Once upon a time, in the land of the Great Hall, Queen Moira was very sick.  While it was known she had been a sickly child, she had grown heartier as she aged, and only rarely suffered from the sleep-illness.  However, as autumn began to cool, it was clear that she had started to succumb again.  The sleep-illness began to cloud her thoughts, making it difficult to listen to the tales of her subjects.  It became later and later for her to fall asleep, until eventually she no longer saw the sunlight.  The Knights of the Great Hall began to become troubled by the illness.  

Rhi, one of the Knights who served at the earlier hours of the morning, saw that the Queen became ever more social during those hours she should sleep.  "Queen Moira, you should sleep. While I am used to these hours, it is not an appropriate time for you to be awake."  The Queen smiled wanly at Rhi. Although she was naturally a very fair creature, she was more akin now to a ghost.  "I would if I could, Knight Rhi. But alas, the sleep-illness has me, and there is naught I can do but hope for it to run its course."  While the Knights were very capable beings, and could of course do well on their own patrolling the lands of the Great Hall, they felt discomfited that one of their own was not feeling well.

The tension continued until, one day, the Knights did not hear from their Queen at all!  Little did the Knights know, but the Queen had collapsed whilst in her chamber, and would not wake up!  The Knights sent Lady Sid, as she had fought alongside the Queen before she had ascended to the throne.  But try as she might, Lady Sid had no way of waking up the Queen.

Lady Sid thought for a moment, and hailed Lady Star, who had followed at Lady Sid's heels.  "There must be something we can do!"  With that thought, the two rushed back to report to the Knights.  Sid began, "fellow Knights, our Queen is deathly ill. We must send out for the great wizard Keith, and see if he knows the treatment to this ailment!"  

As the Knights clamoured to figure out who amongst them would head out to find the great wizard Keith, the Lady Jessica, the former advisor to the Queen, halted the group.  "Before we ask the great wizard Keith about this, does the Queen not have family nearby? They might be able to shed some light on this illness, and help us."  

The Knights, murmuring to themselves, agreed. But who amongst them knew the way?  

Lady Sid nodded. "I could travel to the abode of Queen Moira's family. Those of us who fought beside her before the coronation all visited that land once. But I would need the help of Lady Abi, and those who have been there, to best traverse the roads."  

But while this was helpful to those knights who knew the Queen Before, that left the younger Knights alone.  "What are we to do while you head into the Griffith lands?" queried Lady Ashley. "Should some of us go to find the great wizard Keith?"  The Lady Rita responded. "In another life, I knew the best routes to anywhere. Let me go with you, Sid; and you, Abi, and let the others stay to watch over the Great Hall.  Ashley, take two fellows and go see if the great wizard Keith has any potions that may help."

Ashley pondered. "I shall take Nikk, who I respect like a father, and Logan, who has really filled out lately."  With that, the group split into three -- Rita, Abi, and Sid off to the Griffith lands; Ashley, Nikolai, and Logan to the great wizard's mountain, and the remaining Knights keeping a vigilant watch on the Great Hall.

It was clear that Rita did have a great talent for navigation, for it was no time at all before the three Knights were in Griffith lands.  Unlike many other monarchies, the land of the Great Hall was passed down not by a blood lineage, but by passing of the most worthy of the title.  (Perhaps there was a sword locked into a stone, but that was a secret known only by those who had donned the Great Hall crown.)

The Griffith lands were not vast, but they were enough to support the family living on it. The Queen had two younger siblings, and her mother, who was known affectionately as "The Queen Mum" though she had no true royal powers.  Once on the lands, the Knights began to search for the Queen's family members. And lo, did they first spy Cameron.  Cameron, the youngest of the siblings, was called The Sib, and whose existence was shrouded mostly in mystery. Cameron had such an average face as to be near-anonymous, and was best known to the Knights because of how easily The Sib's face was forgotten.  

The Lady Sid called out first. "Hail! We are the Knights of the Great Hall, and we seek help for our Queen!"  Cameron saw the three Knights, and frowned. "What's happened with Moi, then? Did ye break 'er?"

Lady Abi responded. "Her sleep-illness has come again, and we wish to see if you have any insight or medicines for her."  

