Chapter 7: Grief and Adjustment

The days blurred together as Iduna struggled to come to terms with her loss. The palace, once a symbol of joy and happiness, now felt empty and hollow without Agnarr by her side. She wandered its halls, her footsteps echoing off the stone floors, her brown hair done up in a simple braid, a far cry from the coronet braid she once wore with pride. Elsa and Anna tried to comfort her, but Iduna's grief was overwhelming. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of sorrow, unable to find a lifeline to cling to. As she walked through the palace, Iduna couldn't help but think of Agnarr. She remembered the way he smiled, the way he laughed, and the way he always knew how to make her feel better. She felt a pang of sadness every time she saw his portrait hanging on the wall, a constant reminder of what she had lost. The queen's private chambers, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison, a place where she was trapped with her memories. Iduna's daughters tried to be strong for her, but they couldn't hide their own pain. Elsa's powers were still unpredictable, and she often lashed out at her sister or the palace staff. Anna, on the other hand, was quiet and withdrawn, missing her father's stories and jokes. Iduna felt guilty for not being able to shield them from the pain, for not being able to fix their broken hearts. As the days turned into weeks, Iduna began to adjust to her new reality. She started to take on her royal duties again, attending meetings and making decisions for the kingdom. But it was all just a blur, and she often found herself wondering what Agnarr would have done in her place. She knew she had to be strong for her daughters, but it was hard to find the strength to keep going. The palace staff did their best to support Iduna and her daughters, but it was clear that they were all struggling to cope with the loss of the king. The usually cheerful atmosphere of the palace was replaced with somberness and sadness. Iduna knew that she had to find a way to heal, not just for herself, but for her daughters and the kingdom. One day, as Iduna was walking through the palace gardens, she stumbled upon a small, hidden path she hadn't noticed before. It was overgrown with weeds and vines, but something about it called to her. She sat down on a nearby bench, taking a deep breath of the fresh air, and let the tears flow. It was the first time she had allowed herself to truly cry, to let go of the emotions she had been bottling up. As she wept, Iduna felt a sense of release wash over her. She realized that she didn't have to be strong all the time, that it was okay to show her emotions and be vulnerable. Elsa and Anna found her there, and they joined her in her tears. The three of them sat together, holding each other, and mourning the loss of the king. In that moment, Iduna knew that she would get through this, that she would find a way to heal and move forward. She would do it for herself, for her daughters, and for the kingdom. The journey ahead would be difficult, but with her daughters by her side, Iduna felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in weeks. She knew that she would always carry Agnarr's memory with her, but she also knew that she had to keep moving forward, for the sake of her daughters and the kingdom. As the sun began to set, Iduna stood up, wiped away her tears, and took her daughters' hands. Together, they walked back to the palace, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The palace lights twinkled like stars in the distance, a reminder that even in darkness, there was always hope.