Chapter 3: The Locals' Discovery

The warm sun on her face was the first thing Iduna noticed as she slowly opened her eyes. She was lying on a soft, sandy beach, the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore creating a soothing melody. Her mind was foggy, and her body ached all over, but she couldn't remember how she got there. As she struggled to sit up, a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the sand. Panic set in as Iduna realized she was alone. She scanned the horizon, but there was no sign of the ship or Agnarr. She called out his name, her voice hoarse from the saltwater, but there was only silence. Iduna's eyes filled with tears as she wondered if she was truly alone. As she lay there, Iduna noticed a group of people watching her from a distance. They were dressed in simple, practical clothing, and they looked like they had been living on the island for some time. Iduna's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if they would help her or harm her. The group began to approach her, their faces cautious but not unfriendly. Iduna stood her ground, trying to look confident, and greeted them in a calm voice. To her surprise, they spoke back, their language unfamiliar but their tone kind. One of the men, an older man with a kind face, stepped forward and took Iduna's hand. He led her to a small village, where a warm fire and a hearty meal awaited her. Iduna ate and drank, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief wash over her. As they ate, Iduna noticed that the villagers seemed to be discussing something in hushed tones. The older man, who introduced himself as Thorgrim, approached her with a curious expression. "Where are you from, woman?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face. Iduna hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But there was something about Thorgrim's kind eyes that put her at ease. "I am from Arendelle," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was traveling with my husband, King Agnarr, to Ahtohallan. But the ship... it wrecked." Thorgrim's expression changed from curiosity to shock. He exchanged a glance with one of the other villagers, a tall, imposing man with a stern face. "We must take her to King Westergaard," Thorgrim said, his voice low and urgent. The villagers nodded in agreement, and soon Iduna found herself being led to a small boat. As they set off across the water, Iduna caught a glimpse of a majestic castle in the distance. The castle's architecture was unlike anything she had seen before, with towering spires and grand halls. As they approached the castle, Iduna felt a mix of emotions. She was excited to meet King Westergaard, but she was also nervous about what the future held. The boat docked, and Iduna was led into the castle. She was greeted by King Westergaard himself, a tall, imposing figure with a kind face. "Welcome, Queen Iduna," he said, his voice warm and respectful. "I am King Westergaard. I must say, I am surprised to see you here. What brings you to our shores?" Iduna took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. She explained her situation, and King Westergaard listened intently. As she finished, King Westergaard's expression turned somber. "I see," he said. "We will do everything we can to help you, Queen Iduna. You are welcome to stay here in our castle until you are recovered." Iduna nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over her. She knew that she had found allies in King Westergaard and his people. And as she looked around the castle, she felt a sense of hope that she had not felt in a long time. As the days passed, Iduna began to recover from her ordeal. She was given a warm and comfortable room in the castle, and the king's servants attended to her every need. Iduna was grateful for their kindness, and she began to feel like herself again. But despite her growing strength, Iduna's mind was still reeling from the wreck. She couldn't shake the feeling of loss and grief that had settled in her heart. She missed Agnarr, and she wondered if she would ever see him again. As she lay in bed that night, Iduna felt a sense of sadness wash over her. She knew that she had to be strong for her daughters, Elsa and Anna. But it was hard to keep hope alive when everything seemed lost. Iduna closed her eyes, trying to push aside her thoughts. She knew that she had to focus on the future, not the past. And as she drifted off to sleep, she felt a sense of determination that she had not felt in a long time. She would survive, and she would find a way to get back to her daughters. No matter what it took.