Tarzan: Daughter and Son
by S.M. Scott
Disclaimer: I do not own Tarzan, Disney does. I only own the characters I made up. Take Chuimba and Elizabeth, for example.
Chapter Seven
Goodbye, Africa
"I can't believe it!" Chiumba cried in protestation. He suddenly shut himself up, realizing his mistake, but too late. He found himself facing his parents and his Aunt and Uncle, all looking reproachful, but none more so than Lord Danford. "Who gave you permission to be up and about at this late hour and eavesdropping, no less?" Lord Danford demanded coldly. "You lack even more manners than I thought. I never would have believed my nephew would do anything so lowbrow."
"Uncle George, please!" Jane intervened. "Let us take care of this." With that, Tarzan, Jane, and Chiumba both went to climb the ladder up to the children's room. "Chiumba, Elizabeth, we both need to talk to you." Tarzan said. So, Elizabeth closed her book and Chiumba climbed into his cot. "I understand that this may not be easy for you at first, but your mother and I have decided that we are all going to leave Africa to go to England with your Aunt and Uncle. They want you to learn more about the way most humans live, about the ways of English culture."
"Oh, how wonderful!" Elizabeth said happily. "I've always wanted to go to England. Pretty dresses, real summer picnics minus the danger of poisonous reptiles, china dolls, real art, dancing, and Queen Victoria herself! Do you think there's any chance we will meet her, after all, Auntie Theodora and Uncle George are from a noble family?"
Jane laughed. "I do think you are getting a little old for china dolls, but if you are especially good, you may indeed be allowed to meet that most fascinating monarch. That also goes for you, young man," Jane added sternly in Chiumba's direction. Chiumba hated to be nagged to be good. "Chiumba, I hope you're listening to your mother," Tarzan warned. "Yes, Dad," Chiumba replied meekly.
"Well, I'll just be getting ready for bed myself then," Jane said to Tarzan. "I'll leave you to talk to Chiumba. Good night all."
"Good night Jane," Tarzan said tenderly before sitting down next to his son. "Chiumba, I realize how difficult it must be for you to have to live among many strangers. When I was your age, I had plenty of trouble trying to fit in with everyone else's expectations, and when I first met your mother, I was faced with even bigger challenges."
"Oh, come on, Dad! You and the Waziri Tribe were the only humans for miles around, Hugo, Hooft, and DuMonde don't count because they aren't from Africa. And besides, you're the King of the Jungle, the Missing Link, the one who always saves the day. I'm sure you never had that much trouble when you were young, either."
"I think you'd be surprised if you could have seen me. We all start at the beginning whenever we learn something new. Tarzan hoped that Chiumba would be older before he told him the truth, that Tarzan wasn't brought up by the Waziri, he wasn't even originally from Africa himself. His own parents (Chiumba and Elizabeth's paternal grandparents) were both from countries far away and they didn't die of a serious illness. They were brutally slain by Sabor. Tarzan's adoptive family were the gorillas, and Kala and Kerchack were his adoptive parents. Chiumba was already beginning to get curious about Tarzan's history, not even being allowed to touch the copy of Tarzan of the Apes that his parents were given by famed author Edgar Rice Burroughs. Perhaps someday.
"What about the gorillas and the other animals you've always protected? What about Terk and Tantor?" Chiumba asked his Dad. "The animals are adapted to the jungle, they are wild, you know this. They will survive as long as they stay safe." Tarzan said. "I am no longer the ape leader anyway, Kokom is now that. Now, no more arguing, it is time you got your rest. If your sister is so happy and willing to go to England, you should be too. Good night, Chiumba."
Chiumba knew it was of no use to argue then, as it was one argument he'd never win. Chiumba blew out his candle and went to bed.
T
The long-dreaded day for Chiumba had finally dawned and he and his parents, the valet, their Grandfather, sister, and Aunt and Uncle were all dressed for travelling and just about ready to board the ship to England. Giles was to be in charge of making sure the luggage went to their suites. But then, Chiumba looked behind him and said, "Mom, Dad, look!"
"Enough of that nonsense, boy. We have a ship to board and it won't wait all day while yu dawdle." Lord Danford snapped. But Tarzan and Jane went to Chiumba's side. "Whatever is the matter, Chiumba?" Jane asked her son. But Tarzan answered instead. "It's the gorillas, and Tantor."
"I should have known," Giles said to himself, as though one would expect such goodbyes for the Missing Link. Kokum, the new leader of the gorillas, was the first to say goodbye. He wasn't the closest friend to Tarzan, but he could never forget the lessons Tarzan once taught him about leadership. Those lessons put Kokum in good stead as a leader. "I hope you have the best of luck among the humans across the water," Kokum told Tarzan. "You and your family. Thank you for being there when we needed you." And with that, Kokum went to stand among the other gorillas and his mate. Now, there was Tantor. He picked Tarzan up by the trunk and shook him in desperation. "Please Tarzan, I'm begging you to reconsider! I don't want you or your family to leave and forget about us!" Tantor pleaded pathetically.
"Tantor, would you please put me down? I could never forget about any of you, trust me." Tarzan assured him. "Oh," was all Tantor could say to that as he put Tarzan down. "I knew that of course," Tantor said, embarrased. Terk walked up to say her goodbyes. "Sheesh, don't say another word Tantor, you've already embarassed me so chill!" Then, she turned to Tarzan, Jane, and the children. "I guess this is it," Terk said. "Yes Terk," Jane replied, betraying no emotion. "This really is it."
Terk then hugged Tarzan and Jane, and said to the children, "Now don't you guys let England spoil you or nothin'. Remember who you are and where you came from. Goodbye..." Terk began to cry and quickly ran back into the jungle. "Terk, where are you going?" Chiumba cried, about to run after her, but Professor Porter stopped him. "Now you heard what your Uncle said, Chiumba, now is not the time to dawdle. We have a long journey ahead of us, and Terk will be as right as rain soon enough." But Chuimba didn't feel so sure. Finally, the last member of Tarzan's ape family to say goodbye was Kala. Kala was much older now than she used to be and walked slower than the younger gorillas. Never would she ever forget how she rescued Tarzan as an infant and everything changed for her. She had acted since then as the mother Tarzan had lost, but now the boy had long since grown up, it was time to say goodbye. But still, Tarzan would always be in her heart.
Tarzan hugged his adoptive mother, and Kala began to cry. But, at last they had to let each other go. "Goodbye, Tarzan." There was sadness in Kala's eyes. "Goodbye, mother." He said very quietly. Once on the ship, it began to set sail on the beginning of its' voyage to England. Chiumba watched as the jungle, and all of Africa grew smaller as they moved out toward the ocean. When the ship disappeared from their sight, the gorillas disappeared back into the shelter of the trees.
To Be Continued...