At all costs (The Legend of Tarzan)

Back to Africa

'Fate has a strange sense of humour, John. Those men, they got on a boat. You can guess three times, where that boat is going.'

'The Congo?' John looked both surprised and confused. 'They are taking our children to the Congo? Why there?'

'It doesn't matter why!' Jane yelled, anger now taking over her sadness. 'They have to be saved, and I am coming with you John. I am not staying here in England.'

'This seems like a discussion I have no place in, I will leave you two alone.' George said.

'No George, you can stay, it is alright. There will be no discussion. I know I won't be able to keep her here, so it's a futile waste of time to argue about it. George, I beg you to once again watch over the estate. We will leave Anthony with my grandfather, and I will write a letter to explain our disappearance. Now, Jane and I need to pack. We will get on the first boat in the morning which leaves for the Congo.'

'Christopher! Christopher! Wake up!' Elizabeth was sitting in a dark room, her legs and wrists tied up. Next to her, on the ground, lay her brother. Christopher was tied up as well, but still soundly asleep. He always had been a heavy sleeper, much like their mother. She herself had always been more like her father, always one ear alert to hear what was happening around her. Elizabeth moved, trying to wiggle herself free from her knots, but she couldn't get her hands out of the rope. After moving for a while, she lost her balance, fell over, her shoulder slamming into her brother's stomach.

'Ow!' Christopher yelled as he woke up with a gasp for air. 'Lizzie? What are you doing? Will you get up, please?'

'I can't, Christopher! My wrists are tied.'

At that point Christopher looked around and started to realize he wasn't in his bedroom, not even at his house. 'Where are we?!' He saw the room around him, dark walls and only one small window.

'I don't know. Someone took us. Daddy tried to save us. He couldn't.' Elizabeth started crying. 'I want to go home.'

Christopher moved, pushing his sister up into a sitting position, and sitting up himself. 'Lizzie, calm down, please. Father will come for us. He will save us. He always does. Until that, we have each other. I promise I won't leave you.'

Elizabeth nodded slowly. 'Okay.'

'Now, why don't you lie down and get some sleep. I'll watch over you.'

Elizabeth nodded again, before lying down, and resting her head on her brother's lap and falling asleep.

It was early the next morning when Jane and John were in their carriage on their way to the port. Their carriage rattled loudly, caused by the speed of their travel. Jane was looking out of the window, worry clear on her face. John took her hands in his, and squeezed it gently. 'I promise, love, we will find them.'

'I hope you are right, John.' She whispered, still looking out of the window.

Soon they reached the port and the carriage stopped. John and Jane both got out and looked out onto the early morning boat.

'Well, looks like you are right on time for the boat.' George mumbled. 'Are you sure about this?'

'I am. We left Anthony with my grandfather, we took the necessary precautions, George. We need to do this. We need to find our children. And I need you to watch over Greystoke.'

'I will. Now good luck. And I truly hope you find Lizzie en Christopher. I will be waiting for you to return. Good luck, my friends.'

After Jane and John made their goodbyes to George, they got on the boat, on their way back to Africa.

10 days later

'Wake up you little brats!' A voice yelled, and Christopher felt someone kick his side.

'Ow!' The yell woke up Elizabeth.

'It's time for us to move, munchkins. We have arrived.'

'Where are we?' Christopher asked. He looked the man dead in the eyes. He was tall, but not nearly as tall as their father. He had a scar on his face, probably once attacked by an animal.

The dark tall man laughed as he picked up Lizzie, another man soon followed and picked up Christopher.

'Welcome, to The Congo. Or as I would like to call it; you're personal hell.' He laughed evilly.

Christopher looked around, it was still quite dark outside, but the things he saw reminded him of the port, where 4 years ago, he and his parents had taken a boat back to England. He was still scared for his life, and that of his sister. But seeing the familiar places gave him hope. This place, especially the jungle, was where his father would be at his strongest; he'd have an edge over anyone, he might even be unbeatable. He had faith that his father would come and find them, and save them from these men.

'Come on, Tim. We need to make hast of we wish to get to our hide out, before nightfall.'

'Alright, let's go.'

And so they travelled on foot into the heart of the country.