~Mischief Brews~

The return of the King's company to Edoras was met with cheers and curiosity, as the party of just three Rohirrim, a Dwarf, now four Elves and thirty-two Rangers entered the city, weary but heartened by the joyous city folk.

Aerlaer had spent the remainder of their journey mostly awake, and had tried to convince Taurorn, she was capable of running once again, but her friend would have none of it. Instead, they spent time conversing when the King allowed for a slower pace, and she realised just how much she had missed the Ranger.

As the King's part halted in the square, Aerlaer turned about, searching through the riders for any sign of Legolas, but she could not see him, or Arod.

"We have a spare, disused stable if you wish to stable your mens' horses?" Éomer rode up through the milling Rangers, pointing down a nearby path. said to Halbarad who stood next to her and Taurorn.

"That would be appreciated thank you." Halbarad replied from his place beside Aragorn, motioning the others to follow.

"What are the Rohirrim like?" Taurorn asked quietly, as they followed Éomer.

"They are nice, actually they remind me a lot of the Rangers. They are fierce and loyal but they have a good sense of humour, the women and men. You all should get along well I think."

"That is good to hear." He replied and as they reached the stables, he swung down from Timber, before offering a hand up to Aerlaer. "My lady, may I be of assistance to help you from my magnificent horse?" He said playfully. Laughing, she took his calloused hand and lightly jumped down. "You ran well, Timber and now finally my good fellow, you can have a very well-deserved rest." He said as he swung an arm affectionately over the dark brown gelding's neck and led him into the stable.

"I am sure I can rustle up a couple apples for him." Aerlaer murmured, walking on the other side of the horse, a hand on his sloped shoulder. Timber walked willingly into a stall and Aerlaer helped Taurorn untack and brush the tired horse down as a stableboy brought in tepid water and sweet-smelling hay. She smiled as the horse sighed contentedly, taking a drink before nosing the box of hay.

"We best let him rest now. He deserves it." Taurorn said and together they walked back out of the stables, finding Halbarad.

"The King has given us the use of cities enclosed orchard to set up camp in and this eve if you wish you can attend the celebrations in his hall."

"That sounds perfect." Taurorn replied. "I think I will need to rest before this celebration though. Will you attend, Aerlaer?"

"Of course, I would not miss it." She grinned to him and he grinned back. Halbarad merely shook his head.

"I truly feel sorry for King Théoden, for he has no idea the mischief you, Taurorn, Aerlaer and the twins can get up to, oh not to mention that mischievous woodland sprite, Legolas! Maybe I should warn him." Halbarad chuckled.

"Not a word to the King." Taurorn laughed his eyes dancing as the older Ranger again shook his head.

"You forgot the other two mischief makers, the Hobbits!" Aerlaer added smirking.

"Come then Taurorn, if you plan on a merry eve then come help us set up and rest." The Halbarad told the younger Ranger. He turned to Aerlaer with a smile.

"I'll see you in the evening, get some more rest." He instructed and she chuckled at his fussing. With a grin, he turned to follow Halbarad towards the city orchards.

Aerlaer made her way back to the halls of the King, hoping to catch sight of Legolas. She had not spoken to him in hours and wished to see him, missing his company. She wished to speak too with her cousins and find out exactly what had befallen Merry and Pip, but first, she needed to bathe. The quick wash shed had before leaving Helms Deep had barely sufficed in removing the taint of battle upon her skin.

…

Once Arod was comfortably resting in his own stall, Legolas had carefully avoided Gimli, Aragorn, Elrohir and Elladen, and retreated to his own chambers. He unslung his quiver and propped it against the wall and then slowly undid the three braids in his hair as he walked slowly around his guest chamber.

His head heart from all the thoughts which had been racing through it and his heart was just a constant ache. He had never been gladder to be alone and away from everyone. A bath waited for him and, tugging off his boots and clothes, he let himself sink down into the water. Was Aerlaer in her chamber now? A wall separating them? He grit his teeth. No! I won't think of her. Trying to drown out his mind, he pulled his head under until it rested on the bottom of the deep tub. I wonder how long I could stay like this until I need to come up for air. One, two, three, four, five, six…

Two hundred and ten. He pulled himself up and dragged in a long breath of air filling his lungs, and then settled to rest his head against the rim of the tub. Legolas closed his eyes, trying to shut out all thought from his mind. It didn't work, thoughts kept coming to him unbidden. Nothing made any sense. He outwardly sighed in annoyance and, quickly washing himself, left the tub and dried himself off; finding whatever clothing Rodwen had laid out on his bed and pulled them on.

