Rod, being pale, died (4)
I believe the answer is:
wand
'rod' is the definition.
(wand is a kind of rod)
'pale died' is the wordplay.
'pale' becomes 'wan' ('wan' can be a synonym of 'pale').
'died' becomes 'd'.
'wan'+'d'='WAND'
'being' is the link.
(Other definitions for wand that I've seen before include "Magical rod" , "Thin rod" , "Conjuror's stick" , "Magician's accessory" , "Magic rod?" .)