Chapter 8

"Staying to the Death"

With the British and French armies making fortifications around the treehouse, Jane could see that she was going to follow through on her promise that she would stay with Tarzan regardless of what happens from here on in.

While Tarzan and the soldiers were outside, Jane had changed into her yellow shirt and green wrap skirt to cover the jungle garments as well as the cuts and bruises she had endured during her captivity. Walking over to Korak's crib, Jane picked him up and cradled him in her arms. But, she could not help but wonder of what the future was going to be like from here on in.

"Jane," said Tarzan, walking over to her feeling slightly defeated. "I have no choice but to keep you and Korak here at the treehouse. The British and French commanders are not letting anyone in or out."

"That's what I wanted to hear them say, Tarzan," replied Jane as she sat down in a chair. "After all we've been through; this is something that is no different than anything we have faced together."

Tarzan sighed as he paced around the room, feeling defeated in a sense. However, he knew that because he was trapped by military orders, he could not travel to the Pride Lands and see his gorilla family. However, he had his wife and son with him and that was very comforting to him. It seemed now that he made a mistake to send his wife and son to safety.

"You're right, Jane," sighed Tarzan. "I just want you to be safe from danger. We've been through so much together and I can't help but wonder if maybe…"

Tarzan tried to finish his sentence knowing that this could be the end of his time on earth, but Jane shushed him from speaking any further.

"I know how you feel Tarzan," replied Jane, grabbing Tarzan's hand. "I'm scared too. But, I promise that you will not be alone. You have me and Korak to make you strong."

Tarzan felt slightly touched by this and felt a small tear trickling down his face. He knew that this was going to be the greatest fight he had ever taken part in and that he may not come out of it alive.

"Tarzan," Jane chuckled. "Are you crying?"

"No," said Tarzan, hastily, wiping away the tear from his face. "I'm not crying, I just have something in my eye."

"It's all right to be scared, love," said Jane, chuckling. "If you're going to be scared, then I am going to be scared with you. We've been through so much together in the short time we have been married."

They then walked out and saw the sun start to set on the jungle as the fortifications were nearing their completion.

"You're right, Jane," remarked Tarzan. "We have been through so much together. I am very lucky to have met someone like you, someone who has taught me so much about the human world and life itself. You made me into the man that I am today and I am grateful for that."

"Well, I sincerely appreciate that, Tarzan," replied Jane, as Korak cooed quietly. "I feel as though that this was the destiny I had chosen to follow and if we die in battle, then we will continue our destiny in the house of the lord."

Jane then fell silent for a moment and then after a moment, she sighed and looked back up at Tarzan.

"By the way, Tarzan," she said. "Did I ever tell you about the hereafter?"

"No, Jane," he replied. "You never told me about that."

"Well, that's where we go when we die," explained Jane. "Our bodies are just nothing more than a shell harboring our souls. Our souls travel to a beautiful place, a place that is not visible to the human eye and we will see all of our old friends and family again."

"Will I see my parents, Kerchak?" asked Tarzan excitedly.

"Yes, everyone of good nature who dies goes there," replied Jane. "Even daddy will be there if our time comes. I promise you that he will be there to greet us when the time comes to arrive."

"Will Korak come with us if we do die?" asked Tarzan, again. But, Jane bowed down and nodded her head and looked back up at Tarzan.

"I'm afraid not, Tarzan," she said solemnly. "You see, if we die and Korak doesn't, then he must remain here because nothing will happen to him."

Tarzan felt a little sad upon hearing that and looked down at his son with a look of sadness in his face. The young baby cooed upon seeing his father look down at him. Tarzan had to smile briefly, but knew that his time on Earth could be coming to an end.

Meanwhile, the private time between the jungle family was interrupted when the sounds of singing were heard from the fortifications. Both Jane and Tarzan ran over to see what was happening and saw what appeared to be a lone British soldier singing a British military hymn:

Men of Harlech stop your dreaming

Can't you see their spear points gleaming

See their warrior's pennants streaming

To this battle field

Men of Harlech stand ye steady

It cannot be ever said ye

For the battle were not ready

Stand and never yield

Form the hills rebounding

Let this war cry sounding

Summon all at Cambria's call

The mighty force surrounding

Men of Harlech onto glory

This shall ever be your story

Keep these fighting words before ye

Welshmen will not yield

Just then, another group of soldiers came forward and sang a different verse of the same songMarch ye men of Harlech bold,

Unfurl your banners in the field,

Be brave as were your sires of old,

And like them never yield!

What tho' evry hill and dale,

Echoes now with war's alarms,

Celtic hearts can never quail,

When Cambria calls to arms.

By each lofty mountain,

By each crystal fountain,

By your homes where those you love

Await your glad returning,

Let each thought and action prove,

True glory can the Cymru move,

And as each blade gleams in the light,

Pray "God defend the right!"

Clans from Mona wending,

Now with Arvon blending,

Haste with rapid strides along

The path that leads to glory,

From Snowdon's hills with harp and song,

And Nantlle's vale proceeds a throng,

Whose ranks with yours shall proudly vie,

"And nobly win or die!"

March ye men of Harlech go,

Lov'd fatherland your duty claims,

Onward comes the Saxon foe,

His footsteps mark'd in flames;

But his march breeds no dismay,

Boasting taunts we meet with scorn,

Craven like their hosts shall flee

Like mists before the morn.

On the foemen dashing,

Swords and bucklers clashing;

Smite with will their savage band

Nor think of e'er retreating:

But with a firm unflinching hand,

In blood quench ev'ry burning brand,

And for each roof tree cast away

A Saxon life shall pay.

Thus each bosom nerving,

From no danger swerving,

Soon shall the invader feel

The doom of fate rewarding;

They firmly grasp the flashing steel,

And as ye strike for Cymru's weal,

Be this your cry, till life's last breath –

"Our Liberty or Death!"

"What is that they are singing, Jane?" wondered Tarzan as they watched with amazement.

"Its called Men of Harlech, Tarzan," she replied. "A song that makes us proud of who we are."

But, despite this cry of pride, it was going to take a lot more than a song to get Tarzan and Jane through of what was to come…