He still did not wish to face anybody so he lay down on the bed he hadn't even really slept in. It felt empty. He'd been an idiot thinking she might have cared for him too. Of course, she didn't. He was just another member of the Fellowship, and a gullible one at that to fall so easily in the end for her. I am a fool, I am such a fool. When will I learn?

He thought of Galadriel's two messages to him. Maybe I don't need to find anything, maybe I'll just walk out to the sea and let it take me. It's going to anyway. Bitterly he closed his eyes, consumed by his own sadness and fell into a restless sleep.

…

Aerlaer wasn't going to bother trying to sleep without the company of Legolas, so once she had bathed, she wrapped a towel around herself and examined the three dresses which Rodwen had left on her bed.

One drew her eye immediately, a light charcoal dress with sheer skirts of a thin material which would have caused the entire dress to be see-through if it were not for the intricate swirling leaf pattern of a darker charcoal which gleamed a dark, silvery blue under the light which covered most of the fabric. The bodice was of the same materiel still and tied up with a crossed ribbon of the same material.

Aerlaer was intrigued to note the dress had no sleeves or straps to speak of. How daring yet beautiful it is. Rodwen certainly enjoys dressing me up. She laughed to herself as she stepped into the intriguing dress and moved to the tall mirror on the dresser and pulled at the ribbon ties, securing them in a bow below the small of her back.

Finally, she peered into the mirror at her reflection and grinned. The bodice seemed to mould to her as the material wrapped under her arms and rested just below her shoulder blades where was then held by the ribbon material which laced down her back, revealing subtle glimpses of the line of her spine. From there the light material fell to her feet where the under layer reached its end mid-thigh and the remaining outer material of dark silver patterns on the sheer charcoal gave subtle hints in the light of her long legs beneath the fabric.

Rodwen has outdone herself, this dress is most certainly a little daring but I do love it. She ran her fingers through her hair, teasing any remaining tangles out and then let her hair hang down as it pleased. There was a light knock at her door and she walked over and opened it to reveal none other than Rodwen. Aerlaer stepped aside to let her in.

"I thought you might like that one." She chuckled. "It was made with you in mind."

"Whenever did you find the time to do so?" Aerlaer asked in amazement.

"I had a peek in the tailors' chamber at Helms Deep, out of curiosity when we arrived and found many fine fabrics from Gondor including this one. It gave the little ones something to focus on other than the chaos around them, and it gave them hope to know I was making you a dress because you would be coming back alive, and so you have." The old lady smiled up at her.

"Thank you Rodwen, your words and this dress... thank you." Aerlaer murmured, feeling a lump in her throat."

"No, my dear, thank you. You fought for us, nearly getting yourself killed in the process and then went back out there again and continued fighting for us. Not only that, but the air of confidence you had along with Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn, instilled hope into those unseasoned men who had to fight. The four of you combined did more than you will possibly ever know." Rodwen said reverently with a warm smile.

"Your words are too kind my friend, but thank you for them, they warm my heart." Aerlaer smiled and then turned back to the mirror. "I am curious as to the thought behind this design, will you explain it to me?"

"Ah, I had help from my design team who wished to create the perfect dress for a victorious, warrior princess." Aerlaer looked at her sceptically and the old lady shrugged. "Those were Nellwyn's words not mine. She and Fayre helped create the design; they were very excited, of course, to learn of your return so you could wear it." Rodwen chuckled.

"Then it is a good thing I chose it for this eve. Tell me Rodwen, where can I find the girls to thank them? I would very much like to see them before the feast."

"Theirs is the fourth cottage from the road leading up to the square on the left." Rodwen replied. "I must go but you will see me about this evening." She said as she went to let herself out of the chamber.

"Rodwen wait." Aerlaer called out hesitantly and the old lady turned to look back at her questioningly. "I was wondering do... oh never mind, it is nothing." Aerlaer said dismissively feeling a little silly for what she had been about to ask.

"Go on." Rodwen encouraged softly.

