**Chapter 2: The Storm**

The sun's warm rays had long since abandoned the horizon, leaving behind a sky ablaze with hues of crimson and gold. The royal ship, once a proud and sturdy vessel, now cut through the increasingly choppy waters of the fjord with a sense of urgency. Queen Iduna stood at the bow, her brown hair whipping about her face as the wind began to pick up, her eyes fixed on the horizon with a mix of determination and concern. Beside her, King Agnarr grasped the rail, his eyes scanning the sea for any sign of the mystical river Ahtohallan. Their daughters, Elsa and Anna, laughed and played at the stern, their youthful energy beginning to flag as the wind and waves grew stronger. Iduna's eyes flicked towards them, her heart full of love and worry. She had convinced Agnarr to take this journey, to uncover the truth about their kingdom's history, and she was determined to see it through. As the ship sailed on, the air grew thick with the scent of salt and seaweed, and the cries of the gulls wheeling overhead grew more urgent. Iduna breathed deeply, feeling the salty spray on her face, and listened to Agnarr's reassuring voice as he called out to the crew. But even as he spoke, the wind began to howl, and the ship lurched violently, throwing Iduna and Agnarr off balance. "Elsa! Anna!" Iduna cried, her voice lost in the din of the storm. She stumbled towards the stern, but Agnarr grasped her arm, holding her back. "We have to get the girls to safety!" he shouted above the wind. The crew scrambled to secure the ship, their faces set with determination. Iduna's eyes met Agnarr's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, their faces pale with fear. The ship creaked and groaned, the sound of splintering wood growing louder. A massive wave crashed over the ship, sweeping Agnarr from his feet. Iduna screamed, clinging to the rail as the vessel was torn apart. She felt a piece of debris break free beneath her feet, and she grabbed onto it, her fingers closing around it like a lifeline. "Agnarr!" she cried, her voice hoarse with fear. She looked around, frantically searching for him, but he was gone, swept away by the raging sea. Iduna's world went dark, her grief and despair threatening to consume her. As she clung to the debris, the storm raging around her, Iduna felt a sense of numbness wash over her. She was vaguely aware of the sound of crashing waves, the creaking of wood, and the cries of seagulls. But her eyes were fixed on the spot where Agnarr had disappeared, her heart heavy with sorrow. The storm raged on, the waves tossing Iduna about like a rag doll. She clung to the debris, her fingers numb and aching, her body battered by the relentless pounding of the sea. But even as she felt the weight of her grief, she knew she had to hold on, for herself, for Elsa, and for Anna. As the darkness began to recede, Iduna spotted a fishing boat on the horizon, its sails flapping in the wind. She waved her free arm, her voice hoarse from shouting, but the boat seemed to be sailing away from her. She gritted her teeth, summoning every last ounce of strength, and waved again. This time, the boat changed course, heading towards her. Iduna felt a surge of hope, mixed with exhaustion and despair. She knew she had to hold on, for her daughters, for her kingdom, and for the truth about Ahtohallan. The fishing boat drew closer, its crew shouting and waving as they pulled alongside. With a final burst of effort, Iduna was pulled aboard, her body aching as she collapsed onto the deck. She looked up at the faces of the fishermen, their eyes kind and concerned, and she knew she was going to be okay. But as she thought of Agnarr, her heart broke all over again, and she wept.