Faramir grunted in pain as he was thrown across the room and onto Aragorn's desk. He tried to lift his head, hearing Gorron approach him with heavy footsteps. The giant grabbed one of the Captain's legs and attempted to drag him towards him. Despite his exhaustion, Faramir was surprised he was putting up a fight against Gorron's grip, as he did his best to pull himself away.

"You will regret this," Gorron sneered, "I've denied my men the pleasure of killing you long enough."

"Let..go!" Faramir yelled with a grunt as he kept trying to crawl away.

"And I'll destroy everyone in this-"

"NO!"

He grabbed the chair by the desk and summoned all his strength to smash it across the giant's face. Gorron groaned and stumbled back, allowing the captain a chance to get up. With no time to see if the bedroom was guarded, Faramir ran out the door as fast he could. Thankfully, it was unguarded as he made his way into the dining room. Only the servants remained, and he stood without a plan. He felt his stomach twist as he heard Gorron blowing a horn from across the hallway, and his time was running out.

If Gorron got hold of anyone but him, he would use them as leverage. If Gorron caught him, he would be killed and the city would be destroyed. He urged the servants to run and hide as he made his way out of the citadel, towards the white tree outside. He spotted Gorron's men approaching up the hill as people stepped out of their homes at the commotion.

Faramir turned as he heard Gorron, not far behind him, shouting, "Take the city now, lads!"

"No.." Faramir gasped as he watched his men gladly obey.

Gorron was now only steps away as he grinned. "It's too late. There is no stopping this. And, now, the only matter I have left to deal with...is you."

Not wanting to admit defeat, Faramir saw he had no choice. "Please, spare my people. You may punish me, but not them."

"Stop!"

They both turned as Aragorn approached them, passing Gorron, and standing in front of Faramir. Gorron's archers stood by their leader as they aimed their bows at the two men.

"You have not held up your end of bargain. You must leave now, and we will not harm your people," Aragorn said, firmly.

"One of you meddled with my prisoner, so it was you who did not hold their end," Gorron smirked as he stared at Faramir.

Faramir could see Aragorn had prevented war long enough. There was no negotiating left to be done. Faramir turned when he heard the commotion below them turn into cheering and hopeful cries. Arwen and Eomer led an army of men and elves throughout the city, aiding the people and regaining control. His green eyes filled with hope as he watched Eowyn riding a horse and fighting back. Gorron's smirk slowly melted off his face as he, too, witnessed his army fall. His archers beside him slowly lowered their weapons, glancing at one another for answers.

The giant's face turned red with rage as he muttered something to his men. Faramir read his mind as the archers all looked in their direction. He grabbed Aragorn as the archers took aim and fired at them. Pushing him aside, Faramir took two arrows to his body as he slumped to the ground. Aragorn shouted his name as he unsheathed his sword and signaled a battle cry. On cue, Eowyn and an army of soldiers came rushing up the hill with horses. The soldiers fired fiery arrows and the entire area was caught in flames. Gorron's archers cried out as they scurried away, some hit with arrows and others caught in the fire. Faramir had taken an arrow to his chest and one to his shoulder, as he lay on the ground, breathing heavily.

His eyes gazed up at the sky as Gorron looked down at him, victoriously. "May you burn as the worthless piece of flesh that you are, little king."

It was Faramir's turn to feel victorious as he let out a painful chuckle. "I...am no king."

The look on the giant's face almost made the pain vanish. Gorron reached down, grabbed his neck, and sneered, "What..did..you..say?"

"I was in the king's quarters that night...but I...am not the king of Gondor," Faramir replied, weakly.

Gorron still remained doubtful as he asked, "Then, who are you?"