"Well I was wondering; do you think that perhaps umm, Legolas will like it?" She asked, feeling a little embarrassed and silly for actually wondering what the other Elf would think of what she wore when it hadn't bothered her before.

"He would be a fool not to." Rodwen replied with a warm smile and left the chamber, closing the door softly behind her.

...

Aerlaer ventured out of her chamber and soon discovered that apart from those in the hall preparing for the eve of celebration, not one member of the Fellowship was to be seen. They must all still be sleeping. Even Éowyn and the King are not around. She mused as she headed out the side entrance of the King's house and, with her cloak wrapped around her, headed down to the city square.

Soon she discovered she had a problem. Rodwen had not specified if it was left going up or down the road. She chewed her lip, trying to figure out which house the girls likely dwelt in, but they all looked the same.

"Aerlaer you look a little lost." She looked up to see Éomer. Oh, thank Silaear, Éomer will know.

"Can you tell me which house is that of young Nellwyn and Fayre?" She asked him hopefully and to her relief he nodded.

"That one on the right with the pot of red flowers beside its door." He answered easily. "Do you mind if I wait for you, there is something I need your advice on for this eve?" He said with a grin and she nodded before walking down to the house and knocking on the door.

She knocked on the door and smiled as she heard Nellwyn's voice from inside and then that of her mother chastising her. There were footsteps and then the door opened to reveal Farrah.

"Greetings, Lady Aerlaer." She said warmly. "Do come…"

"Aerlaer is here! A voice squealed from behind her and within a moment an enthusiastic Nellwyn was dragging her through the door.

Aerlaer shook her head, amused as the young girl bounced around her excitedly. "The girls have been hoping they would see you once they learned you had arrived back in Edoras." Farrah chuckled as she rested a calming hand on her youngest daughter's shoulder, trying to keep her still.

"Hello Aerlaer." Fayre said quietly as she walked into the room. "How nice of you to visit us." She smiled shyly.

"Hello Fayre, of course I would visit you all besides I have something I need to thank you for." She unclasped her cloak and took it off, revealing the dress she wore.

"The dress!" Nellwyn gasped in awe. "It's perfect! Even better than we imagined!"

"I hear you two were head designers for this beautiful dress." Aerlaer said to them both. "You should be very proud of yourselves." She was rewarded with two beaming little faces.

"We wanted to make you a dress which showed that you are not just pretty but strong too." Fayre explained quietly.

"Yes! A dress for a warrior princess!" Nellwyn chipped in excitedly.

"Fayre helped with the sewing too, she has been learning off my mother." Farrah explained, smiling proudly down at her daughters.

"We made a dress for Éowyn too, different to yours, it is white and gold and, it has sleeves." Fayre giggled.

"Well my young friends, you are very talented in your designing and I look forward to seeing Éowyn this eve. Fayre your sewing is very good, I would never have guessed someone so young could sew so neatly." Fayre blushed.

"Thank you Aerlaer, I hope to be a dressmaker one day." She replied dreamily.

"I think you already are." Aerlaer grinned and bent down to give each girl a hug. "I would love to stay longer, but Éomer is waiting for me." She explained and the girls nodded. "I will come and visit again when I can." She smiled at them all as she put her cloak back on and then went to open the door and let herself out.

"Thank you Aerlaer, we would love that." Farrah answered. "Enjoy your evening."

Aerlaer nodded and stepped outside. "Aerlaer wait!" Whispered Nellwyn urgently and she turned back to the young girl, who walked up to Aerlaer and beckoned she kneel to her level. Aerlaer complied. "Who was the man you rode back into Edoras with?" she asked curiously.

"That was my dear friend, Taurorn." She replied to the five-year-old.

"Oh, is he your husband?" Nellwyn asked hesitantly.

"Goodness no!" Aerlaer laughed, thoroughly amused by the young girl's question. "No, Taurorn is like a brother to me." She grinned and was bemused to see a look of pure relief wash over Nellwyn's face.

"Oh, that is alright then." Nellwyn sighed.

"Would it have been a bad thing if he was?" Aerlaer asked, curious as to why the young girl was so pleased her assumption had been incorrect.

"Well sort of, I think it would have made one of my friends sad." She replied and her words intrigued Aerlaer more but she did not get to ask which one of Nellwyn's friends she spoke of for at that moment, Farrah called out to her.

