Garden of the Lion and the Dove

Chapter 17

How ironic that Hakuno was able to get back into the palace by stating she was Enkidu's slave.

Gilgamesh had them, well Enkidu, set up in one of the guest rooms. A room on the other end of the hall of the guest room Hakuno had been living in. The King had retreated to his quarters after stating food would be brought to them.

"This is a room similar to your own?" Enkidu marveled as they explored every inch of the room. She did not doubt, if the floors could be removed, they would be looking under them for buried treasure.

"Are those real pelts?" Enkidu went over to the bed and petted the fur blankets. "Oh, they are! What kind of creature is this?"

"It's a lion pelt. Gil enjoys decorating the rooms with them," Hakuno replied softly. She remembered a few months ago a seller of pelts came through the city. Gilgamesh had been excited and demanded the seller to come to the palace. He then spent a good portion of the day sifting through the pelts to pick out the best ones to keep in the palace. In fact, now that she was thinking about it, the pelt on this bed was one that he had bought on that day.

"Excuse me," spoke a slave from the doorway.

Thankfully the slave did not attempt to push aside the curtain to enter the room. Hakuno did not want to know what the slave would think of Enkidu, who was currently trying to see what was under the bed.

Hakuno hurried to the doorway and pushed the curtain aside. She did not recognize the boy, probably a slave that was bought after her incident. "Thank you."

The slave looked at her with an odd expression but he recovered and lowered his head to her. "If you need anything, ring the bell I have been assigned to take care of your lord while in the palace."

She nodded back. "I will let them know. Enkidu is tired at the moment, but I will make sure they eat."

She slipped back into the room and took the tray to the nearest table. Enkidu had finished their inspection of the bed and walked over.

"What are all these things Ha-Zaibu? They smell wonderful. Oh! Is that cooked meat?"

Hakuno had to chuckle as she split the food in about half. The slave boy had included a bowl of grain and a small portion of meat for her as the "slave" but she mixed it in with everything else. She might be playing the part of one right now, but she knew Enkidu would not allow her to eat like one.

After the meal was complete, Hakuno rested her hands on top of Enkidu's. "I am sorry you had to do that. Fight Gil for me."

Enkidu shook their head. "It is alright. The challenge was, exciting? Is that the word? Yes, it was exciting." They jerked their hands back. "Hakuno?"

"Oh sorry, I should have warned you." Hakuno gestured for Enkidu to give her their hands. "Let me heal those injuries for you. Gil hit you pretty hard."

They shook their head. "No. You need that for yourself. You are still recovering."

"I will be fine. I am not as depleted as I used to be. Like I said I feel horrible." She wished there had been another one that would not have put Enkidu in danger like that, but she knew this was the fastest way into the palace. Gilgamesh always loved a good challenge and from her observations, she knew Enkidu was strong enough to be equals to her King in strength. Unique things intrigued him after all.

"I recover quickly, I will be alright after some sleep." Enkidu stifled a yawn.

"Yes, let us get some sleep. It has been a long night." She knew if she tried to find the slave palette in the room, Enkidu would not be happy, so she climbed into the bed and Enkidu did the same on the other side.