Chapter 5: A Glimpse of Hans

As Iduna continued to recover, she began to learn more about the Southern Isles and its people. The kingdom was known for its harsh taxation and brutal suppression of defiance, a stark contrast to the idyllic kingdom of Arendelle. King Westergaard, a stern-faced man with a strong jawline, ruled the kingdom with an iron fist. His wife, Queen Alice, was a kind and compassionate woman, who seemed to be the only one who could soften her husband's rough edges. Iduna's gaze wandered to the large window, where she could see the sprawling city of the Southern Isles. The buildings were a mix of stone and timber, with steeply pitched roofs and chimneys belching smoke into the air. The streets were bustling with people, but Iduna noticed that they all seemed to be in a hurry, their faces downcast and worried. Queen Alice noticed Iduna's interest and smiled. "Yes, our kingdom is a bustling place, full of life and energy. But it's not all prosperity and happiness. We have our challenges, too." Iduna's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned forward, her eyes locked on the queen. "What kind of challenges?" she asked. Queen Alice's expression turned serious. "We've had problems with poverty and discontent among our people. My husband has been...strict in his measures to quell the unrest, but it's had its costs." Iduna's thoughts turned to her own kingdom, Arendelle, and the struggles they had faced with Elsa's powers. She realized that every kingdom had its own unique challenges, and that there was no one-size-fits-all solution. As she pondered, a commotion erupted outside the room. Iduna heard the sound of raised voices and footsteps. Queen Alice's expression turned concerned, and she rose from her seat. "Excuse me, Iduna. I need to attend to this." Iduna nodded, and the queen hurried out of the room. Iduna was left alone, her thoughts racing with questions and concerns. She wondered what was happening outside, and whether it was related to the unrest the queen had mentioned. Just then, the door opened, and a young man with auburn hair and a worried expression entered the room. "Mother's not here, is she?" he asked, looking around the room. Iduna smiled weakly. "No, she's gone to attend to some commotion outside. I'm Iduna, Queen of Arendelle." The young man's eyes widened, and he bowed low over her hand. "I'm Hans, the youngest son of King Westergaard. It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty." Iduna's thoughts turned to her own daughters, Elsa and Anna, who were currently living in Arendelle, safe and sound, but surely missing her. Elsa, 16, with her icy powers, was probably struggling to control them, and Anna, 14, was likely worried about her sister and her mother. Iduna hoped that they were being taken care of, and that they would soon be reunited. As Hans stood up, Iduna noticed a group of older men standing in the doorway. They were all tall and imposing, with similar features to Hans. "And who are these?" Iduna asked, nodding towards the men. Hans' expression turned wry. "These are my brothers, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and Lars. We're all princes of the Southern Isles." Iduna's eyes widened as she took in the scene. She had a feeling that she was going to have to navigate a complex web of relationships and alliances in this new kingdom. But for now, she was grateful for the kindness of Hans and his mother, Queen Alice. The scene outside seemed to be escalating, with the sound of raised voices and footsteps growing louder. Iduna wondered what was happening, and whether it would affect her stay in the Southern Isles. She looked at Hans, who seemed to be watching her with concern. "Is everything all right?" Iduna asked. Hans nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. Just a bit of a disagreement among my brothers. It's nothing to worry about." But Iduna wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that there was more to it than Hans was letting on. She decided to keep a close eye on the situation, and to learn more about the dynamics of the royal family and their relationships with their people. As she watched, Rudi and Runo, two of Hans' brothers, stormed into the room, their faces red with anger. "Hans, you need to come with us," Rudi said, his voice low and menacing. Hans sighed and stood up, his eyes flashing with frustration. "What's going on?" Iduna asked, her voice firm. Rudi turned to her, a sneer on his face. "It's a family matter, Your Majesty. Nothing to concern yourself with." But Iduna wasn't so sure. She had a feeling that Hans was in trouble, and that she needed to do something to help him. She looked at Queen Alice, who had just returned to the room, and saw the concern etched on her face. "Perhaps I should go with Hans," Iduna said, her voice firm. Queen Alice nodded, a small smile on her face. "I think that would be a good idea, Iduna. Hans, go with your mother and me. We'll sort this out." As they left the room, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. She had a feeling that she was about to get caught up in a web of intrigue and family politics, and that her life was about to become a lot more complicated.