"Uh oh! I better go! Bye Aerlaer!" She said and scampered back into her house. Shaking her head over the strange conversation, she walked back up towards the square to where Éomer was seated on a stone bench waiting for her.

"How may I be of assistance? She asked upon reaching the man and he observed her a moment, clasping his hands together.

"Do Elves drink?" He finally asked, watching her uncertainly. Aerlaer laughed at the honest confusion on Éomer's face as he waited for her answer.

"They do." She grinned at him.

"Oh, good I was hoping they did." He chuckled. "What do you usually drink in your homelands? I understand we are now hosting three separate kin of Elves."

"Two and a half separate kin." She laughed. "Elladen and Elrohir are my cousins, remember. All Elves drink wine, but I dare say you will need a large quantity of your own wine before any of us would feel its effects."

"Truly? Well that is unfortunate." He replied a little crestfallen. "The men were curious as to what a drunken Elf was like." He snickered.

"Indeed, and which one of us exactly did they plan on intoxicating?" She enquired with a half smirk.

"Legolas." He said and she smirked fully at the gleam in his eye. "We do have stronger drinks of ales and ciders and such I wonder if they would be to the taste of Elves."

"There is only one way to find out, where is the cellar?" She grinned mischievously at the man and he grinned back and together they walked back to the King's halls, to the cellar, which lay down past the kitchens.

"Why exactly have you decided on Legolas?" Aerlaer asked as Éomer selected a chalice from a cabinet and walked up to a barrel and turned the tap, pouring a small amount of a sparkling golden liquid into it.

"The men and I have decided he is rather quiet and want to see if a little drink will get him more talkative." Éomer laughed as he handed her the chalice and she took a hesitant sip.

"Apples?" she asked as she took another sip.

"Apple Cider." Do you like it?"

"Mm yes, it's lovely, I do like apples." She laughed.

"It's stronger than our wine, one of our stronger brews actually."

"Legolas would like this you know." She mused. "But I cannot see him agreeing to let you all get him intoxicated." She laughed and it might take a lot of chalices before you came close."

"What about a drinking game?" Éomer asked. Noticing Aerlaer's questioning expression he explained. "A game where two men compete to drink each other into oblivion. A case of last man standing wins."

Aerlaer thought about this idea and slowly another smirk formed on her lips. "Legolas cannot resist a challenge, and if you challenge him to this game there is no way he will decline, he is too proud."

"I do believe this evening we will be in for much amusement then." Éomer said, a mischievous glimmer in his dark eyes as they left the cellar.

…

"Legolas! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." Gimli puffed as he ran up to the Elf and took in the dour expression on his face as he paced back and forth between the pillars. "Come Legolas, stop walking around like it's a funeral." He said sternly to the Elf who turned and glared at him before resuming his pacing.

Poor lad, he is a mess. Gimli thought sadly. There must be a way to cheer him up or take his mind off Aerlaer. Suddenly he felt his arm being grabbed and was dragged around a pillar.

"Shh!" Legolas hissed at him. Musical laughter met his ears and he peered around the pillar to see Aerlaer and Éomer walking together, heads bent closely together in a quiet but animated conversation. The Rohirrim man and she Elf walked into the halls, not noticing either of them. Legolas breathed a sigh of relief when they were gone.

"Legolas what was that? You cannot simply avoid her." Gimli said to the Elf in exasperation.

"And why not? It's working so far." He said with a pointed look at the dwarf.

"Is it really?" Gimli said a little bemused. "You've been pacing like a caged animal."

"It's working enough." Legolas conceded.

"You can't avoid her forever, it's just something you are going to have to accept, as hard as that is, laddie." He said gently to the Elf, feeling bad for him.

"I know." Legolas said and let out a held in sigh. "Forgive me Gimli, I will make more of an effort to be cheerier this evening." He said and plastered on a smile which Gimli knew to be fake, but at least he was trying.

"That's the spirit, lad." He said, patting the Elf on the shoulder. "Now try not to pace a hole in the stonework, I go to find Aragorn, unless you want to come too?"

"Manwë no, I do not need a lecture from him. It will be sterner than yours." Legolas said in a rush and nodding Gimli turned to leave. "Gimli?" He turned his head back to the Elf. "Thank you." Gimli smiled, feeling touched by his gratitude and resumed on his way to find Aragorn, where he was most likely in the orchard with his people.

