Transition Plan Chapter 61: In His Majesty's Service Part 10
Author's Notes: It's Halloween in the US and a night for 'trick or treating' for sweet things. So for you loyal readers – a treat! An extra long chapter for you. Have you ever wondered about Tarzan and Jane's parenting skills in a difficult situation? Well, in this chapter are going to see them in action.
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A few hours later, Jack eagerly led the surviving band of French Special Forces into the village. The soldiers and sailors were so relieved to have completed the first part of the journey, but were very shocked as they were cheerfully greeted and surrounded by the Nigerian tribesmen of all ages, sizes, and shapes who were all completely natural.
Of course, the Nigerians paid no attention to their differences with the new visitors. The puzzled, apprehensive looks on the Frenchmen's faces turned to smiles as they progressed because of the Nigerians' enthusiastic welcome to the Colonel and his wife and the rest of the French soldiers and sailors. Not to mention the fact soldiers were enjoying the sight of the Nigerian women who were generally very attractive.
The adult Nigerian men were especially happy to see their old friend Admiral D'Arnot, who, years ago as the Clayton Shipping Line's senior Captain with his merchant marine sailors, worked side by side to build the much expanded village ocean harbor with many of them. A lot of money and trade items now flowed into the village and to the Nigerians because they had a workable wharf for African/European shipping routes.
Not everyone was happy though. Josephine was appalled at the sight of the multitude of naked villagers, and tried to hide her daughter's eyes, but it was too overwhelming.
Jeanne tried to reassure Josephine, "It's all right mother. Jack warned me that this is how they all live. It doesn't bother me. Perhaps I will try the children's ways too."
Jeanne left unsaid where she learned that, but her mother guessed that she met Jack dressed at first like the natives. She was mortified at her daughter's suggestion and scolded, "We will keep our French ways, daughter."
Being a bit of a rebel, that chastisement made Jeanne more determined to try.
Seeing Jack with Jeanne, the village's boys and girls flocked around her. They smiled and complimented how pretty she was in their limited French or English, but mostly they offered compliments and greetings in their native Igbo, Oyo, Yoruba, and other Nigerian languages while Jack translated for her. Jeanne just blushed and smiled back at all the children, expressing her thanks at first in French, even though they could only understand her sentiment and not her words. Jack told her how to say 'thank you' and 'hello' in their native languages. That thrilled her and it made the children even happier that this strange new girl from France was trying to talk to them. Jack introduced her to a number of them as they progressed through the dwellings to the Council ring where the chiefs and his parents were supposed to be.
Jeanne loved seeing all these nice boys and girls with their wonderful smiles who seemed to accept her so easily, and every one of them having beautiful dark chocolate-brown skin. No wonder Jack had no prejudice about her.
They were escorted to the roaring fire of the Council Ring with the subchiefs and Abassi standing at their tall wicker thrones adorned for the occasion with many flowers. Chief Abassi and Queen Femi greeted them wearing only some jewelry and a few decorative furs denoting their royal stature. Josephine and Jeanne could see how pregnant the chief's wife was. A European looking couple and a sweet little girl wearing clothes typical of English gentry stood nearby and were probably the Claytons. The uniformed Captain of the British garrison stationed outside of the village was next to the Claytons and snapped a salute at the French Colonel and Admiral D'Arnot, and the Colonel and Admiral returned the salute.
As their escort and host, Nigerian manners demanded that Jack stay with the Frenchmen and that Abassi state the first words of greeting. It was convenient for this first diplomatic meeting that Jack was required to stay with the visitors, because Tarzan's glare reminded Jack that he had directly disobeyed his parents, and he didn't want to get anywhere near his father at the moment. He shivered over the punishments to come for leaving the village to find the Frenchmen deep in the jungle. Jack swallowed hard and averted eye contact with his parents as joy turned to worry.
The salute from the Royal Army commander was the only thing remotely European to the Frenchmen about this welcoming reception into the village. Colonel and Mrs. Jacot and most of the men were totally unprepared for the very friendly but completely unclad Nigerian society, but waited for what came next.
