New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
SWG News
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 Challenge: Orctober
Orcs on a quest for freedom seek a place sheltered and safe from the Dark Lord. Fulfill prompts to gather the clues needed to bring them to freedom.
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
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
B2MeM 2010
Back to Middle-earth Month 2010 was a collaborative game-style challenge where participants created fanworks in order to progress in their attempt to win the Last Battle. 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
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.
November challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The challenge for November has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic prompt: refuge. Formal challenge: include imitation of a sound. As always, these can be filled independently and also freely combined with SWG and other challenges. New participants welcome!
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
What Is Lost by NelyafinweFeanorion
Maedhros and Maglor in the immediate aftermath of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Flashbacks to Tirion. Maedhros and Fingon first realizing about their relationship and feelings for each other.
My thanks to Alpha Ori for being my beta on this.
Many thanks to Dawn Felagund for creating the culture and atmosphere of Tirion and Fëanor's family in her brilliant story "Another Man's Cage." It influenced my thoughts on this and the family of Fëanor
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erestor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 448 |
| Posted on 22 September 2016 | Updated on 22 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
And Last of All by Elleth
Tar-Míriel's handmaiden on the final day of Númenor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 037 |
| Posted on 22 September 2016 | Updated on 22 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
No Flame Burns Forever by Lotrfan
Borrowed the general idea from nyx thranduillon's 100 short one-shots on fanfiction.net This is not 100 one shots--my goal is a series of one shots each consisting of less than 100 words. Tryng to see how concise I can be and still set a scene. These are all entirely from Maedhros' point of view. Could not keep it less than 100 words for the last one shot.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 36, 954 |
| Posted on 21 September 2016 | Updated on 21 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A song of welcome (Aya Findekano) by Himring
There is a scene in "Children of Hurin" in which Turin watches Fingon ride over the bridge near his home.
I believe, in canon, this is meant to be about Elves being remote and elusive--but, personally, I can't image Fingon on that bridge in white and silver with his knights unless he were actually dropping in to visit Hurin (or Morwen), even if it was on the way to somewhere else.
So--in my Gloom cycle--he does visit Hurin. ( Turin, I suppose, may be just too young to be in on most of the proceedings.)
Now, maybe Rian was there, too--and what more natural than that, as a maker of songs, she would make a song to welcome him?
And this bit of song here would have sounded a lot better when Rian herself sang it to the tune she had made up--all spontaneously, of course!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 98 |
| Posted on 18 September 2016 | Updated on 18 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Singing to an Ocean by Lotrfan
Set at the very end of the Third Age, just before Elrond sails. He meets someone unexpected on the shore at the Havens. Written for August 2016 Teitho Contest "Oaths" where it received 1st place.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 785 |
| Posted on 16 September 2016 | Updated on 16 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Fight Me, You Thieving Bastard by Nibeneth
It is twenty-eight years, three months, one week, and six days from the date of Maedhros' rescue, meaning that starting today, he has been free for longer than he was a prisoner.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 826 |
| Posted on 11 September 2016 | Updated on 11 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Writ in Water by Zdenka
A series of seven drabbles about Nargothrond and those who became involved with its fate, based on a set of river-related prompts from Tolkien Weekly.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Finduilas, Finrod Felagund, Gwindor, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Original Female Character(s), Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 436 |
| Posted on 10 September 2016 | Updated on 10 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Choices Seal Our Fate by Lotrfan
Maedhros (Maitimo) receives Morgoths's message of parley. He and his brother Maglor (Makalaurë) debate their choices. Takes place just before my story They Chiose the Path.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 837 |
| Posted on 9 September 2016 | Updated on 9 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Fee of Passage by Elleth
Struggling with the burden of her mortality, Gilmith reaches out to an unlikely savior.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gilmith, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 767 |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 8 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Settlement by Elleth
Finduilas, Niënor and Nellas all live on Amon Obel. Entanglements are inevitable.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nellas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 493 |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 8 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Summer's Ball by Elleth
The King and Queen of the Noldor are holding a ball, and Indis finds herself pursued by Míriel's unwavering interest.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 538 |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 8 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Missing by Elleth
Far into the Third Age, Eärwen is plagued by ominous dreams, leading her and Anairë on a journey outside the bounds of Aman.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Galadriel, Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 024 |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 8 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Bone-White by Dawn Felagund
After wandering accidentally near to Mandos, Caranthir encounters a procession delivering his newly reembodied brother back to the world: Maedhros. Caranthir breaks into his tent, and the two discuss healing, mutability, and the things that will never change. For Silver Trails.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 401 |
| Posted on 7 September 2016 | Updated on 7 September 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
A Promise of Lightning by The Wavesinger
The story of Ilmarë and Thuringwethil, from the beginning to the beginning, again.
