The New Adventure
After Enkidu's defeat, he praised Gilgamesh's strength and acknowledged him as a true and powerful king. Gilgamesh, in return, embraced him and declared him an equal. The two became close friends and decided to live together from that day onward.
Yet the battle had changed something within Gilgamesh. He became more sensitive, more aware. He ended the old custom of claiming women for himself—a decision that brought great relief to Enkidu.
In admiration, Enkidu said:
"Your mother birthed you unlike any other,And Enlil blessed you with a kingdom and its people."
Saying this, he embraced Gilgamesh again.
Gilgamesh then took Enkidu to meet his mother, Ninsun, and there Enkidu heard her prayer. She wept because Enkidu had no family of his own, and the sight of her tears made Enkidu break down too. Emotion overwhelmed him, but Gilgamesh steadied and comforted him.
Ninsun blessed Enkidu, giving him responsibility and accepting him as her son. She entrusted Enkidu with her child—declaring him Gilgamesh's companion and protector, the one who must always stay ahead to guard him.
After the prayers ended, Gilgamesh learned about Humbaba, the guardian of the Cedar Forest. It was said that Humbaba possessed monstrous powers—he could hear voices from a hundred leagues away, death flowed in his breath, and even the earth quaked when he ran.
Enkidu tried to frighten Gilgamesh with tales of Humbaba, but Gilgamesh remained unfazed. To him, this was a new journey—another chance to prove his unmatched strength.
Gilgamesh ordered Enkidu to prepare the weapons:
"We will defeat that monster.Everything my eyes fall upon is mine.I am limitless. I am powerful. I am almighty."
One evening, Gilgamesh stood atop his palace—the mighty Ziggurat—gazing over the kingdom. Enkidu called out from behind, "So this is where you were."
Gilgamesh asked, "What? Has the tribute from my people already run out?"
Enkidu replied, "No, it will last until morning… but why are you doing all this? Do you truly believe you can defeat Humbaba?"
Gilgamesh answered, "Of course. I'll remove every evil the gods have placed upon this earth. Only then will the people of Uruk truly live."
Enkidu said, "You don't show it, but the way you torment your people… you care for them just as much. You're doing this to save them, aren't you?"
Gilgamesh replied, "Just saving them is not enough. I am king. I was chosen because I have the right to watch over and control their lives—until the very end of this world."
Enkidu frowned. "The end? But you are not immortal."
Gilgamesh laughed. "No matter. I just need to rule until my time."
When they left Uruk, an old man blessed them, and Ninsun prayed to the gods for mercy to follow her son. But Gilgamesh didn't pay much attention. To him, it all felt like a joke—no fear, no hesitation.
Three days into the journey, they rested atop a mountain. That night, Gilgamesh dreamed that Enkidu would become his guide.
Their long expedition began. Enkidu led the way through the forest—this was familiar territory for him, and he kept Gilgamesh alert. During the journey, Gilgamesh faced five prophetic dreams, and each time Enkidu encouraged him:
Dream 1: A mountain collapsed upon them.Enkidu said, "That mountain is Humbaba. We will tear him out from his roots."
Other dreams showed the sky falling, divine aid from the god Shamash, and visions revealing that Humbaba's fire would not be enough to kill Gilgamesh. Each time, Enkidu strengthened his resolve.
Finally, they reached the borders of the Cedar Forest. A strange silence hung in the air—the heavy aura of Humbaba's terror.
For the first time, Gilgamesh felt doubt. But his pride, and Enkidu's unwavering presence, kept him from turning back. Enkidu reminded him why they had come.
The battle that followed was fierce—so violent that the earth shook as if it would split in two. But eventually, Humbaba weakened. Terrified, he begged for his life:
"Spare me, and I will serve you forever.I will make the entire forest yours."
Gilgamesh considered taking advantage of this offer; he felt killing Humbaba might diminish his greatness. But Enkidu pushed him:
"If you spare him, the gods may laugh at you—mock you for failing to kill him.You don't want that, do you?"
Gilgamesh agreed.
Together, they severed Humbaba's head.
With his death, an eerie calm spread through the forest. The two then began cutting down the great trees—their goal was to carve from the largest one an enormous gate that would connect heaven and earth. They carried it down the Euphrates and brought it back to Uruk.
Upon returning, the first thing Gilgamesh did was take a grand bath and dress himself in his finest garments.
His glory had grown greater than ever.And the god Enlil could not accept it.He was furious… truly furious.
But perhaps there was someone else too—someone who had begun to love Gilgamesh.
Thank you so much for reading
Next part coming soon.....