"Ah, Gimli, right?" He stopped and looked up and was surprised to see the young ranger, Taurorn, approaching him.

"Yes, that is me." He replied, feeling a little guarded towards the young man due to Legolas's predicament.

"Have you seen my rascal sister?" He asked and Gimli looked at him blankly.

"I'm sorry lad, I do not know your people and do not know who your sister is." He replied apologetically. I don't recall seeing any female Rangers?

"I mean Aerlaer." The young Ranger grinned. "I need to give her something and speak with her." He explained.

"Your… sister?" Gimli spluttered in amazement.

"Well yes, not by blood though, more as an endearment." He replied looking oddly at Gimli, as if he should already have known that.

"Ah yes, I saw her but a few moments ago heading into the halls accompanied by Éomer." He replied, still stunned at the Ranger's revelation.

"Thanks." He said and dashed off along the path Gimli had just come. He turned to watch the young Ranger disappearing into the hall and shook his head. His sister? Oh, poor Legolas, he has been moping about for naught! Laughter burst from him unbidden as he resumed his walk towards the orchards.

...

"Taurorn!" He paused mid stride and turned to where Elrohir beckoned to him from a corner of the King's great hall. He walked over to the dark-haired Elf, realising Elladen was with him too.

"What is it?" He asked and was met with two grins.

"Come walk with us, young Taurorn, we have something we want to discuss with you." Elrohir said and without waiting they stood up and walked from the hall and into another hall which was not so bustling with servants.

"Whatever are you both grinning about?" Taurorn asked curiously.

"We have a hunch." Elladen chuckled.

"A very interesting hunch." Elrohir added mysteriously which only intrigued Taurorn more.

"About what?"

"About a certain, Mirkwood Prince." Elladen snickered.

"Oh? What about him?"

"How is, Aerlaer?" Elrohir asked instead.

"Well enough, where are you going with this?" Taurorn demanded, suddenly unsure of the twins.

"Should we tell him?" Elladen asked his brother, purposely teasing.

"Just tell me." Taurorn growled out to which both Elves laughed and then made a show of glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. He held back rolling his eyes at their theatrics.

"We think, Legolas, might have feelings for, Aerlaer." Elladen said quietly, an impish grin on his face.

"And how exactly have you come to this possible conclusion?" Taurorn asked back quietly, also looking around to make sure no one was nearby.

"Oh, just a few careless hints on his part in conversation." Elrohir smirked deviously.

"But we are not for sure certain and we have not seen him once since we arrived here." Elladen said.

"But we wish to find out if he does." Elrohir conceded. "Do you think Aerlaer might have feelings for him?" He then asked with eyes bright with excitement. I gave Aerlaer my word, I'm not breaking that but I do hate having to lie. Taurorn internally battled to do the right thing, if he gave away Aerlaer's secret, she'd hunt him down and use him for target practice.

"I couldn't say." Not a lie, he was sworn to secrecy. "She spent most of the ride back to Edoras, asleep and we didn't speak much." He said to the two Elves and watched as Elrohir chewed his bottom lip in thought.

"We must find out at least first if what we suspect of Legolas is true." Elrohir decided. "This evening we will come up with something to get the truth out of him."

"Legolas would not openly admit something like that to the two of you. He is not an idiot, he would know if he did, he would be subjected to teasing for the next century." Taurorn laughed. The twins are mad. "Besides he wouldn't openly admit to you that he cares for your little cousin, he knows the story of the horrors you put Aragorn through when he admitted he loved Arwen."

"What horrors? We do not impose horrors on others?" Elrohir said, eyes wide in mock hurt and Taurorn shook his head, amused.

"Oh, but we won't need Legolas to tell us anything." Elladen said as a wide grin spread slowly across his face. "His actions are going to give him away, they will speak in volumes." His eyes glowed with mischief.

"How conspiring of you both." Taurorn complimented them as a roguish grin formed on his own face. "I think this could be a very interesting evening."

…

Aerlaer had retreated to her chamber once she had finished talking with Éomer, for she could not find Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli or even the Hobbits anywhere. She had even checked the kitchens, wondering if Pippin was there. Gandalf was busy with the King and even Éowyn was elsewhere. It was rather boring so she had found a maid to direct her to where she might find a study or even a library.

