Author's Note: 

            I made another brother for Haldir (he already has two, but-in my opinion- you can never have enough brothers).  Fedoli is his other brother, older than Haldir, and he's mine.  He's the kind of older brother everybody wants; you know, really cool and willing to, well, help you with...stuff. 

            Hamartia and Hubris are also mentioned.  Hubris is pride and Hamartia is the word for 'fatal character flaw' in ancient Greek tragedies.  So, like Oedipus, Vista's Hubris is her Hamartia.  Get it?

True to form, it didn't wasn't even the end of the day and Vista was back to normal.  Sometimes she could be downright creepy.  She skipped around singing humorous songs and just being...Vista.  And that was just creepy, considering.  But that was just who she was.  Celeborn called her "a creature of the moment, not bothered by the past or the future." 

            Haldir didn't agree with him.  The way he figured it, Vista was the way she was because she was bothered by the present, not to mention the past or future.  And she was just really good at temporarily forgetting her woes.  But he shuddered to imagine what might go on in her mind as she would lie awaiting sleep at night, with nothing to distract her.  Lying awake at night makes all problems seem worse.

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            Haldir had emerged from Vista's room to a flurry of questions.  Not knowing what else to say, he told them the truth.  At first, the children didn't understand why she was so upset; but, as it began to sink in, they became more empathetic.  And decided that they wanted give her a birthday party, since she couldn't be with her family.  But that wasn't the best part.  No, not hardly.

            They wanted him to help them.  (Yeah, that's what he thought, too)  And he almost said no.  But, then again, children are master guilt-trippers.  But you knew that already.

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            Vista had no idea it was coming.  Not the foggiest.  Well, hang on a sec, I take that back.  When she went to play with the kids, she thought they were a bit more...excitable then normal.  But then she figured it was the weather. 

            After all, she though with a twinge of sadness, it's the first of June for crying out loud.

She put it behind her and had a delightful afternoon.

            But, as the sun got closer to setting, the kids began to get antsy.  Like they were expecting something.  Then Fedoli came and asked her to accompany her to an impromptu archery contest.  The kids wanted to come too, and Fedoli didn't disagree.  They sauntered off, but, curiously, toward the river, not the training arena.  But, hey, who said they need to confine themselves? 

            As they continued, however, she began to mentally question this whole thing.  Why were they near the river?  What's wrong with the arena, which they hardly ever left?  It felt like a set up, but then she began to feel stupid, like she was being unnecessarily paranoid.  As they got closer to the river, though, she could see lights and could hear voices, like a whole ass-load of people.  She could hear music too, and the smell of food was mouth watering.

            The kids ran ahead, laughing and shrieking.  Now she knew something was going on.  Maybe it's a celebration for the coming of summer or something...Elvish like that.  Then, however, they actually entered the clearing. 

            Vista'd been right.  It looked like the whole Lothlorien community was hangin' out in the clearing.  Several guys sat off to the side, playing music and flirting with a group of women.  Most were crowded around a long table filled with food, and others who had food already were either standing around or sitting on the ground.  The atmosphere was not unlike the many Saturday gatherings her family often had at their sprawling farmhouse.  They were there partly to celebrate, partly to have fun with each other.

            Then the occupants started noticing her and Fedoli standing on the outskirts of the clearing.  Things quieted down until complete silence reigned.  Then, out of a shadow, stepped Celeborn.  He approached Vista and, taking both her hands in his, smiled down at her.

"I think the children have something they want to tell you."

Vista arched an eyebrow, "Oh they do, do they?"  Okay, he's acting strange.

His smile widened, "Yes, they do."

He turned aside so Vista could see into the clearing again.  The kids had grouped together and were looking very excited indeed.

"Don't you, children?"

They all looked nervously at each other then back at Vista.  Then, as one, they chorused:

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISSY VISTA!"

...spaz!!!  ...what..?  oh my god...don't cry, don't cry don't cry...aww, damn it.

