Okay. We all know how much fun parties are. Most of us, however, also know just how much freaking work they are to set up. You have to think about decorations and food and music and AUGH!! the STRESS!!! Ya know, the stuff migraines are made of.
So, the Mirkwood people have been hanging around Lothlorien for around a week and a half, now. The celebration/party/whatever is two days away. So, naturally, the place is fucking chaos. Things break, things go missing, the typical 'shit happens' sort of deal.
The curtain opens on our characters running rather...frantically, tying up loose ends and other obnoxious people (ha). Vista's in a really good mood because she thrives on chaos; it's the way she manages to function. She bounces around helping wherever she's needed, doing odds and ends. Haldir, however, helps by staying out of the way. And taking a random moment or two for a chuckle at everyone else, running around like chickens with their heads cut off. But chickens aren't as noisy. Or as easy to offend.
He took one such moment to laugh at something Vista was doing. Unfortunately for him, she heard him. The next moment, he was brushing the remains of a rather large dirt clod off his face while Vista shrieked with laughter, then told him to get lost. Sometimes he would, or he'd just throw his own dirt clod. Either way.
Haldir avoided asking Vista about how her dress-making was coming. He gathered it was a rather sore subject. From what he could find out (from those willing to talk), the dress was coming along nicely and would be done well before the celebration. However, under penalty of death, they could not divulge the color or design. Just that....yeah, just be prepared. So he had four days for this information to irritate him. Wonderful.
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*Knock**Knock*
"O, little brother? You about ready? If you don't hurry up, you're gonna be late."
Haldir shook his head at the reflection of his brother in the mirror, "I will not, Fedoli. You exaggerate."
Fedoli raised an eyebrow, "Do I? How long have you been ready, then?"
Haldir thought a moment, "Maybe 10 minutes."
Fedoli raised the other eyebrow, "So you're hiding. Vista's not down there yet, you know."
"She's not?"
Fedoli shook his head, "No. She's having problems with her dress, so I've been told. Or maybe she simply wants to make an entrance. Probably come sliding down a banister or something."
They laughed.
"C'mon, we're gonna be late!"
"Fine. I'm coming."
"What're you so afraid of, anyway? You clean up rather well."
Haldir rolled his eyes.
It had been a while since he'd attended something... formal. After substantial searching, he'd found his "nice" tunic and leggings buried in a trunk. The leggings and long-sleeved shirt he'd found were black, while the tunic was a light gray color. He even managed to find a pair of boots that weren't all that scuffed. He'd taken a bath (something which Fedoli found highly amusing for some reason) and had meticulously re-braided his hair. In his mind, these extreme measures had to be taken. He didn't wish to feel... inferior to Vista. (Though, somehow, he knew he would anyway.)
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"I'M NOT COMIN' OUT!"
"Vista, please! Let me just see. We can probably fix whatever is wrong. Open the door!"
"NO!"
"I won't make you come out, Vista. Just let me see."
*sigh* "Okay. But promise you won't laugh."
"I promise, now open the door."
The lock lifted and the door opened. Sifea cautiously walked into the room, shutting the door behind her.
"Oh, my."
"See what I mean?"
"I see that you both exaggerate and understate."
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"It means that you are overreacting."
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The celebration had started half an hour ago, and Vista was still hadn't shown up.
"Excuse me, Haldir. But have you seen Vista about?"
Haldir turned from his conversation, "No, Lord Celeborn, I have not. I am beginning to get worried."
Celeborn nodded, "As am I. Or, maybe not. Look."
Haldir turned in the direction Celeborn was pointing.
A stairway spiraled down to the ground at the northern corner of the cleared space, leading from some of the dwellings. It was innocuous enough, not well lit and relatively small. Perfect for someone who wished to make an unannounced entrance.
Down said stairway was walking Vista. And it seemed the entire universe decided to quit playing with the spinning planets and watch.
She was wearing the fabled dress, which proved beyond all of Haldir's conjectures. It was long and of a deep, rich blue. The sleeves billowed out from the elbows, giving her a graceful air. The fabric separated at the waist, with a bolt of silvery cloth between the two pleats. The sleeves came up enough to join with the fabric of the bodice, leaving her shoulders mostly bare. Intricate patterns traced themselves across the bodice in silver. Her hair was pulled back in a simple style and the only jewelry she wore was the dragon necklace.
She looked, at that moment, like she would have preferred to be anywhere else. Or anyone else. But her sensational attempt at a secretive entrance had attracted more attention then she seemed to have wanted. Several gasps were heard and muttering broke out among the crowd.
To Haldir's dismay (then amusement), the first person to approach Vista was Legolas. Though he couldn't hear what was said, Vista was rather...short with him. They spoke briefly and the Prince pointed toward Haldir. Vista smiled, said something that he assumed to be an apology, and walked toward him.
"Okay, you don't have to stare, you know." Vista said irritably.
"I do not believe I can help myself." Haldir replied. "You look beautiful."
