"Hakuno, there's a guest here for you," Shub announced from the doorway.

Hakuno looked up from her work desk in surprise. She was not expecting anyone today. She put down the reports of taxes and crops and got to her feet. The Pazuzu protection necklaces clinked against each other. "Who is it?"

"It's Kalbum," said Shub. She walked over to help Hakuno, but she waved the slave-girl's concern away.

"Kalbum?" The surprise was clear in Hakuno's tone as she followed Shub out of her room and towards the smaller guest rooms on the other end of the palace.

Shub nodded. "He was waiting in the line for an audience. Apparently, the King saw him standing in the line and had a guard escort him to one of the guest rooms. The guard was then supposed to find you and inform you, but he found me and knowing I was your slave." Shub shrugged.

That made sense to her. Hakuno missed sitting in on the audiences with the people of Uruk but ever since the kingdom had found out about her pregnancy, more than half of the people that came to have audiences wanted to present a Pazuzu protection necklace to her or an offering for her and their child. Knowing that it did come from a place of good intention but feeling uncomfortable with all the gifts, she had to announce she would not be with her King during the audiences with the people until after the child was born. She also had to cancel all trips to the azu houses because the citizens of Uruk would give her items as she walked down the street. The worst cases that needed help were rushed to the palace, hopefully in time for Hakuno to heal them.

Enkidu stood outside the archway of a guest room and they perked up as Hakuno approached. Considering Enkidu had been keeping Gilgamesh company during today's audience session, Hakuno had a feeling they were not here coincidentally.

"Are you feeling okay?" Enkidu glanced at Hakuno's belly. The ur-sal had surprisingly taken the news about Hakuno's pregnancy rather well. What took some explaining was how long the pregnancy would be and how Hakuno was probably only going to have one child and not three to five.

"I'm fine. Honestly, I'm only four months along. I fear how you will be once I am within the final months."

Enkidu nodded seriously. "Don't worry Hakuno, I'll carry you everywhere so your swollen feet will not bother you along with your hurting back."

Maybe she should have a talk with the midwife about not answering Enkidu's questions.

"Did Gil ask you to come in the room with me?"

"Well he said to stand guard and watch, so technically no?"

Hakuno nodded. "Wait out here then, please."

She stepped into the room alone and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darker space. Like all the guest receiving chambers, this one had many hanging clothes and fur pelts. The table was carved from a single slab of stone, the pillowed chairs plush and soft. A way to subtly show power.

"I did not recognize you for a moment there."

Hakuno gestured for Kalbum to keep sitting. "Please do not treat me like a Queen, I get enough of that around here." She sat in the seat across from him, the seat having an unobstructed view of the doorway. She could watch Enkidu and Enkidu could always see her.

"Do you want some food brought up? Honestly, I cannot believe Gil had you come here and not show any hospitality."

Kalbum shook his head. "Seriously, it's alright Hakuno. I was not planning on staying long. Honestly, I was not going to come here but Susuda insisted I come by and tell you the caravan is fine."

She sighed in relief. "Thank the Gods. All of you were able to get out of Suse fine? I was so worried that they would realize he had a hand in helping our escape."

He shrugged. "They did realize someone had to help your group get out. I do not know the details but Susuda handled it. Although, we both know how important Susuda is to that caravan. I bet they realized if they did something to him, losing the vendors from our caravan…"

She had to agree. It was never outwardly stated but she knew Susuda was important to the trade routes. He had so many connections and if a customer wanted something, he would be able to find someone selling it. She never really paid attention to how far his influence went but now that she was Queen it would be beneficial to have…

"Damn, it's like I barely know you anymore."

"Huh?" She looked at him in surprise.

Kalbum gestured to her. "Your clothes, your demeanor, everything is different. I've even heard the stories in town. The Queen blessed by Gula with the power to heal."

Heat rose in her face.

"Damn, it's like I didn't even know you. Seriously, how long have you been able to do that?"

