The rest of the evening passed in a haze for Vista and Haldir.  They barely spoke to each other, or anyone else, for that matter.  The rest of the assembly was vastly amused.  Just like watching a soap opera unfold in your own home...if they'd known what a soap opera was...  They swirled into the dances, joying in their new-found love, like lovers will.  Fedoli had downed three drinks by then, muttering incessantly about "kids these days...never know what they want..."

            The last song of the evening was played and people began wandering off.  Vista leaned tiredly against Haldir.

"I'm tired, and these shoes are killing me.  I'm going to bed; good-night."

Haldir reached out and snagged her hand, "Let me walk with you."

Vista shrugged, "Okay."

            They walked off in the general direction of her quarters at a sedate pace, still hand in hand.  They hadn't been walking very long when Vista suddenly stopped and, reaching down, pulled off her shoes.  She straightened and shot Haldir a superior look: 

"Much better."

Haldir laughed, "You are strange, you know."

Vista laughed with him, "Yeah, but it's one of my more endearing qualities, I think."

"Maybe.  I prefer your humor."

"Oh, whatever.  I don't think you'd like me so much if I were predictable."

"Speaking unpredictable, why did you suddenly...um..."

"What, fall in love with you?"

"Yes."

Vista thought for a moment, "It wasn't sudden.  I think I've loved you for a while, I just didn't realize it until recently."

That warranted an eyebrow, "Recently?  What is recently?"

"I dunno, maybe since my birthday; maybe sooner, I can't really say."

"About your birthday, why then did you kiss me?"

Vista shrugged, "Seemed like the thing to do at the time.  More in a way of saying thanks then anything, really.  And don't even attempt looking offended."

Haldir pulled his lips up from the mock pout they'd slid into, "Can't say one could blame me, though."

Vista rolled her eyes, "Oh, yeah, you just got it so rough, don't ya."

He chuckled, "Well, you are kind of hard to interpret."

Vista shook her head, "You're more then a little bit pathetic."

Haldir elbowed her in the ribs, "Don't belittle me within my hearing!"

Vista raised an eyebrow, "And why ever not?"

Haldir paused, "Because it's not as effective."

The eyes rolled again, "Bullshit."

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

            Their conversation continued thus until they reached her door.  Vista leaned against the doorjamb and grinned at Haldir.

"You know, it's been a really fun evening."

Haldir raised an eyebrow, "So you enjoyed yourself despite having to wear a dress?"

Vista narrowed her eyes, "Hope you have a good memory, cuz it's gonna be a long time before you see me in one again."

He smirked, "I have an excellent memory."

Vista's eye twitched slightly, "I don't like your look."

Haldir shrugged, "Before you brutally murder me and leave my body by the wayside, I might remind you that looking is no punishable crime."

Vista smirked back at him, "Says you.  What if I said, the first thing I'll do when I get inside would be to burn this accursed dress?"

Haldir blinked, "You're not serious."

"I might be.  So?"

"I would say that I would not allow it."

Vista snorted, "And you'd stop me how?  I'd probably shred it first, to make it easier to burn..."

"No."

Vista blinked at the sudden commanding tone in his voice, "And why not?  Isn't it mine to do with as I please?"

"I suppose so, but I still will not allow it."

"And that would be...for why?"

"When you walked down the stairs tonight, in that dress, you shamed the beauty of the dawn.  And I would see it again."

Vista's mouth opened, then shut.  Then opened again.

"I think it's time for me to go inside.  Goodnight."

But her nerve endings didn't seem to be receiving the message to turn about and go inside. 

They were too busy tingling.

            Haldir picked up on her hesitation and subconsciously reacted before he was fully aware that he had.  Vista was suddenly in his arms and he was kissing her, pressing her back against the door.  So much like dancing, yet so much better.  He played his tongue across the line of her lips, seeking entrance.  She still hadn't reacted.  Maybe she was just teasing him. 

