The Wreck

The stormy night had been brewing for hours, the dark clouds gathering on the horizon like an ominous omen. Iduna, Queen of Arendelle, stood at the bow of the ship, her long brown hair whipping about her face as she gazed out at the turbulent sea. She had been traveling to a distant land, seeking solace and refuge from the pressures of ruling her kingdom alongside her husband, King Agnarr. But now, as the waves crashed against the ship's hull, she wondered if she would ever find the peace she sought. The ship creaked and groaned, the wooden beams straining against the force of the wind. Iduna's stomach lurched as the vessel pitched and rolled, threatening to capsize at any moment. She clung to the rail, her knuckles white with fear, as the storm raged on. And then, in an instant, it was over. The ship crashed onto the rocky shore, splintering apart like a toy. Iduna was thrown forward, her head spinning as she struggled to regain her footing. She stumbled, her vision blurring, and fell hard onto the icy stones. When she came to, she was lying on a cold, hard surface, her head throbbing with pain. She was half-frozen, her body numb and aching all over. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the stone. As she lay there, she became aware of voices, muffled and distant. She tried to call out, but her voice was hoarse and barely audible. The voices grew louder, and she saw shadowy figures looming over her. "She's alive," one of them said, in a gruff, fisherman's tone. "But she's half-frozen. We need to get her to shelter." Iduna felt herself being lifted, her body cradled in strong arms. She tried to protest, but she was too weak. She was carried, jolting and bouncing, until she was deposited onto a soft, warm surface. As she opened her eyes, she saw that she was in a small, rustic cottage. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room. A kindly old woman tended to her, wrapping her in blankets and offering her hot tea. "Where...where am I?" Iduna stammered, her voice still rough from the salt and the cold. The old woman smiled. "You're in the Southern Isles, Your Majesty. You washed up on our shores, after your ship wrecked. We've taken you in, to keep you safe and warm." Iduna's memories came flooding back, and she sat up, alarm and panic rising in her chest. She was Iduna, Queen of Arendelle. What was she doing here, in this strange and foreign land? And what had happened to her family, back in Arendelle? The old woman's words were reassuring, but Iduna's mind was racing. She knew she had to get back home, to her daughters, Elsa and Anna. But for now, she was at the mercy of these strangers, and she could only hope that they would help her find her way back to Arendelle. As she sipped the hot tea, Iduna felt a sense of unease wash over her. She was a long way from home, and she had no idea how she was going to get back. But for now, she was alive, and that was all that mattered. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the fire and the kindness of the old woman wash over her, and let herself drift off into a well-deserved rest.