Lily squirmed and couldn't contain herself in the long wait for something to happen. She broke loose from her mother's hand grip, and ran over to Jack and the interesting new girl next to him. The formal introductions had not yet begun, but Lily was so happy to see her brother with all these new people. Diplomatic formalities meant absolutely nothing to a four-year old.
Before Jane could discipline her, Lily chirped excitedly, "Big bruver! You're home. You have new friends."
"I do, Lily," and he smiled bent down to give her a big hug. She savored it.
Lily let go of her brother, looked directly at Jeanne, and bravely asked the strange girl, "Who are you?"
Jeanne bowed politely, and thought how cute this little girl was dressed in a frilly pink dress, even if it looked completely out of place in this village, and said cheerfully, "I'm Jeanne, Lily."
Lily cocked an eyebrow with a puzzled look, "How do you know my name, Jeanne?"
"Jack told me," Jeanne smiled, "And he also told me what a nice little sister you are. He's right!"
"Really? He did?" she chimed happily, and then, with the fast-moving mind of a four-year old girl, she asked, "You're pretty, Jeanne."
Jeanne blushed deeply, and both sets of parents stifled a snicker at Lily's friendly, candid innocence. Even Abassi, who was initially a little perturbed that Lily had interrupted the start of the diplomatic proceedings, smiled. He didn't want to stop her now. It was too charming.
Jeanne said, "Thank you, Lily. How nice of you to say. So are you."
Lily was right though. She smiled back and asked Jeanne without any hesitation, "Are you Jack's girlfriend?"
Jeanne blushed deeper and Jack blushed right along with her. The two mothers had to hold back even more from laughing. The two fathers were not so happy.
Jack tried to quiet his baby sister with a distraction, "Shhh, Lily. That's enough. It's time for Chief Abassi's speech."
She obeyed him, but was still so happy to see him that she just stood between Jack and Jeanne, clutched her brother's hand and grinned up at Jeanne.
She reached for Jeanne's hand and she offered it to Lily. Jeanne smiled at the little girl and squeezed her hand. It was so tiny and delicate and made Jeanne think of her future brother or sister. Lily grinned from ear to ear.
"Lily!" Jack scolded. He was mortified his baby sister could ruin everything that had so far transpired between him and Jeanne.
"It's all right Jack," mewed Jeanne, exchanging glances with him.
Sweet little Lily had the opposite effect on Jeanne that Jack feared. It endeared her even more to the English boy. He clearly was a good big brother for Lily to greet him so lovingly after his return home. A boy who was kind to girls was a rarity in her life.
Across the council fire, Jane and Tarzan suppressed a snicker. The three children together were precious. And they were impressed by how Jeanne politely handled their very forward four-year old daughter.
Jeanne observed that Lily was even cuter than Jack described, and so much like her mother. What intrigued Jeanne is that Jack didn't refute Lily's assertion about Jeanne being his girlfriend. What intrigued Jack even more was that Jeanne didn't refute the claim either. Jeanne and Jack just exchanged a shy glance and then directed their attention to the Nigerian chieftain as he cleared his throat and a drum roll ensued.
The Chief drew himself into his most regal pose and stated, "Greetings Admiral D'Arnot and Colonel and Madame Jacot. We are honored to have you here. I am Chief Abassi and this is my Queen, Femi, my daughter Ndidi, and my son Ugo. We are most honored to have l'Armee de Terre and Le Marine Nationale among us to be our benefactors and allies."
He gestured with a sweeping hand motion to Tarzan and Jane, and continued, "You may know of Count and Countess Clayton and you've obviously just met their daughter Lily. It appears you have already made their son Jack's acquaintance."
Abassi had a working knowledge of French, having learned it due to his many dealings with the Europeans now passing through the harbor, and being surrounded by French African colonies. Abassi gave Jack an amused glance, but Tarzan gave his son a disapproving look again, and the boy chafed even in just his loincloth. It was only a matter of time before the lecture and punishment were meted out, and Jack privately hoped Abassi would expound to the Frenchmen for hours to avoid his father's lecture. The Chieftain was prone to do that. It was tribal legend that Abassi had avoided war once with another tribe just by putting them to sleep during hours of negotiations.
