Willow's Discovery
.... “All that you require is your intuition.” The High Aldwin gives Willow his chance to follow his instinct, as he does the other two. He is frustrated when Willow does not follow his instinct, frowning and walking away. Later, Aldwin proves that magic does work through instinct, by using the bones as something that is recognized, but following what he feels… that Willow should take the child. As they walk, the Aldwin tells Willow, again, what he needs to do to harness the magic. “You lack faith in yourself. More than anyone in the village, you have the potential to be a great sorcerer. Now, when you’re out there, listen to your own heart.” This lesson is not yet understood by Willow, but as he continues through his journey, he receives more advice claiming the same. He meets Fin Raziel on the island and is instructed to transform her back to her human form. Willow asks what he must do, and when he is asked whether he is a sorcerer or not, he responds with all his confidence, “Yes. Sorta. I’m a farmer, but I do know a few tricks.” Raziel tells him that he must learn real magic. When they are captured, Willow doesn’t even think of the fact that he could attempt magic to unlock the lock… He instead uses the wand as an awkward sort of a lockpick! He shows his lack of confidence in his potential again, when Raziel tells him to try to turn her to a human. Raziel convinces him to try, telling him the words and the thaumaturgical process that he needed to fulfill for the spell and warns him, “For beginners there is pain, but don’t let anything break your concentration.” He makes his attempt, though he is obviously distracted by all that is going on. He gives up when he first fails, and is immediately chastised for his awful failure by all except Madmardigan. He is given another chance at the castle and his immediate response shows his lack of confidence again. “Are you sure?” he asks with a grimace on his face. “I can’t do it. I’m just not a sorcerer,” he says. This time, Raziel gives him advice and support. “But you can be. Speak… and be one with the words.” She is trying to tell him to give himself to the magic, to have confidence in the magic, and to let himself allow the magic to work. However, he is again disrupted by things outside his intuition and magic by the wicked army’s arrival. Raziel calls out again, “Oh, Willow, you’re losing me!” As the battle begins, Willow tries to use the wand, attempts to use the acrorns and tries the routes of magic that he can… but he lacks practice and confidence, causing him to miscast and turn the ugly troll into an even uglier and more dangerous creature. When he sees that all seems lost before Bavmorda’s castle, Raziel tells Willow to try again. He begins chanting again and Raziel supports him. “Willow, believe in the words. Concentrate.” Willow tries, but again, his experience with magic is not enough to grasp a power this great and he fails, turning her into an ostrich, a peacock, a turtle and tiger. The thing that has changed, though, is that Willow realizes that he must succeed or all is lost. If he does not succeed… if he lets things distract and take him away from the magic, it certain that all will fail. So, Willow does not give up. He continues to try, despite the obvious strain the magic is causing on him, and Raziel’s eventual groans and cries of the seeming failure. Willow’s perseverance pays off, though, as Raziel is restored to humanity and the chance to save Elora Danan is restored as well. Through all of this, Willow has not believed in his own ability to command the magic. He has not followed his instinct, but more than that, Willow still has not left his little village. He still sees himself as a farmer… as a player of tricks. He still sees the High Aldwin’s magic as something far beyond his own. However, with the final conflict coming, Willow finally takes hold of his vill...