Faramir gripped the wooden sword tightly in both hands. He looked at his opponent, who could easily reach out and touch him without moving, and tried hard not to be frightened. Boromir would not be scared, he thought.

An image came to him from a story he had been reading. He imagined himself to be the warrior in it, who was quick with a blade and could defeat any enemy. It was no longer Faramir facing an unbeatable foe, it
was Daermaethor who won every fight.

When they began, this time, it was Faramir who got a hit in first.

*Daemaethor - literally great warrior in my dodgy Sindarin (ie entirely got from Dragon Flame)