## Chapter 8: Decision to Help

Iduna's heart ached as she gazed at Hans, her mind made up. She would adopt him, give him a forever home, and help him heal from the wounds of his past. As she looked at her daughters, Elsa and Anna, she knew they would support her decision. The three of them had grown close to Hans during their diplomatic visit, and Iduna could see the positive impact they had on him. With a newfound sense of purpose, Iduna summoned the castle staff and informed them of her decision. She instructed them to prepare the necessary documents and to make arrangements for Hans to receive any medical attention he might need. However, Iduna's decision was not met with universal approval. News of her plan to adopt Hans reached King Westergaard, and he was furious. He saw Hans as a means to exert control over the royal family of Arendelle, and he would not let him go without a fight. King Westergaard dispatched a messenger to Arendelle, demanding that Iduna reconsider her decision. He claimed that Hans was his son, and that Iduna had no right to take him away from his family. Iduna, however, remained resolute. She knew that Hans had suffered at the hands of his family, and she was determined to protect him. As the days passed, Hans struggled to come to terms with his new reality. He had grown accustomed to his life in the castle, and the thought of being part of a new family was daunting. Iduna and her daughters did their best to make him feel welcome, but Hans's past experiences had left him wary. One day, as Iduna was checking on Hans, she noticed that he seemed particularly troubled. He was pacing back and forth in his room, his eyes fixed on the floor. Iduna approached him cautiously, sensing that something was wrong. "Hans, is everything all right?" she asked gently. Hans stopped pacing and turned to face her. For a moment, Iduna thought she saw a glimmer of the old Hans, the one who had been trapped and helpless. But then, his eyes clouded over, and he looked away. Iduna's instincts told her that Hans was on the brink of something. She sat down beside him and took his hand, her voice soft and reassuring. "Hans, you can trust me. Whatever is troubling you, I'm here to listen." Hans looked up at her, his eyes welling up with tears. Iduna could see the pain and the fear in his eyes, and she knew that she had to act quickly. In that moment, Iduna made a decision that would change Hans's life forever. She would do everything in her power to help him heal, to give him the love and support he so desperately needed. As she looked at Hans, Iduna knew that she had made the right decision. She would adopt him, and she would give him a new life, one free from the abuse and neglect of his past. Little did she know that the road to recovery would be long and difficult, but with Iduna and her daughters by his side, Hans would finally have a chance to heal.