It didn't take Haldir long to find Vista.  After searching her rooms and the parts of the woods she frequented, he headed for the river.  He could see her sitting atop the same cliff from that first day.  He almost retreated back to Lorien, to leave her in privacy.  However, his duty was to Galadriel first and foremost. 

            As he began to climb the cliff face, his mind was roiling.  What would he say?  What would she say?  How would she react to his following her?  Would anything have to be said?  He then pulled himself over the ledge. 

            He was maybe 8 or 9 lengths behind her and she gave no sign that she'd heard him.  What now?  Haldir started forward, then stopped, realizing that she was singing, something she'd never done.  At least, not while he was around.  He stepped closer to hear her better.  The song was one he didn't know, but that wasn't surprising.  Maybe it belonged to one of the bands she'd once told him about.

"Your words can be just a whisper

 Your face is so unclear

 I try to pay attention

 Your words just disappear

 Cuz it's always rainin' in my head

 Forget all the things I should have said...."

("Epiphany", Stained)

            He didn't know how long he stood there, listening to her heartrending song and gentle voice.  She was soaking wet.  Like the first time he saw her.  She must have taken a dive off the cliff or just jumped in and swam.  Either way, she was shivering.  Again, the similarities between this moment and one not too long ago were staggering.  And like that first moment, he unclasped his cloak and gently settled it around her shoulders. 

            Haldir expected her to jump or scream; expected her to start yelling at him about not following her or to throw a punch.  Instead, she calmly pulled it closer around her and, burying her face into the material, started to cry.  He sat next to her and gingerly placed a hand on her shoulder.  She didn't react at first; then she slowly leaned against him, still buried in the cloak.  He moved his hand to the opposite shoulder, holding the slighter, shaking form against him.

**************************************************************************************************************************

            The sun was going down by the time Vista was calm again.  They sat in silence, staring down the Anduin.  He could see her eyes shining, reflecting the setting sun.  She had moved the cloak down below her chin so she could watch. 

"Do you want me to stay?"

Haldir glanced down at her; she was still staring straight ahead.  "Hmm?"

"Gandalf said that there were those who wouldn't want me to leave.  Do you want me to stay?"

How was he supposed to answer that?  Was she seriously expecting him, sitting in what could be called an extremely romantic setting with a beautiful woman nestled under his arm, to tell her that he wouldn't mind if she left?

He thought for a moment, "I know that going home means a lot to you.  I would miss you greatly, though."

She sighed, "That was kind of a loaded question, wasn't it.  You didn't have to answer."

Haldir chuckled, "What is it you are always telling me?  Never apologize for curiosity?  You would have asked eventually."

She managed a laugh then regained her seriousness, "It wasn't a fair question, though."

Then she sat up and stretched, "Ouch.  Okay, I need to stand up."

Vista braced her hands on the ground and arched up into a crouch, from which she slowly straightened.  She walked a bit, working blood back into her feet.  She walked over to the edge of the cliff and stared out at the water.  Her shadow was soon joined by another, larger one, standing behind her.  She though back to a few days ago, when she'd jumped off this ledge the first time.  Then, she was struck by a very amusing...idea.

"Bet you thought I was crazy when I jumped off here the first time." she said.

Silence behind her, then:  "Maybe I did."

"Have you ever jumped off a cliff?"

"No.  Why?"

SCORE!!

"Then it's about time you did!"

Vista turned and, grabbing Haldir by the shoulders, tossed both of them off the cliff.

Haldir surfaced, breathless from the shocking contact with the water. 

She threw me off the cliff!

Then he heard her laughing.  Treading water, he spun slowly to face her.  Her hair was hanging in her face, leftover blue paint streaking down her joy-filled face.  How could she go from being distraught to so happy so quickly?  It was almost frightening.  Then he did something he hadn't done in, literally, centuries.

He pulled his hand back and splashed Vista.  Real good, too.

Her face froze in a completely shocked expression for so long he thought he'd offended her.  Then she shrieked with laughter and splashed him back.

Soon, they were throwing water all over and yelling like kids. 

They were walking back to Lorien, walking quickly since cold skin and wet clothes plus wind doesn't exactly agree with one's health.  Vista was still laughing slightly, still no trace of the unhappiness from earlier. 

"How do you do it?"

She blinked at him, "Huh?  How do I do what?"

"How can you be so happy after being so obviously miserable?  In minutes you changed from crying in despair to crying with laughter.  How do you do it?"

Vista sighed and looked up at the night sky, "I guess I have an unfailing streak of optimism.  I have a way of finding something to be happy about because I can't stand being upset.  When I'm upset I feel like I have no control; and, naturally, that's not a good thing."

She fell silent and her steps slowed.  A spark of guilt flashed through Haldir. 

"I am sorry, Lady Vista.  I did not intend..." his voice fell away as the words did. 

She stopped dead in her tracks, "Stop it.  Stop it right now.  My name is Vista.  Not Lady Vista, not some-other-prefix Vista, just Vista."

Haldir paused.  Huh?  Wait...what?

"Um, all right.  Vista."

Suddenly, Vista grinned up at him, "And besides, you could never make me sad.  Bring me back to reality maybe, but never seriously depress me."

Then she gave him a shove, "Now move it, you're slowing us up and I'm hungry!"

Vista passed Haldir, who could only stare after her.  She'd just done it again.  She was skipping down the path ahead of him, singing a song at the top of her lungs.  Like she was perfectly content.  Like maybe, for a moment, she actually fit into his world.  Well, maybe not fit in per se, but was comfortable.

"C'mon Haldir!" Vista called from far up the path, "I could get to Lorien walking backwards on my hands before you would, jeez!"  She started laughing.

He shook his head and followed.