Ndidi just rolled her eyes at Jack in her obvious, silent "I told you so" glance which he also tried to avoid. Ndidi noted how beautiful this French girl was, and didn't miss that she and Jack were attracted to each other. Only Lily dared to say what seemed to be transpiring between the pair. Ndidi fought back an unexpected pang of jealousy.
Abassi cued the Count and Countess, and they bowed formally. Tarzan spoke for the family, "It is our pleasure to meet you Colonel and Madame Jacot, and your soldiers. Admiral D'Arnot, it's always a pleasure to have you and your men back in the village, though I wish it were better circumstances for all of you. It appears that our daughter Lily and son Jack need no introduction."
Tarzan's emphasis on Jack's name had a harshness to it that made the boy twitch.
They all stepped forward, following Abassi's lead, and greeted each other formally in bows, curtsies and handshakes. It felt good for the Jacot's to be around Europeans, even if they were English. Momentarily they forgot they were in the midst of a native African village.
But that familiar feeling didn't last long. Chief Abassi said, "We must make our French allies comfortable during their stay among us. Our personal dwelling is available for your family and we have encampment areas with the garrison for all your men. We have enough good food for all, and we have land where you can train for your mission with us and the British soldiers to rid us all of the German threat."
"Thank you Chief Abassi, we are very grateful for your largesse," bowed Armand.
Because so much time was lost and they had no contact with civilization for months, Armand acted swiftly. He was very concerned that the war might be imminent or raging already, so he wanted to get to business right away, and urged, "Chief Abassi and Count Clayton, there is much to discuss. We must not tarry."
Abassi waved his hands and scoffed, wanting to teach the impatient Frenchmen a little about jungle hospitality, and cajoled Armand, "I know that, Colonel, but you have been on the trail for months. You must be exhausted. For the time being the world is still at peace according to all the radiotelegraph reports."
Armand was surprised they had a radio here in this primitive society, but remembered the British garrison must have their means to communicate with their homeland.
Abassi continued with a bit of an admonishment to Armand's surprised look, "We are not savages, Colonel, despite how you may judge our simple appearance and our village. We do have different customs than yours, kind sir, but we know the advantage of technology for our society. You would do well to understand that, Colonel Jacot."
With his lecture over, Abassi's tone changed to conviviality and hospitality, "We will talk and we will train for war, but not until you are all rested and fed properly. You and your men must have both to fight properly. Now let us get you settled and prepare meal to celebrate your coming."
The Colonel blinked. There was more wisdom in this society than met the eye. He was premature to judge them.
Abassi added cheerfully to the point of chucking, "A night or two of rest and food will not make a difference in the accomplishment of your mission. In addition I see that your wife and daughter are with you. We are pleased that they are here to be with our families, although this was not the plan you discussed with Count Clayton. You must think of your wife's needs, particularly in her condition. As we all can see, that is a condition that is quite contagious with our spouses."
The three pregnant women managed to laugh and smile, as did Jeanne. This was pretty exciting to her. She was at the age when babies and birthing was really interesting to her, so her mom and Jack's mom and the Chief's wife all being pregnant together was simply amazing, although the concept of what caused it all was still something left unexplained.
Abassi emphasized, "Your wife must have proper nourishment and sleep for your child to grow properly, Colonel. That is true of any society."
The Colonel explained apologetically, his cheeks burning that the greater wisdom in this situation was offiered by the Nigerians and not the French, "I understand and accept your kind offer, Chief Abassi. No. It was not our plan to have my family here, but we ask your forbearance with the fate that befell us. Our common enemy, the Germans, disguised as Moroccan rebels, somehow discovered some details about our operation the night before we were scheduled to leave. They bombarded our base with weapons that lay waste to everything they touch. It was our great fortune that we were already prepared to leave the next day and most of my men escaped with their equipment and gear. Admiral D'Arnot, your friend, had prepared his ship already primed for a rapid escape. My family unfortunately left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and nearly died in the bombing of our home. Most of those we left behind… were… not so lucky. Admiral D'Arnot's ship was sunk by some secret underwater ship that swims like the whales and dolphins with weapons as fast as barracuda we have never seen before. Thanks to the Admiral's skills, we beached the ship safely on the coast of French West Africa and escaped before the hulk was destroyed by the Germans. They did not follow us, leaving us for dead in the jungle. Both the Admiral and I lost many men in that attack and much of our equipment. We've been marching through the rain forest for weeks. We are grateful to be here and for your hospitality, Chief Abassi. We would welcome the ability to rest awhile, clean up, eat whatever you wish to provide us, and be ready for the conflict ahead."
