Alexandra shut her eyes tight. This could not be happening, it was completely ludicrous! That damned witch! Curse it all… she thought. The witch did help Alexandra in a way, but also rendered that help useless. Alexandra was now a small, sparkling golden finch. She sat on the lonely deck of the ship and sulked.

Oliver came around the corner. He looked terrible, with dark circles under his eyes and hair all over the place. His gaze was focused on his feet, but looked toward the small little bird when he noticed the glittering, dazzling fur out of the corner of his eye. He only stared at the small thing, and rubbed his eyes to make sure it wasn't an illusion. Something about the bird was familiar.

The tiny bird looked up and realized the boy was staring at her. "Squawk!" Alexandra tried to speak, but she was no longer human and was incapable of speech. She hopped over to Oliver's feet and gazed up at him.

Oliver kneeled and looked at the bird with curiosity. Why would the bird hop over to him instead of fly over to him? Most birds would do that, so why didn't this one? "Are you able to fly, or are your wings injured?" Asked Oliver. Alexandra stretched her wings and looked at them. Could she really fly with these? She was a bird now after all….

She flapped her wings and began to hover above the ground. Alexandra was joyful- even if she was just hovering, flying was a new sensation. She loved it and she began fly circles around Oliver's head.

"Hey cut that out!" Oliver laughed and held his hand out. Alexandra landed on his index finger and stared at him. "I don't have a friend anymore… do you think we could be friends?" Oliver looked sad, and all the joy that was in him moments before was now only a memory.

Alexandra affectionately nipped his finger, and she nodded at the boy.

"Wha- You can understand me? This is so weird. Hop twice if you really can understand me." Oliver gazed more intently on the bird, testing it.

Alexandra did what she was told, and hopped twice. Oliver laughed and told her he would take care of her. "You'll need a name… I think I'll name you Alex, after my friend. Do you like it?" He took his finger and ran it over the bird's head.

Alexandra nodded. Little does he know… she thought, little does he know…

Be careful Princess.

A familiar voice resounded in her head. It was the witch!

I should've warned you earlier but if he finds out your true identity, your memory of him will be erased, and his memory of you will be erased. You'll become nothing more than his pet bird.

Alexandra shrugged off the voice in her head as Oliver bounced happily with his new friend back to his room. When they arrived, Oliver sat on his bed.

"You know, we just met and all but a lot has happened lately. Would you mind just listening to me for a while?" He asked. The small, gold bird stared at him intently. Oliver took it as a yes.

"It all started with this girl. Her name was Alexandra, and to be quite honest I don't think I've ever felt love before her. She was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I let her go. I shouldn't have, I realize that now. She probably hates me but I can't forget her…." Oliver clenched his fists together, and tears streamed down his face.

Alexandra hopped over to him and gently rubbed her head against his knee. She felt immense pain and joy all at the same time. He loved her- he even said it, but she also had to deal with the fact that she was a bird now and couldn't even tell him who she was. She'd probably see him forget about her, the princess. She'd see him fall in love, get married, have kids. She was beginning to see the flaw in her wish.

By the time Oliver had finished telling his life's story, it was dawn. Alexandra was fast asleep on lap, with Oliver stroking her. It may not be what she had expected but she was still with him, and she would be with him for the rest of her life.

Epilogue:

She sat on the bed, watching as his life slowly faded before her. He had reached the end of his life and she was going to be there to watch.

Oliver could barely speak- it pained him. He looked around the room at his wife, kids, grandkids, and the bird. They all shared the same sorrow of seeing their dear family member leaving them. He smiled at them all and mustered the strength to say his final words.

"Don't forget my story, and take care of each other." And with that, the light in his eyes finally went out, leaving his family to weep all alone.

Alexandra had fulfilled her purpose. She had stayed with Oliver forever, like she had intended. A normal bird like her would've died many years ago, but not her. She wished to be with her loved one, and her wish was granted.

Alexandra sat on Oliver's chest and expected to die there as well when suddenly the witch's voice sounded inside her head.

Aw, do you think you're going to die now that your loved one is gone? I do not think so. You will be with him forever just like you wanted. As long as his bloodline continues, you will live. If you were literate at all, princess, you'd have known to be careful for what you wish for. Live long and prosper, your highness.

Alexandra was furious, how could she have been tricked? She looked around the room, however, and noticed all the good people in the room. She decided that even though they all were the reason she would be living on and on forever, she would take care of them.

That's what Oliver would have wanted.

A/N: Okay so story is over. I'm really proud of myself for finishing this and I feel like it's a very decent story! Thank you all for reading because it means so much. Please take two seconds to leave a comment, it would seriously be much appreciated.