Part 3: The Journey to England
Chapter 38
"The Knighting Ceremony"
Jane Porter walked faster and faster from the dungeons as she continued to hear the distant echoes of her soon to be dead ex-fiancé. For she knew that she was due to start the next phase of her life and that there was no one, not Bobby, not the queen, nor all the riches and wealth of the world would keep her from living the rest of her life with the man she truly loved.
After a very exquisite breakfast, Jane and Tarzan changed into their clothes for the knighting ceremony and joined the exclusive guests at the very front of the throne room. Jane was wearing the red and white dress that she had also bought from Dumont with a white hat atop her elegantly bunned hair and eight red petticoats rustled underneath with her legs clad in white stockings and white ankle boots adorned her feet. Tarzan was wearing a red and yellow striped jacket with a white shirt underneath and khaki pants. A straw hat sat on his head and his hair was once again tied in the ponytail from his magical night with Jane.
The ceremony began with the marching of the royal guard and the singing of God Save the Queen as Queen Victoria, in her long red robe led the procession with Archimedes in the middle of a group of four guards escorting him to the front of the throne room. Jane could not help but shed a few happy tears only this time to show how happy she was of her father's accomplishment for all the years he had put in to this very moment and after their father and daughter talk earlier, she knew that she was now ready to live her life the way she wanted to.
Kneeling down before his queen, Archimedes looked up and saw Queen Victoria standing before him in front of her throne with a servant standing next to her holding the golden sword of honor in his hands.
"We are gathered here to honor Professor Archimedes Q. Porter for his superior naturalistic work," she said. "For his tireless efforts to educate the thousands of our young citizens on the subjects of our Earth's animals, especially those of the gorillas."
Tarzan looked up and even though he was still disturbed over what Queen Victoria had said to him, could not help but understand how majestic she truly was, even if she was nothing like Kerchak to Tarzan.
"For over 30 years, Professor Porter has studied the glory and wonder of these creatures and had always longed to travel the world and study every animal that had ever lived on this Earth," continued Queen Victoria. "He has also served the empire with his military service in the Battle of Rorke's Drift in our colony of South Africa and has used his inspiration in South Africa to recently travel to Africa and be among the gorillas for a short period of time. He done all these incredible tasks while maintaining the highest level of intergrity."
She then beckoned to the servant forward and he gave her the golden sword and at that moment, Archimedes knelt before her and bent his head down.
"In the name of God," she said. "I dub you Sir Archimedes Quincy Porter. Please rise and face your subjects, Sir Archimedes."
Turning around, Archimedes looked out among the crowds and the entire court cheered with excitement and happiness as Archimedes looked on.
After the ceremony, the entire court was brought into the main hall where there was a reception to celebrate Archimedes' knighting, but at the same time, Archimedes was to announce his plans to the court of what he was planning to do and that was to become a professor at Oxford University.
"Thank you all so very much for joining me and my family on this most glorious occasion," he said to the crowd of subjects that were present at the dinner. "But, I suppose you must all be wondering what you are thinking about and that is whether or not I would become a professor of animal studies at Oxford University. I am pleased to inform you that I will take up this position effective immediately."
The crowd cheered with excitement and soon quieted down again when Archimedes still had more to say.
"But, I could not have accepted this decision without the love and support of my daughter, Jane and her husband, Tarzan," said Archimedes and thus, Jane and Tarzan rose up to face the crowd. "For they are the ones who have inspired me to accept this position and lead the young people of London into studying the world of animals and their surroundings. In addition, Jane and Tarzan will live the rest of their lives in the jungles of Africa and live among a group of gorillas that have accepted my daughter as one of their own and for that, I send my blessings to them as they start the next phase of their lives. May God bless us all as we start the next phase of our journey on this Earth."
He raised his glass of sherry and everyone else joined in raising their glasses in celebration as the day of celebrating was about to reach its climax. The day then concluded with a series of waltzes and Tarzan and Jane repeated their magical night knowing that Archimedes would always be with them and that they knew their life together was just getting better. Of course, however, Queen Victoria still had something to say to Tarzan and when Tarzan and Jane had a moment out on the balcony overlooking the city of London, she stepped over to them out on the balcony.
"Tarzan," she said. "I want you to remember something that I hope you are not offended by."
"What is that, your highness?" he asked. "What is it you want me to remember?"
"I want you to remember that I was wrong about you staying away from your true home," she apologized. "You deserve to live the rest of your life with Miss Porter in the jungles of Africa and if there ever is a colony that is formed in the jungle, then there is always someone to guide them."
Tarzan and Jane were both happy by this and in a rare departure from royal custom; she allowed both Tarzan and Jane to hug her like a grandmother would to her grandchildren.
For they knew at that moment that life couldn't be any better for them all as both Tarzan and Jane gained a grandmother like figure in Queen Victoria who would be supportive in whatever direction they chose to go.
But, they had a long journey to Africa ahead of them and a future with them at the helm and no one else. But, it would also be a day of pure emotion and goodbyes as well…
