Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
SWG News
New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
Bingo Cards Wanted for Potluck Bingo
Our November-December challenge will be Potluck Bingo, featuring cards created by you! If you'd like to create cards or prompts for cards, we are taking submissions.
Tolkien Meta Week, December 8-14
We will be hosting a Tolkien Meta Week in December, here on the archive and on our Tumblr, for nonfiction fanworks about Tolkien.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] An End to All Things by Thorveig
Mairon stood in utter stillness for it seemed to him that the voice of his master mocked him from afar...
At the end of the First Age, Sauron makes a choice.
[Reference] Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
[Writing] The Reckless Hearts of Mortal Men by mouse
Two years before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Húrin and Huor journey from Dor-lómin to Eithel Sirion for a war council with their new allies from the East. A story about the stirring of hope and foreshadowing of woe. Well-peppered with humour.
[Artwork] Valier & colours by daughterofshadows
Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.
[Artwork] 2024 Potluck Doodles by silmalope
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
[Writing] Ransom of the Fairy Twins by Rocky41_7
Maglor and Maedhros trade Elrond and Elros to King Gil-galad in exchange for a Silmaril, but they have miscalculated.
Current Challenge
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. Read more ...
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Notion Club Revival
Select any (or several) of the "mysterious documents" from our prompt set and let them feature in your fanwork. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
Why People Don't Comment: Data and History From the Tolkienfic Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A reworking of the 2018 article for Long Live Feedback that includes data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, pointing to a lack of comments as related to skill, confidence, and community connection.
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] Homage to the Song of Durin by Flora-lass
Legolas is inspired by Gimli's song - and by Gimli himself.
[Artwork] Long-tressed Wingildi by Anérea
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
Around the World and Web
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
Fluffcember 2024
Fluffcember is a Tumblr event with daily fluffy prompts during the month of December.
Hidden Paths 2025
Hidden Paths, an event dedicated to the celebration of smaller Tolkien canons, has released their early prompts for the 2025 event.
Teitho November/December Contest: Healing
The theme for Teitho's November/December contest is healing.
Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2024
LotR SESA has been ongoing for twenty-one years and is running again this year as a prompt meme hosted on AO3 for all genres of Tolkien-based fanfiction.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Strange Company by StarSpray
Elured and Elurin are looking for the source of the River Langwell when they get distracted by a landslide.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Orcs, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 512 |
| Posted on 31 March 2019 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Worst-Kept Secret. by hennethgalad
Glorfindel tells Bilbo about the silver bells on Asfaloth's halter.
last bingo number N37
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Glorfindel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 109 |
| Posted on 31 March 2019 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry by oshun
We are a very Hobbity kind of family when it comes to food (like to cook it, like to eat, like to talk about it), so I decided I would use a bunch of photos from my hard drive to attempt to fill all of these prompts. The majority of these were taken by me.
Fulfilling many, if not most, of the prompts from the Bingo cards: Eat, Drink and Make Merry and Diner's Club.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Edain, Elves, Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 160 |
| Posted on 31 March 2019 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Star-Crossed by Leithriel
She realized that they were kindred spirits a long time ago, and that never changed, in spite of events that transpired, or the time that had passed.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nellas, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 832 |
| Posted on 30 March 2019 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Out of the Great Sea by Lyra
Vëandis, formerly Lady of Andúnië, has been shipwrecked in Middle-earth. Now she and the other survivors of the Downfall have to find the strength to carry on.
Rated Adult for some upsetting content, mentions of death (animal and human), and suicidal ideation.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elendil, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 914 |
| Posted on 31 March 2019 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Book of Short Tales by Lyra
A place to store short stories, ficlets and challenge responses that don't really warrant being archived on their own.
Newly Added: "The Good and the Bad". Young Aragorn discusses Noldorin history with Erestor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Aragorn, Aredhel, Aulë, Azaghâl, Beren, Caranthir, Celeborn, Curufin, Daeron, Durin I, Dwarves, Elwing, Erestor, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Haleth, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor, Melian, Melkor, Nerdanel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Sons of Fëanor, Ungoliant, Vairë, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Crossover, Drama, Experimental, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2010, B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2016, B2MeM 2019, With a Bit of Fairy Dust |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 34 | Word Count: 31, 316 |
| Posted on 8 March 2011 | Updated on 31 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (170) |
B2MEM 2019 Double Drabbles by eris_of_imladris
My double drabbles based on B2MEM prompts! My self-imposed rule was that I had to use prompts from the same Bingo number/day together.
Based on the following cards: All OCs All The Time, Aspects of Aragorn, Color Burst: Purple, Elements of Elrond, Facets of Faramir, Fëanatics, Fun with Fëanorians, Maglor in History 1, Person vs. Self, and Textual Ghosts.
Individual pieces rated G - T. Check individual pieces for warnings.
***Hidden Figures Challenge: Chapters O72, B12, N44, N45, N32***
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elrond, Fëanor, Glorfindel, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Ulfang |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 18 | Word Count: 3, 604 |
| Posted on 12 March 2019 | Updated on 30 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
New Day, New Age by StarSpray
It was the most thrilling thing, to sail away and watch the coastline of Middle-earth dwindle and fade into a dark line on the horizon, and then to vanish completely.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 990 |
| Posted on 30 March 2019 | Updated on 30 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Good Gift. by hennethgalad
Bilbo asks Glorfindel about the silver-studded leather flask, and Glorfindel tells him of his friendship with a hunter from Bree.
