hesitated, then said, "I just wanted to...to make sure you're doing all right. My father's... ways can be intimidating, I'm sure." Iduna smiled, touched by the prince's kindness. "Thank you, Prince Hans. I appreciate your concern. I am... managing." As they spoke, Iduna sensed that Prince Hans was different from his brothers, who seemed to embody the harsh and unyielding spirit of their father. She wondered what had made him that way. Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of loud voices and laughter from outside the room. Iduna's eyes widened as Prince Hans's face darkened. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," he said quickly. "I have to go. My brothers...they can be...trying." Iduna nodded, understanding. "It's all right, Prince Hans. I think I need to rest anyway." As Hans departed, Iduna felt a sense of unease. She had a feeling that she was about to be drawn into a complex web of alliances and rivalries within the royal family. But for now, she just wanted to rest and recover from her ordeal. The hours passed slowly, with Iduna sleeping and waking, her mind racing with thoughts of Agnarr, Elsa, and Anna. She wondered if she would ever see her daughters again, and what their lives were like without her. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the castle, Iduna heard a knock at the door. Elara entered with a warm smile. "King Westergaard requests your presence at dinner, Your Majesty," she said. "Shall I help you get ready?" Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. She had a feeling that dinner with King Westergaard would be a formal affair, and she wanted to make a good impression. As Elara helped her prepare, Iduna couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. Would she find a way to reclaim her throne, or would she be forced to navigate the complex politics of the Southern Isles? Only time would tell.