**Chapter 5: Westergaard Castle**

Iduna's brown braided hair, done up in a bun, was a testament to her dignity as she followed the servant through the winding corridors of Westergaard Castle. The cold stone walls seemed to close in around her, making her feel small and vulnerable. She had been brought to this place as a refuge, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was a prisoner. As they walked, Iduna caught sight of a young prince with a charming smile and a wary expression. He was standing in a doorway, watching her with a curious gaze. "Ah, Prince Lars," the servant said, bowing his head. "His Highness is waiting for you, Your Majesty." Iduna smiled, feeling a sense of hope. Perhaps Prince Lars could be an ally in this strange and unfamiliar place. She was led to a grand hall, where the Westergaard family was gathered. King Westergaard, a tall and imposing figure, sat at the head of the table. His wife, Queen Maren, stood beside him, a kind-faced woman with a gentle expression. Crown Prince Caleb, a tall and arrogant young man, sneered at Iduna as she entered. "So, this is the Queen of Arendelle," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've heard a lot about you." Iduna stood tall, her head held high. "I'm sure you have," she said, her voice steady. King Westergaard cleared his throat, his expression cold. "Enough, Caleb. Queen Iduna is our guest. We will treat her with respect." The conversation was stilted, with King Westergaard dominating the conversation. Iduna listened intently, trying to learn more about the king and his court. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking on thin ice, and that one misstep could lead to disaster. As they finished dinner, Queen Maren turned to Iduna and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better, Queen Iduna. I was thinking, perhaps we could discuss the... arrangements for your stay here at the castle." Iduna nodded, sensing that there was more to the queen's words than met the eye. "I would be grateful for any information you can provide," she said. The queen smiled, her eyes sparkling with kindness. "I'll send for you later," she said. "We can discuss the details then." As Iduna left the hall, she was approached by a servant. "Your Majesty, Queen Maren has asked me to take you to see a young prince who has been injured," he said. "He is in need of care." Iduna's heart went out to the young prince. She followed the servant to a small room, where a young man lay on a bed, his face pale and bruised. "This is Prince Hans," the servant said. "He was injured by his brothers, Rudi and Runo, and his father, the king." Iduna's eyes widened in shock. She had heard of such cruelty before, but she had never seen it firsthand. She approached the bed, her heart filled with compassion. "I'll do everything I can to help him," she said. The servant nodded, his eyes grateful. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Queen Maren will be grateful too." As Iduna tended to Prince Hans's wounds, she couldn't help but think of her own daughters, Elsa and Anna. She had to protect this young prince from his family's abuse, just as she would protect her own children. The next morning, Iduna was summoned to Queen Maren's chambers. The queen was pacing back and forth, her expression worried. "Iduna, I need your help," she said. "Hans's brothers and father have beaten him severely. He's in a bad state." Iduna's heart went out to the young prince. "What can I do to help?" she asked. The queen looked at her, her eyes pleading. "He needs a sponge bath. He's too weak to do it himself. And he's...unpleasant. Would you be willing to do it for him?" Iduna nodded, her heart filled with compassion. She would do everything she could to help Prince Hans, even if it meant giving him a sponge bath. She followed the queen to Prince Hans's room, where she found him lying on the bed, his body battered and bruised. With the queen's guidance, Iduna gave Prince Hans a sponge bath, her brown braided hair, done up in a bun, a testament to her dignity and compassion. As she worked, she couldn't help but think that she had found a new purpose in this strange and unfamiliar place. She would protect Prince Hans from his family's abuse, no matter what it took.