**Chapter 2: The Discovery**

The sound of waves gently lapping against the shore was a soothing melody that Iduna had not heard in a long time. As she slowly opened her eyes, she was greeted by the warm rays of the sun peeking through the windows of a small, rustic room. She was lying on a comfortable bed, covered with a soft blanket, and her body felt a little better than it had in hours. A gentle voice spoke to her, "Good morning, Your Majesty. I'm glad to see you're awake." Iduna turned her head to see a young woman with a kind face and a concerned expression standing beside her bed. "Who are you?" Iduna asked, her voice weak but clear. "My name is Gorm, and I'm one of the fishermen who found you on the shore," the woman replied, curtsying. "You were washed up on the beach, half-frozen and unconscious. We brought you to King Westergaard's castle, and his men have been taking care of you." Iduna's eyes widened as she remembered her royal status and the implications of being discovered by a foreign king. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the bed. Gorm gently pushed her back, holding her shoulders. "Easy, Your Majesty," she said. "You're safe now. You're in the Southern Isles, and King Westergaard has taken you in." As Gorm helped Iduna drink some hot tea, Iduna caught a glimpse of herself in a small mirror hanging on the wall. Her hair was matted and tangled, her face pale and drawn. But her eyes, though tired, still sparkled with a fierce inner light. She was Iduna, Queen of Arendelle, and she would not be defeated by this setback. A few hours later, Iduna was led to the throne room of King Westergaard's castle. As she entered, she was struck by the grandeur of the high ceiling and the large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The king himself sat on a throne-like chair, his expression unreadable. "Ah, Queen Iduna," he said, his voice cold and detached. "I see you're feeling better. I must admit, I was surprised to learn of your identity." Iduna stood tall, trying to hide her weariness. "I thank you for taking me in, King Westergaard," she said. "I owe you a debt of gratitude." The king's expression didn't change, but Iduna detected a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I'm not sure what to make of you, Queen Iduna," he said. "But I think we can come to some sort of arrangement. You see, I have... interests in Arendelle, and having you here could be... useful." Iduna's heart sank at the king's words, but she kept her composure. She knew that she had to tread carefully, for her own sake and for the sake of her daughters. As she left the throne room, Iduna couldn't help but wonder what King Westergaard's true intentions were, and what lay ahead for her in this foreign land. She was led to a beautiful room with a large bed and a fireplace. A servant was busy arranging some flowers in a vase. "Your Majesty, I'm Anna," the servant said, curtsying. "I'll be taking care of you while you're here." Iduna smiled weakly. "Thank you, Anna. That's very kind of you." As Anna helped Iduna get settled, Iduna couldn't help but think of her daughters, Elsa and Anna, and wonder what they were doing back in Arendelle. She hoped they were safe and happy, and that she would see them again soon. The door to the room opened, and a tall, handsome young man with a kind face walked in. "Hello, I'm Prince Lars," he said, smiling. "I heard you were recovering from an ordeal. I hope you're feeling better." Iduna smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "Yes, thank you, Prince Lars. I'm feeling a bit better every hour." Prince Lars nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask." Iduna's brown braided hair was done up in a bun, and she felt a sense of gratitude towards Prince Lars for his kindness. She was starting to feel more at home in this strange new place, and she was determined to make the most of her time here. With a newfound sense of hope, Iduna settled into her new surroundings, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As she rested, Iduna couldn't help but think of her daughters and wonder what the future held for her and her family. But for now, she was safe, and that was all that mattered. The sound of laughter and music drifted through the corridors, and Iduna's curiosity was piqued. She was eager to learn more about King Westergaard's court and the people who lived here. And so, with a sense of wonder and trepidation, Iduna began her new life in the Southern Isles, surrounded by strangers who seemed to be watching her every move. But she was not one to be intimidated, and she was determined to make her presence known in this foreign land. The story of Iduna's journey was just beginning, and it would be a tale of courage, kindness, and redemption.