**Chapter 3: A Royal Reception**

The warm sunlight streaming through the palace windows highlighted the elegant features of Queen Ravena's throne room. Iduna, still recovering from her ordeal, was greeted by Queen Ravena herself, accompanied by her sons, King Westergard, Kristoff, and Lars. King Westergard, a tall, imposing figure with piercing blue eyes, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Iduna sensed a mixture of curiosity and wariness emanating from him. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, and his sharp jawline seemed chiseled from granite. He wore a simple yet elegant outfit, which belied the complexity of his personality. "Your Majesty," Iduna said, trying to sound regal despite her fatigue. King Westergard nodded curtly, his eyes scanning her face. "Queen Iduna. I've heard a lot about you." Iduna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what have you heard?" King Westergard's expression turned thoughtful. "I've heard that you're the Queen of Arendelle. I've also heard that you were traveling to Ahtohallan with your husband when their ship went down." Iduna's eyes widened in surprise. How did he know? She nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. "That's true." As Iduna spoke, she noticed a flicker of recognition in King Westergard's eyes. He seemed to be piecing together a puzzle, and Iduna wondered what he was thinking. Queen Ravena intervened, placing a gentle hand on King Westergard's arm. "Let us not trouble Queen Iduna with questions just yet, Westergard. She has been through a terrible ordeal. Let her rest and recover." King Westergard nodded, though his eyes still lingered on Iduna's face. Iduna noticed that his hair was slightly graying at the temples, which suggested that he was a man of mature age, but his eyes still sparkled with a youthful energy. Kristoff, a ruggedly handsome young man with a charming smile, stepped forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'm Kristoff, Queen Iduna. It's an honor to meet you." Lars, a tall, lanky young man with a mop of messy blond hair, nodded shyly, his eyes fixed on Iduna's face. Iduna sensed that he was a gentle soul, and she smiled warmly at him. As the royal family of the Southern Isles gathered around her, Iduna felt a sense of unease. She was a stranger in a strange land, and she wondered what lay ahead. But for now, she was grateful for their hospitality and kindness. King Westergard cleared his throat, his expression turning serious. "We will provide you with all the comfort and care you need, Queen Iduna. But I must ask, what do you plan to do now?" Iduna hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She had so many questions, and she didn't know where to begin. But as she looked into King Westergard's eyes, she sensed that he was a man who valued honesty and directness. "I plan to recover and find a way to return to my daughters," Iduna said, her voice firm. "Elsa and Anna are my world, and I must ensure they are safe." King Westergard nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "I see. Well, we will do everything in our power to help you, Queen Iduna. But for now, let us focus on your recovery." As the royal family of the Southern Isles dispersed, Iduna felt a sense of gratitude towards them. She knew that she was in good hands, and she looked forward to learning more about this strange and fascinating land. Meanwhile, Hans, King Westergard's younger brother, watched from the shadows, his eyes fixed on Iduna's face. He seemed troubled, and Iduna sensed that he was hiding something. She wondered what his story was and what lay ahead for him. The sound of footsteps outside the room signaled the arrival of Hans's brothers, Rudi, Runo, and Caleb. They were a rough-looking bunch, and Iduna sensed that they were not to be trifled with. "Hey, Hans, what's going on?" Rudi asked, his voice dripping with malice. "Why are you wasting your time with the queen?" Hans shrugged, his eyes avoiding his brothers. "I'm just trying to be polite." Runo snorted. "Polite? You're just being a weakling, Hans. You need to toughen up." Caleb, the eldest of the brothers, sneered at Hans. "Yeah, you're not even a real man, Hans. You're just a mommy's boy." Iduna's eyes narrowed as she watched the exchange. She sensed that Hans was being bullied by his brothers, and she wondered what lay behind their cruel behavior. As the scene unfolded, Iduna realized that she had stumbled into a complex web of relationships and alliances. She was determined to navigate this new world with caution and to protect those who needed her help. Little did she know that she was about to become embroiled in a battle for power and survival in the Southern Isles.