"Ever since I was a child. I was told to hide it so I did."

"I always did find it weird your scraps and cuts would heal so quickly." He grinned. "I thought it was just you being weird."

Hakuno knew if their friendship was the same, she would have reached over the table and pushed him. She couldn't do that now. She was a Queen and Enkidu might take the gesture the wrong way. So instead she smiled. "I never told you, thank you for the crazy idea about breaking into the palace to see what we could get. I would have never ended up here if it was not for that."

"I wish I did not suggest that." He sighed. "Sure it might work with the homes of the nobles but perhaps a palace was too much."

"Perhaps." Hakuno laughed.

"You really seem happy and relaxed." Kalbum's smile had no warmth, instead it had a hint of sadness to it.

"I would not say relaxed is the best way to put it. There's a lot of work that needs to be done. I feel like I am running around everyday."

"But you obviously enjoy it." Kalbum stood. "Anyway, I have to get back and tell Susuda you are fine."

"Tell him he can come visit me. And if he will not come for a personal trip, state it is for business."

"You want me to lie to him?"

"Of course not. If it is one thing I have learned, it is the important of keeping the people that are usually in the background on your side. And right now, it's important to have that."

Kalbum shook his head. "I should not be surprised you would think like that. Oh and Hakuno?"

"Yes?"

"Congratulations."

"There you are!" Gilgamesh walked into the library, not even pretending to know which one this was. He had been running around the palace trying to find his dang wife. Weren't pregnant women supposed to sit in one place and embroider or something? Or translate texts in the case of Hakuno. Whatever the case was, his five-month wife was wandering around the palace instead of resting like she should be.

Hakuno put down a pile of clay tablets on a desk. Was she even allowed to carry that many? "What is it Gil?" She looked down at the tablets and then at him as if realizing his train of thought. "It is fine. I can carry these tablets. Let me move around while I still can. Anyway, was there a reason you were searching for me?"

Right. That was his reason in coming here. But perhaps maybe he should not tell her? Enkidu, who had been learning from the midwife, told him that stress was bad for a pregnancy.

"Gil." Hakuno eyed him.

Probably not telling her would cause more stress. "The Nippur King and Queen have stepped forward."

Her eyes widen and she moved around the table. "What? Where are they?"

"The dungeons. Do not worry, I made sure the boy did not know." Instead Shulpae got to enjoy his time as a "guest" of Uruk. According to Hakuno, the slave she assigned to the boy was doing him wonders. Gilgamesh had caught Shulpae playing with some of the other palace children a week ago, a smile lighting up his face that Gilgamesh had not seen during their time in Suse. Did the boy have thoughts of rebellion in his heart? Probably. But they had years to get it out of him. As well as tying him down to an Uruk noble woman.

"They did care for their son after all." Her tone made it obvious the words for more for herself than him. She looked up. "Will they be executed tonight?"

Gilgamesh nodded. "Their son will be allowed to live and enjoy comforts of Uruk nobility, but he will never rule."

She nodded grimly and did not try to argue the point, much to his surprise. Not like there was much they could do. Besides, they were probably running of options with Gilgamesh slowly moving the army on the edge of Suse territory. Currently Suse had been fighting back during the little skirmishes but based on the fact the Nippur royalty had turned themselves over, perhaps Suse will not drag out the fight after all.

Probably for the best with many of the traders cutting ties due to Hakuno's connection to Susuda.

"It's finally going to be all over soon isn't it?" she whispered.

"Yes, it finally is." He hugged her tight, not caring about the Pazuzu amulets digging into his skin.

Of course he might have said that but the next couple of months were a flurry of activity. Gilgamesh ended up traveling out to Suse and bringing his army to the gates of the city. Enkidu joined him to fight alongside him and to offer consul in a way that the King would actually listen. For a month, the Uruk army lay siege to the city that closed its gates to the intruders. The ground was razed, the crops destroyed. A city could not thrive without food.

