Fall gave way imperceptively to winter and the snow began to fall.  Galadriel asked that Haldir return to his original duties and Vista spend some time with some of the women of Galadriel's court.  When she'd been told this, Vista'd snorted and made a comment about being 'properly schooled in the art of socializing'.  Haldir'd found that singularly amusing, considering he couldn't see Vista sitting around and embroidering something or wafting around sharing in the idle gossiping. 

            But it was the order of Galadriel, and, to Haldir at least, orders were made to be followed.  To Vista, it seemed though, orders were made to be bent. 

"For the first month you were here, you were hardly out of the company of Haldir." Jaien said coyly. 

            The gaggle of women who had 'taken Vista under their wing' were sitting in a large, comfortable room, nibbling on bits of food and talking.  Vista, the only one not in a dress, had her feet curled up underneath herself on a couch-type-thing.  She was also the only one actually eating something; having made herself a sandwich from the provided ingredients.  She raised an eyebrow at Jaien.

"And?"

Kyline's eyes widened, "And?  That's all you can say?  Haldir is the most desirable Elf in Lorien and you think nothing of spending and entire month with him?"

Vista rolled her eyes, "Is it me, or are you reading into something that's none of your business."

Berisu blinked, "Reading into?  What does that mean?"

Vista sighed, "It means trying to find something that isn't there.  Or misunderstanding something that is there."

Before any of them could reply, the door at the other end of the room burst open, spilling a small crowd of children into the room.  They seemed to be chasing some kind of ball that had gotten away from them.  The other women let out small cries of alarm and clutched their dresses off the floor, gripping tea cups and plates.  But this was the break Vista had been hoping, no praying for. 

She jumped off the chair and scooped up the ball.  This was her chance to really practice her Elvish, which she's spent the better part of her time learning.

"What game are you playing?" she asked.

The children regarded her with a mixture of awe and fear.  Vista looked them over.  They were a group of boys, about 12 strong or so.  She tossed the ball in the air thoughtfully.

"We're don't know any games, we just chase it."

Oh, YES!!

"Well, I do.  You guys wanna learn a game?"

It didn't take much more to convince them.  Except for one.  He was older then the others, and was at that age when boys are skeptical of girls. 

"You don't know any games.  You're just a girl." he sneered.

Vista arched an eyebrow, "Oh really?  If I'm just a girl, then I shouldn't be able to do this."

With that, she tossed the ball into the air.  Then she caught it, changing her plans.

"On second thought, I'm out of practice.  How about this?"

She reached into her pocket and drew out a tiny, knit ball. 

"Check this."

She tossed the hacky sack into the air and hit it, jester-style behind her back.  It sailed back over her shoulder and she bent back, catching it catching it on her collarbone.  She then rolled her shoulders up, causing the sack to roll down her body to her bent leg where she trapped it.  She shifted it down to her foot, kicked it up and caught it.

The kids broke into wild applause, and even the skeptical kid had to smile.

"Okay, you guys wanna learn a game or what?"

The chorus of "YES!" was almost deafening. 

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

            When Haldir arrived back at Lorien that evening from a 6-day scouting trip, Celeborn was waiting for him.  This cannot be good.

"Greetings Haldir.  I trust all is well with you?" Celeborn greeted him warmly.

Haldir smiled briefly, "All is indeed well with me.  But why do you meet me?  Is something wrong?"

Celeborn seemed to think about that for a moment before answering, "Nothing is wrong, Haldir.  It is only...some things have not turned out according to plan.  Come, I shall show you what I mean."

            Celeborn steered Haldir through Lorien to a large building the warriors sometimes used for group training.  From a distance, he could hear the shrieking of children.  He cast a mystified glance at Celeborn, who merely smiled.  They reached the building and the older Elf pulled the door open, exposing Haldir to the strange, wondrous sight within.

            A group of children, both boys and girls, were chasing a ball around.  And right in the middle of the chaos was, of course, Vista.  She was laughing and shrieking with them, running back and forth beside them, calling out things from time to time.

"HEY, HEY, NO SHOVING!"

"PASS IT, ROWEI, PASS IT!!"

"NICE SHOT!!!!!!!!"

Haldir couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, "Well, she has been keeping occupied, has she not?"

Celeborn smiled as well, "You could say that.  I have to say that I was happy when I learned she had... moved past my wife's recommendation and went to the children."

Haldir watched as several of the children dive-tackled Vista, driving her to the ground underneath a pile of giggling kids.  "They adore her."

Celeborn chuckled, "Yes, and she them.  She spends all day with them, teaching them games, songs and anything else she can think of."

He then strode forward, "Okay, children.  I am sorry, but I have to cut things short today.  Lady Vista, may we have a word with you?"

The children groaned and slowly climbed off of the buried Vista.  She sprang up and looked over at Celeborn, but her eyes wandered over his shoulder and saw Haldir.  She grinned, then turned back to the children.

"Oh, come on, stop whining.  There's always tomorrow, right?  See ya!"

That seemed to cheer them up and they left, chattering about the game and other things that children talk about.  Vista picked up the ball and walked over to Celeborn.

"So, what's up?" she asked.

Celeborn smiled, "I seem to remember Galadriel requesting that you spend more time with the women of Lorien.  And yet I find you, more often then not, surrounded by children."

Vista laughed, "I don't want to be indoctrinated with the 'manners of a stately woman'.  Besides, I like working with kids, they're rad!  And they're more fun then a bunch of women who're afraid of their own shadow."

Celeborn arched an eyebrow, "Be careful of what you say, Lady Vista."

Vista rolled her eyes, "You're never really gonna like me, are you?"

Celeborn smiled again, "Of course I like you.  Every one likes you."

Vista arched an eyebrow, "But..." she prompted.

He sighed, "But sometimes you are too...coarse.  We merely seek to...educate you as to how a woman should act." he stepped closer to Vista, drawing a slight air of secrecy to their conversation, "Especially due to...certain interests."

He was looking so pointedly over her shoulder that Vista couldn't resist looking, too.  On the other side of the room, Haldir was curiously examining the two large piles of books that had served well as a hastily constructed set of goal posts.  Vista caught his drift.

"No.  Ohhhh no.  Uh-uh.  Not me and certainly not him!  I plan on leaving any time and will not get attached to anyone here!  Or at all, as a matter of fact!"

Celeborn's eyes sparkled, "Strong words.  I sometimes wonder whether your temper is indeed an attribute or if it will one day result in your death."

Vista glared at him, "Just say what you're gonna say so I can leave."

Celeborn leaned down and whispered into her ear, "There are those, including I, who believe that Haldir loves you deeply.  What would happen if you left?"