PLEASE READ!!!!!!Alright here is the deal with this chapter. I had actually nearly finished Faramir's story when I realized something that really grated on my nerves. I had introduced a character, Lokir, who I made into this really nasty guy and I never did anything with him! That annoyed me to no end so I wrote this particular chapter in order to bring Lokir back for a bit. This chapter is not really necessary to the rest of the story, except one reference later, but I am working on a possible sequel in which this one little chapter plays a BIG part. SO it is up to you if you want to read it.

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            "...and there have been reports of orcs attacking small bands of travelers along the South Road by the River Erui." Aragorn sat at his desk listening to Faramir report. The Steward had declined a chair, having been stuck at his own desk for the whole day. Night had crept over Minas Tirith and stars shone through the windows of the uppermost study in the White Tower.

            "Very well. Have Captain Wilain take a company to route out the orcs in that area and keep an... " Without warning, an arrow hissed past Aragorn's head, barely missing hitting him. The king ducked and rolled out of his chair. He reached for his sword, Anduril, cursing when he realized that he had left it leaning against the wall. The same wall that was now open, revealing a hidden doorway. //Of course, Denethor's hidden chamber. An assassin must have hidden there. How could I have been so stupid?// Aragorn quickly assessed the situation. He was unarmed, Anduril apparently taken by the assassin. Only Faramir stood between the assassin and the king.

            Faramir's eyes widened when he saw the assassin come out of the hidden doorway. Crazed eyes glared at him. "Lokir!" Indeed, it was the General, a man whose mind had always been twisted with hatred for Faramir and Aragorn.

            "Oh look. The little Steward is protecting his king."

            "What do you want Lokir?"

            The General smiled evilly. "I should think that is obvious, even to you. Both of you are pathetic weaklings. Always worried about 'peace' and 'happiness', the 'good of the people'. It's disgusting! You lower taxes, give bread to the peasants. Gondor was fine until you two came and began *reforms*. Denethor would never have allowed the commoners to take precedence over the army."

            "The war is over, the army is not needed in the same way it was before."

            Both men had their swords drawn now, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Aragorn watched in frustration, not being able to do anything to help Faramir. Lokir gave a crazed laugh. "That is what you think. When I've killed you and your precious king, I will be able to make Gondor what it used to be. I will have control!"

            "You're mad!" Lokir laughed again and lunged at Faramir. Their swords clashed together, as Steward battled General. Aragorn began inching his way towards the door. He couldn't yell for the guards since to do so might break Faramir's concentration. But when he finally reached the door, he found it locked. //And it locks from the outside! Who designed this place?// The king called quietly to the door-guards but stopped when he saw a pool of red blood seep under the door. With a heavy heart, Aragorn realized that Lokir had killed the guards. Now all he could do was watch the fight unfold before him.

Faramir and Lokir were evenly watched in strength and agility, but the General had been preparing for this fight, while Faramir was taken unaware and was unprepared for a fight to the death. Lokir took the initiative, attacking faster and faster, until it was all Faramir could do to parry each blow. Suddenly, Lokir kicked Faramir in the chest, throwing the Steward backward against the desk. The General brought his sword down at Faramir's head, but Faramir managed to turn aside in time, the sword cutting the desk instead. Angry, Lokir sped up his attacks. Aragorn watched in helpless horror as the insane General sliced the top of Faramir's left wrist, causing the Steward to lose his grip on his sword for a moment. That moment was all Lokir needed to disarm his opponent. Grinning triumphantly, Lokir raised his sword and brought it down to end Faramir's life.

            To the General's surprise, though, Faramir ducked and lunged forward, causing Lokir to lose his balance and stumble. Faramir twisted around and came up between Lokir's arms, grabbing the sword with his right hand. He jabbed his elbow into the crook of the General's left arm, causing Lokir to lose his grip on the sword. Faramir twisted out pulling the sword with him, jerking Lokir's right arm awkwardly. The surprise and the pain made the General let go and Faramir swung the sword around, relieving Lokir of his head.

            A silence settled over the room as Aragorn made his way to Faramir's side. His chest heaving from the battle, Faramir threw the sword down. He hated killing, even a man such as Lokir. "Thank you, Faramir. I owe you my life."

            Faramir smiled at Aragorn. "It was nothing, my lord. It is my job to protect the king." //And my brother. This is two you owe me Estel.//

            "Faramir, you are my friend. Please call me Aragorn. I want at least someone to call me by my name. I get tired of people always 'my lord'ing me."

            "Very well, Aragorn. I suppose we should call someone to dispose of the General's body. I will find a servant."

            "The door is locked and the guards are dead."

            Faramir tried to doorknob and couldn't open it either. He turned to Aragorn. "Are you particularly fond of this door in any way?"

            Aragorn grinned as he realized what Faramir had in mind. "Not especially."

            "Good." It took a few hacks, but finally Faramir was able to cut through the door. As he stepped out, Aragorn spoke up hesitantly.

            "Faramir?"

            "Yes Aragorn?"

            The king hesitated before asking, "Where did you learn how to do that? Disarming Lokir like you did at the end, I mean."

            Faramir smiled through the broken door. "I made it up." He disappeared down the hall. Aragorn shook his head, somewhat confused. He gathered Anduril from behind the hidden door, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that his Steward was hiding something.

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If you read it, thank you and I hope it wasn't too bad. Also, I would like to ask you all to read and maybe even review my poem that is based on a scene from Faramir's Story, about the woman who appears in Éowyn's dream. Just a shameless plug.