The Jungle Chronicles

Chapter One – Two Worlds, One Family:

As the weak morning sun trickled through the jungle canopy, rain still dripping off the leaves two young figures silently sat down on a fallen tree trunk. They were a sorry looking pair; their eyes were not only exhausted from a lack of sleep but also filled with a deep sadness as they reluctantly commenced their last moment together. Jane opened up the ship's first aid box and pulled out a small glass bottle and a rolled up bandage.

"I need to put some iodine on it first," she said quietly, pouring some of the antiseptic onto a clean rag. "Luckily the bullet only grazed your arm. It should heal in a couple of weeks but try not to use it too much."

As Jane placed the soaked rag on Tarzan's wound, he clenched his jaw and flinched. The guilt inside Jane intensified at the sight of him suffering. Not only had she inflicted terrible emotional pain on him but now added physical pain to the situation. She felt culpable for everything that had happened over the past couple of weeks. She felt responsible not only for hiring that wicked Clayton but also for trying to take Tarzan away when he was clearly not hers to take.

She felt awful at the fact that in his first experience of human contact he had witnessed the worst aspects of his species. The idea of meeting his own kind for the first time, then being betrayed and then abandoned was too much for her to bear. "We should never have met," she thought to herself as she wrapped the bandage carefully around his bicep. It would have been for the best if we had never met." Sadness and heartache bubbled up inside Jane and she tried and failed to keep her emotions in check. She couldn't stand the thought of leaving Tarzan with him possibly hating her.

"I'm so sorry," Jane's voice was a mere whisper as the tears began to well up in her eyes.

"For what?" Tarzan asked, his eyes widening at seeing her on the verge of crying.

"For everything. For Clayton, for bringing danger to your family, to your home."

"Jane it's not your fault," Tarzan insisted as she finished tying the bandage. "Clayton was a bad man. You and the Professor did not know that. I know that, the gorillas know that."

"We should never have come, we should never have met, I mean we have met and now I'm leaving and you will not see other people again … or me." As she felt herself starting to ramble, the cork refused to go back into the iodine bottle. For a wild moment, Jane wanted to scream her lungs out and smash it to the ground!

"Jane," Tarzan placed his hand on hers, sensing her hidden frustration, "I'm glad we've met."

"Really? Even though I am leaving?"

"Yes. I will always remember you Jane." That sentence caught Jane's breath; she had thought it would be best if he forgot her existence. The jungle was his home, London was hers and nothing was going to change that.

"Miss Porter?" Jane turned round to see Captain Gerald standing nearby, looking terribly guilty at interrupting their moment. "The ship is ready now."

"Thank you Captain," Jane sniffed back up her tears and composed herself, "I guess I'd better get going."

"I'll come with you," Tarzan replied. For a split second Jane's heart leapt but then she realised that he meant accompanying her to the beach. She nodded and they walked past Captain Gerald, walking alongside each other but with a wide gap between them as if they couldn't trust themselves to be closer.

"Captain?" Archimedes approached Captain Gerald and ushered him to one side as Jane and Tarzan headed towards the beach, "May I have a word?"

"Of course Professor Porter."

"How long would it take to unload our things from the ship do you think?"

"Err …a few hours or so," Captain Gerald replied, completely confused by the question, "but why if I may ask are you requesting this Professor?"

"Well you see Jane will be staying here," Archimedes had been watching his daughter and Tarzan from afar and he could clearly see that they belonged together. In fact, them sitting on that log looked to him like a vision from the past. Jane and Tarzan reminded him so much of him and Catherine, Jane's mother in the early days of their love.

Archimedes fully understood the notion of love breaking boundaries. He had come from a lower middle class family with his father being a hard working, respectable clerk. It was his own amazing intelligence that managed to win him full scholarships to Eton, then Oxford, becoming a highly regarded professor of zoology and primatology, helping him mingle with the upper echelons of society.

But even with all of these admirable credentials, it was an inconceivable notion that he would be allowed to marry Catherine Elizabeth Neville, the sole heiress to one of the most powerful families in England. She was far too big a prize for him, but they loved each other more than anything. She shared his passion for the sciences and was willing to face not only family but also societal disapproval by becoming his wife.

When they did marry the Nevilles were outraged, cutting her off without a penny whilst everyone in society revelled in the scandal. Tarzan was in a far worse off position than he ever was, only owning a spear to his name, no money, nothing. But Archimedes knew that he would absolutely adore his daughter and take care of her like no man back in England ever would.

"But Professor sir, it seems that Miss Porter is willing to leave," Captain Gerald replied.

"Yes," Archimedes nodded wistfully, "but in her heart of hearts she wants to stay. She will not admit it, so she just needs a little push in the right direction. You see, I don't want her to be left without her home comforts … I will make it worth your while." Archimedes pulled out his chequebook and proceeded to write in a significant sum. "I believe that this will make up for the subsequent delay to your voyage." But as he handed over the cheque, Captain Gerald put out his hand in refusal.

