(A/N: Before we begin, this story takes place during the events of Agnarr's story that we see him tell Anna and Elsa at the beginning of Frozen 2 and follows Iduna until she dies on the ship in the Dark Sea with Agnarr. We don't know exactly what happens to her when we see her at Ahtohallan during Elsa's performance of "Show Yourself." Did she become Ahtohallan itself as an act of favor by the spirits or was her memories merely absorbed by the magical river of memory? Maybe Frozen 3 will answer that. What do you think?)
Chapter One: LOST
The sun rose on the horizon, lighting up the lands and seas with its rays. The trees of the Enchanted Woods moaned and stretched as the Wind Spirit blew threw them, singing happily. Reindeer ran as the Wind Spirit blew past them.
Many of the Northrunda were awake and preparing for the celebration they would enjoy with their Southern neighbors, the Kingdom of Arendelle. However, one still slept blissfully in her tent, which she shared with her mother. The Wind Spirit arrived and twirled around Iduna's mother, chirping inquisitively.
"She's still in the tent asleep," Iduna's mother answered and smiled.
The Wind Spirit quickly flew into the tent and under Iduna's blanket, causing her to quickly sit up laughing, "Okay! Okay! I'm up! I'm up!"
Her mother laughed to herself outside.
Iduna quickly put on her shoes, which like her clothing was made from animal skins and furs to keep them warm, and almost ran into her mother.
Her mother handed her a basket. "We need more berries for the feast later."
Iduna rolled her eyes with a smile and took the basket. Before she could leave, her mother warned, "Iduna! Stay. Away. From. The. Dam."
Iduna's smile faded slightly, but the Wind Spirit pulled on her, causing her to smile again and disappear into the woods.
"Please. Keep her safe," Iduna's mother thought out loud with worry.
Iduna ran to the spot where they collected wild berries. After she collected a whole basket, she began to head back to her mother, but curiosity gripped her firmly. She turned towards the cliffside that had a perfect view of the dam, which was where she would always sneak to when sneaking a peek of its construction.
Iduna! Stay. Away. From. The. Dam.
Her mother's words were loud and clear as if she was standing next to her. She hadn't taken a look since caught by her mother. Although the Chief was enthusiastic of uniting with Arendelle in the name of peace, many of their people were still weary and have voiced their concerns. The Chief is a great leader. He listened to their concerns, then assured them all would be well and that unity with their Southern neighbors would benefit both sides. His hope kept their fears at bay and their spirits up.
Iduna was about to go back home, but the curiosity took hold of her again. The Wind Spirit hovered in front of her face. "I know. I know. I just want to see it. It won't hurt to take one peek, would it?"
A moment of silence before the Wind Spirit picked her up in the air and personally carried her to the cliffside so she could take a look. Her eyes widened with amazement as she took in the sight of the completed dam that King Runeard gifted them to strength their waters. It was much bigger than she imagined. "That's a big gift of peace."
After finally tearing her eyes away from mighty dam, she rushed home to find the Northrunda gathered at the camp with the chief speaking. Her mother took the basket and gave her a proud smile.
"I know how all of you are feeling about our Southern neighbors," the Chief spoke loudly to the people. "Although today is a day of celebration with our guests from Arendelle, it has been brought to my attention by my right hand, Yelena. She has revealed to me that the dam is not strengthening our waters, but rather hurting them and the Woods, by disrupting the natural order. I am ashamed of myself for being blind to this. I will personally speak with King Runeard of Arendelle and voice our concerns."
The crowd began to whisper with concern among themselves. The Chief held up his hand and continued, "Despite this, we must not let ourselves become subject to our fears. Today is a day of celebration when we welcome our guests with open arms. I would like to personally express gratitude to those who worked hard to prepare today's feast. Well done. However, I cannot ignore the risk. Those who have prepared the feast will remain her at camp. I leave Yelena in charge here. I'll take others to meet with our guest to avoid offending our neighbors or raising questions."
Several of the Northuldra people within the crowd complained. The Chief and Yelena dealt with their complaints while Iduna was guided away by her mother since she took shared their complaints.
"Mama, I want to go," Iduna insisted.
Her mother cupped her disappointed face and knelt in front of her, "We must trust the Chief. He is only suggesting this to keep us safe. We still don't know if we can trust the people from the South. Please. Promise me you will stay at camp and afterwards…we can through our own feast to celebrate. Okay?"
Iduna's mother gave her a warm smile and Iduna smiled back, feeling better. "I promise."
I promise, Iduna had to keep reminding herself as she sat in her tent, struggling with an overwhelming desire to attend the celebration. She kept her scarf around her for comfort. Several of the Northuldra had the privilege to go to Arendelle to meet King Runeard. She, like some of the others, haven't seen them yet.