            Tears started rolling down her face, despite herself.  The kids rushed her, squealing and laughing, knocking her over with their hugs.  After a moment, she was able push aside enough kids to sit up straight.  She was still crying, but she was smiling.  The others in the clearing broke into laughter and applause.  Then, once she'd regained her footing, they returned to what they had been doing previously:  enjoying a beautiful evening with good company.

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            Vista spent a good portion of the evening hanging out with the guys of the crowd, listening to their stories, most of which were vastly amusing.  But she was on a constant lookout for Haldir.  She saw him once, when she first arrived, and hadn't seen him since.  She excused herself and went foraging for more food.  At the table, she ran into Fedoli.

Vista grinned at him, "You set me up!"

Fedoli held up his hands, "Hey, it wasn't me!  Well, it was, but it wasn't my idea, honest!"

She laughed, "Did the kids put you guys up to it?  They're so cute...how'd they find out, though...?"

Fedoli snorted, "No, it wasn't them, though they were the drive behind it.  The person to thank for putting this together is Haldir."

Vista flushed, "Really?  He did all this?"

Fedoli nodded casually, "Yeah, surprisingly quick, too." 

He then smiled evilly at her, "I think he likes you."

Vista rolled her eyes, "No shit, Sherlock.  I've known that for a while.  But we agreed to remain friends."

Didn't we?

Fedoli returned her look, "Point your finger back at yourself, Vista.  Yeah, you may remain determined to see Haldir only as a friend, but he is determined to love you.  Even if you never return it."

Vista was stunned, "...I have no answer to that...shit."

Fedoli shook his head, "I am sorry, Vista.  I should not have spoken like that to you, especially today.  It's just, well, Haldir's my brother and I want him to be happy.  And you're my friend, and I want you to be happy, too.  And, from this end, it seems like you two would be happy...together."

Vista flushed again, "I can't believe I'm hearing this."

Fedoli chuckled, "Well, it's too late to take it back, isn't it.  Though it'll undoubtedly poke at your brain for the rest of...however long, enjoy your night.  Happy birthday, Vista."

            A final grin, and he disappeared into the crowd.  Vista sighed.  Wonderful.  Oh well.  And headed back to the conversation she'd left.  On the way back, though, she got distracted once again. 

THERE he is!

            Vista caught a glimpse of Haldir standing in the shadows at the edge of the clearing, closer to the river.  She set her plate on the edge of the table and took off after him.

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            She sprinted down the path after him.  She burst out onto the beach, looking around.  She didn't see him and sagged.  DAMN IT!  Argh, Elves move too damn fast!  Then a hand tapped her on the shoulder.  She shrieked and jumped away, spinning in midair and landing in a defensive position.  Behind her stood Haldir, extremely amused.

"Jumpy, are we?" he asked, teasingly.

Vista glared at him, "You snuck up on me, and you expect me not to freak?"

He smiled, "I walked right up behind you and tapped you on your shoulder.  There was nothing sneaky about it."

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever.  The point is, I came after you to see why you're not hanging out at the party.  Good food, good music, good company, what more could someone want?"

He opened his mouth to reply, then didn't and started walking down the beach.  She darted over and snagged the collar of his tunic.

"What?  What were you going to say?" she demanded.

Haldir shook his head, "You wouldn't want to hear it."

She arched an eyebrow, "You've been talking to Fedoli, haven't you."

He hesitated, then "Yes, I have."

"Yeah, thought it sounded like the same tune."

He shot a dark look at her, "So what did he say?"

Vista colored slightly, "He told me that...that you put this together.  That true?"

He nodded, "Yes, it's true.  The children begged me into it."

Vista laughed suddenly, "Kids are the best at guilt-tripping older people into doing things for them."

Haldir smiled also, "Yes, they are."

Silence fell between them, standing there on the beach.  Haldir shifted.

"I have something for you."