Abassi was satisfied that the French leader had understood his message that they were equals in leadership and that he was in Nigeria, not France or in a French-controlled African colony, and the rules were different here. Nigerian rules. They established respect and an 'understanding' for each other. Tarzan watched the dynamic unfold with great interest. Colonel Jacot was smart and flexible for a military man, and Tarzan's long time friend Abassi was brilliant once again in dealing with the 'outlanders'. No wonder he was chief of a dozen different Nigerian tribes and had brought peace to the region years ago.
Jane looked at the very tired and harrowed Madame Jacot, wondering how she got through it all with her daughter. It was a wonder the strenuous journey had not caused her to lose her baby.
Femi spoke, "I am sorry to hear that you lost your home and had to flee, Colonel and Madame Jacot. Our regrets to you for all your losses. Madame Jacot, it is most pleasing to me to see that you are expecting, as am I and Lady Jane. That was a terrible journey to make with a baby on the way. Lady Jane and I would very much like to make you more comfortable. Everything we have here is yours."
"I will do whatever I can to help you be comfortable," added Jane graciously, smiling at her friend Femi and at Josephine.
Josephine was appreciative, "That is very generous, Queen Femi and Lady Clayton. The soldiers and my husband helped me cope and let me rest often. We should have been here weeks ago."
"My wife is strong as an ox and so will our child be," announced Armand proudly.
Josephine blushed.
Femi said, "Please, everyone, be comfortable. Our home is your home. My husband and I and the Clayton's will show you all your guest dwellings while you stay with us. The Clayton's always do."
Jane noted, "Queen Femi is such a wonderful host."
Jeanne looked over her shoulder directly as they all left, except Tarzan and Jack, and silently mouthed the words, "Later, Jack," and she also invited aloud as she kept her hand hold on Jack's sister, "Lily, do you want to help me get moved in? And Princess Ndidi? I need your help too. I bet you know you both can show me how us girls are supposed to live in the jungle."
Ndidi blushed. There was no such thing as a official Nigerian princess, but she appreciated the girl's kind gesture, and any remaining hint of jealousy about the French girl's attraction toward Jack evaporated. 'Us girls' had a delightful ring to Ndidi and Lily.
"I'm just Ndidi, Jeanne. I'd be glad to help Lily get you moved in. Please tell us all about French girls."
Lily looked at her mother with a broad grin that she was asked to help the 'big girls', and Jane acknowledged that it was all right, and so Jane let Lily and Ndidi go with Femi while she went with Femi to help Josephine. Abassi, the Admiral, and the Captain accompanied the Colonel and their men to show them the camping grounds for them.
That left Jack in the very awkward situation of standing by himself with his fuming father.
Tarzan scowled at Jack, seeing him in just his loincloth, and admonished his son, "Jack. You knew we wanted to meet the French dressed like English to ease the cultural shock. You can see how our customs offended them. All except their daughter. She seemed to handle it, Jack. Why? I suspect there is more to this story with the young woman you met. Or more likely less… if you understand me. Son, you were not supposed to leave the village. Especially alone and especially 'dressed' as a Mangani. Your skills as a deep jungle hunter are still not perfect. Despite what you think. The mountain pass was beyond your limit."
Tarzan gave his son a scornful look, and Jack knew he was in very big trouble.
Jack fumbled with his description of what happened, but knew he had to tell his dad the truth. He was a horrible liar and his dad always knew what was really going on, "I am sorry, Father, but I can explain. I had to see them. I was excited. I followed them for awhile but they left without Jeanne after a rest. She was lost and all alone and very upset. I needed to rescue her."