Written for Elleth for the 2016 RarePair Fest.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ilmarë, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 797 |
| Posted on 5 September 2016 | Updated on 5 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
What Happens After by The Wavesinger
Finduilas and Nienor find each other again, but that is only the beginning.
Written for preplexingly for EveryWoman 2016.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 131 |
| Posted on 5 September 2016 | Updated on 5 September 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Song Remains The Same by Lotrfan
Fingon arrives at Lake Mithrim and learns of Maedhros' capture. His search, discovery and rescue of Maedhros. No slash.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 13, 293 |
| Posted on 3 September 2016 | Updated on 3 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
They Choose the Path by Lotrfan
The Sons of Fëanor react to the news that their brother has been taken hostage by Morgoth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 446 |
| Posted on 3 September 2016 | Updated on 3 September 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I know better by Calendille
"Galadriel was the greatest of the Noldor, except Fëanor maybe, though she was wiser than he, and her wisdom increased with the long years."
In Valinor, Melkor is the first to tempt her with the prospect of besting her uncle.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Galadriel, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 678 |
| Posted on 26 August 2016 | Updated on 26 August 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The World Ahead by StarSpray
It's the beginning of a new Age, and now that the world is (relatively) safe, Eluréd and Elurín want to see everything. Starting with the Misty Mountains.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Goldberry, Original Character(s), Tom Bombadil, Treebeard |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 642 |
| Posted on 9 August 2016 | Updated on 17 August 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
By Way of Tears by StarSpray
"I fear your lord husband is dead, your grace. By the Gladden Fields near the Greenwood we were beset by many foes—orcs out of the mountains. The fight went ill, and my lord told me—he told me to keep this from capture, at any cost."
The shards of Narsil.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Ohtar, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 085 |
| Posted on 15 August 2016 | Updated on 15 August 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
To Build a House from the Ground Up by Nibeneth
After six thousand years in Mandos, Fingon and Maedhros rejoin the world. Nothing will ever be the same as it was, but a remote plot of land, a cabin, a garden, and a few animals are all they need.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 327 |
| Posted on 13 August 2016 | Updated on 13 August 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Spring After Winter by StarSpray
Amarie visits Elwing in her tower by the sea.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 701 |
| Posted on 24 July 2016 | Updated on 24 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Before the Coming of the End by Himring
Who will fetch forth Turin to the fight, as the Dagor Dagorath approaches?
Written for Kenaz for the "Around the Fire" Challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Gwindor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 804 |
| Posted on 23 July 2016 | Updated on 23 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bouquet, for Femslash Bingo 2016 by Urloth
Femslash Bingo Fills for the Flowers and Their Meanings Card for Femslash Week 2016
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Aredhel, Arwen, Elenwë, Eärwen, Idril, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mithrellas, Nimrodel, Original Female Character(s), Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 5, 075 |
| Posted on 15 July 2016 | Updated on 22 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drabbles: The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales by Zdenka
Drabbles set during the First and Second Ages of Middle-earth. (Exactly 100 words as counted by MS Word.) Please see table of contents for individual summaries and warnings.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Celebrimbor, Elwing, Erendis, Eärendil, Finduilas, Galadriel, Inzilbêth, Lalwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Nellas, Nienor, Original Character(s), Tar-Míriel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2013, Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 26 | Word Count: 15, 128 |
| Posted on 29 April 2016 | Updated on 22 July 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
