"Prince Siegfried?"
Ever since the Knight's disappearance and Tutu relating the events of his leaving, Siegfried has been as grateful for the Princess's company and counsel as she was for the Prince's tender comfort.
"Were you able to learn anything from Sir Parsifal?" she asks.
"I'm afraid not," he answers, shaking his head. "It seems he's just as lost as we are. And poor Lady Blanchefleur..."
He leans to her when she puts her hand on his shoulder.
"Oh Tutu," he murmurs. "I don't- I don't know what to do. And I don't know how you would feel about this, but it was often Lohengrin who would know exactly what to say at these times."
She strokes careful fingers through his hair as silent tears dampen her hand.
"I fear..." Siegfried says with a heavy sigh. "I fear the time when I must leave is fast approaching. It might be the only way I have a chance to restore Lohengrin."
"Prince Siegfried," she whispers, gently squeezing his shoulder. "I don't have much to offer-"
"Nonsense."
Tutu continues with a gentle blush dusting her cheeks. "But if it will help put you at ease, we could dance."
"Please."
The Prince takes the Princess's hand, leading her to the courtyard where they would dance for the last time.
Sir Lohengrin grits his teeth at the sight of Princess Tutu. How dare Prince Siegfried bring her to this confrontation where she might suffer at the claw of the Raven. All the more reason to end him and take her for his own.
"Mistake after mistake, Siegfried," he practically spits on his approach. "Do you ever consider the safety of others? Do you ever consider anything?"
The Prince throws a protective arm in front of the Princess and says, "Despite my protests, Tutu came here of her own volition."
The Knight smirks. "Foolish girl. I told you I would come for you."
"That's not why I'm here," Tutu tells him. "I hoped I could talk to you, Lohengrin. Reason with you."
Lohengrin crosses his arms. "I've bared all to you, Tutu. I've taken your words for my own."
"No," she objects, taking a step forward against Siegfried's arm. "You haven't."
"Oh no?"
The Princess shakes her head. "My words, my feelings, will always be my own regardless of what may happen to me."
The Knight's eyes widen but the smile doesn't flee yet.
"What's the meaning of this?" the Prince asks, looking between the two.
Tutu takes Siegfried's hands, commanding all of his attention with the simple move. Lohengrin's expression turns grim as she gives a short sigh.
"My Prince..." she begins. "If I should speak these words, I-" Tutu laughs a little, nervous. "I'm not really sure what will happen to me."
"No..." startles out from Lohengrin's throat.
"But you deserve my honesty. Both you and Sir Lohengrin deserve it, whatever may come of it."
"You little fool!" the Knight suddenly blurts, grabbing her wrist. "You can't do this! Tutu, you can't!"
"Lohengrin!" Siegfried snaps, breaking their contact.
Tutu's hold on Siegfried's hands tighten and she whispers, "I love you."
The Prince turns back, the words sinking in. He gently runs his thumbs over her knuckles, a faint smile spreading despite their surroundings. "I love you, too, dear Tutu."
"Tutu..." the Knight murmurs, witness to the Princess turning to light and scattering away. His hands tremble as he clutches them to his heart, unbidden tears spilling over. "Oh God, Tutu, what have I done to you?"
Siegfried jumps just a little as he becomes aware, the light spiriting Tutu away faster and faster.
"Lohengrin?" Tutu calls, her eyes briefly closed in acceptance.
"Tutu?"
She glances to him, gentle and painfully forgiving as the glow forms a halo about her face. "You look better with green eyes."
The Knight can't contain his gasping sobs at that, unable to watch as she vanishes completely. He falls to his hands and knees at the overwhelming guilt that consumed him.
"Lohengrin..."
He can barely hear the Prince over the sound of his own grief. Lohengrin takes a few strangled breaths, trying to find the words he needs.
"Tutu... My god, Tutu... Oh Siegfried," he moans. "I can't- I don't-"
"How could you?" Siegfried asks, his voice icy. "What harm did Tutu ever bring to you?"
The Knight shakes his head, overcome.
The Prince pulls him up to his feet. "Lohengrin," he says, oddly even. "If you're truly remorseful, then prove yourself now."
"How can you even speak like that?!" Lohengrin shouts, grabbing his arm. "How can you act as though she didn't even matter to you?!"
And then he feels the Prince's hand shaking, sees the familiar pain that the Knight sees every time he meets his reflection. How could he miss it before? And now everything he ever knew, everything he ever loved, every single reason for every single action-
"My liege... My liege, please... Allow me to stand with you."
Siegfried lets go, putting Lohengrin on his feet. The Knight steadies himself and readies his bow.
"Lohengrin," the Prince says, forgetting nothing but enduring all the same.
The Knight gives him a nod and walks with heavy step to meet his fate.
fin