He left out the falling asleep part.
Trying to make the best of this situation, seeing that Jack was well-intentioned, Tarzan asked to understand better by leading the conversation with his boy, "So you dressed, met her face to face, introduced yourself, and you got her reunited with her parents?"
Jack looked at the ground, and made dirt circles with his toes, "Well… Not exactly."
Tarzan took a deep breath and requested, "Explain: 'not exactly', son."
There was only one thing to say for Jack, "You see, Father… um… Jeanne had a slingshot."
Tarzan was stunned, "A slingshot?"
Jack strained to work through his story, still formally addressing Tarzan as 'Father' respectfully whenever he was in trouble,"Yes, Father. Before I met the Frenchmen, I kinda sorta hid in the trees and teased her like a monkey to not be discovered by the soldiers. I was… um… too much like a monkey. Jeanne… uhh… well… she… um… shot me out of a tree with her slingshot."
"Shot you out of a tree?" Tarzan asked in disbelief and only then noticed the scab over Jack's temple gash.
"Uh huh… She hit me in the head with a rock. I was unconscious. I fell out of the tree. I hadn't… um… changed yet."
This story had just become one of every parent's worst dilemmas. Tarzan was trying very hard to be serious and to discipline his oldest child for his blatant disobedience, but this encounter with a girl his age had just become too funny to make up, and Tarzan stifled an irresistible desire to laugh. All he could force out was, "So, uh… son… what happened then?"
The words came easier for Jack now, because of the tenderness of what happened next, and noted his father's change of tone,"Jeanne found me. She helped me wake up, and healed where she hit me. We introduced ourselves, I got dressed, and we talked to each other about our lives and families. Then, Dad, I saved her by getting her back to her parents on the vines and led them all here. She was very happy, Dad. She liked swinging! Her parents would have gotten even more lost without me guiding them back… She understands us, Dad. And I think we are friends. She isn't like any English girl I ever met Dad. She's nice to boys. To me. She likes that we live in the jungle. No other girls feel that way, Dad. I'm really sorry for messing up, but please don't forbid me from seeing her."
Tarzan suddenly had compassion for his son, whom he knew first hand often suffered the consequences of living in two worlds. He remembered all the times he had to dry the tears of the pain of his son when the girls of noble society rejected him. This little girl accepted Jack as he was. And seemed to want to know more.
This was a familiar story, not that far different than the day Tarzan met Jane. Jack and Jeanne had worked their way through the awkwardness of their first encounter in their own way, and became friends because they wanted to be. It was going to be impossible for Tarzan to punish Jack when his son himself had caused so much embarrassment and difficulty by his own actions. Jack had learned the hard way. Discipline and punishment became understanding and comfort by Tarzan for his son. He wondered with a bittersweet pang if Kerchak would have been proud of his fatherly moment.
Tarzan spoke softly, "Well, it took your mother awhile, but she learned to like the jungle and our different ways, too. So I am not going to forbid you to see her. I think she needs you to help her learn, son."
For the first time since their tense discussion began, Jack and Tarzan smiled at each other.
Tarzan asked, to completely understand everything, "So. What else happened that I should know about? I may have to set this all straight with Colonel Jacot. He might not be as forgiving when Jeanne explains all this to her parents."
"That's all, Dad. I tried to help and it… um… mostly worked out."
Tarzan could see that Jack had said it all and chuckled, "I can see that you and Jeanne are friends. Well son, I like her already. And I certainly think Lily does. You sure know how to 'fall' for your girl friends."
He understood his father's gentle teasing. Jack blushed remembering a sparring match between him and Ndidi during a Nigerian sports day. Ndidi knocked Jack out cold accidentally right in front of both Tarzan and Abassi and all their friends with the butt end of her fighting staff. That was very awkward, and Jane and Ndidi were frantic in both rushing to care for Jack, but three years later that moment became a good story among the two friends.
Nonetheless, Jack insisted, "Jeanne's not my girlfriend. She's just a friend."
