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
First Meetings
Create a fanwork about the first meeting between a character from Valinor and someone just arriving from Middle-earth. 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.
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Maeglin, Other Fictional Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 747 |
| Posted on 29 July 2017 | Updated on 29 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hypotheticals by grey_gazania
Word of the coronation of Fingon's child reaches the Sons of Fëanor, and Maedhros is shaken by a realization about himself.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 178 |
| Posted on 29 July 2017 | Updated on 29 July 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The taste of sulphur by Harnatano - Lithenna
The siege has just been broken and Curufin must deal with a certain amount of contradicting feelings and fears.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 141 |
| Posted on 23 July 2017 | Updated on 23 July 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For Love of Silver Stars by LadyBrooke
The sun’s dying rays faded over Doriath for the first time, and Lúthien looked at Nimloth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 300 |
| Posted on 22 July 2017 | Updated on 22 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
There a Pretty Lady Is by StarSpray
Nellas meets the River-daughter.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Goldberry, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 627 |
| Posted on 20 July 2017 | Updated on 22 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Your Song by Kaylee Arafinwiel
"But Lúthien came to the halls of Mandos, where are the appointed places of the Eldalië, beyond the mansions of the West upon the confines of the world. There those that wait sit in the shadow of their thought. But her beauty was more than their beauty, and her sorrow deeper than their sorrows; and she knelt before Mandos and sang to him..."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maiar, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 159 |
| Posted on 17 July 2017 | Updated on 17 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Leaves in the Wood by Zdenka
After the fall of Doriath, Nellas seeks a new land to call home.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Nellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 049 |
| Posted on 16 July 2017 | Updated on 16 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Manly-hearted Woman by oshun
This is a story of Haleth. The challenge it meets requires that one write a story based upon one of the SWG bios about a character one has never written before. I owe many writers for my inspiration, but mainly those who have written Caranthir/Haleth stories I have read and enjoyed over the long years I have been reading Silmarillion fanfiction. I did write the original SWG bio of Haleth, but I wrote it so many years ago that I thought someone else might have written it, until I opened it to consult it for source material (it’s definitely one of mine). This is a story complete in itself, but I do reserve the right to add an epilogue.
And once again, I must thank IgnobleBard for his Beta read at the last minute!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Nerdanel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 373 |
| Posted on 15 July 2017 | Updated on 15 July 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
For Those Who Hold a Silmaril In Their Hands by LadyBrooke
Erellont is young when Finrod leaves, and his uncle goes with him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erellont |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 172 |
| Posted on 15 July 2017 | Updated on 15 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Huor of the House of Hador by StarSpray
Six moments in the life of Huor son of Galdor
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Huor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 997 |
| Posted on 15 July 2017 | Updated on 15 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Voronwe's Parents by Himring
Two vignettes featuring the parents of Voronwe of Gondolin.
Inspired by Oshun's bio of Voronwe's father Aranwe, which is here.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aranwë, Original Female Character(s), Turgon, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 150 |
| Posted on 15 July 2017 | Updated on 15 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Second Chance by Grundy
"She whom he had loved was Amárië of the Vanyar, and she was not permitted to go with him into exile."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Eärwen, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 574 |
| Posted on 13 July 2017 | Updated on 13 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Sunset to Sunrise by Tyelca
A quiet night at home for Arien, Bearer of the Sun.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arien, Eärendil, Nerdanel, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 360 |
| Posted on 10 July 2017 | Updated on 10 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Road Not Taken by Tomour
Tuor and Veronwë reach the old road, and find Orcs block the way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 455 |
| Posted on 7 July 2017 | Updated on 7 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Annael's Reunion by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After far too long, Annael of the Grey-elves reunites with one he thought lost.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Annael, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 335 |
| Posted on 7 July 2017 | Updated on 7 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Dancing in the Shadows by Zdenka
While dancing at night in the woods, Lúthien meets a shadowy stranger. (Lúthien/Thuringwethil)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 063 |
| Posted on 5 July 2017 | Updated on 5 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
New Directions by hennethgalad
The friends of Eärendil, returning from Valinor.
With a surprise visitor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Erellont, Falathar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 512 |
| Posted on 4 July 2017 | Updated on 4 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Messengers of Light and Dark by Zdenka
Varda's handmaiden and Sauron's messenger encounter each other in the night. (Ilmarë/Thuringwethil)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ilmarë, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 371 |
| Posted on 3 July 2017 | Updated on 3 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Across so Wide a Sea by bunn
Elrond, having arrived in Valinor at the end of the Third Age, goes to meet his mother, Elwing. Taking Maglor with him.
“Hmph. I suppose we can’t have him being beaten bloody on my doorstep.” Elwing said, unenthusiastically “Or killing someone.” Apparently Maglor was considered a random killer, like a biting dog. “Come in then, if you must.”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 577 |
| Posted on 29 June 2017 | Updated on 29 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Tale of Two Lirillos by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Lirillo the prince and Lirillo the Maia - an adventure of Alqualonde's youngest prince, coming of age during a time after the Trees, just before the sun and moon. Will the grandson of Olwe prove a match for Ulmo's servant, or will the Maia be up to the task of shepherding his young namesake into this new world intact?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ingwë, Maiar, Olwë, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 014 |
| Posted on 3 June 2017 | Updated on 26 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Curumo, slices of vice. by Chiara Cadrich
The sad fate of a talented wizard.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 215 |
| Posted on 25 May 2017 | Updated on 25 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Let us Sing Together by StarSpray
There are strange things dwelling in the forests of Eriador
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Dwarves, Elrond, Elves, Goldberry, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 368 |
| Posted on 24 June 2017 | Updated on 24 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In The Darkest Days by LadyBrooke
Elu has gone to Valinor with Finwë and Ingwë, and those left behind are forced to make up for their absences, no matter how young the ones left behind are or if they have to find their own families.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elmo, Indis, Míriel Serindë, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 251 |
| Posted on 24 June 2017 | Updated on 24 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Hero of the Day by Robinka
Just an ordinary day out there on the Northern Marches of Doriath. Or maybe not so much…? Featuring your tall, strong, and handsome, not to mention favorite, wardens and some surprises. Written for the Matrioszka/Matrioshka challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 295 |
| Posted on 24 June 2017 | Updated on 24 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Companions on a Quest by oshun
Basically a story of Fëanor and Nerdanel meeting and beginning to fall for one another. But, secondarily, a story of Mahtan's household and his relationship with his apprentices, featuring his wife also.
Hero’s Journey Challenge – May-June 2017 – submitting this one to meet the deadline, although I would very much like to expand and continue the story. It should have been much longer, but I met all of the required prompts. I've enjoyed working in this world I have begun to build. I love the characters and the backstory I created, seventy percent of which I am not able to use in this short story--due to lack of time and organizational skills(!! we won't talk about chronic writers' block). I hope readers can enjoy it as a stand-alone, but I definitely will return! I am (maddeningly perhaps) leaving my full cast at the end of the story as a teaser.
Many thanks to IgnobleBard for his careful Beta and putting up with a formidable amount of b.s. and dysfunctionality!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Noldor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 519 |
| Posted on 24 June 2017 | Updated on 24 June 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
