**Chapter 3: The Locals**

The stormy night had passed, leaving behind a trail of destruction and debris. Iduna, Queen of Arendelle, slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was lying on a cold, stone floor, her body aching all over. She tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed over her, forcing her back onto the floor. As she lay there, she remembered the shipwreck, the waves crashing over her, and the feeling of being swept away. She had been so focused on uncovering the secrets of Ahtohallan, the mystical river believed to hold the key to understanding her daughter Elsa's powers. But now, she was not sure if she would ever see her husband, Agnar, or her daughters, Elsa and Anna, again. The sound of footsteps approaching interrupted Iduna's thoughts. A group of locals, dressed in simple but practical clothing, entered the room, carrying torches and looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. One of them, an older man with a kind face, approached her and spoke in a gentle voice, "Welcome, stranger. We found you on the shore, washed up from the sea. We've brought you to our king's castle, hoping to find out who you are and how you ended up here." Iduna tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from the saltwater and exhaustion. She coughed, trying to clear her throat, and then spoke in a weak voice, "I...I'm Iduna. I was on a ship, traveling to Ahtohallan. I don't know how I ended up here." The locals exchanged glances, and the older man nodded, "We'll take care of you, Iduna. Our king will want to speak with you, but for now, let's get you cleaned up and comfortable." As the locals helped Iduna to her feet, she caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror. Her brown hair was tangled and matted, and her clothes were torn and soaked. She looked like a shipwrecked sailor, rather than a queen. The locals led her to a warm bath, and Iduna sank into the water, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. After her bath, they provided her with dry clothes and a warm meal. Iduna felt a sense of gratitude towards these strangers, who had shown her kindness and compassion. The next day, Iduna was summoned to the throne room, where King Westergaard sat on his throne, his expression stern and unyielding. Iduna approached him, her head held high, and introduced herself. "So, you are Iduna," King Westergaard said, his voice firm. "I must admit, I'm curious about you. How did a queen end up on our shores?" Iduna explained her situation, leaving out details about her daughters and her mission to uncover the secrets of Ahtohallan. King Westergaard listened intently, his expression unreadable. When Iduna finished, King Westergaard nodded, "You may stay here in our castle until you recover. But be warned, Iduna, our kingdom is not a place for the weak. We value strength and cunning above all else." Iduna nodded, understanding the king's message. She knew that she had to be careful in this new and unfamiliar place. As she left the throne room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, wondering what the future held for her. Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Prince Hans was attending a meeting with his brothers, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and Lars. Prince Hans, the 13th prince, was a kind and gentle soul, often bullied by his brothers. They were discussing their latest scheme to gain more power and influence in the kingdom. Their father, King Westergaard, had harshly taxed the people, and brutally put down any defiance. His sons, except for Lars, were similarly awful people. Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and the others were spoiled and cruel, caring little for the welfare of the kingdom's subjects. As Iduna navigated the complexities of the castle, she had no idea that she would soon become entangled in the lives of the royal family, and that her presence would have a profound impact on their future.