Tarzan knew better, having seen them. Tarzan inspected his son's temple where it had bled. It had not yet completely stopped bleeding, "Are you all right?"
Jack shrugged, "It doesn't hurt, Dad. At least not any more. I chewed on some bark and put some paste on it."
The local analgesic bark was more potent than the recently invented aspirin pill.
Tarzan cocked his head, "That's going to leave a mark, son. You'll never forget your 'first date' with her."
Jack blushed and tried to explain again, but was interrupted. Father and son had not seen Jane return, who had heard a good deal of the story, but not before shooing Lily off to go play with Ugo.
Jane objected, "Tarzan! Stop teasing Jack. This was embarrassing for him. He did well, I must say. And so did Jeanne. I can't imagine what would have happened had I encountered you like that the first time we met, Tarzan, dear."
All three were amused at that.
"It's all right Mom. Dad's right. It is pretty funny. Now, anyway."
Jack didn't deny the first date. His dad was actually right. The fact is Jack wouldn't ever forget their first encounter. And he hoped it was the first of many. He knew he'd fibbed a little to his father. He did want Jeanne for a girlfriend. And he was pretty sure she wanted him too.
Tarzan asked Jane, "So, how did it all go with all you 'girls'?"
Having returned from the longhouse where she, Lily, and Femi had settled Jeanne and Josephine, Jane smiled, "Well, they are all settled. At least as well as can be done for people having no concept of communal Nigerian life. The Colonel and his wife and daughter are in the extended family part of the Chief's long house next to us. Not much privacy for people who are not used to living all together, but it's better than camping out with the soldiers. Philippe went to set up his tent near the men."
Then Jane smiled broadly, "By the way Jack, Jeanne is quite the chatterbox, and is very impressed with you and your jungle skills and your rescue, son. It seems you made a serious impression on her."
"Really?" Jack asked hopefully.
Jane added with emphasis, "Even when you fell out of the tree with a slingshot wound and naked. Perhaps you and I need to chat too, young man, about how to properly meet young women and impress their mothers."
"Oh… " Jack turned thirteen shades of red knowing his mother now knew everything. And so did Jeanne's mother. He was still afraid of being forbidden to see Jeanne by one or more angry mothers.
"But Mom…I'm worried… I want to keep seeing Jeanne. Will it be all right with Madame Jacot?"
Jane put her hand on his shoulder and explained very seriously, "It's all right dear. Don't worry. Jeanne's mother is extremely grateful that you saved her and made her happy again after their ordeal. You did impress her mother very much with your talent and your manners, son. Even if you went about it in a… shall we say… unconventional way…? It was fortunate that Madame Jacot actually thought it was all very funny and how you made amends to their daughter so quickly. And even more fortunate for you that Colonel Jacot was away with his men. Madame Jacot and I both think its punishment enough that you had to experience this, work your way through the embarrassment together and still create friendship and respect, dear. The entire incident will remain only between 'us girls' and your father and you. All is forgiven and forgotten and you and Jeanne can be friends as you want."
Jack and Tarzan looked at each other knowing they'd already drawn the same conclusion.
He had to interrupt his mother with his excitement of the moment, "Thank you Mom and Dad!"
He hugged them both tightly.
As proud of Jack as Jane was, she also thought how remarkably understanding young Jeanne had been in this situation that any normal civilized girl should have found disgusting, but dealt with it in her own forgiving way. As did her mother. Jane reflected that acceptance was the essence of this unique, brand new friendship not only between Jack and Jeanne but between two families several worlds apart – noblemen and commoners, civilized and feral, military and civilian, French and English. It would be interesting to see where it went next, and how long it would last.
There was a tiny part of Jane, as a mother looking out for her son's happiness, that hoped it might last forever. Even at age eight.
During their 'girl talk' in the longhouse, Josephine had chuckled telling Jane that Jeanne had followed in her father's footsteps - knocking their friends out at first meeting as children seemed to be a 'Jacot family tradition'. Jeanne had just blushed but still smiled with the women.
And it was at that very moment Jane saw just how beautiful and kind this little girl was and why she had such an effect on Jack.