**Chapter 3: The Southern Isles**

The storm raged on, its fury unrelenting as it tore through the ship, tossing it about like a fragile toy. King Agnarr's voice was hoarse from shouting orders to his crew, but his words were lost in the howling wind. Queen Iduna clung to the rail, her knuckles white with fear as she gazed out at the chaos. The waves crashed against the ship, threatening to engulf them all. Elsa and Anna huddled together, their eyes fixed on their parents as they prayed for the storm to pass. Elsa's powers stirred, responding to her fear, but she struggled to keep them contained. The air around her seemed to shimmer, as if the very fabric of reality was bending to accommodate her emotions. And then, in an instant, it was over. The ship lurched violently, and Agnarr was swept overboard. Iduna screamed, her voice lost in the wind, as she reached out to him. She was torn from the rail, her body tumbling through the air, and she felt herself being pulled under the water. The world went dark, and Iduna's consciousness began to fade. She was vaguely aware of being tossed about in the water, her body battered by the waves. But she refused to give up, her will to survive driving her forward. Finally, she felt a jolt, and her body came to rest on a sandy beach. She lay there, her chest heaving with exhaustion, her eyes fixed on the sky above. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Iduna's gaze drifted over the unfamiliar terrain, taking in the palm trees and the sound of seagulls crying overhead. As her senses returned, Iduna became aware of a dull ache in her head, and a throbbing pain in her side. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the sand. She lay there, her eyes closed, and let the pain wash over her. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a group of people approaching her. They were dressed in simple, practical clothing, and their faces were etched with concern. "She's alive," one of them said, in a dialect Iduna didn't understand. The group gathered around her, speaking in hushed tones. Iduna tried to respond, but her voice was hoarse from the saltwater. One of the men, an older man with a kind face, knelt beside her. "Don't try to speak," he said. "We'll get you to our king. He'll know what to do." Iduna nodded, her eyes fixed on the man. She knew that she had to trust these strangers, at least for now. As they lifted her into a makeshift stretcher, she caught a glimpse of the wreckage from her ship, scattered along the beach. Her heart ached with grief, as she thought of Agnarr, and Elsa, and Anna. The men carried her through the palm trees, and Iduna caught glimpses of a small village. The thatched roofs of the huts blended into the landscape, and the sound of children playing carried on the breeze. It was a peaceful scene, one that contrasted sharply with the turmoil that had brought her here. As they approached a large hut, a man emerged from the doorway. He was tall, with a strong jaw and piercing blue eyes. Iduna felt a jolt of recognition, as he gazed at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Ah, Queen Iduna," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I've heard a great deal about you." Iduna's eyes narrowed, as she tried to place him. And then, it came to her. She was in the Southern Isles, a kingdom she had heard of but never visited. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am King Westergaard," the man replied, his eyes gleaming with interest. "And you, my dear queen, are a long way from home." King Westergaard signaled to one of his servants, who stepped forward with a bowl of water and a clean cloth. Iduna watched as the servant gently washed her face, and then her body. The cool water soothed her parched skin, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her. As the servant finished, King Westergaard nodded, and Iduna was led to a large hut on the outskirts of the village. She was placed on a soft bed, and a warm fire was lit beside her. Iduna felt a sense of exhaustion wash over her, and she knew that she had to rest. As she drifted off to sleep, she thought of her family, and wondered if they had survived the shipwreck. She thought of Elsa, and Anna, and her heart ached with worry. But for now, she was safe, and she had to focus on recovering. The next few days passed in a blur, as Iduna slept and recovered. King Westergaard visited her often, and she learned more about his kingdom and his people. She was grateful for his kindness, and she knew that she had to make a decision about her future. But for now, she was content to rest, and to let the king's people care for her. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she was determined to survive, and to find out what had happened to her family.