Summary: Will's story between the beginning of the movie to where the story kicks off.
disclaimer: just like every other fanfic writer here I DON'T OWN NUTHIN'!
The last thing Will Turner remembered about his father was the voyage from Port Royal, where he left his mother for a month to accompany William Turner, Sr. on merchant business. He was only twelve, and his mother was reluctant to let her only son go away. "Don't worry Mary," His father had assured her, "He will be safe with me."
Mary had looked at her husband with an expression that made young Will feel as if she knew a secret shared between her and his father. "Safe with you, yes, but with your career..." She paused, then bent to adjust her young son's vest to where it laid smoothly over his shirt. "Be safe, dear Will." She addressed both father and son.
Will had been to eager to embark on his father's proud merchant vessel to look back as his mother shed silent tears. The Le Marie was docked in Port Royal harbor, the British flag snapping innocently in the breeze off the sea. He stood beside his father as the small crew shoved off anchor, the wind filled the sails, and water rushed past the hull. Will closed his eyes and breathed in the salt air with pleasure. Seafaring ran deep in his blood; the warm waters called to him like the cry of the gulls from the harbor. The glistening dolphins playing in the wake of the ship caused excitement to rise within him. On impulse he leapt onto the rigging, experiencing the illusion of cutting through the waves as spray dampened his face.
For three glorious days he enjoyed the experience of sailing, until a forbidding-looking ship pulled alongside his father's ship. Several equally sinister men boarded, bearing cutlasses and rusty pistols. The expression on Will's father's face was neither surprised nor disturbed. He strode up to the leader with dignity.
"What brings you here, Barbossa?"
"Just the business of, ah.... Former associates." The man replied, cocking his head knowingly. He glanced Will's way, then slid his eyes back to the tall man before him.
"Where is your captain?" William asked sternly.
"Why, he be right here before ye, Bill." Barbossa countered, seemingly stating the obvious.
"The man I once knew as captain," William said with a glare, "was marooned by pirates with whom I no longer keep company."
Barbossa lowered his voice as Will's eyes caught an interested glimmer and his ears pricked to hear better. "There still be complications, Bill. We need it, now. All the others have been returned."
William's eyes narrowed as he drew the saber at his side, "Mutineers deserve no rewards Barbossa, if you take my meaning."
Barbossa's voice was smooth like ale over the tongue. "Don't be making us resort to force, Bill. All we ask of you is the gold."
William nodded slowly. "I will fetch it." He strode below deck, pulling Will down with him. "Will, I have a gift for you." He fished a weighty golden coin from its chain around his neck that had been concealed beneath his shirt. "Keep it safe for me." He said hanging it around the boy's neck. "Stay here." Will watched his father ascend the steps and heard him confront Barbossa. Voices were low, but after a minute he heard the rogue's roar of protest.
The sound of many feet landing heavily on Le Marie's deck was accompanied by the clanging of weapons and shouts of "Find it, find it!" There was struggling, and he heard his father's rising voice silenced, then seconds later a tremendous splash.
"Aargh, find the boy, he obviously gave it to him!" Barbossa's voice rang distinctly from the other men.
Will glanced around the lower deck, finding the large window of his father's cabin. He paused, seeing the water far below. The sound of cannons firing upon the ship blasted away all fear as he leapt into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. He was a strong swimmer, treading quietly out of sight as the crew slashed and blasted apart the vessel. Orange flames lit the oncoming twilight as they gave up the search.
Suddenly there was an almighty explosion as the gunpowder aboard met with the fire. Wood and cargo littered the water about the boy. Will found a large plank and clambered onto it, watching the proud ship slowly burn and the ominous ship sail away, leaving Will Turner fatherless and alone.
He didn't remember how long he drifted about the wreckage of the Le Marie, only suddenly the rocking of the ocean was considerably less, and soft hands were probing about his arms. Instinctively he lashed out, grabbing whatever was touching him. His eyes opened blearily to see the face of what he presumed to be the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen.
She was talking to him, but he seemed to have bumped his head and couldn't distinguish what she was saying. He wracked his mind.... Yes, she wanted to know his name. "Will—Turner." He gasped, darkness claiming him once again.