To her delight, the King had a library and she had found a book on Rohirrim to Western translations and had taken it back with her to read in her chambers. She was still sprawled across her bed, reading and trying to understand how to pronounce the words written before her, when there was a knock at her door. Relieved for some company, finally, she sprang from the bed to open the door.

"Wow Aerlaer you look incredible." Taurorn grinned at her and she stepped aside to let him in. "That dress is going to knock the feathers off Legolas's quiver!"

"Taurorn!" He merely smirked.

"It is beautiful, who made it? Or is it one from Imladris or Lorien?"

"Thanks, and no, it was made here in Rohan. The King's head maid actually made it for me." She ran a hand over the material.

"Well it suits you, ethereal but strong." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a fabric pouch. "I'm not really sure what to say, Aragorn said I should be the one to give you these though." He appeared to be nervous as he handed her the pouch.

She took it wordlessly, feeling those nerves suddenly rub off on her, and walked over to sit down on the edge of her bed and he sat down next to her. Carefully she opened the drawstring on the pouch and pulled out the first item and gasped.

"My tiara." She said wondrously as she looked at the band wrought like a twisted vine of rose, white, and normal gold; where tiny, delicate leaves sprung like the colour of the golden leaves of Lothlórien with blossoms of rose gold, which had centres of a creamy pearl each. She placed it by her side and put her hand into the pouch again, and this time withdrew a small nearly perfectly round pendant on a pale, white-gold chain.

"The Seastone." She exclaimed as she held the smooth, grey-blue coloured pebble which Silaear himself had picked up off the beach at Anfalas, and carved a tree on one side and three hoof prints on the other. The Seastone had been passed down to each King of the Edhelroch. She looked at Taurorn, her eyes feeling bright with the tears which threatened to fall. "How did you get these?"

"I was in Rivendell too when Legolas arrived with you unconscious. Elrond feared the worst and sent a group of elves to your father's lands. I felt useless, I could not help you and Elrond assured me you would be fine so I accompanied the Elves." He said quietly.

"What did you find?" She asked, her voice shaking a little. He looked at her and there was sorrow in his eyes but also apology.

"Aerlaer, I will never tell you what we found for I would not burden you with such knowledge. We gave your family and people the burials they deserved. They rest under the small copse of trees by the knoll."

Aerlaer knew of where he spoke, it was where the herd would spend warm summer days dozing lazily in the shade, usually while the colts, including herself would go off exploring or for wild gallops. "Thank you." She said and turned and embraced the Ranger. "I'm glad I've still got you." She murmured, leaning into the warm, familiar embrace he returned.

"Always." He said gently. "Now we are both parentless and have lost our twin, but we've still got each other."

"I think we should adopt each other." Aerlaer decided. "Brother?" She pulled away from him to look once more at his face.

"I'd like that, little sister." He laughed, his eyes glinting wickedly.

"I'm older than you."

"Yes, but who could tell and I'm bigger than you." Aerlaer laughed at him and walked towards the mirror, lifting and lowering the pale gold chain she still held, over her head, letting the stone settle against her chest. Taurorn picked up the tiara, and moving to stand just behind her, carefully placed it upon her head. Aerlaer silently gazed at her reflection.

"This was meant to be worn next by my brother, not me. It is meant to be worn by a king" She finally murmured.

"I do not think he would begrudge you, he would be happy you live and someday, there will be a King by your side who will wear it." Taurorn replied. "You do not have to wear it yet, if at all, but it is yours now." Aerlaer nodded and removed her tiara, placing it on the dresser and then sighing, removed the Seastone.

"Not yet." she said quietly as she placed it with her tiara and turned to smile at the Ranger.

"I think we had best head down to the celebrations now" Taurorn said and was surprised to see Aerlaer's face light up in a grin.

"Can you keep a secret?" She asked mischievously.

"Oh no, what plan have you schemed?" He asked in mock horror and she grinned.

"Not me, Éomer, and some of the riders. Although, I may have had some part in the scheming." She replied impishly.

"Well, what are they planning?" He asked with a grin.

"They are planning to get Legolas intoxicated." She laughed and he shook his head and smirked as they left her chambers. Between the twins and the Rohirrim, what could possibly go wrong?