"Professor, my crew mutinied and as Captain I should have had better control of my men. If I did then maybe what happened in the jungle and to the gorillas would not have occurred. What passed last night is partially my fault. I will unload your possessions free of charge."

"Thank you Captain!" Archimedes vigorously shook his hand in delight! "Would you have our things placed at the campsite? But it would have to be done in secret, Jane cannot know. We will need to distract her whilst your crew unload."

"I'll think of something Professor," Captain Gerald nodded, somewhat bemused by Archimedes' eccentric plan!

As they arrived at the beach Jane saw the little rowing boat moored at the shore, waiting for them. A pain developed in the pit of her stomach and she panicked at what her last words to Tarzan should be. Suddenly, Captain Gerald who was talking with one of the crew started shouting and cursing, throwing his hat down in frustration!

"What's all hullaballoo about Daddy?" she turned to her father who gave an innocent looking shrug.

"Professor, Miss Porter," Captain Gerald put his hat back on his bald head as he approached them, "I'm afraid that the ship's engine has stopped working and we shall be delayed for several hours."

"Oh dear!" Jane gasped in shock at the unexpected news.

"Oh no that certainly puts us in a pickle!" Archimedes added whilst secretly winking at the Captain, "Tarzan my boy as we now have some time to kill maybe you could take us on a tour of the jungle?"

"Daddy, wouldn't it be best to just go on the ship and wait until the engine is fixed?"

"Oh please Jane," Archimedes whispered to her, "I would like to see the jungle just one last time." It was true; he did want to see its sights and sounds one more time before he departed. Jane looked visibly uncomfortable with the plan but she could not say no to her father. She did not have the heart.

"Tarzan would you mind taking us on a final tour of the jungle whilst the ship is being mended?" she asked him somewhat nervously.

"Yes of course," he nodded solemnly, "what would you like to see Professor?"

"Everything!" Archimedes smiled, "As much as you can, we have plenty of time before the afternoon tide."

Tarzan took them deep into the jungle, showing them all the highlights and some places that they had not even seen before. Whilst her father revelled in the tour, Jane kept quiet with her eyes mostly downcast. She couldn't enjoy it; it felt almost torturous to be beside Tarzan. When they arrived back at the beach and to see the little rowing boat waiting for them again, it was agonising, like a bandage being slowly pulled off a fetid wound.

"Everything is unloaded at the campsite Professor," Captain Gerald murmured to Archimedes, "any luck with Miss Porter?"

"Not yet," Archimedes sighed, "I think we need to step it up a notch to get her to realise where she belongs. Jane!" he called out to her, "We'd better go now! The ship's ready!" Jane's eyes widened but she took a deep breath and turned to face Tarzan who was looking as equally despondent as she was.

"London will seem so small compared to all this," she said sadly. It was true and she knew that she would dream of the jungle, its sights, its sounds, its smells and its animals for the rest of her days.

"I will miss you Jane," Tarzan replied, his heart heavy as stone but knowing that this parting was unavoidable.

"Miss Porter!" Captain Porter called out sharply and Jane's face became flustered.

"I know! I'm coming…well… I suppose we should say goodbye." Jane held out her hand for him to shake, deciding it to be the most appropriate gesture. But Tarzan put his hand out and instead of following her lead; he uncurled his fingers against her palm. Tarzan's palm laid flat against Jane's, exactly the same way as they did when they first met. Jane couldn't help but notice by how much his hand span dwarfed her delicate, nimble fingers.

"Goodbye" Tarzan's eyes widened and Jane could see that they were calling to her, pleading with her, begging her to stay. She tried to be strong, but she could feel the hot tears building up and she ran to the boat before she dissolved into a tearful wreck on the sandy shore.

"Goodbye Tarzan! Goodbye!" Archimedes called out as Captain Gerald rowed them away, "Oh I'm going to miss that boy." As he sat himself down one of the wooden benches of the boat he saw Jane looking down at her hand, almost in a trance-like state. Then she came out of her reverie and slipped on a white kid glove as if to preserve the moment for the rest of her life. His plan was not working, it seemed that even now she was too stubborn to admit her feelings and follow her heart. He would have to do that for her.

"Jane dear," Archimedes gently took her hand, "I can't help feeling that you should stay."

Daddy please don't!" Jane begged as the tears begun to well again in her eyes, "We have been through all of this. I couldn't possibly - I belong in England with you, and people and – ah!" Her other glove caught on a strong breeze and flew back to the shore like a homing pigeon as if it knew where it truly belonged.

"But you love him," Archimedes said fondly as Jane watched her glove land in front of Tarzan who scooped it out of the water, looking out at the disappearing boat forlornly.

"Go on," he coaxed her, knowing that his beloved daughter would never be happy if she returned to England. No matter how many parties or balls she would attend, acquaintances she would entertain over afternoon tea and no matter how much she would throw herself into helping him with his studies, Archimedes knew that she would always regret leaving the jungle and the man she loved behind.

