XII
She did in fact heal Link, and within two days he and Aron were making their way through the Death Mountains. They had no way of knowing what had happened. Ganon would almost certainly head straight for the castle, with Zelda and the Triforce inside. Did the soldiers get back to warn her in time? Did she escape? Too many questions, not enough answers. And not enough time.

Aron seemed to be holding up well. He did not know that it was Ganon who returned until Link told him, but he handled the news with grace. Everyone in Hyrule remembered those trying times, of living in caves and hiding in fear. No one wanted it to happen again. Sure, the young knight tried to be optimistic, but his fear showed through. He half expected Link to pull them out of this situation, yet he was starting to see that Link was not a legend. I'm only a man, he mused. I got lucky last time; Ganon underestimated me. He won't make the same mistake again.

They were both so busy in their own thoughts that it startled them when the rain hit. It was not too violent, but it was enough to make them start looking forward to reaching Saria town. The final peak was in sight, and they climbed it quickly. Slipping only a few times on the mud that was forming under their feet, they finally reached the top. Below them, only about twenty minutes away, was the town. Normally the glow of a town's lights is enough to warm any traveler's heart, but such was not the case here. The town seemed to be missing.

Aron and Link merely looked at each other for a moment, and then they both started running down toward the village. It wasn't missing of course. But it was almost completely leveled. Only about a dozen houses were standing, and maybe a few more of the larger stores and other buildings. A few small flames still lived on amongst the ashes and smoldering ruins. As they ran down as best they could, slipping in the mud, they had time to wonder what good they would be. Certainly the damage was done by now. And there was no doubt where the damage had come from.

They walked through the remains of the town in disgust and horror. Dead bodies littered the streets, gruesomely slaughtered by their enemies. "Let's go. There's nothing left to do here," Link mumbled, trying to control himself. "These fires are dying, and the bodies have long turned cold. This battle could not be less than a day old." He shook his head, wishing he could vent his anger somehow. Will the rest of Hyrule fall to the same fate?

Aron walked as if in a daze. He did not hear Link's call. But only stumbled through the ruins with a glazed look in his eyes. He ignored Link, walking off on his own. "Aron? Aron, we must go. Perhaps there is still time to reach the castle before Ganon's army if we hurry."

Aron turned slowly and stared back at Link. It took him a moment to regain his composure enough to speak just one sentence. "Saria was my hometown." Link sighed and mumbled his apologies; what else could he do? Aron nodded. "I'm ready. Let's... let's go."

As they crossed the river and headed north toward the castle, Link paused. "The tracks... the armies are headed to the west, through the Outcasts and Ruto towns." He grimaced. "The only way through the mountains there are through the caves; their pace will be slowed. And there will more than likely be a garrison there as well. It's too important a path not to be guarded. We may not be able to slip past."

Aron shook his head at that news, but Link continued, "none lead to the east. At least, none from these beasts. Look, these footprints are too small to be from Ganon's men, they must be from children. And hoofprints... there were no horses in his army if I recall. And I see no Goriya prints, or any of the other beasts he employs. No, the army stayed together, and only went west. These tracks were made by refugees." He smiled, "some survived. And the Eastern Pass must still be open. We must make our way there, quickly now. It is not too far out of the way, and we may catch up to them yet."