            He reached into a pocket and drew out a leather pouch, which he handed to her.  Slightly apprehensive, she pulled at the strings tying it closed.  They came loose and the material fell flat in her hand, revealing a necklace.  It was a dragon of silver, breathing silver fire, curled protectively around his treasure:  a dark gem, the darkness disguising the true color.  Vista recognized it from her drawings.  She'd created it for an art project and would doodle it whenever she was bored.

"Thank you.." she murmured, not really trusting herself to say anything else.  Don't cry again, wuss!

            He reached out and picked up the necklace.  Then he stepped closer and, standing barely inches from her, fastened it gently around her neck.  In the dark, it was lost among the two other necklaces she wore; that she always wore.  And, then, Vista surprised him once again.  She reached up and, unfastening the other two necklaces, shoved them into her pocket.  She held up the charm and looked at it, then over at him.

"I love it.  You stole one of my doodling papers, didn't you."  She was smiling.

He nodded, "I saw it that night...in your room.  You drew it several times, in great detail, so I thought it might mean something to you.  I took one when you were not looking.  I brought it to a craftsman who said it would be easy to make.  I was waiting for the right time to give it to you.  Happy birthday, Vista."

Vista felt like she was going to cry again.  "Thank you, Haldir."

            And for the greatest surprise of the evening, she leaned toward him and oh so softly kissed his lips. 

            You know when people talk about the first time two people kiss, they always say 'and time seemed to stop'?  Well, that's only half true.  Time them around seems to stop; the time between them, however, moves all too quickly. 

            That's what Haldir was thinking, at least.  At that moment, he would have liked nothing better then to whisk Vista off to his room and make passionate love to her.  But she had said that she didn't love him, that she only wanted to be friends. 

            Vista on the other hand, was in the middle of a cold start.  The instant her lips touched his, her body momentarily shut down and a civil war started between her heart and her head.  Head was hollering about the past and how she didn't deserve that again.  Heart, however, was screaming something about "Hamartia, hamartia!!  Get over your freaking hubris!"  Oy.

            While she was busy being fought over inside her head, Haldir decided to make a move and see what happened.  He opened his eyes slightly When did I close them? and brought his hand up to her face, gently stroking her cheek with his fingertips.  He heard her draw in a sharp breath, but she didn't pull away. 

                        BOOM!

            An explosion rent the air, light flashing abruptly from the sky.  Vista leapt nearly 3 feet in the air, breaking the kiss.  She bent backwards, craning her neck to look into the sky, which shimmered with the fading light of a firework.  Before a word could be spoken, another explosion and flash heralded the coming of another firework, this one in the shape of a waterfall. 

            Vista laughed and searched the night sky eagerly for evidence of another.  They stood together on the beach and watched the rest of the fireworks.  It was just a short display, but it was good enough for her. 

"So did you arrange that, too?" she asked suddenly.

            They hadn't spoken during the display.  Vista'd reveled in the light and noise, while Haldir'd watched her, absorbed in thought.  As it was, he didn't realize she was speaking to him until she poked him in the shoulder.

"Hm?" he muttered, trying to retain his thought process and respond at the same time.

"I asked if you arranged that, too." she repeated.

"Yes.  I was lucky that Gandalf was here visiting Lady Galadriel.  He was most pleased that I asked him to show off his fireworks."

Vista laughed, "Sometimes I think he has way too much fun..."

Haldir chuckled with her, then turned serious, "So do you like it?  The people...and the fireworks...do you like it?"

Vista bit her lip, then looked up at him, "Truthfully, this is the best birthday I've ever had.  By far.

            Before he could reply, the music struck up again from the clearing.  Haldir glanced in the direction, before looking back at Vista, eyes mischievous.

"Would you give me the honor of this dance, Lady Vista?" he inquired in a teasing tone.

She mock glared at him, "Don't call me 'lady'!"

He held up his hands in surrender, "My apologies!...my Lady."

She let out a shriek of mock outrage and took a play-swing at him which he dodged easily.

"I'll take that as a yes."