**Chapter 5: A Royal Encounter**

As the royal family of Arendelle stepped into the grand palace of the Southern Isles, the opulent decorations and intricate frescoes on the ceiling seemed to gleam in the light of the candelabras, casting a warm glow over the assembled guests. Queen Iduna, accompanied by her daughters, Elsa and Anna, was greeted by King Westergaard, a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression, his piercing blue eyes seeming to bore into her very soul. Iduna's instincts screamed at her to be cautious, but she pushed aside her unease, focusing on the task at hand. "Your Majesty," King Westergaard said, his voice cold and formal, his deep tone echoing off the marble floors. "Welcome to the Southern Isles. I trust your journey was uneventful?" Iduna smiled, trying to hide her unease, her lips curving upward in a gentle, diplomatic smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty. The journey was smooth, and I'm grateful to be here." As they entered the palace, Iduna was introduced to King Westergaard's sons, Rudi, Runo, and Caleb, the crown prince. They were all tall and handsome, with chiseled features and piercing eyes, but there was something about them that made Iduna feel uneasy. Perhaps it was the way they looked at her, with a cold, calculating gaze, their eyes lingering on her with an unnerving intensity. But it was the youngest prince, Hans, who caught her attention. He had auburn hair, and his eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness, a sense of resignation that tugged at Iduna's heartstrings. Iduna felt a pang of sympathy for him, and she made a mental note to talk to him later, to try and understand what lay behind his troubled eyes. As the visit progressed, Iduna found herself increasingly uncomfortable. King Westergaard seemed to take pleasure in her discomfort, his biting wit and sarcasm making her feel like a pawn in a game of court politics. She began to wonder if she had made a mistake by coming, if she had misjudged the situation entirely. Despite the tension, Iduna made an effort to be diplomatic, engaging in conversations with King Westergaard and his sons, trying to find common ground and build bridges between their kingdoms. But as the evening wore on, she found herself growing more and more frustrated, her unease simmering just below the surface. As the evening drew to a close, Iduna excused herself, citing fatigue, her voice polite but firm. As she left the palace, she felt a sense of relief wash over her, like a cool breeze on a summer's day. She couldn't wait to get back to Arendelle, to her daughters and the safety of her castle. As they prepared to leave, Iduna noticed that Hans was noticeably absent, his seat at the table empty, his absence a palpable presence in the room. She asked her ladies-in-waiting if they had seen him, but no one seemed to know where he was. "I'm sure he's fine, Mother," Anna said, but Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that Hans's absence was more than just a simple oversight. Just then, a servant approached Iduna, his face pale and worried. "Your Majesty, I think you should know that Prince Hans was involved in a...disagreement with his father earlier today. He may have...retreated to his quarters." Iduna's unease deepened, her concern for Hans growing with every passing moment. She made a mental note to check on him before they left, to make sure he was okay. As they set out on the journey back to Arendelle, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, a feeling that she was leaving something behind, something important. She glanced back at the palace, wondering what lay behind its stone walls, and what the future held for Hans, a young prince with auburn hair and a heart full of sorrow. Little did she know that Hans's absence was only the beginning of a much larger story, one that would change the course of their lives forever.