Glorfindel card B15 and I25
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 187 |
| Posted on 30 March 2019 | Updated on 30 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
it grows perhaps the greater by quillingmesoftly
Elanor Gamgee meets a mysterious figure from Mr Frodo's Red Book; Arwen is just enjoying hearing her grandmother tell stories again.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Goldberry |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 134 |
| Posted on 30 March 2019 | Updated on 30 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Poison Smile by StarSpray
Lady Tanith is well known for her gardens and her potions.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 297 |
| Posted on 29 March 2019 | Updated on 29 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Indy's B2MeM Stories by Independence1776
A collection of my Back to Middle-earth Month stories. Each chapter is a different year.
2019: Maglor visits Elrond after Gil-galad's death. Triple drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Daeron, Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Idril, Lalwen, Maedhros, Maglor, Melkor, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2009, B2MeM 2010, B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2014, B2MeM 2015, B2MeM 2016, B2MeM 2018, B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 11, 098 |
| Posted on 31 March 2012 | Updated on 29 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Umbar - Where the Stars are Strange by oshun
There they made a refuge for all the enemies of the king, and a lordship independent of his crown. Umbar remained at war with Gondor for many lives of men..(‘Appendix A’ ~ The Lord of the Rings)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 28 March 2019 | Updated on 28 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Poisoned Peace by eris_of_imladris
War was supposed to end by the light of the Silmarils. Millenia later, another gem grows from a darkness that is all too familiar.
Written for B2MEM 2019 with the prompts: Maglor in the Manhattan Project, silmarils
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 709 |
| Posted on 18 March 2019 | Updated on 27 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Happiness Found by anriondrakonion
Things are better.
That's not difficult to acheive, but things are better.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 271 |
| Posted on 26 March 2019 | Updated on 26 March 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Battle of Fornost. by hennethgalad
Bilbo asks Glorfindel about the Battle of Fornost, Glorfindel tells him of Eärnur, the last king of Gondor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 216 |
| Posted on 26 March 2019 | Updated on 26 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
United, Divided: The War of Telerin Aggression by eris_of_imladris
Summary: The First Kinslaying and its aftermath told by the fighters on both sides and the ones they left behind.
Written for B2MEM 2019 with the prompts: “the War of Telerin Aggression,” battered but not broken (Fëanorians), crippled by worry, bruise (purple), royal (purple), Fëanor was framed.
Side Note: As someone born in the South, but to proud Northern parents, I’ve heard a lot of opinions about the phrase this parody comes from. I was intrigued by this idea even before all the cards were out, and I ended up choosing this card at least partially because I wanted to see what would happen if B14 was ever called. I’m very enthused about writing this out from multiple perspectives.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 8, 497 |
| Posted on 22 March 2019 | Updated on 25 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nightingales in Willow Trees by StarSpray
Celebrian goes down to the river to gather willow bark.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 084 |
| Posted on 25 March 2019 | Updated on 25 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Eye for an Eye by Sasha Honeypalm
A newly-sailed Elf counters advanced medicine in Valinor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 266 |
| Posted on 24 March 2019 | Updated on 24 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hearts Broken by oshun
Usually, think of blue for Fingon but this one is red for blood, or Maedhros, or hearts broken.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 24 March 2019 | Updated on 24 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Valmar of Many Bells. ... by oshun
"And when Valinor was full-wrought and the mansions of the Valar were established, in the midst of the plain beyond the mountains they built their city, Valmar of many bells. ..." The Silmarillion, "Of The Beginning of Days."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 24 March 2019 | Updated on 24 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Of Mahtan Nerdanel Learned Much of Crafts by oshun
Of Mahtan Nerdanel learned much of crafts that women of the Noldor seldom used: the making of things of metal and stone. She made images, some of the Valar in their forms visible, and many others of men and women of the Eldar, and these were so like that their friends, if they knew not her art, would speak to them; but many things she wrought also of her own thought in shapes strong and strange but beautiful. Morgoth’s Ring.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 24 March 2019 | Updated on 24 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Most Bright by Lyra
A collection of short ficlets about Princess Ancalimë, who will become the first Ruling Queen of Númenor.
Newly added: "Exit, Pursued", for B2MeM and the Hidden Figures challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Almarian, Tar-Aldarion, Tar-Ancalimë, Zamîn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Discovery, Hidden Figures, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 135 |
| Posted on 7 August 2018 | Updated on 24 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Ember by Gabriel
Maglor Feanorian, self-exiled and a kinslayer; alienated, feared and hated, by almost everyone. Upon travelling and living in the wilds of Middle-earth; to his surprise, he stumbles upon someone from his past.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fluff, General, Horror, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 617 |
| Posted on 23 March 2019 | Updated on 23 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Weaving by Zdenka
Three scenes of Galadriel weaving, the things she learned and the things she taught. Written for Purimgifts 2019.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Eärwen, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 840 |
| Posted on 23 March 2019 | Updated on 23 March 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
