Chapter 9: Iduna's Care

The weight of his family's expectations had finally taken its toll on Hans. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of numbers and statistics, suffocating under the pressure to be like his brothers. Rudi and Runo's mocking words still lingered in his mind, "You're just a foolish little boy, playing at being a prince." The sting of their teasing had left him feeling defeated and humiliated. Hans' eyes wandered to the small vial of poison on his desk, a desperate solution to his problems. He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with thoughts of escape and freedom. Without a second thought, he downed the poison in one swift motion. The burning sensation in his chest was immediate, and then everything went black. He fainted and fell onto a nearby table, the sound of his body hitting the surface echoing through the room. The table creaked under his weight, and his head lolled to one side, his auburn hair mussed. In a quiet, serene room elsewhere in the castle, Queen Alice sat sewing, her needle moving deftly in and out of the fabric. She was a petite woman with a kind face and a sharp mind. She had always been a source of comfort and strength for her sons, but she had also been known to be firm and fair when necessary. As she worked, she sensed something was wrong. She put down her sewing and listened intently. A faint cry for help seemed to echo through the halls, though she couldn't quite pinpoint the source. Her instincts on high alert, she quickly rose from her chair and made her way to Hans' room. She found him lying on the table, his face pale and clammy. She rushed to his side, her heart racing with worry. "Hans, dear boy, what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling. She quickly assessed the situation and saw the vial of poison on the floor nearby. Her face set in a determined expression, she knew she had to act fast. With gentle hands, she lifted Hans into her arms and carried him to his bed. She carefully laid him down and tied him down to the bed for his own safety, her hands moving with a practiced ease. She then fetched a basin of warm water and a soft cloth. As she worked, she rang for her servants and instructed them to find Iduna, the queen of Arendelle, and bring her to Hans' room. She had heard that Iduna was a kind and capable woman, and she might be just the person to help her son. The door to the room opened, and Iduna entered, her brown hair done up in a low braided bun. She was a tall, stately woman with a kind face and a gentle smile. "Your Majesty," she said, curtsying. Queen Alice smiled weakly. "Please, Iduna, come and help me with my son. I need someone with a gentle touch and a caring heart." Iduna nodded and moved to Hans' side. She began to gently sponge Hans' body, using warm water and a soft cloth. The warm water was poured into a basin, and Iduna wrung it out, wiping Hans' body down with a soothing gentleness. She cleaned his face, his neck, and his arms, taking care to avoid any painful areas. As she worked, Iduna talked softly to him, trying to reassure him that everything would be okay. "You're safe now, Hans. I'm here. You're going to be alright." Her voice was a soothing balm to his frazzled nerves. Queen Alice watched, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Iduna. I don't know what I would have done without you." Iduna smiled and continued to care for Hans, her hands moving with a quiet efficiency. As the scene unfolded, Iduna's thoughts turned to her own daughters, Elsa and Anna, back in Arendelle. She wondered how they were faring, and if they were safe. But for now, she focused on the task at hand - helping Hans to recover, and bringing him back from the brink of despair. Days passed, and Hans slowly began to recover. Iduna stayed by his side, caring for him and talking softly to him. She helped him to eat, to drink, and to heal. And as he grew stronger, Iduna knew that she had made a difference, that she had helped him to find a way back from the darkness. But little did she know, this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey, one that would test her own strength and courage, and that of those around her.