I want to see them. What are they like?
Iduna had to know. I promise. She groaned and pulled on her hair. She could hear the celebration in the distance and she desperately wanted to be apart of it.
I promise. I promise. I promise. I promise. I promise. I promise.
She desperately held onto the promise she made to her mother, hoping there was an abundant strength she could rely upon, but there was none. No matter how deep within herself she searched.
Iduna mother entered their tent with food she managed to prepare for themselves. "Iduna?" Iduna was nowhere to be found.
Iduna ran through the woods towards the cheering. I'm sorry, Mama. I have to see them.
She stopped behind some trees and tip toed silently to watch the activities. The four spirits were charming the visitors with tricks that won their hearts effortlessly. Then she saw him, the Prince. She starred with intent at the Prince. His green eyes. His blonde hair. The joyful smile. His fair skin.
Wow. He's cute, Iduna thought, then immediately blushed and shook her head to get those thoughts out.
She immediately backed up when she saw the Wind Spirit blow past the Prince for her. Oh, no! I'm going to get in so much trouble!
She tried to run back to camp, but the spirit caught her and held her in the air, turning her around to see her face. "Please, I'm sorry. I know I promised my Mom I would stay at camp, but…I just wanted to see the people from the South. Please, don't tell my Mom."
She expected the Wind Spirit to be angry, but it chirped happily and played with her, twirling her in the air and making her laugh. Suddenly, the Wind Spirit, pulled her aside defensively, startling her. She tried to get up, but the Wind Spirit kept her down. "What's going on? What are you doing?"
She suddenly heard the conflict and peeked. The soldiers from Arendelle and the Northuldra were attacking. "What's going on?! Why are they fighting?!"
The Wind Spirit pushed her down hard before rushing into the conflict.
She watched as a soldier protected the Prince from one of her own, pushing back with a shield. "Get behind me!"
She watched as the Prince rushed over to his father, King Runeard who was fighting another Northuldra warrior before they fell off the cliff. "Father!"
Iduna was blown back onto the ground as the four spirits unleashed their full wrath against everyone, Arendelle and Northuldra alike. Fire rose high. The Wind Spirit became a tornado. The water rose like a great wave, striking the shore. The Earth roared, throwing boulders into the ground. "No! You have to stop the fighting!"
She watched, horrified, as she saw a boulder strike the earth in front of the Prince, sending him into another boulder and hitting his head. She quickly rushed over and shielded his body with her own. She cradled the prince in her arms and called out to the spirits. "Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah! Ah-Ah-AhAh!"
The Wind Spirit, once a terrifying tornado, heard her call and calmed down and drew close to her.
Iduna's eyes filled with tears as she begged, "Please. No more fighting. Please, don't hurt him. Help me get him out of here. He doesn't deserve to die."
The Wind Spirit moaned sadly and helped Iduna carry the prince to a nearby carrier. Iduna thought she heard someone coming and hid lower. The Wind Spirit quickly blew a blanket over her to hide her and vanished.
A nearby soldier came and saw the prince hurt. "Lieutenant Mattias! It's Prince Agnarr! He's hurt!"
Agnarr? Iduna repeated.
Lieutenant Mattias ordered, "Get him out of here! We'll hold them off! Go!"
Iduna gasped when the cart started going fast and hitting multiple bumps. Panic started to overtake her. Mom! I have to get off but the guard-
She dared not to run, out of fear she would get caught by the guard driving the carrier. She raised her blanket slightly and watched the prince in his sleep. I'm so sorry…Agnarr.
After what seemed so long in the carrier, the guard finally stopped and started yelling for help. She quickly took a chance and ran for dear life, hiding somewhere nearby. She peaked to find herself in what she assumed was Arendelle. The castle was big and the city around it…she never saw anything like it. She heard stories from those that came before, but their words didn't do it justice. It was so beautiful.
Her attention immediately went back to the prince when the guard yelled, "Help! The Northuldra have betrayed us! The King has been murdered! Prince Agnarr is hurt!"
Alarmed citizens filled the streets and staff members from the castle came to the prince's aid. The Northuldra betrayed Arendelle? Why would they do that?
She had to get back home to find out what happened. She had to know her mother was okay. What they were saying didn't add up.
(A/N: I don't about you, but I'm excited for the book coming out that explores Iduna's and Agnarr's past and relationship. I hope it's better than the other two books I've read, Conceal, Don't Feel and Forest of Shadows. When I read a good book, then my bar is set higher. I hope everyone is doing okay during this uncertain time right now with the Corona Virus. Things have settled down at my job. Trucks are arriving on time and I'm getting my loads ran thanks to the limit placed on how much I can order. So, our nation is slowly getting better. One day, we're going to look back on this event and laugh at how silly we got over toilet paper. I'm calling it!)