Cameron's eyes widened, the very picture of shock, but for only a moment, and quickly rushed towards the Knights.  "Is she just tired? Or has she fallen into the deepest sleep? Do you know? Who keeps an eye on her sleeping habits? When did this happen?" Cameron paused for breath, and could see from the carefully blank expressions of the Knights that there were not many answers.  Cameron sighed.  "Come with me, then," Cameron muttered, and soon the Knights came upon the house where Queen Moira was raised.  

The house, while well-maintained, was much smaller than the Great Hall.  As the Knights entered the house, they came upon two women. The first, a young lady only slightly younger than Queen Moira, had bright red hair. The second was older, and clearly the Queen's mother.  However, while the Queen ruled more through word and action, this woman -- for she was indeed the Queen Mum -- exuded a calming presence.  The Knights found that, for the first time on their journey, they could relax.  

"So these must be some of the Knights I read about in Moira's letters? Tell me, how are all of you? I don't suppose this is a social visit, is it?"

The Knights all introduced themselves, and Sid began to explain how the Queen had slowly gotten worse until she had collapsed.  

As they ended their tale, the younger woman spoke.  "Well, this is grave indeed. However, I am glad to at least meet some of you. This is, unfortunately, not the first time the sleeping-illness has gotten the better of her."  

The Knights, alarmed at this new piece of information, turned to look incredulously at the young woman. Abi, the first to process it fully, said "Do you mean to say that this deep sleep has happened before?"  

The younger woman frowned. "Indeed. About two years ago she had a similar fatigue. While we were able to get her awake, is was months before she could continue her work.  However, it was good of you to come to us. She takes a small draught every night before she sleeps, and I believe we must work on improving it." She paused, and blushed. "Oh my goodness! You would not know who I am, as I was away when Moira was fighting with the former Queen Holly. My name is Tira, and I am Moira's younger sister." With that, she did a quick curtsy.  The Knights bowed in response. "I think it would be best," Tira continued, "if you took Cameron with you back to the Great Hall. He makes the draught best of us all, and it is difficult for us to leave the lands for too long by themselves."

The Queen Mum smiled at the three Knights. "While I agree that this is a terrible time for us all, I must insist that you all at least spend a small time resting. It will not help anyone if you cannot make it back due to weariness."  

With the new information in hand, and a revised plan of attack, the three Knights took a prepared room, and rested, if only for a moment.

MEANWHILE, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GREAT WIZARD KEITH'S MOUNTAIN

Sir Nikolai looked up. "Are you sure there isn't any other way up this mountain?"

Sir Logan huffed. "I've looked all over this mountain, and I can see no other path! We must go up, and be careful about it!"

The Lady Ashley frowned. "It seems as though this rock pattern is similar to an up and down arrow. Perhaps there is an elevator in this mountain?"  With a deep breath, she pressed the rock that looked awfully like an up arrow. And waited. ...and waited. And waited.

After several moments, the three gave up. "It's up to us to go up this mountain. Steel yourselves!" Sir Nikolai cried out.

With that, the three Knights began to climb. Up and up they went, following the narrowest of paths, and avoiding the sharpest of rocks. While there were several close calls (the three Knights were better known for their gaiety than their swiftness), it seemed as if the top of the mountain was in sight.  With a final push, the Knights were able to make it up to the top of the mountain... only to find the great wizard Keith standing before them with a quizzical expression.

Sir Nikolai stepped towards the great wizard Keith, flanked by Lady Ashley and Sir Logan.  "Great wizard Keith! We have come to seek your aid! The Queen is sick, and we ask that you use your magical powers to help heal her from her sleep-illness!"

The great wizard Keith frowned. "This I understand. But why did you not take the elevator I have in the mountain? It's a much easier path."

With that, Lady Ashley punched Sir Logan on the arm and hissed "see? I told you so!"

The great wizard Keith, taking a particularly judging glance at the two Knights squabbling, spoke. "I will take you down my elevator, and we will see what can be done." He ushered the Knights towards a particular part of the mountain, and pressed a rock that looked suspiciously like a down arrow.  And waited. ...and waited. And waited.  The great wizard Keith frowned. "Hmm. I must need to reset the mountain." And in the blink of an eye, the mountain shifted and the elevator doors opened.  

