Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
SWG News
Fanwork sign-ups are open!
Register for Mereth Aderthad!
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
Mereth Aderthad Registration Is Open!
Registration for attending Mereth Aderthad is open for both in-person and virtual attendees and will remain open through the day of the event.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Writing] That strength which in old days moved earth and heaven by Himring
Long after the Fall of Eregion, a survivor returns to face her memories.
[Reference] Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
[Audio] Twinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril - Podfic by daughterofshadows
A reworking of Twinkle, twinkle, little star, featuring Eärendil. Originally written by Anérea.
[Writing] The Longed For That Cometh Beyond Hope by Grundy
Eärendil has to find his way in this unfamiliar land. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view) for him, it's a time of festival in Valimar...
[Reference] Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and…
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Storyteller
Storytelling is an interactive art, using words and actions to bring a story to life while encouraging the listener’s imagination. This challenge is all about storytellers in the Silmarillion tapestry. Read more ...
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Neurodivergent Arda Week 2025
Neurodivergent Arda Week is a Tumblr event to celebrate neurodiversity in Tolkien's works.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
Beyond the Silmarillion
Our Beyond the Silmarillion section exists for our creators to archive their non-Silmarillion fanworks. Works in this section are based on Tolkien's other texts or adaptations of Tolkien's writings. Find out more about eligibility to post in this section here.
Tale of the Crebain by Anne Wolfe
An origin story for the crebain, following a Dunlending OC. Written for the second B2MEM 2024 Drabble Race, for the prompt "bird nest".
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 005 |
| Posted on 17 March 2024 | Updated on 13 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
I Comfort You by Flora-lass
This is more than inspired by sallysavestheday's 'Rash Words and Bitter Hopes' (see notes), in which Legolas and Gimli are riding together on Arod, towards Fangorn, and poor Legolas is seriously overwrought following the encounter with Eomer. My version might have qualified for last year's Understory challenge, if only it had been Silmfic!
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Gimli, Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: Gimli/Legolas |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 650 |
| Posted on 16 March 2024 | Updated on 19 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Something Sleepless in Mirkwood by Rocky41_7
Thranduil is plagued by the shadow haunting Mirkwood Forest.
No - Thranduil is haunted by the War of the Last Alliance.
Or - Thranduil has succumbed to some new and unknown illness.
Whatever the problem is, Elrond must solve it quickly, for even immortal Elves may not have forever.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Jackson Hobbit (films) |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Thranduil |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 537 |
| Posted on 11 March 2024 | Updated on 12 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Faramir, Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 184 |
| Posted on 3 March 2024 | Updated on 3 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Vincenzia by Himring
Not everyone needs a train trip to Niggle's Parish in their afterlife.
How about some other trees by a rather famous painter instead?
| Canon Source: Leaf by Niggle |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), The Porter |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 579 |
| Posted on 28 February 2024 | Updated on 28 February 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Settling Down by Himring
It is deep winter. Beorn and his friends settle down to a well-deserved rest.
Double drabble.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Beorn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 2 February 2024 | Updated on 2 February 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Measure of Peace by StarSpray
Arwen sees that Frodo will not find real healing in Middle-earth, and seeks to do something about it.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Frodo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 408 |
| Posted on 15 December 2023 | Updated on 15 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Leaf by Niggle moodboard by Independence1776
A moodboard for Leaf by Niggle.
| Canon Source: Leaf by Niggle |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 26 November 2023 | Updated on 26 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Transmutation by sallysavestheday
Elladan and Elrohir reforge Narsil into Andúril, and finally find themselves.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 176 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Anne Wolfe Scribbles and Drabbles Artwork 2023 by Anne Wolfe
Six art pieces for Scribbles and Drabbles 2023.
