A Lord and his Lady

Africa Awaits

Category: Disney (Tarzan)

Genre: Romance/Drama

Rating: PG

Characters: Lord John Clayton, Lady Alice Clayton (Greystoke)

Summary: Lord John Clayton of Greystoke and his Lady Alice take the biggest step in their lives...all the way to Africa. Along the way they will encounter more dangers in their lives than ever before. Prequel to the Disney movie 'Tarzan'.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tarzan, or the characters. Some of the names I'm borrowing but that's all.

(A/N: OK, this is another idea that's interested me a little. It's Tarzan again, but the story of his parents before they left for Africa. I had to research some stuff up on this but mostly I think I have names and dates right. :: smile :: I know in the books it's different to the film, but in this case I'm sticking to the film because I'm borrowing the Disney characters. Enjoy!

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"John! Oh, John! Do come here for a moment!"

Lady Alice Clayton stood by her husband's study desk, her eyes landing on the many papers gathered across the surface. Her hands rummaged through the discarded photo files and loose documents, and now she held up an old paper piece, her hands shaking a little as she read.

"My Lord Greystoke, you are wanted in Africa for matters that concern...we would be obliged if you would depart from Dover to make this trip." she spoke the most important parts of the letter aloud to herself, while the rest remained hidden in her mumbling.

Alice felt confused as she heard her husband nearing, and her head turned quickly as he entered the study room, her red ringlets bouncing. She still held the letter and looked upon her husband with a questioning face.

Lord John Clayton seemed surprised at his wife's beckoning. "My dear Alice," he began, returning to her side and searching her eyes. "Whatever is it?" His stare travelled down to the letter in her hands but no uneasiness came to his expression.

"What is the meaning of this, John?" Alice asked slowly, showing the contents of the note to her husband. She couldn't understand what was to be done about it. "Why wasn't I told of this news? It says you are to leave for Africa?"

"Freetown, Alice. It's of great importance." John's voice was calm.

"But why wasn't I told?" Alice repeated, looking lost. "Oh, John - you were not going to leave without saying a word! What were you to tell everyone?"

John sighed and looked down at his wife. Her face was tightened with worry and more. The truth was, he had already decided that very morning to tell her and was deciding upon the right time. But he had not guaranteed for her to find him out so quickly, and he wondered more if waiting had been the right idea.

"Alice, I didn't want you to find out like this," he explained. "I suppose now you feel as if I hide things from your entry, I was going to tell you when I found the right chance. I never suspected you would find this before I had the moment to tell you."

Though she felt a little better, Alice still wasn't satisfied. "But it's rather a long way," she said. "Who is it that you are travelling with? Surely you're not going alone?"

"No, of course not. There will have to be two journeys, my dear; we board from Freetown to British West Africa in due course of nine months," John told her, feeling terrible at the growing concern on her face. "I had to say that it would be a long time, but I wasn't sure if you would mind. It's a great opportunity, Alice. I cannot refuse it."

Alice was dumbfounded. All of this had come out so quickly and she still wasn't sure of it. She let the letter fall limp in her hands as she stared up at her husband. Her eyes had grown very large and she was sure they were speaking her mind. "John."

"Alice, my love...I know it's a huge step - "

"But nine months, John. After you've boarded at Freetown! You will be away for almost a year, if not more! It's a long time." Alice didn't know how she felt at the moment. She wanted to be with her husband at all costs, but him taking off like this was not what she had in mind. She had never known him to do something like this.

"You are very trustworthy for a Rutherford!" her mother had always said. Rutherford had been her first family name, and after accepting John's proposal she had only been too glad to get away from it all. But she hadn't expected outcomes such as this one.

John smiled down at her, out of kindness. His own dark eyes matched hers, and for now all he ever wanted was to take her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her. She was a beautiful woman, who spoke her mind and set out her challenges. "Alice," he said again, holding his dear wife by the arms. "I have to go. You must understand this."

"But John, what of us?" Alice whispered. "Our plans?"

"I know that we both want a family of our own, and we shall," said John. "There is nothing more that I wish than to stay here with you and arrange that. But right now, this is something for us. I'm not doing this for myself."

Alice nodded, lost in his words. "I know, love. I just hate the thought of you going on such a long journey without even knowing what will happen. What if the arrangements are delayed and stall you longer? Oh, John - I shall worry so!" She felt tears threatening.

John smiled at her. "Do not," he told her; taking her in his arms. "I know this is a hard time, and a choice to make. But sometimes they have to be made, sometimes not always for the good or kind."

The Englishwoman's eyes opened, as she thought over her husband's words. They seemed to be just staring back at her, as if there was only one thing left for her to do and she only had one chance to take it. "Not always for the good or kind." she repeated under her breath, and suddenly her head shot up, to stare into her husband's handsome expression.

"Take me with you," she said.

"What? Alice - "

"I mean it, John!" she argued, resolve shining in her eyes. "I cannot just sit here and wonder of your safety, all of the while you are there! I don't want that choice, I have decided my own. Please let me accompany you. I feel it is right."

John stammered, not knowing what to say. "Alice, I do not wish for you to go."

"But I must!" she fought back. "I care not for the long time and the business that is not my own, I must be near you and know of your situation. Please, my dear John, do not leave me behind like this. I wish you to take me."

For a long moment, they looked at one another as if challenging the subject. It seemed like such a waiting time, until John finally broke it.

"I will worry for you," he said.

"I do not care, as long as I am beside you," Alice replied.

John smiled at her. She was filled with so much firmness once she had decided something. "Very well, then. I cannot change your mind," he said, defeated.

Alice smiled back, and embraced her husband. "No, you cannot," she laughed.

So the arrangement was settled, and so it would be. Lord Greystoke and his Lady would leave for Africa on the May morning of 1888, departing from Dover. Their plans would wait, John said so himself, and take the choices between them either for the good or kind, neither could care.

{To be continued}

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(A/N: So, what did you think? I'm not sure when this will be next updated, as I will have to go through piles of research again, but I hope it's good so far! Please R&R!)