            Then, in one smooth movement, she slid her arms around his neck and, pulling him closer, opened her lips to welcome his questing tongue.  He moaned softly and began to explore her warm mouth.  The feel of her tongue against his sent a spike of arousal down to join with the others pooling in his groin.  He pressed her harder against the door, grinding his hips against hers, letting her feel his desire. 

            Vista couldn't help the moan that escaped when he ground against her.  This is one hell of a goodnight kiss.  The rhythm of his hips altered to mirror that of his kiss and Vista moaned again.  Please, please want to come in...if you leave me like this, I'll kill you. 

            As if to answer her non-verbalized command, Haldir left her lips to kiss and nip at her neck.  Vista whimpered and arched against him, clutching at him.  Damn, he's good.

"Please, Vista..." Haldir was whispering against her neck, "..I want you...please..."

            At this point, Vista didn't trust herself to correctly form any sort of word.  So she figured, hey, actions speak louder then words, right?  She moved one hand from where it had been fisted in Haldir's tunic to grope behind herself for the doorknob.  She found it and gave it a hard twist.  The weight of both of them leaning against the door practically catapulted them into the room.  Vista kept a good hold on Haldir to make sure he realized she wasn't trying to ditch him by dodging through her door. 

            Haldir pulled back from her neck and stared at her, as if slightly confused as to why they were so suddenly indoors.  Vista took his moment of hesitation to slide her hands under the hem of his tunic to caress his stomach and back, and fastened her lips upon a protruding bit of collarbone.  He let out a quiet hiss of pleasure, then stepped back.  In one smooth movement, he divested himself of his tunic, depositing it unceremoniously on the floor. 

            He pulled Vista firmly into a searing kiss that left both breathless.  His hands searched out the ties of her dress and unknotted them, loosening the gown.  Vista suddenly pulled back and Haldir froze for a moment, wondering if he had done something wrong.  Then he noticed the smirk on her face as she sat down on the edge of her bed, which he hadn't realized they'd stumbled to.  She placed her hands behind her and leaned her weight on her arms and crossed her legs.

"Did you want something?" she asked teasingly.

He smirked back at her, "Maybe."

            Standing against the frame of the bed, he leaned down and braced himself on his arms, her face mere centimeters from his.  He kissed her passionately, reveling in her energy and her taste.  Vista lifted her arms to settle them around his neck, both drawing him closer and using him to remain partially upright.

            Haldir moved an arm to settle it around her waist and slowly, without breaking the kiss, lowered them both to the bed.  He pulled back slightly, just to look at her.  How he had dreamed of her, just like this.  Staring up at him from a bed, hair catastrophically mussed, lips kiss-swollen and eyes smiling at him.  All for him. 

##About damn time.##  came that sadistic voice once again.

            But not even that voice could annoy, distract, nor deter him now.  He gently rolled his hips against hers, watching her eyes fall shut, listening to her slight moan, feeling her arch against him.  He pulled her lips to his once more.  Hips gyrated against each other and tongues fought an impassioned battle inside hot mouths.  Haldir could feel the heat building within his lover's body and he wanted more; he needed more. 

            And his knees were killing him.  So, as not to completely break contact, Haldir slid his lips down to her neck.  This gave him more room to arch his back as he brought his legs up onto the bed, straddling Vista's hips.  He ground down hard and gently bit into her neck.  She arched and let out a soft cry.

            Heaven.....

Then...

"Oh, my, this is embarrassing, isn't it." came a calm voice.

            Vista let out a shriek and sat bolt upright.  This sudden movement, coupled with the fact that Haldir was still sitting astride her hips, catapulted him immediately to the floor.  He scrambled to his feet and joined Vista (who was already standing).  They both stared at the old man they hadn't noticed sitting quite placidly next to a fire they hadn't seen. 

"Wh--wha---how long have you been here?" Vista sputtered.

Gandalf considered for a moment, "Since well before you came in, I do believe.  I thought you would have noticed the fire, at least."

The gentle joke did nothing to placate Vista, however. 