1. Shire Playing Cards
2. Northern Lights
3. Neon Sunset
4. Himling Isle on a Starless Night
5. Bird on the Water
6. Amras and Amrod in the Parent Trap
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 November 2023 | Updated on 4 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Far Over the Misty Mountains by StarSpray
"I want to see mountains again--mountains, Gandalf!"
inspired by Tolkien's own drawing of the Misty Mountains, as seen on the Tolkien Estate's website.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 November 2023 | Updated on 1 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Leave-Taking by StarSpray
Alf says farewell to Harper after his last Feast for Good Children.
| Canon Source: Smith of Wootton Major |
| Major Characters: Alf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 464 |
| Posted on 29 October 2023 | Updated on 29 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Elven Elements by Himring
Young Arwen and a very special necklace.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 496 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
New Branches and Leaves by Himring
Galadriel prepares a gift for Sam.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mysteries Too Marvelous by StarSpray
The first time Tim stepped out of his world and into Faerie, he almost didn’t notice.
| Canon Source: Smith of Wootton Major |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Faery Queen, Smith Smithson, Tim of Townsend |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 750 |
| Posted on 12 September 2023 | Updated on 12 September 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Round Sun is Falling by StarSpray
My piece for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023! This is my first year participating as an artist and I'm very excited.
The title comes from Legolas' song in ROTK; Zhie wrote the accompanying fic Never and Forever, featuring Legolas and Thranduil!
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 27 August 2023 | Updated on 8 September 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
A Passing Thing by Narya
A moodboard created for TRSB23, inspired by the Tolkien biopic.
| Canon Source: Tolkien (film) |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 2 September 2023 | Updated on 2 September 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Shadow's Scribbles 2023 - Hobbit & LotR Edition by daughterofshadows
The gallery for my Lord of the Rings and Hobbit inspired Scribbles & Drabbles 2023 art.
Some cracky, some serious, mostly dwarves and hobbits.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Jackson Hobbit (films), Jackson Lord of the Rings (films), Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Craft, Fiber/Textile Art, Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 12 August 2023 | Updated on 12 August 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
On the Borders of Mirkwood by Himring
One of the Woodmen has a recurring problem with the wall between their apple orchard and the Forest.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Elves, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 247 |
| Posted on 3 August 2023 | Updated on 3 August 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A hidden lane, a secret gate by Himring
Schoolmaster Atkins, at the end of his life, doesn't go the same way Niggle did, but he still finds Niggle's Tree.
| Canon Source: Leaf by Niggle |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 941 |
| Posted on 2 August 2023 | Updated on 2 August 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wreath and Leaf by Himring
Atkins (the schoolmaster who had the painting of a leaf by Niggle framed) had a wreath issue that year.
| Canon Source: Leaf by Niggle |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 495 |
| Posted on 2 August 2023 | Updated on 2 August 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
eat earth, dig deep by kimaracretak
Merry knows an awful lot about the old forest
Merry is very young
The forest misses being that young
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Merry |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 673 |
| Posted on 2 August 2023 | Updated on 2 August 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Still There Is Much That Is Fair by Arveldis
“My father says he will sail West one day, and I hope to follow him, if I can. I want more than anything to see what lies in the West,” she said. The longing for it flared in her heart, as it had ever since her father had first read to her from the Red Book of Mr. Frodo’s sailing.
“There are few ships now that can take that road,” Arwen said softly.
Elanor travels to Minas Tirith and enters the queen's service.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Elanor Gardner |
| Major Relationships: Arwen & Elanor Gardner, Elanor Gardner & Samwise Gamgee |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 387 |
| Posted on 19 July 2023 | Updated on 19 July 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
West, West Away by Arveldis
It was the Elvenking. He gazed at the disappearing haven and the encircling hills with a strange, sorrowful expression upon his face, as if he felt the same uncomfortable tug of uprooting that Sam did, feeling as if he had been removed from his familiar soil and planted somewhere he didn’t belong, at least not yet.
Sam watched him, feeling like he was intruding on a private moment, but he couldn’t look away. It was strange to think that a king of the Elves might feel as displaced and torn as he did, but Sam felt suddenly in that moment that he understood the Elvenking, high and lordly though he was.
Sam meets an unlikely kindred spirit on the journey West.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Samwise Gamgee & Thranduil |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 654 |
| Posted on 11 July 2023 | Updated on 19 July 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And There Make a Garden by Arveldis
Éowyn walked through the rows of the garden that sprawled beyond the house, her hand laid over the swell of her stomach. It was high summer, and the garden grew in wild abandon, hardly distinguishable from the fragrant wilderness that rippled and tumbled over the hills of Emyn Arnen.
Éowyn walks in her garden and reminisces about all the people who helped her create it.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 812 |
| Posted on 7 July 2023 | Updated on 19 July 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
