Part 3: The Journey to England
Chapter 32
"Saying Goodbye to Africa"
So upon hearing the news of Archimedes' knighting, Jane, Archimedes and Tarzan set about getting themselves ready for a return trip to England for a knighting ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Jane had spent a part of her time at Dumont's getting clothes and provisions that she would need for the trip and fortunately, Dumont was able to provide her with numerous outfits not just for the ceremony, but also for the voyage and for being around London itself. In addition to her yellow dress, Jane was also given a similar powder blue dress from Paris and several suits and a really nice white dress and hat for the knighting ceremony along with undergarments and accessories including makeup and shoes. She had also brought Archimedes and Tarzan to try on clothes as well and it took a while for Tarzan to try on his clothes as he was more fascinated with how they looked off of him than on him.
On the night before they were due to leave for England, Jane was going through her assortment of items when Tarzan began to feel a little worried.
"Jane?" he asked as he put his father's suit in its suitcase along with the tuxedo for the ceremony. "Are we really going to London?"
"Why, of course, Tarzan," replied Jane. "You are really going to see the world and admire all that London has to offer. Every famous citizen will want to meet you and I will be with you every step of the way. Why, while we are there, I will show you our old home on 17 Cherry Tree Lane."
"What's 17 Cherry Tree Lane?" asked Tarzan.
"It's a house that is in a group of other houses," explained Jane. "But I will tell you everything once we get there."
She kissed him and they resumed their activities and travel preparations. As Tarzan packed his clothes and provisions, he could not help but wonder how he was going to feel once he was out of his element. He was finally going to London with Jane and her father and experience all that civilized men and women lived by. Most importantly, he was going to meet King George, the ruler of the British Empire.
Little did Tarzan know however, that London was a jungle of its own and that there would be danger in every corner and he remembered Archimedes telling him about Jane's ex-fiancé, Bobby Canler, who was told that Jane was lost in the jungles forever and was going to be in for a surprise when Jane would return to England alive. He would've refused to go, but because he loved Jane so much, he was going to take the risk and expose himself to the outside world. Before he left however, he shared his goodbyes with his jungle friends and family and Kala blessed him before he would leave.
Early the next morning, Tarzan accompanied Jane and her father down to the ship and Dumont met them at the dock. Jane was wearing her yellow shirt and green skirt combo from that fateful day when Clayton betrayed them and Tarzan was wearing his loincloth, but would change into his father's suit upon arrival in England.
"There it is, Jane," said Archimedes. "That is our ship to England and our family and friends."
"Daddy," she sighed. "I am so excited to be going at long last. The time has come for us to get reacquainted with all that we have left behind and to celebrate your greatest accomplishment."
They both climbed the gangplank as Captain Gerard, having been sent back by the queen herself to pick up Jane and Archimedes, tipped his hat to them as they climbed aboard.
"Miss Porter, Professor," he said. "I am glad to see you again."
"We are delighted to see you too, Captain," replied Archimedes. "I'll have you know that Jane is now happily married to Tarzan."
"Oh, good God," he groaned.
"Aren't you happy for me Captain?" Jane asked.
"I am," said Captain Gerard, trying to put a smile on his face. "It's just that, I come back ordered by her majesty to pick the both of you up and I tried to tell her but she wouldn't listen and…"
"It doesn't matter now Captain," said Archimedes. "I will explain everything to the queen upon our return."
So, Archimedes and Jane left a very confused Captain Gerard behind as Tarzan climbed the gangplank and walked past the captain as they headed down to their staterooms. But before he could join Jane down in their stateroom, Tarzan looked out over the ship towards the jungles for one final look before he was due to leave. He would be leaving his family and his friends behind for a short time, but he was confident that they would all return. Just then, Terk and Tantor appeared and Tantor trumpeted out to Tarzan.
"Tarzan!" called Terk. "Be careful around those humans and never forget where you came from."
"And be sure to eat plenty of peanuts," cried Tantor, much to Tarzan's confusion.
"Yeah, what he said!" cried Terk and Tarzan looked out over the ship towards.
"Be sure to take care of everyone," he shouted as the ship got farther and farther away. "I will always think of you."
Tarzan couldn't help but shed a tear as Terk and Tantor waved their goodbyes and kept on doing so until Tarzan was completely out of sight.
Now, Tarzan was on his way to the civilized world with Jane and Archimedes, looking forward to learning about what life was like in a civilized world as well as to be present when Archimedes has his greatest triumph in front of his countrymen and the entire world.
Little did they know however that Bobby had been told by Jane's friend, Hazel, that Jane and Archimedes were really alive and that Bobby was now planning to marry Jane while not realizing that she had already married Tarzan and thus, would set in motion a chain of events that would change not only Tarzan's life, but Jane's life as well…
