4. If actions speak louder than words, how is the pen mightier than the sword?

"A show of force or a show of faith?"

King Edmund the Just blinked. It took a moment for his brother's voice to register; when they did, the younger King set down his book and looked to the dark curtain separating the library's alcove. High King Peter held the curtain up with one hand and leaned against the wall with the other.

"What was that?"

High King Peter nodded at the stack of scrolls on the desk in front of his brother. "Thou is studying the words of our neighbours to the west, is thou not? Dost think they call for a display of our army, or a friendly visit from one of our more honey-tongued rulers?"

"If thou is trying to foist the visit onto my list of tasks or onto our gentle sister's, brother, think once more, and better!"

High King Peter laughed, coming forward and letting the curtain drop. Dropping into the chair on the other side of the small table, he studied his brother. "The last part was but a jest. Yet of a truth, my brother—which path does thou think better?"

"What are thine own thoughts?"

The frown was quick to come and quick to go from the High King's face, but a little of it remained in his eyes. "I cannot tell." He glanced at Edmund. "But I know thee well. Thou is about to suggest a portion of both, is it not so?"

"It would be wise."

"Wise." King Peter sighed, and King Edmund echoed it. "Wisdom is worth more than gold, in the hands of a King—but I feel I never have enough of it."

"And yet thou is not the one reputed to be The Just. Of a certainty, I need it still more—and lack it." King Edmund turned back to the scrolls.

"In the paws of Aslan, what we have is enough," Peter responded quietly. "Shall I take our Gentle sister or thine own self, when I go west?"

"Both, I would suggest. Our youngest sister would then be able to plan the Harvest Ball, surprising us all when we return."

"Indeed, I shall be most surprised, now that thou hast said so much." King Peter's tone was dry.

"Thou is not going?"

King Peter stayed silent. King Edmund put down the scroll, and gave his brother his full attention. He knew enough to wait till the High King had his thoughts in order.

"There are times when I must choose a course—the course of a nation, the course of many lives—and I wonder if this will be the time I choose ill. Most times I remember the Lion and have faith, but this time…" he shrugged. "A sword in one hand, fair words written in the other, and I do not know which one to use. Which one is stronger? Which one is better? Will I regret using one, and not the other?"

"I thought we were to use both."

"One cannot take half of both and do each to full strength."

"Yet our choices reveal our very selves, and so choosing to hold out both will force those in the west to make their own choice—and reveal themselves. Our action will make them speak their own choice."

"And that is why Aslan had four rule this land. I thank thee, my brother. I will think on that." Peter rose and bowed. "I will see thee again at dinner."

Edmund watched him leave, thinking. Then he turned to the table, pulled out a blank scroll, and began writing.

Later that night, the High King found it on his pillow. Unscrolling it, he read:

The pen isn't mightier than the sword.
Pens don't win battles, and swords don't speak ideas.

Mighty is the hand that knows
when to pick the pen and
when to pick the sword.*

*Somewhat altered from a Pinterest pin; the pin had no author on it.