**Chapter 3: Miraculous Rescue**

As the sun rose over the horizon, Iduna's eyes scanned the sea, her gaze fixed on the speck she had spotted earlier. It was growing larger, and she could make out the shape of a boat, its sails billowing in the wind. Iduna's heart leapt with hope as she realized that she might not be alone after all. She might be rescued, and she might finally get to go home. The boat drew closer, and Iduna saw that it was a small fishing vessel, its crew of rugged-looking men peering out at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. One of them spotted her, and he cried out, pointing to her. The men quickly adjusted their course, heading straight for her. As they approached, Iduna could see that they were a rough-looking bunch, but they seemed kind and genuinely concerned for her well-being. They threw her a lifeline, and Iduna grasped it gratefully, pulling herself towards the boat. The men hauled her aboard, and Iduna collapsed onto the deck, exhausted. The men surrounded her, speaking to her in a language she didn't understand. Iduna shook her head, trying to clear the fog from her mind. One of the men, an older man with a kind face, knelt beside her and spoke to her in broken Norwegian. Iduna's eyes lit up as she realized that he was trying to communicate with her. "Velkommen," the man said, smiling. "Welcome. We found you in the sea. You are safe now." Iduna smiled weakly, trying to thank him. The man handed her a flask of water, and Iduna took a grateful drink, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. As she drank, Iduna took stock of her surroundings. The men were dressed in simple but practical clothing, and their boat was sturdy and well-maintained. They seemed to be a group of honest fishermen, and Iduna felt a sense of relief wash over her. The older man introduced himself as Erik, and he explained that they had found her drifting on the sea. Iduna told them about the storm, and how she had been separated from her ship. The men listened intently, their faces filled with concern. As the day wore on, Iduna began to feel a little stronger. Erik and his crew took her below deck, where they had set up a small cabin. They gave her food and water, and Iduna ate gratefully, feeling her strength begin to return. As she ate, Iduna asked Erik how long she had been at sea. Erik's expression was sympathetic. "You have been with us for a few days now," he said gently. "But you were at sea for many weeks before that. You are lucky to be alive." Iduna's eyes widened in shock. Many weeks? She had thought it was just a few days. The realization hit her like a blow, and she felt a wave of grief wash over her. She had been separated from her family for so long, and she had almost given up hope. But as she looked around at Erik and his crew, Iduna felt a sense of gratitude. They had rescued her, and they were taking care of her. She would get to go home eventually, and she would see her daughters again. Elsa and Anna would be overjoyed to see her, and she would make up for lost time. For now, Iduna was safe, and that was all that mattered. She smiled at Erik, feeling a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in weeks. "Takk," she said, her voice weak but sincere. "Thank you." Erik smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ingen problem," he said. "You're welcome."