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The Patron and Protector of travelers, herdsmen, thieves, orators, and trade. The herald and messenger of Mount Olympus. That was what they called me. The great god Hermes was reduced to nothing. My only purpose was to look over petty thieves and lowly herdsmen. I had done more important things in my immortal lifetime, like guiding Perseus in his quest to slay the Gorgon Medusa, providing guidance to lower Deities, and delivering gifts from the gods. I wanted to be more, I needed to be more. So when my father, under Athena’s persistence, called upon me on Olympus to descend to Earth and lead the mortal Odysseus off of Calypso's island. I leaped at the chance to prove that I could do more than just watch over a hero on his journey.
“You will go forward and convince Kalypso that keeping Odysseus on her island will hinder him from completing his quest issued by the Fates themselves,” my father bellowed.
I never understood why he insisted on ordering me around a simple ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ would be nice now and then. But I would never say any of that to his face, the almighty Lord Zeus would have me thrown off of Mount Olympus for even uttering such a rotten thing.
“Yes, Father” I mumbled back. Now I had to see to it that Odysseus made it off Ogygia safely. This was not the first time that Zeus had appointed me to do his bidding. I was once sent to slay the hundred-eyed giant Argos Panoptes who had been commanded by Hera to guard Zeus' paramour Io. Now all I am capable of is sending messages. Binding on my sandals, I skim over the waves to paradise on the island where Odysseus has been imprisoned by the nymph.
She is startled by the visit but she extends hospitality. Seating me, she lays out nectar and ambrosia, the nourishment of my kind.
“I am not here because I enjoy crossing the barren sea,” I explained. “I bear an urgent message from Zeus: Release Odysseus now or else.”
“You intolerant gods! Why can’t you leave me at least one mortal, while you hoard the rest?” weeps Calypso. “Don’t look at me like that. I am just doing what anyone else would have done in my situation.”
Now I was getting tired of her whining, “I don’t care what you do with this information, but I would advise you not to ignore it. You have seen my father’s wrath and I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end.” That seemed to regain her attention.
Eventually, she conceded, 'Oh very well then, there seems to be no changing Lord Zeus’s mind.” Even she knew her powers were no match for my father’s.
I rise to take my leave. “Next time, Lord Zeus, along with myself, expect you to carry out the god’s orders without being asked twice. Is that clear?” She nodded her head earnestly before I left.
When I returned to Mount Olympus I walked into the throne room to find my father waiting for me, at least I thought that he was waiting for me.
I was wrong.
“Ah Hermes, my son. Where is your sister?” he inquired. Was he serious?
“Which one father? I have over twenty sisters.” I replied. “Well, half-sisters anyway.” He ignored my comment and continued, “I need to speak to Athena about her little obsession with that mortal Odysseus. She needs to let him fend for himself and fight his own battles. If he can get into a mess he can get himself out.” I stood waiting for a chance to respond when Athena burst into the room calling out for my father.
“Lord Zeus I need you to help Odysseus and his crewmen escape capture,” she spoke. “Now now my child. I wanted to speak to you on this very subject,” my father said cooly.
Usually, at a time like this, I would see myself out but I wanted to hear the updates on Odysseus’s whereabouts after Calypso released him. They proceeded to discuss what to do with Odysseus now that his men were stranded on the island of Aiaia, which was Circe’s domain. What my father spoke next filled my body with dread.
“Hermes, I need you to go down to Circe’s island and help Odysseus free his crew so he may continue and complete his journey back to Ithaca,” he spoke surely. I did not have the energy to tell him that he could have ordered Athena to go, as she was standing right there.
“Yes, Father,” I grumbled lowly. Normally when I go down to Earth to help out a bit I choose a disguise to blend in with the crowd and make my job a little easier. So today I decided to take the form of a young man. Nobody would suspect a thing. When I arrived at Aiaia, I was not surprised to find Odysseus alone, his crewmen nowhere in sight.
“Hello Odysseus, I am Lord Hermes,” I spoke to gain his attention. He looked over and I warned him of Circe’s witchery and the fate of his men. He, too, would be transformed unless he followed my specific instructions.
“This plant is called Moly,” I said clearly. “It will help protect you against Circe’s powers and give you enough time to gain the upper hand and save your men.” I handed him the herb and departed from the island not looking back to see if he went through with the plan.
This time when I walked into the throne room on Mt. Olympus there was no one to be seen. I walked over to my own a couple of seats down from my father’s throne and sat down. I exhaled slowly and sank in my seat knowing that I would continue to do my father’s commands and never get any praise more than a pat on the back. But, I guess I should stick to what I’m good at. Why mess with the Fates?
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