Hermes, the messenger of the gods and the god of commerce, was known for his quick wit and cunning ways. He was often portrayed as a trickster in Greek mythology, but he was also a powerful deity who played a significant role in the lives of mortals and immortals alike.
However, there was a time when Hermes was mad at Annabeth, one of the main characters in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Let’s explore why Hermes was mad at Annabeth.
Annabeth Chase
Annabeth Chase is a demigod daughter of Athena and one of Percy Jackson’s closest friends. She is intelligent, brave, and resourceful, with a natural talent for strategy and leadership. Annabeth has been on many quests with Percy and has proven herself to be an invaluable ally in their battles against monsters and other enemies.
Hermes
Hermes is one of the twelve Olympian gods and is known as the messenger of the gods. He is also associated with trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings. Hermes is often depicted wearing winged sandals and carrying a caduceus or staff with two snakes wrapped around it.
The Stolen Helm of Darkness
In The Lightning Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackson series, Percy sets out on a quest to retrieve Zeus’ lightning bolt that was stolen by Ares. Along with Annabeth and Grover (a satyr), Percy faces many obstacles on his journey to find the lightning bolt.
One such obstacle involves obtaining Hades’ Helm of Darkness to use as leverage against Ares. The helm had been stolen from Hades’ palace in the Underworld by an unknown thief. It turns out that Luke Castellan (son of Hermes) had stolen it under orders from Ares.
When Annabeth learns of Luke’s involvement in the theft, she becomes furious. She confronts Hermes, accusing him of not taking responsibility for his son’s actions and allowing him to be manipulated by Ares. Annabeth also points out that the theft of the helm could potentially lead to a war between the gods.
Hermes’ Response
Hermes is initially dismissive of Annabeth’s accusations and tries to defend Luke’s actions. He argues that Luke was just doing what he thought was right and that he had been manipulated by Ares. However, Annabeth refuses to back down and continues to press Hermes on his responsibility as a father and as a god.
Eventually, Hermes realizes that Annabeth is right and apologizes for his son’s actions. He also promises to do everything in his power to prevent a war between the gods and helps Percy, Annabeth, and Grover on their quest by giving them a map and some useful advice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hermes was mad at Annabeth because she accused him of not taking responsibility for his son’s actions in stealing Hades’ Helm of Darkness. However, her accusations were not unfounded, and Hermes eventually realized that he needed to take action to prevent a potential war between the gods. The conflict between Hermes and Annabeth added an extra layer of tension to an already high-stakes quest, making for an engaging subplot in The Lightning Thief.