XVI
"It won't hold him for long," Link stated. The pile began to shift, lending credence to his words.

"We should find the Triforce quickly, before he recovers," Zelda replied.

"No, it doesn't matter. He doesn't need it anymore." There was no time to explain what he meant. Ganon said the power of the Triforce was within him now, so the physical presence of the triangles meant nothing. But what did that mean? There wasn't time to sort it all out now. They could hear noises, shouts from Ganon's army coming to investigate. "We need to get you out of here. Now."

Roam seemed to agree. Zelda's safety came first. "Follow me." He led them down multiple corridors, always one step ahead of their pursuers. But as they entered one hallway, they saw a guard at the end, looking away. Before he could turn around, they ducked into a small chamber, momentarily hidden. But not for long. They all knew they would be spotted as soon as they entered the hallway. And then they would have to fight their way through dozens of Ganon's soldiers. It seemed impossible.

Roam leaned against a wall and whispered to the others. "There's a secret passage in a room just down this hall. It leads to an underground tunnel which exits far away from the castle. If we can find a way to reach this tunnel, we can lock it from the outside, and we'll be safe."

"But how will we reach it?" Link asked.

Before Roam could answer, Aron spoke up. "A diversion." The others looked at him in surprise, but he continued. "I can hold them long enough for you three to escape. It's for the best." Before the others could object, he continued. "No, it makes sense. Sir Roam, you need to stay alive to protect Rauru. And Sir Link is the only one who can stop Ganon. I am expendable. Besides, I have nothing left to live for. If I can help you two, if this will get our Queen to safety, if I can through my death aid Link, then I want to do it."

Link closed his eyes. No, he thought. Not another death. How can we accept this? He's too young to throw away his life like this. There's got to be another way. I cannot allow him to do this just to save us. But Link had no say in the matter. Roam already nodded, reasoning that it was the only way. He was a general, a commander. Sometimes he had to order men to die.

Aron swallowed as he passed the silver arrows and his bow to Link. Looking into his eyes, he merely stated "don't let this all be in vain." Then he was off, his sword drawn, charging into the corridor. After a moment, the other three followed. A few surprised soldiers tried to attack, but they were met by Aron. He deftly parried them off, but more were coming. Link paused a moment to watch, but Aron yelled at him to continue on. They left, leaving him behind. Within moments, others joined in the battle.

Safe inside the tunnel, the trio were finally given a moment to rest. Roam wanted to leave quickly, before Ganon's men had a chance to realize what had happened and start to scour the area. Link waved them off, telling them he would stay a while longer. And so they left, as Link sat by the door, hoping for a sign of Aron. But nobody came. He wondered why the lad would throw his life away like that. Despair over the loss of his family? That was part of it, to be sure. But there was more. He said he wanted to die for Link. Not for Roam, not for Queen Zelda, but for Link. Such loyalty was incomprehensible. Why? He had seen Link as a hero and a savior. But was he? Link nearly died today, and would have if Roam had not come at the right time. Aron had thought that Link could defeat Ganon, but how? If Ganon was right, then Link couldn't defeat him. And Aron's faith was misplaced. Don't let this all be in vain, he had said. But what if it was? Link wept bitterly for his fallen comrade. He placed his trust in me, and I can't do it.

It was dawn when he finally reached Rauru town. But the town was already busy preparing, expecting an attack at any time. People were packing up, hiding what they could, preserving what was possible, and taking as much as they could with them. For Roam had ordered them into the forest and up through the hills, to provide for maximum defense. The town would inevitably be destroyed, but perhaps the people's lives could be saved.

Link, however, noticed none of this. He walked in a daze, lost in his own depression. His mind kept running in circles, reflecting on the events of last night and vainly trying to find hope. But what hope was there?

Someone kindly pointed him to a large house converted to the Queen's and Roam's headquarters, and he numbly made his way towards it. She would be expecting him, no doubt, and Roam too. It was a moment he was dreading, meeting her under such circumstances. When it seemed clear all hope was lost.

Zelda could tell instantly that something was wrong with Link, that his infinite courage and willpower was shattered. The few statesmen and officers in the area could also see his pain, and no one was surprised when Zelda led him into a private room. Once inside, Link simply lost control. All of the frustration and fears he felt since Ganon was revived, he poured out to her. He told her everything, about Ganon apparently fusing with the Triforce and being so powerful, about how effortlessly Ganon tossed him around, even more confident than before, and his inability to confront him. Zelda listened patiently, allowing Link to let it all out, and did not interrupt. It was clear that he was in no shape to fight Ganon.

Finally, when he finished, she spoke up for the first time. "I may be able to help, Link." Link started to shake his head, but she continued. "There is a wise old woman in this town, who seems to have many ancient relics. Others have come to her aid in times of need, and all have gained from their meeting. I do not know what aid she can give you, but I am sure it will help."

Link turned away. "I'm sorry, but nothing will help. How can she stand up against the Triforce?" How could anyone?

But Zelda insisted. "I know it will help Link; I know there is a way. She will show you how. Come, let us meet her." Why not? Link was sure it was useless, but Zelda seemed convinced. Perhaps it would, somehow? It didn't matter, he agreed to see her. If it would please Zelda, if she had faith in this old woman, then he would seek her out. And so they left, making their way through the streets of Rauru.