Nearing the second month, the gates opened, and Gilgamesh led his army peacefully into the city, as per wishes of his Queen. He would not tell Hakuno, but he enjoyed slitting the throats of King Ditanu and Queen Ninki and the two princes. Aea was the only one allowed to live but she would be a figurehead and forced to marry an Uruk nobleman. But at least she could live in the palace she had grown up in.

On the way back, Gilgamesh took the army into the cedar forest and had the men cut down the cedar trees to bring them back to Uruk. Trees were a rarity for Uruk and now that the forest belonged to him, of course he was going to take it to better his kingdom.

By the time they returned to Uruk, Hakuno was nearing the end of her pregnancy. Birthing bricks had been set up in her room and the midwife now slept in the same space. He was glad he would be around to witness the birth of his child but seeing his wife waddle around to get anywhere and her struggle to do certain things, he wished the baby would hurry up and be born.

He found her in the gardens a day after his return. Shub was nearby and the slave girl scurried out of the way as the King approached.

"Were you able to sleep well last night?"

"Of course, I was. I assume Enkidu got some rest as well." He took the seat next to her.

Hakuno chuckled. "That they did. I never saw them fall asleep so fast before."

"Where are they now?"

"In the other gardens I think. They wanted to say hello to all of the plants." She waved a hand. "I told them to go on without me as I would be slowing them down." She chuckled. "It took a bit of convincing to have them leave me."

He could not blame Enkidu's caution. Her stomach was huge! It took her a while to walk anywhere and she complained about back pain. Thankfully Shub was always close by to Hakuno now. That slave girl was very diligent.

"Anyway, tell me about your trip," she said. "I heard you went back to the cedar forest?"

He nodded. "Huwawa was not there, thank the Gods. We brought back a lot of the cedar trees and I'll probably have the men go out and get more. It's a vital resource for Uruk to have since the land around here does not support timber trees. Hakuno?"

His wife looked very concerned. Gilgamesh thought back on what he said. He didn't think he had said anything alarming.

She put a hand on her stomach and took a few deep breaths before looking up at him, her eyes slightly wide. "Gil…I think my water broke."

He stared at her blankly. Water? She didn't have any water with her. What could-oh.

"I need to get back to my room. Shub!" she called loudly. "My water broke. Can you run on ahead and find Sili?"

"Of course!" The slave girl bolted faster than Gilgamesh thought possible.

His thoughts though returned to his Queen, who was struggling to stand. Now he noticed the liquid seeping down her legs. "Here, let me help." Unfortunately, with the added weight of her pregnancy, Hakuno was a little too heavy for him to comfortably carry anymore.

However, as if a sign from the Gods, Enkidu entered the gardens. They look one look at Hakuno before rushing over and sweeping her off her feet.

"Gods, Enkidu, you surprised me!" she cried out.

The trio traveled quickly. By the time they reached her rooms, the midwife was already there along with her five woman slaves.

"Put her on the bed for now." The midwife gave Hakuno a critical eye. "No contractions yet?"

"A little but not too bad."

The midwife nodded as Enkidu put her on her bed. Gilgamesh watched as the slaves set up linen and clothing around the birthing bricks on the ground. They were efficient, he had to admit. No wasted movement at all.

"My King, you are not to be in here."

Gilgamesh turned to the midwife in surprise. "Huh?"

"This is a woman's battlefield. You do not belong here." Despite the fact she was speaking to a King, the midwife's tone was firm and commanding. "Would you have her on the battlefield with you?"

"Of course not."

"That is the same here. You can wait outside if you must but you must leave. This will be a long day for her."

"Go on Gil, I am in good hands here," she said from the bed.

"You can do it Hakuno," said Enkidu. "Unlike a mother wolf, you only have to give birth to one!"

She chuckled. "That is true. I think I'm lucky."

"Alright, enough, out, out."

