AUTHOR'S NOTES: Oh, yeah... Where'd I get the date for this? Well, here's a quick explanation using the information I gleaned from the 'Net. Port Royal was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692, so PotC would have had to have happened before that. Fort Charles was constructed in 1655, so PotC had to be after that. Port Royal was not officially named until 1660, so it had to be after that, too. Tortuga's heyday was between 1660 and 1663, so PotC had to fall between those dates, obviously. And in 1662, buccaneers from Tortuga were invited to use Port Royal as a home base, so PotC couldn't have been after that, 'cause everyone was quite uptight about pirates/buccaneers in the movie. Thus, in theory, all of the events occuring in the movie ('cept the beginning) and in this story take place in 1661. I'll write up my timeline when I make a website for my PotC stories.
PART ONE
The Beginning of an Adventure
Dusk
September 6, 1661
Port Royal, Jamaica
"How the hell could I be beyond my lifetime?" Sam tried to
keep his voice low, but frustration was quickly taking over. "It's
not possible!"
"Uh, actually, Sam," Al interrupted, "yes, it is."
Sam stopped his clipped pace and stared at his friend. "How?"
"It happened once before."
Sam couldn't recall the incident. "How?"
"You Leaped into your... great-times-whatever grandfather,
in the 1800s during the Civil War. Apparently, you can Leap beyond
your lifetime if it's into a relative."
"Okay, then, who have I Leaped into this time?"
"Your host is William Turner, Jr. He's 21 and a blacksmith.
Actually, this is his shop right here. Anyway, apparently his and Elizabeth's
future daughter married a Beckett in the colonies. And the rest, they--whoever
the hell they are--say is history."
"What am I here to do?"
Al cleared his throat, consulted the handlink, and began his
own pacing. He puffed absently on his ever-present cigar. "Well, you
see... That's one of the problems we've been having. Not much is known
about most of the residents of Port Royal after it was destroyed in 1692
by an earthquake. We only know of Will and Elizabeth 'cause they moved
to America before the earthquake. What we've gathered from some old
writings found near Tortuga, the crew of the Black Pearl was killed
by their irate and insane captain--which would obviously be this Jack
fellow--before he killed himself. The Black Pearl was found ashore the
coast of Rum Island a week from today. Ziggy's estimates are pointing
toward Jack's killing spree occurring about eight days from now."
Sam shook his head. "Did the documents mention any survivors?
If AnaMaria's here, she may have missed the incident."
Al shifted his stance nervously. "Ah, Sam... That's the thing.
Originally, AnaMaria brought Will and Elizabeth to Rum Island to try
and help Jack. She was killed. Will and Elizabeth escaped because Elizabeth
knew the layout of the island and knew of a cave where they hid 'til
they were found by the Royal British Navy."
"Well, then, we ha--"
"Will?" Elizabeth stood in the door. "You ought to come in
and hear this."
Sam studied her expression and knew he must comply. He gave
a quick nod, signaling for Al to follow. Elizabeth went back in, and
as Sam left the alley, he whispered, "Record everything we learn. It'll
likely be valuable information that we can put in our databanks."
Al followed silently, giving much attention to the buildings
of the past before walking through the door that closed behind Sam.
"I wonder if there are any taverns 'round here. Could be some fine-lookin'
wenches. I hear they were known for some pretty interesting--"
"Shush, Al," Sam murmured as he approached the two women. As
he sat, he said to AnaMaria, "What happened next?"
AnaMaria leaned close, as though telling a tale of great importance;
Sam knew it may just be. "That night, as we were passin' what we refer
to as 'Jack's Island,' Jack somehow found 'imself a way out of his room,
knocked me out at the helm, and took the wheel. Only problem was he
was hallucinating and ended up ramming the ship into the shore." She
leaned in closer for emphasis, looking at Sam. "The Black Pearl is destroyed,
Will. The entire crew is stuck on that god-forsaken little isle, and I
was sent by Gibbs to get help from you two. We've got to find that damned
monkey and break the curse!"
"Curse?" Al questioned. "What curse, Sam?"
Sam sent a "not right now" look to his friend, and Al shut
up. Turning to AnaMaria, he said, "How can we help?"
Early Morning
September 7, 1661
Governor's Mansion
Port Royal, Jamaica
Elizabeth could not believe the words reaching her ears. She
had just told her father that she and Will were leaving for a short
vacation--leaving out any details, and instead of insisting she take
a contingent of soldiers for protection, he had just simply replied,
"Have a wonderful time, my dear."
"You... you are fine with this?" Elizabeth stood in her father's
office, watching with shock as her father turned his attention back
to the papers before him without a word more.
He looked up. "Why would I not be?" He smiled. "William is
a good man and I trust he will take good care of you. Besides, you
of all people do not need anyone to protect you. You don't want
an accompaniment, do you? Because I can very easily--"
"Oh, no, it isn't that, Father. I only--I am surprised you
are not the least bit curious as to where I am going."
"I know where you are going." He said it so casually, it took
a few moments for the words to sink in.
Elizabeth slowly sat down, the shock of hearing his statement
having made her legs go numb. "You do?"
"Yes, my dear. I received word from Captain Sparrow two weeks
ago that he and his crew were seeking to come to Port Royal without
a hassle so they may attend your wedding ceremony and reception. He quite
elegantly requested temporary clemency. I sent a message letting him know
that I was in agreement to this arrangement. When his messenger returned
with the news that Captain Sparrow was on his way, I sent two ships to
meet the Black Pearl halfway into her voyage. They were to escort her safely
to port, but they never found her. The Black Pearl's helmsman--ah, helmswoman--spoke
with me last night and asked my permission to allow her to take you to
help rescue the crew of the Black Pearl. I gave her my blessing."
Elizabeth was literally speechless and remained very still.
"Oh, don't stare at me that way, Elizabeth. You know how I
truly feel about Jack Sparrow. He saved your life more than once, and
if you ask me, none of his 'crimes' were ever cruel enough to warrant
an appointment with the gallows. I would have offered to make him a
privateer, but I knew he would refuse; he values his freedom above all
else, which I can most definitely understand. He is a free spirit, that
one. And as William stated, Captain Sparrow may be a pirate, but he is
also a good man."
Elizabeth merely nodded as she stood, keeping her confused
gaze on her father at all times. She slowly made for the door. "If
that is the case, then, Father, I should be going. The ship leaves
soon."
"Be careful, my dear."