(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 the 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.)