They watched in horror from the window. Siegfried had seen Odette. The look of confusion on his face told them everything they needed to know. Odile stood at her father's side, proud of the service she'd done for the sorcerer.
They'd met at the lake, and Odette had told Kairi her sorrowful story, and of the man who could break the curse. He told her of the sorcerer's planned trickery, and begged for help. Kairi had run all the way here, with Odette close behind.
Odette looked so sad now… Kairi embraced her, and the two wept silently for a few moments, as if they had been friends for years. Few who saw them would have guessed they had known each other only a few hours. Then she slowly stood up, and began walking back towards the lake. When the great door to the hall opened behind her, Odette began running. They got there before Siegfried, and some of the swan maidens cooed and fussed over Odette, while the rest kept Siegfried away from her. She and Kairi sat on the shore, silently looking out over the water, unsure of what to do.
When Siegfried finally reached them, Odette suddenly knew. Kairi could only watch, frozen to the spot, as her friend plunged in to the lake. She wanted to save them. But something in the back of her head told her that this was right. Saving them wouldn't help anyone.
Dawn broke. The other swan maidens looked at the light bouncing off their skin. They looked up at the sun, and realized that this sacrifice had freed them. They danced and rejoiced, as Kairi wept for her friend. Silently, she left the celebrating swans-no-more. As she did, she silently vowed never to forget that sorrowful look in Odette's eyes.