Thalia isn’t a coward for joining the Hunters
Someone recently told me that they didn’t understand Thalia joining the Hunters of Artemis because it was out of character, a cop out, and something a coward would do. I, however, strongly disagree and here’s why:
It’s noted more than once how similar Zoë and Thalia are. They’re almost identical just from different eras. Powerful dads having to do with the sky, neglected by those dads, having to fend for themselves, find a new family, and lose a sibling. Because yes, Calypso is Zoë’s sister.
Thalia isn’t a coward. In fact it was incredibly brave of her to remove herself from the prophecy. She recognized the danger of herself should she turn 16. She was tempted more than once by Luke and the notion of power. The prime example being the Ophiotaurus.
She has lots of anger at the Gods, particularly her father and Hera, that Percy hasn’t quite cultivated yet. He’s still new and fresh to it all and was lucky in having a loving mother to help guide him morally.
Thalia needs guidance and a family. She could have that at camp but let’s face it-she’d hate it. She’d be a permanent year rounded and she’s not the type to like staying still. She likes moving. That’s how she survives. Being a Huntress gives her that opportunity.
Artemis is the first god/goddess who openly and shamelessly aids them. She’s also the first one to believe and advocate to act against the dangers ahead. She cares. She cared enough to hold the sky for Annabeth whom she barely knew. That’s not going to be lost on Thalia. She’s used to callous pain in the ass gods not those willing to sacrifice things for them.
Artemis actually shows emotion and compassion. She clearly cares about her hunters enough to take on a task by herself to spare their lives, she doesn’t use heroes as expendable pawns. Thalia would notice this too.
What’s more, Artemis is blood related to Thalia. Artemis is probably the only semblance of family Thalia’s had contact with in years. She’d naturally gravitate to that sort of nurturing and guiding presence.
Gods can talk through thoughts. There’s no saying what Artemis and Thalia could have talked about on the way back to Olympus.
Artemis doesn’t demand Thalia to completely turn her back on Percy her friend or Grover or others. She recognized Thalia’s case is different.
Thalia would be immortal. If you think she’s not scared of potentially dying again you’d be wrong. I mean, just on the single quest Bianca mad Zoë died. The stakes are high. She just got back to the real world, she wouldn’t want to lose that.
She could find Jason. Knowing about their situation now, it would make sense. It would give her the opportunity to potentially find out what happened to her brother.
And there’s probably numerous other reasons but those are the main ones I talked about. But seriously, it’s not a cowardly move at all.
