A/N: Pre-Silver chair as well as post silver chair as well as a kind-of sequel to my other fic Daggers of Ice. I really hope you enjoy this. I wanted to give the Lady of the Green Kirtle a back-story, because not much is known about her. Anyway, no more pre-amble. The prologue is super short, but please don't be dissuaded, the other chapters will be longer, I promise. ENJOY : )

Chapter 1: Prologue

7 years passed

Emerylda watched the beautiful queen, whose hair shimmered like the starlight. Apt, she thought. For what other colour hair would a star have?

She watched from the shadow of the oak tree, hidden. Unseen. Always watching.

The queen sung a pretty tune, light and lilting.

She wore no crown, no circlet to denote her rank, but there was no mistaking the Queen of Narnia. For none other was as beautiful in the land, glorious ballads were sung for her beauty, the tale of how she had enchanted King Caspian X with just a single glance.

She could hear the rest of the party, they were a merry boisterous bunch, their music floating through the forest.

The star's son, Prince Rilian had been knighted. On the cusp of manhood, the prince had seen no more than eight and ten years. And what better way to celebrate his knighthood than by giving a gift?

Emerylda watched the queen in her solitude, her pristine white gown pooled around her like the petals of the softest rose. The golden jewellery she wore glinted in the soft light that flittered through the canopy above. She was picking wildflowers as she sung.

Of course she was.

A fool to leave the protection of the knights and courtiers.

And in that instant Emerylda made her decision.

Her skin shifted, her shimmering jade gown falling to the ground as silken scales ran across it. Stunning emerald scales that almost sparkled like the woman she watched. She revelled in the feeling of the ground beneath her soft scales, it felt so much better than earth on flimsy rough skin. She had perfected only the one shape.

But it was enough.

The pretty queen did not see her coming.

She had sensed nothing wrong.

It was easy, oh so easy for Emerylda to sink her fangs into the soft flesh of the queen's arm, looking up into those deep blue eyes. Eyes which opened wide, her mouth falling open in a silent cry of pain as the venom flowed into her.

"Mother!"

The voice startled Emerylda who drew back, hissing.

The young prince had burst through the clearing, his deep blue eyes wide.

Terrified.

A man, but little more than a babe.

Emerylda slithered back into the bush. He would see nothing more than her tail. And though her true form had far better hearing, though she relished the taste of his fear in the air. She could feel his heartbeat, rapidly pounding within his chest.

"Mother," it was a sob that tore from deep within the prince. A cry. "Help! Someone, help!"

But the bumbling courtiers could not come in time. Nothing would save their dear queen as her lips slowly turned blue.

Nothing could stop Emerylda's venom.

Her sister would have laughed at his unmanly display as he cradled his mother in his arms.

Liliandil's mouth was desperately trying to form words. But nothing would not. It could not. Not as the venom flowed through her body, shutting down her organs one by one. Soon her heart would give.

And the kingdom would grieve.

Emerylda grinned.

Narnia would fall.