If I had not read and enjoyed Fairest I don't think I could have had the stomach to finish this. The rape, the torture, the utter obsessive jealousy of the doctor were very unsettling. I do like the way it ended, that sent shivers up my spine. I look forward to reading the rest.

I have avoided reading this one for a while despite adoring your writing style and engaging with your other stories. I knew it wouldn't be a comfortable journey but I did know it would be one worth taking, now I have finally taken the time and courage to approach this, you have surpassed my expectations. Firstly, I have just read this through in one go, I couldn't put it down. You kept divulging more and more treasures, links, echoes of lore and other literature that you are defiantly living up to your surname. I have not read a fic that has interweaved different plot strands so well and beautifully. I was really pleased to read your epilogue/comments as it is not often you get to see the thinking behind an authors work, so thankyou for that. Jareth is such a delightful character, each time you tackle his origins it is a refreshing and different not to mention well developed portrait. You have an amazing talent and I am now going to read part two of the Judex Cycle. Bravo, excellent job and Thankyou : )

My first experience with your work was reading Labyrinth: Kingdom Come. That was a very long time ago, and I remember being too awestruck at the time to leave any feedback. It didn't seem like anything I said could possibly do the story justice, so I kept quiet. And, subsequently, forgot about the whole thing entirely.

Cut to now, an indeterminate period of time later, when a random line from said story pops into my head. I am then driven crazy for half the day trying to remember what the fic was called and who wrote it. I eventually found your profile, and the fic I was looking for. Beneath it on the list, was this. Which I had to read.

You are insanely talented. I started to read this maybe a couple of hours ago, and didn't stop until I was completely finished. yes, there were moments which I found disturbing, but the whole experience was just so beautiful that I didn't mind. If this were a published book, it would definitely have a place on my shelf.

This story is great. I hope you recast it a bit away from Labyrinth and publish it. It's dark and disturbing, but its the kind of Hero's Journey that is resonating in the 21st century. Happy writing to you.

The analysis that you gave is just... ah, your writing is still so stunning. It is rare that authors take directly from the source lore and extrapolate from there. I will return to this, reference it as a guide for when I can devote time to the source texts myself.
And how you analyze the characters! I would not doubt that you yourself might have a degree in psychology.
As for the role of women... Well, you wrote "not this story" when referring to Medea's child. Actually... ach, what strength the mother must have, to raise a child of rape.
I cannot wait to see what other stories you have written!
It was a pleasure to, to continue the metaphor (I think? Perhaps analogy?), partake in your soup! Thank you, again, for it.

Aaah~! The penultimate and finał paragraphs! There at last we see the Prince of Owls take up his role as Labyrinth King, and you wrote the shift so eloquently!
By Bog, or by Bóg? Both fit the plea!
How marvelous this ending was! (I had a bit of a laugh at where he found Tyto... A gay bar. He taunts the doctor with his predilection even at the end, showing him the niche that could have given him the love the sociopath craved and longed for.) This, now this is the Labyrinth prequel!
And the 1911 self portrait! Truly, the amount of research you have put into this is staggering.
I wonder what exactly it was, that the fae could learn from humanity. Surely in their dalliances they had experienced the broken heart?
In the end they were both damned... The doctor, sent cursed to the land that the King is forever barred from, and the King, to straddle between the mortal coil and the labyrinth, never able to return to his native plane. Reach the zenith and tumble off...
Such a wonderfully written tale. I thank you heartily for writing and sharing it with us!

Hah! Wow did it feel good to have the doctor get his comeuppance! And written still in his logical, tallying mind that is revealed as its twisted self... Damn, I'm thrilled for Jareth! And Maryam, as well!
(I also love the vocabulary you exhibit, and the title of this chapter!)
I don't think I have had this much fun reading a 'fic on ffn in a long time.
Are you a published author? The level of planning that this has been wrought from strongly suggests so! (And trumps the majority of what is on the shelves.)
Aah, I am off to read the thirteenth day!

"He'd stolen because he'd always been afraid to ask."
Such a deep line... Sad, and harrowing.
At the same time, shattering the King's amulet... He just broke the covenant he had made, made the stipulation for after the thirteenth day invalid.
A sick, twisted man. One who denied parts of himself out of fear and projected loathing of others, only to end up fetishizing them.

I have to say, I am not a Labyrinth PhD. It was beautiful to read, nonetheless, poetry and otherwise. Do you borrow from the novelization, as well as Underground the music piece?
These three... It is good that they came. Through them, Jareth exerted influence on humans outside of the asylum. Through them, Doctor Phillip Channard's influence wanes.
(Though the defeat in Tyto's eyes... How much cruelty he has endured.
I wonder if he had just named Maryam according to the fae magic of names?)

Or, rather, the turning point is here.
I loved your descriptions of the portal. More Dante-esque than Labyrinthine, it seemed, but then again, the doctor did not cross through it.
Perhaps Tyto's reciprocation is, of a form, noblesse oblige?
Thirteen days. This will be marvelous.

What a curious development... Tyto begins to care. The singing scene was poignant and almost painful in its isolation and ultimate worthlessness.
Medea will be a weakness. For now, transiently, she gives him strength. A subject to properly rule over and command, a return to what he knows.

"Pet creature"... I can imagine Jareth saying, eventually, "I will enjoy dancing upon your grave."
Your insight into the human and fae psyche is peerless.

This is the turning point, I suspect... for both of them. Damned and damning. How twisted the doctor is and how fractured Tyto becomes...

Eech, it sets my teeth on edge, how accurately you portray a 60's misogynistic and "[s]he deserved the assault, look at what [s]he was wearing/how they were acting!" false justification of brutality.
On the other hand, I'd never heard of the winter - inside warmth - winter bird scenario. Curious.
At least, with a break in exposure, the doctor sees that his behaviors are being influenced. It does not excuse them, hardly, but it brings new light on the fae manipulation (or, manifestation) of subconscious desires.

Your warning proved to be very accurate. Damn, indeed. How twisted and cruel this "Doctor" is... It's sickening. You portray him in a stark and cold-cut way, as if removed from the same emotional plane as others of humanity.
Or, parallel. Removed as Jareth is. Or, Tyto, rather. I wonder if he'll ever give his true name. That might bind him all the more.
I wonder why Tyto did not simply morph into his namesake's form to escape the hold... He must be restricted, somehow.
I must read on!