"Did you want to talk to me or something?" she asked irritably.

"Actually, yes, I've been meaning to speak with you for several days.  And especially now, in light of this evenings events."

            Both Vista and Haldir flushed.  What could be more embarrassing then having someone like Gandalf walk in on a moment of passion?  Or, rather, unknowingly embrace in such a moment within such a one's eyesight.  Oh, God, just imagine how horrible that'd be.  shudder.

Gandalf then changed his attention to Haldir, "I am sorry, Marchwarden, but I will require a word with Vista alone."

Vista glanced at Haldir, "Um...yeah...okay, Gandalf.  I'll...um...see you tomorrow, Haldir."

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "And don't forget your shirt."

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

            Haldir leaned heavily against Vista's doorframe.  For an instantaneous eternity, she was his.  Only his.  Mithrandir, you will be the death of me!

##Why don't you just marry her, stupid?##  That dratted voice. 

Because she's human...I could not bear to watch her die.

            A sudden, strange feeling began to wash over him while he stood thinking in Vista's doorway.  Haldir snapped out of his revere to realize that, while he had been immersed in his thoughts (most having to do with a few minutes ago), he'd begun stroking himself.

I somehow doubt she would appreciate me masturbating on her doorstep.

He started to walk off as quickly as he could, without breaking into a run.  After all, no need to draw even more attention by running shirtless through Caras Galadhon.

Damn you, Gandalf!

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

"Goddamn it all, Gandalf!  Can't I have some privacy?"

The old man shrugged, "Depends on your definition.  Technically, I was here first.  So, therefore, you interrupted my privacy."

Vista glared at him, "You're in my room."

Gandalf looked at her thoughtfully, "Well, I just thought you would like to hear what I've found about your predicament."

Vista gaped for a second, then composed herself.  "Okay, fine.  Just, hang on a second.  I'm gonna put on something that's actually comfortable."

            She ducked into the bathroom where she'd discarded her normal clothes several hours earlier.

Only hours?  Seems like an eternity.

            Vista came back out a few minutes later feeling more...moveable.  And comfortable.  And curious.

"This had better be good."

Gandalf smiled, "Oh, I believe you will be very interested."

Vista pulled up a piece of floor next to the fireplace, "I'm listening."

Gandalf settled further into his chair, "It would seem that your being able to go home will be directly tied to your relationship with Haldir."

            If Vista had been sitting in a chair, she would probably have fallen out of it.  As it was, she nearly put her hand in the fire trying to steady herself on the floor.

"What?"

"The other we have discussed seemed to have developed the ability to return to his homeland after his marriage to his Elven maiden."

That warranted an eyebrow, "Oh, really now.  How's that?"

"It was recorded in a healer's notes that, the morning after their union, he approached this healer complaining of a tingling over his entire body.  The healer could find nothing wrong with him.  But a human wise-woman who lived in their village was consulted and it was revealed that he had the ability, with the use of a certain incantation, to return to his homeland."

Vista sighed, "Well, tonight you ruined my chance to find all this out for myself.  Thanks."

Gandalf held up a hand, "Oh, I'm not so sure.  I do not know if it would work if you were not married."

Vista rolled her eyes, "Well, aren't you a poster-boy for pre-marital abstinence."

Gandalf chuckled, "I think it would be safer."

"And I don't know if he would marry me, anyway." Vista continued, "I've heard all those stories about Elves who've fallen in love with a mortal and had to watch them die of old age and whatnot.  I don't want Haldir dying of a broken heart, alright?  Just seems overly cruel."

Gandalf chuckled again, "You certainly have a way with words, Lady Vista.  Perhaps you should speak about this with Haldir.  See what he thinks."

Vista nodded noncommittally, "Yeah...hey, I have a question.  Just out of curiosity, what was this incantation, anyway?"

Gandalf sighed, "Another snare.  I do not know.  The healer, nor any other, left any record of its existence."

Vista rolled her eyes, "Well, then, we're just right back where we started, now aren't we?"