Vista flushed, "I'm not--"
Haldir gently laid a finger over her lips, "Then let me revel in my misperception. At least for tonight."
Vista fidgeted with her sleeves, "You're not helping. It's enough that I'm down here in a dress."
"And a well made one." Haldir said with an appreciative glance, "You did an admirable job."
"You don't look half bad yourself. It's kinda obvious that you haven't worn those clothes in a while, though."
Haldir raised an eyebrow, "You are rather antagonistic this evening."
Vista shot him a glare, "I wonder why."
Haldir chuckled, "Then will you dance with me, before I am to be beheaded?"
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Legolas had only gotten around to teaching Vista the simple steps, so it was difficult for a bit. But Vista caught on quickly...and Haldir was a good teacher. However, Vista seemed slightly out of sorts.
"What's wrong." Haldir inquired.
"I just...miss the music from home, is all." Vista replied.
"Oh. I wish I could hear it. Hear what you like to hear."
Vista tensed slightly, "Actually...actually you could."
Haldir looked down at her, mildly startled, "How?"
Vista bit her lip, "I... have some with me. Up in my room. Along with some other things that I had with me."
A candle flared in Haldir's mind (somehow, light bulb didn't quite fit... Wonder why.)
"Is that what is in that box you have?"
Vista nodded, "Yeah, with some other stuff. You can look at it sometime, if you want."
Right as this particular song ended, Vista felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Fedoli and Rumil. A lively tune was struck up at that moment and Rumil, grinning broadly, bowed exaggeratedly.
"Might I steal a dance, Vista?"
Vista laughed, "You might. But I'm afraid it won't be easy."
Fedoli took that moment to latch onto Haldir, "And I need a word with you." and began leading him away.
Rumil quickly whirled Vista off into the music, while Fedoli dragged Haldir several paces away.
"What was that for? Are you plotting something, Fedoli?" Haldir asked, slightly annoyed.
Fedoli shrugged, "No, not really. Just wanted to know what you think about things so far this evening."
Haldir glanced out at the sea of dancers for a moment before answering, "I might say better then expected. Though that would not be entirely true, considering I did not know what to expect, exactly."
Fedoli nodded, "Good answer, good answer. I'd be the first to say that Vista is by far the most beautiful woman here, and many others acknowledge that. You are the subject of good-natured jealousy. You and Vista compliment each other rather well."
Haldir shook his head, "She far outshines me; though she's not too happy about it."
Fedoli fixed Haldir with a would-be innocent look, "So is she in love with you yet?"
Haldir glared at his brother, "Not that it's your business."
Fedoli shrugged, "No, not really. Just curious is all. So is she?"
Haldir narrowed his eyes, "She may be. Then again, she may not be."
Fedoli rolled his eyes, "C'mon, little brother, give me more to work with! It's not like I'm gonna tell anybody... outside Orophin and Rumil, that is..."
The song wound down and Vista was heading back toward them. Haldir smirked at Fedoli:
"Not saying a word."
Fedoli rolled his eyes again, "You're getting more and more like Vista, you know?"
Haldir laughed as Vista approached.
"Whatcha laughing at?" she asked.
Haldir grinned, "Oh, Fedoli is fishing for information and is frustrated that I will not tell him anything. Speaking of which, why do you not ask Vista yourself, brother?"
Fedoli shrugged, "Sure, why not?"
He pivoted to face Vista, "You in love with Haldir yet?"
Vista burst out laughing. After a moment, she regained herself.
"Would you be happy if I said yes?"
Fedoli and Haldir both stared at her, astonished.
"Uhh...umm...yeah, actually, I would." Fedoli finally stuttered.
Vista grinned at him, "Then yes, I am."
Fedoli blinked, "Uh...okay, then. Um, I'm gonna...go...now..."
He made his way through the crowd towards the drinks, shaking his head. Vista chuckled to herself and looked up at Haldir. He was staring at her in shock and wonderment. She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Haldir opened his mouth, but no sound came out. The other eyebrow went up.
The sight of Haldir's apparent shock began to make register what she'd just said. Vista felt her face flush, but she didn't break their gaze. They stood there, staring at each other; Vista with a half-amused, half-horrified expression; Haldir with a dazed one.
"So, you, um, recovered your ability of speech yet?" Vista asked after a while.
Haldir blinked, "Um, maybe. Do you speak the truth?"
The eyebrows, which had since relaxed, shot up again, "Would I lie to you?"
Haldir managed a smile, "I remember you saying something a long time ago, about answering questions whether with the truth or not."
Vista rolled her eyes, "I was referring to things that I don't know about. I can bluff answers to questions when I don't actually know the answer. Not that I would lie. For the most part, at least."
Then...
"Then you love me?" he whispered.
Tears sparkled in her eyes as she slowly nodded. Haldir then gently cupped her face in his hands, staring intently into her eyes.
"Say it. Please."
The tears tripped down her face, but she didn't look away. "I love you, Haldir. And that's the truth."
