083 - Then Enkidu and Gilgamesh joined in sacred friendship and sealed their solemn bond with noble kiss.

084 - Enkidu and Gilgamesh often sat then together, visited Ninsun's shrine, conversed of many plans and fashioned a future together. Once, informed by fears of future sorrow, Enkidu began to weep and warn his friend of coming horror.

085 - He said: "If we go there beyond here to where Humbaba-the-awful lives, there will be a gruesome war in a place no one calls home, where no one wants to stay for long or go to rest or rest to gain the strength to reach the forests."

086 - The Great One rose within and robed herself appropriately covering herself, ringing her curls beneath her crown to ascend the altar, where she stood lighting the first signals of charcoal for the incense and preparing sacred cups that hold the precious liquids which will be spilled.

087 - Then Ninsun asked Shamash: (Sun God) "Why? Why have you called my only son away and shaped his mind in so disturbed a way?

088 - For now, he says, you invite him to begin a pilgrimage that ends where Humbaba directs a never ending battle, along a foreign, lonely road far within the forests dark and damp where a man like him might just kill a god like Humbaba or be killed to dissolve the pain that you, Shamash, oppose."

  089 - Humbaba stirs within the darkened wood and in the hearts of men there rises fear.

090 - When Enkidu spoke at last to Gilgamesh he said these words of warning: "I knew this monster's reputation long ago. Fire and death mix in his breath, and I for one do not wish now to challenge such a demon." But Gilgamesh retorted: "All glory will be ours if now we conquer this unprecedented foe and risk the woe that frightens others."

091 - And Enkidu said then in swift reply: "How shall we go towards woods so fiercely guarded?"

093 - Why worry over being like dust in the wind? Leap up for this great threat. Fear not. Even if I were to fail and fall in combat, all future clans would say I did the job."

094 - Special weapons were then ordered to be made for their assault upon Humbaba. Axes, swords, and combat saddles were prepared and all of Uruk's population flocked round their great departure.

095 - The awful monster's reputation made Uruk's gentle people fear for their great king. And after all the plans were made to start out to fight Humbaba, a group came forward to see the king.

096 - The elders spoke to Gilgamesh: "Fear the force that you control, hot-headed boy; Be sure you watch where you direct your every, heavy swing in battle. Vanguards protect.

097 - Friends save friends. Let Enkidu lead on the way through forests that he knows. He knows how to fight in woodlands; he knows where to pick his fight. Enkidu will shield his bosom too as well as that of his companion so as to protect them both. He'll traverse any ditch of any width. Enkidu will guard our king.

098 - Be sure to bring him safely back." Gilgamesh said to Enkidu: "Arise, my other self, and speed your way to Egalmah to where my mother sits, kind Ninsun. She understands all I need to know. She'll tell us where we should go and what to do." Again the men embraced as teammates do. Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to Egalmah.

099 - Upset by all his thoughts of coming battles and concerned by his consultations with the gods, Gilgamesh then sadly set his palace rooms in order.

103 - Follow me, sir, along the savage way to where a worthy opponent, the awful beast Humbaba, waits for your challenge in the dark woodlands that he guards.

104 - Do not fear this. Rely on me in every matter for your most and let me act as careful guide for you most daring venture."