**Chapter 3: A Diplomatic Mission**

As the snowflakes gently fell outside the castle walls, Queen Iduna stood at the window, her gaze fixed on the frozen fjord. The weight of her responsibilities as regent, coupled with the burden of her secrets, had taken its toll on her. The isolation of Arendelle, once a protective measure, now felt suffocating. She knew that she had to take action to secure the kingdom's future, and that meant embarking on a diplomatic mission to the Southern Isles. The Southern Isles, a powerful and volatile kingdom, had long been a thorn in the side of Arendelle. King Westergaard, the ruler of the Southern Isles, was notorious for his ruthlessness and cunning. Iduna's advisors had warned her about the dangers of visiting his court, but she was determined to secure alliances and protect Arendelle's interests. With a sense of purpose, Iduna turned away from the window and began to make her preparations. She would travel with her advisor, Kai, and a small retinue, leaving Elsa in charge and Anna to assist her. As they set out on their journey, Iduna felt a mix of emotions: anxiety, excitement, and a hint of trepidation. The journey to the Southern Isles was long and arduous, but Iduna was well-prepared. She had studied the customs and protocols of the Southern Isles, and she was determined to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries that existed within the kingdom. As they arrived at the palace, Iduna was struck by its opulence and grandeur. The Southern Isles were a wealthy and powerful kingdom, and their palace reflected that. But beneath the surface of luxury and excess, Iduna sensed a darkness, a tension that seemed to permeate every aspect of the court. King Westergaard, a cold and authoritarian ruler, greeted Iduna with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. Iduna was taken aback by his demeanor, but she refused to be intimidated. She was determined to secure the alliances and trade agreements that she had come for, no matter what the cost. The days that followed were a blur of meetings and negotiations, as Iduna worked tirelessly to secure Arendelle's interests. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was a darkness lurking beneath the surface of the court. It wasn't until the night of a grand ball, when King Westergaard publicly humiliated his youngest son, Hans, that Iduna saw the true nature of the kingdom. Hans, a young man with a look of quiet defiance, was accused of disgracing the kingdom. To punish him, King Westergaard ordered Hans to be tarred and feathered before the court and assembled crowd. The brutality of the scene shocked Iduna, resonating with her Northuldra values of compassion and her own experiences of loss. As she watched, Iduna felt a sense of outrage and compassion. She knew that she had to act, to help Hans in any way that she could. She couldn't leave him to suffer under his father's cruelty, not when she had the power to make a difference. The ball, once a celebration of the Southern Isles' wealth and power, had turned into a nightmare. Iduna's eyes met Hans', and she saw a flicker of recognition, a sense of understanding that passed between them. In that moment, Iduna knew that she had made a decision, one that would change the course of her life and the lives of those around her. She would help Hans, no matter what the cost.