**Chapter 7: A Glimpse of Hope**

As Iduna continued to recover, she began to learn more about the southern isles and the people who lived there. The kingdom, ruled by King Westergaard, was a stark contrast to the warm and welcoming land of Arendelle. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, and the sound of hammering echoed through the streets. Iduna's ears rang with the constant clang of metal on metal, a reminder of the kingdom's focus on industry and production. The people of the southern isles seemed wary and afraid, their eyes darting nervously about as they went about their daily business. Iduna saw the way they whispered to each other in huddled groups, their faces etched with worry and fear. She heard the rumors of King Westergaard's brutal suppression of dissent and the suffering of his people. It seemed that anyone who dared to speak out against the king was swiftly silenced, often in a brutal and public manner. Iduna's heart went out to the people of the southern isles, and she couldn't help but wonder how they had allowed things to become so dire. She saw the way they lived in fear of King Westergaard and his sons, who seemed to take great pleasure in causing pain and suffering. Iduna's thoughts turned to her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and she knew that she had to protect them from people like King Westergaard and his sons. As she walked through the castle, Iduna caught glimpses of the kingdom's inner workings. She saw the way the servants scurried about, their faces downcast and their eyes averted. She heard the sound of King Westergaard's laughter, a cold and mirthless sound that sent shivers down her spine. Iduna knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster. It was then that she saw him - Hans, the king's son, standing in the shadows. He looked tired and defeated, and Iduna felt a pang of sympathy for him. She knew that he was not like his family, and that he was struggling to navigate the complexities of his own dark legacy. Iduna's eyes met Hans', and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Iduna saw the pain and desperation in Hans' eyes, and she knew that she had to reach out to him. She took a step forward, and Hans nodded slightly, as if in acknowledgement. "Hello," Iduna said softly, trying not to startle him. Hans looked up, and for a moment, he seemed to struggle to remember who she was. Then, his eyes focused, and he nodded. "Queen Iduna," he said, his voice low and rough. Iduna smiled kindly at him. "Please, Hans, call me Iduna," she said. "We're not in formal court here." Hans nodded, and for a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other. Iduna could see the pain and the struggle in Hans' eyes, and she knew that he was on the verge of a breakdown. A political meeting was called, and Hans was expected to attend. Iduna watched as he prepared, his eyes clouded with worry. She knew that he was dreading the meeting, and she couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen. As Hans left for the meeting, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She decided to follow him, and what she saw made her blood run cold. Rudi and Runo, King Westergaard's sons, were waiting for Hans in the meeting room. They sneered at him, their faces twisted with cruelty. The meeting quickly turned into a humiliation for Hans, with Rudi and Runo mocking him and belittling his ideas. Hans tried to defend himself, but he was no match for his brothers' verbal attacks. Iduna watched, her heart aching with sympathy for Hans, as he was torn apart by his own family. As the meeting ended, Hans stumbled out of the room, his eyes filled with tears. Iduna followed him, and found him collapsed on a nearby bench, his body shaking with sobs. She sat down beside him, and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "It's okay, Hans," she said softly. "I'm here for you." Hans looked up at her, his eyes red and puffy. "I don't know how much more of this I can take," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Iduna held him close, and let him cry. She knew that he needed to release his emotions, and she was there to support him. As they sat there, Iduna realized that she had found a new purpose - to help Hans, and to protect him from his family's cruelty. Later that day, Hans' mental state took a turn for the worse. He became withdrawn and isolated, unable to cope with the humiliation he had faced. Iduna knew that she had to act fast, or risk losing him to his darkness. She approached him, and found him standing on the edge of a cliff, his eyes fixed on the ground below. Iduna's heart skipped a beat as she realized what he was planning. "Hans, no!" she cried, rushing towards him. But it was too late, Hans had already taken a step forward, and was teetering on the edge. Iduna grabbed him, holding him back just in time. With the suggestion of Hans' mother, Iduna became his caretaker, taking on the role of nurse and confidante. She began to care for him, and as she did, she realized that she had a chance to make a difference in his life. One of the first tasks she undertook was giving Hans a sponge bath. She gently washed his face, using a soft rag to clean his skin. She worked her way down his body, using warm water and soap to clean his wounds, both physical and emotional. Hans, initially resistant, gradually relaxed, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. As Iduna cared for Hans, she couldn't help but notice the contrast between him and his family. He was kind and gentle, while they were cruel and heartless. She realized that he was a good person, trapped in a bad situation, and she knew that she had to help him. Iduna's hair, tied up in a coronet braid, was a picture of elegance and poise. Her brown hair shone in the soft light, and Hans couldn't help but notice it. As she worked, he felt a sense of calm wash over him, and he knew that he was in good hands. The sponge bath was a turning point for Hans. It was the first time he had felt truly cared for, and it gave him a glimmer of hope. He realized that there was more to life than the cruelty and abuse he had faced, and he began to open up to Iduna. As they sat together, Iduna smiled at Hans, her eyes warm with kindness. "You're going to be okay, Hans," she said. "I'm here for you." And in that moment, Hans knew that he had found a true friend, and a chance to start anew.