A small boat floats at the water's edge. It is tied to the dock by a heavy
rope. AIDA enters, wearing RADAMES' amulet around her neck. MEREB enters
with AMONASRO.
MEREB
Princess, we must hurry. They've sounded the alarm.
(--AMONASRO climbs into the boat as RADAMES appears.--)
AIDA
Radames!
AMONASRO
Aida! Undo the rope.
AIDA
Forgive me Father, but I need one last moment with him.
AMONASRO
Daughter!
(--She leaps out of the boat and runs to RADAMES. He puts it together.--)
RADAMES
Of course, you're the Nubian Princess. And you had me marry Amneris just so
your king could escape. What a fool I am. It was all a lie. An act. Every
word. Every kiss.
AIDA
No! But I have made too many mistakes and too many people have suffered. I
could not act selfishly now.
RADAMES
So you lied to me?
AIDA
Not when I said I love you. Say you believe me.
(--As RADAMES struggles to find the answer, ZOSER appears on the rise.--)
ZOSER
(--Shocked to see AIDA. To one of the GUARDS.--)
She's alive?
(--MEREB rushes forward. He stands in front of ZOSER, brandishing a sword.--)
MEREB
Stop there!
(--MEREB and GUARD fight! MEREB cuts down the GUARD.--)
AMONASRO
Aida, come!
RADAMES
Aida, get in the boat! This is your last chance.
(--ZOSER pulls his sword and cuts MEREB down.--)
AIDA
MEREB!
(--AIDA pulls away from RADAMES and runs to MEREB. RADAMES takes MEREB'S sword
and lifts it high above the rope that secures the boat.--)
ZOSER
Radames! For the love of Egypt stop them!
(--RADAMES brings his sword down on the rope...severing it.--)
NOOOOO!
AMONASRO
AIDA!
(--The boat is swept away.--)
ZOSER
Radames! What have you done?
RADAMES
It's all over, Father. When they come for me, they'll take you away too.
ZOSER
No - that can't happen - Egypt needs me -
RADAMES
You're the one who tied our fates together. Like father, like son. I think
you should run.
(--ZOSER exits.--)
AIDA
Radames. He's...
MEREB
Forgive me, Princess. I failed you.
AIDA
No...never! You, Mereb, inspired me.
MEREB
I wanted to go back to Nubia. Aida, take me home.
(--AIDA holds MEREB as he dies. RADAMES moves forward and lifts AIDA into his
arms as the guards surround them.--)
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