[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

Does an antagonist have to be evil? What if there are two characters, both of whom are honourable, but whose lives diverge: one joins the army of his liege lord, the other remains at home and becomes embroiled in a dispute with a dishonest tax collector. The army is called in to quell the small rebellion and our two characters are forced into a personal conflict, which results in their mutual destruction. The wicked characters play a minor role, in fact are hardly mentioned, but their malign presence pervades the entire plot, especially in its culmination.

Just a thought.