The Knights, accompanied by the great wizard Keith, stepped into the elevator. The Lady Ashley quietly wondered to herself about the safety of the elevator. The great wizard Keith thought of spells to counter sleep-illnesses. Sir Nikolai thought of the trip back to the Great Hall. Sir Logan thought about how unlikely an elevator was in a story about Knights.

MEANWHILE, AT THE GREAT HALL

The Great Hall was not feeling quite so great. Though normally all abuzz with activity, the hall seemed somber. Even the more active participants seemed down, including the animals. A bush baby solemnly ate a grape, and was thankful to be in the story at all.

Lady Veela, by nature both a worrier and a problem solver, paused in her sad thoughts. "What if we stage a huge celebration when the Queen is healed?"  The citizens all at once began to chatter. A party! The bush baby even did a quick jig.  

Lady Lucette walked over to Veela. "Queen Moira is a fine member of the Great Hall! #TeamSpaceStuff!"  And with that slight anachronism, the Great Hall began to plan.

MEANWHILE, AT SOME POINT BETWEEN THE GRIFFITH LANDS AND THE GREAT HALL

The Ladies Abi, Rita, and Sid were quickly riding towards the Great Hall, accompanied by the Queen's youngest sibling Cameron.

"When we get to the Great Hall, I will see how my sister fairs. It may yet be a simple fix."  The Lady Rita, who was closest to Cameron, grimaced. "I certainly hope so."

Between the three great Knights and Cameron's own knowledge of the lands bordering those of the Griffiths, the group were able to arrive at the same time as the Knights accompanying the great wizard Keith.  The two groups were happy to see each other, and their combined group entered the Great Hall as one.  

As the citizens rushed towards the Knights, Lady Abi began to speak. "Our two groups were successful in bringing back help, but we must first attend to the Queen. Once we have done so, we will come back in and exchange our stories." With that pronouncement, the eight left the Hall and went to the Queen's chambers.

Lady Rhi was at the door of the Queen's chambers. As she looked at the group, she smiled, relieved. "Nothing has changed since you left on your quests. We have been taking turns guarding the door, and checking in, but I am very glad to see all of you here."

The six Knights, tired from their journey, headed back into the Great Hall, while Lady Rhi, Cameron, and the great wizard Keith went to check on the Queen.

In the Great Hall, Sir Albus was keeping order. As the six Knights entered, though, he had a table set up for them to tell the citizens of what had occurred.  The Knights took turns with telling what had happened, and tried to ignore the growing uncertainty in the Hall.  After what could have been minutes or hours, the doors to the Great Hall opened.

The great wizard Keith and Cameron entered, both with concerned faces.  Cameron began, with a nervous twinge in his voice. "She's worse than before. I can make a stronger draught for her, but I cannot wake her up."

The bush baby piped up. "Is this a kissing story, then?" Cameron grimaced, and shook his head.

The great wizard Keith spoke. "We have another problem. The Queen... is a vampire."

The Great Hall gasped as one.  Lady Grace trembled, and cried out "How can that be? There have been no reports of vampires in the Great Hall for months!"

The great wizard Keith continued. "Vampirism can indeed be contracted through a bite, but it appears that she has developed a lighter version due to her sleep-illness. I have a few potions to help with her transition, and she should wake up in a day."  The great wizard Keith paused. "When she wakes up, though, she may not be the same Queen as you remember."  With that, the great wizard left the Great Hall.

After a moment of utter silence (rare in the Great Hall), Sir Albus spoke. "Knights, with me!"

The Knights huddled together in a circle. "What are we to do?" cried Lady Esme. "What did he even mean by not the same? She will still be the same as always, won't she?"  

Lady Lucette comforted Lady Esme, saying, "Yes, our Queen will always be loved."

While the Knights talked amongst themselves, several citizens began to lead the comforting of the Great Hall, including Olaf (known to friends as Olli) Dreher, and Mactilibus (Mac) Burke.

The Knights came to a consensus -- regardless of the news, they would remain steadfast.  Sir Albus left the group to relieve Rhi of her guard duty, and explained the situation.

Rhi nodded. "Whatever happens, we will still be here."

And so the Knights, and the citizens of the Great Hall, waited.  The sun set and rose again, and the doors of the Queen’s chambers opened, revealing both Cameron and the great wizard Keith.  

“The Queen is awake.”

THE END?

((Author's note: the dialogue in bold is courtesy of Lucette Baeytorin-Maddox))