Jane smiled a relieved smile at her father's blessing. She felt lucky, no, blessed to have a father that truly cared for her feelings and wanted her to be happy. Throughout her childhood she never had the fear of having to be married off to the man she would barely know, who provided her family with the most money or best connections. Archimedes never believed in using his daughter as a pawn in a dynastic game in order to improve their social standing.

Jane embraced her father, whispering "Thank you Daddy" before turning around and jumping out of the boat into the salty waves. Her voluminous skirts and bustle ballooned around her as she swam her way back to the shore. The sodden fabric of her dress and undergarments weighed her down, making it difficult for her to swim against the current. But filled with love and determination Jane powered her way through the waves.

As she reached the shallower water, Jane scooped up her skirts, her mouth smiling wide and feeling as if her heart could burst with joy! Forgetting all English protocol, she flung herself at Tarzan, completely catching him off guard. They fell in back into the sea, the waves lapping around them. As they pulled themselves up, Jane with no hesitation flung her arms around his neck and kissed him! Suddenly she realised to her absolute horror that Tarzan would never have had a kiss before and she pulled back sharply.

"Urr thank you, thanks for getting my glove," she giggled nervously, her cheeks turning bright scarlet whilst a more than surprised Tarzan handed it back to her. For a split second, Jane felt that she had blown it, her one chance of love with the man she adored! All her fears were quelled when Tarzan cupped her delicate face in his strong hands and drew her face close to his. "Thank you," she said breathlessly as he pressed his lips against her and they shared a tender and loving kiss. Jane swore she could see stars and shivers of pleasure ran up and down her spine.

As they broke away, Jane beamed from ear to ear. She couldn't have dreamed of a better first kiss! But then she noticed that they were not alone! "Ummm hmmm," she coughed and motioned to Tarzan that they were being watched. The gorillas and Tantor looked on, with all knowing looks on their faces! Even though they had never seen a kiss before, they fully understood the meaning behind it!

Tarzan and Jane giggled as he helped her out of the water and headed over to the gorillas. Kala approached them and held out her hand to Jane. When Jane gently took it, she beamed with delight as she could tell from Kala's eyes that she was giving them her blessing. As Tarzan went to tell the gorillas the good news, Jane stopped him and cleared her throat.

"Ooo-ooh-ee-ah-ooo," she said carefully and the roar of delight that came from the gorillas and Tantor nearly knocked her off her feet!

"You remembered Jane!" Tarzan smiled and Jane flushed with pride as she felt his arm snake around her waist and gave it a squeeze.

Archimedes watched on from afar, delighted at seeing his daughter happy in starting her new life. But then he realised that he had no reason to go back to London either. He had come all this way to Africa and it seemed ridiculous to return. He hated all the tight restraints of London society as well as the stifling bureaucracy at the university. What better way to live out the rest of his days, in a paradise of a jungle with his daughter and all the time in the world to study the flora and fauna? What man of science could resist!

"What, what am I doing?!" he cried out aloud. He grabbed a notebook out of his pocket and quickly scribbled on a page before ripping it out. "Captain Gerald! Send this note to my home in London and tell everyone else you never found us! After all people get lost in the jungle everyday! Tootle pip!" Captain Gerald didn't even have a chance to protest before Archimedes dived into the salty sea!

"Jane! Tarzan! Wait!" he called out as he staggered out the water, hoping that they had not left without him.

"Daddy? What are you doing here? I thought you were going back home," Jane was astounded but delighted at her father's change of plan.

"This is my home now," Archimedes beamed and Jane hugged her father tightly. She was so happy and relieved that he decided to stay. Even though she would have loved her life with Tarzan in the jungle, there would have always been a part of her heart that would worry about her father.

"Tarzan, Daddy is staying with us," Jane smiled to her beloved as they finished their hug.

"I am so glad Professor. Thank you for joining our family. It would not be the same without you."

"No thank you Tarzan, my son." Tarzan grinned from ear to ear. Even though Kerchak finally recognised him as his son in his last moments, it was a great happiness for him to hear that from Archimedes too. He never felt so complete, with his family, friends and now with Jane by his side.

"We better find a place to nest for the night," Tarzan said once they were all on Tantor's back, "it will be comfortable Jane I promise."

"I know life will be hard at first without our home comforts," Jane replied as she wrapped her arms around his waist, "but this is our new life in the jungle and we will soon adapt. You must teach us the jungle ways my dear."

"Well," Archimedes interrupted, "if we swing past the old campsite, you will find a few things."

"Daddy?"

"I persuaded Captain Gerald to leave our things behind whilst Tarzan took us out on our little day-trip. After all I wouldn't have needed them in London and I couldn't bear the idea of you living here without the essentials."

"Why Daddy! The ship wasn't broken at all! You had planned this the whole time! You sly cunning fox!" Jane was utterly shocked at her father's deception, tricking her into making her stay! "Thank you," her lips formed a huge smile. "You made me see sense, you showed me where I truly belong."

The Porters, Tarzan and Tantor, followed by the gorillas walked through the lush green jungle to find their new nesting place and every single one of them felt utterly content. They may have come from two very different worlds, but they were now one happy family.