**Chapter 7: A Meeting with the King**

Iduna stood before King Westergaard, her brown hair neatly styled in a coronet braid, a testament to her resilience and determination. The king's throne room was a grand, high-ceilinged chamber with stone walls adorned with intricate carvings and large windows that let in a flood of natural light. The room was filled with the scent of old parchment and burning candles, and Iduna could hear the soft murmur of courtiers and guards in the background. King Westergaard, a tall and imposing figure with a stern expression, looked Iduna up and down before nodding for her to approach. Iduna walked towards him, her eyes fixed on his, her movements confident and deliberate. She could feel the weight of the king's gaze upon her, but she refused to be intimidated. "Queen Iduna," King Westergaard said, his voice deep and commanding. "It's an honor to finally meet you in person. I've heard a great deal about you." His eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, as if searching for any sign of weakness. Iduna curtsied, her movements elegant and controlled. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice steady and respectful. King Westergaard nodded, his expression unreadable. "I've been informed of your... situation. The loss of your husband, King Agnarr, and your shipwreck on our shores. I'm sorry for your loss." His words were formal, but Iduna detected a hint of curiosity in his voice. Iduna's eyes flashed with grief, but she quickly composed herself. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, her voice firm. "I'm grateful to be alive." The king nodded, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "I believe we can help each other, Queen Iduna. As you know, the Southern Isles and Arendelle have a long history of trade and diplomacy. I propose that we strengthen our ties and form an alliance." Iduna's instincts told her to be cautious, but she listened as King Westergaard outlined his proposal. He spoke of mutual benefits, of trade agreements, and of the potential for growth and prosperity. However, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the king's proposal than met the eye. As she listened, Iduna couldn't help but think of her children, Elsa and Anna, back in Arendelle. She wondered what they were doing, and if they were safe. She felt a pang of homesickness, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. "I'll need time to consider your proposal, Your Majesty," Iduna said, her voice measured. "As a queen, I must put the interests of my people first." King Westergaard nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I understand, Queen Iduna. Take all the time you need. But I must warn you, the situation in the Southern Isles is... complicated. There are those who would seek to use our alliance for their own gain." Iduna's eyes locked onto the king's, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could have far-reaching consequences. But she also knew that she couldn't ignore the king's proposal, not without considering the potential benefits for Arendelle. As she left the throne room, Iduna felt a sense of trepidation. She knew that she was walking into a complex web of politics and intrigue, but she was determined to navigate it with caution and intelligence. She was a queen, and she would not be swayed by empty promises or false alliances. She would do what was best for her people, no matter the cost. Meanwhile, in another part of the castle, Hans, the 13th prince of the Southern Isles, sat in a grand hall, surrounded by his brothers and father. The prince's auburn hair was messy, and his eyes looked tired. He had just been humiliated by his brothers, Rudi and Runo, in a meeting with the king. Hans felt a sense of despair wash over him. He was the youngest of 13 princes, and he often felt like he was the weakest. His brothers, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and the others, seemed to take pleasure in his misery. As the meeting adjourned, Hans walked out of the hall, feeling defeated. He didn't notice his brother Lars, who was watching him with concern. "Hans, wait," Lars called out, catching up to him. Hans turned, his eyes wary. "What do you want, Lars?" Lars smiled, his eyes kind. "I just wanted to check on you. You looked like you were in a tough spot back there." Hans shrugged, feeling a mixture of emotions. "I'm fine. Just tired." Lars nodded, his expression understanding. "If you need to talk, I'm here for you, Hans. You know that." Hans smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his brother. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't alone after all. But little did Hans know, his life was about to take a drastic turn, one that would bring him face to face with Iduna, the queen of Arendelle, and change his fate forever.