Gilgamesh did not know a midwife could be so pushy. Before he knew it, he and Enkidu were outside Hakuno's room, the cloth covering the doorway blocking the view of everything going on inside.

A few slaves came by with messages that the King was needed elsewhere but he ignored the summons, telling the slaves to reschedule everything. He wanted to be here, the closest he could be to her. Enkidu sat on the floor next to him, fiddling with the edge of their clothing. It took a while, but Enkidu had finally expanded their fashion to things other than the robe that Hakuno made for them.

"I heard you two were sitting out here but I did not realize how much of a guard dog you would be." Ekur looked down on them, his arms crossed into the sleeves of his robe.

"We want to be here for Hakuno," said Enkidu.

"I know, I had to take care of all of your meetings for you." Ekur eyed Gilgamesh, who looked away. Ekur sighed and gestured for Urash to come forward. The boy had two trays of food in hand. "Here, food to give you two energy."

"I'm not hungry," grumbled Gilgamesh.

"Well I say you will eat." Ekur's expression softened. "I did a reading and the outcome was favorable. She will be exhausted when she is done. She does not need you two to be rundown as well."

Grimacing, Gilgamesh took a tray from Urash and set it in his lap, Enkidu doing the same next to him.

Ekur nodded and with a sweep of his robes, left the two of them to their vigil.

The moon was to rise when he heard her first scream. He had to fight every urge to run in there and ask her what was wrong.

"The midwife is telling her to push." Enkidu's attention was fixed on the doorway. "She said the baby's coming."

Their child was almost here!

Hakuno's screams drowned out everything. His nails dug into his palms. Was this how every woman gave birth? Did they all scream like that?

Enkidu was whimpering, their hands clamped over their ears and eyes shut tight like they could block out the sound.

Sili stepped out of Hakuno's room. "It is done. You can come in now."

Enkidu scrambled to their feet, but their body ached from behind in one position for so long. Gilgamesh also seemed to have trouble, his movements not as precise as they usually were. The sun was beginning to rise. It had been a long time since Hakuno had stopped screaming but they were not allowed into the room. Enkidu wished they had paid attention to see what was going on but her screams still bounced around their head and they had kept their hands over their eyes to block out any possible future screams.

The room smelled faintly of blood and other bodily liquids. Despite the scent, the room was surprisingly clean and put together. The slaves were putting away instruments, the birthing bricks and other objects Enkidu did not have a name for.

"I will be back with food." Shub bowed to Gilgamesh and Enkidu before she hurried out.

Hakuno was in bed, the pelts covering her lower half. She smiled at them, her body reeking exhaustion. In her hands was a wrapped bundle. No, Enkidu realized as they got closer. That was the baby. A wrinkled small creature.

Gilgamesh sat next to her on the bed and put an arm around her. "Is that?"

She nodded. "Yes. It's our son."

"Our son." Gilgamesh whispered.

Enkidu suddenly felt like an outsider as they watched Gilgamesh and Hakuno speak and interact with this baby between them. There was something there that Enkidu did not have or understand. It was a place where Enkidu could never go.

"Enkidu?"

Enkidu snapped out of their thoughts. "Yes Hakuno?"

She gestured with her head for them to come over. With Gilgamesh against her one side, they moved to the other. Closer now, they saw the baby had a small tuff of hair. His head was a little oddly shaped and the skin red.

"Do you want to say hi?" asked Hakuno with a smile.

Enkidu nodded and cautiously reached out with a finger. The skin was soft. This was the skin of someone that did not know the hardships of the world. As if being upset by the touch, the baby moved but before Enkidu could move their finger, the little hand with the little fingers wrapped around Enkidu's.

"Oh, I think he likes you," Hakuno said with a small laugh.

"Hey! You should have grasped my finger!" protested Gilgamesh. "I am your father after all!"

Enkidu could hear them talking but their full attention was on the tiny fingers clutching theirs. And right then and there, Enkidu knew they would do whatever they could to protect this child.