**Chapter 2: Wreckage and Rescue**

The stormy night had been brewing for hours, with dark clouds gathering on the horizon like an ominous omen. Queen Iduna of Arendelle stood at the helm of the ship, her long brown hair braided and tied back in a neat bun, her eyes fixed on the turbulent sea ahead. The ship rode the waves, and Iduna felt a sense of unease growing inside her. She had been warned about the treacherous waters of the Southern Isles, but she had to get to her destination. The cargo hold was filled with precious goods, and she couldn't let them fall into the wrong hands. The wind howled and the ship creaked, groaning under the pressure. Iduna's stomach lurched as the vessel plunged into a deep trough, the water crashing over the deck like a torrent. She clung to the rail, her knuckles white with fear, as the storm raged on. And then, in an instant, everything changed. A massive wave crashed over the ship, snapping the mast and sending the vessel careening out of control. Iduna was swept off her feet, her world spinning around her as she tumbled through the water. She remembered nothing but the cold, dark sea, and the sound of her own voice, crying out in despair. And then, mercifully, everything went black. When Iduna came to, she was lying on a cold, hard surface, her head throbbing with pain. She opened her eyes to find herself in a small, rustic room, with a fire crackling in the hearth. A kind-faced woman was sitting beside her, holding a cup of steaming broth. "Welcome back, Your Majesty," the woman said, with a gentle smile. "You've been washed up on our shores, half-frozen and half-drowned. We've been nursing you back to health." Iduna's eyes widened as she sat up, taking in her surroundings. She was in a small cottage, with rough-hewn wooden walls and a thatched roof. The woman was dressed in simple but clean clothing, and a small child was playing with a wooden toy in the corner of the room. "Where...where am I?" Iduna stammered, her voice weak. The woman smiled. "You're in the Southern Isles, Your Majesty. We've taken you in and given you shelter. You're safe now." Iduna's mind reeled as she tried to process her situation. She had been on a ship, heading to a distant land, and now she was here, in a strange and foreign place. She had no idea how she had gotten here, or what had happened to her ship. The woman handed her the cup of broth, and Iduna sipped it gratefully, feeling a warmth spread through her chilled bones. As she looked around the room, she felt a glimmer of hope. She was alive, and she was safe. For now, that was all that mattered. The woman introduced herself as Elara, and explained that she and her family had found Iduna washed up on the shore, tangled in a mess of wreckage and debris. They had brought her to their cottage, and had been nursing her back to health for days. Iduna's eyes filled with tears as she thought about her ship, and the people who had been with her. She hoped that they had survived, and that they would come for her soon. But for now, she was grateful to be alive, and to have found kindness and shelter in this strange and foreign land. As she sipped her broth, Iduna noticed that Elara was watching her with a curious expression. "What's wrong?" Iduna asked, feeling a sense of unease. Elara hesitated, before speaking. "We've sent word to King Westergard, Your Majesty. He'll want to see you, as soon as you're well enough." Iduna's heart skipped a beat, as she heard the name. King Westergard was a ruler of the Southern Isles, known for his wisdom and kindness. She wondered what he would want with her, and what the future held. But for now, she was content to rest, and to let Elara and her family care for her. She was safe, and that was all that mattered.