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.
Little father by Calendille
Nerdanel considers her children, and why Curufin was always special to Fëanor’s heart.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Finwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 463 |
| Posted on 10 July 2016 | Updated on 10 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Oh Lift Me as a Wave by Zdenka
Elwing and the wind. (There are powers in Arda that are not told of in the histories.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 8 July 2016 | Updated on 8 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Dead Leaves and Beetles by Zdenka
Even before their fatal quarrel, Saeros is exasperated by Túrin's lack of grooming. (Triple drabble.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 7 July 2016 | Updated on 7 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I Have Found The One My Soul Loves by The Wavesinger
"They say that the Elven-lady, along with her companion, a beautiful Elven-woman, watches over the line of the Princes and weeps for every one of her children, and children-of-her-children."
A story about Mithrellas and Nimrodel, after they find each other.
(Written for Karari for Ship Swap 2016.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gilmith, Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 380 |
| Posted on 6 July 2016 | Updated on 6 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drinks in the Dark by Lingwiloke
Orodreth has been crowned king of Nargothrond. He's not taking it particularly well.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 3 July 2016 | Updated on 3 July 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden Days by Lyra
Nerdanel recounts the development of her relationship with Fëanor - from their first proper meeting to married life. A fantasy of manners, pride, prejudice, love and craftsmanship.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë, Írimë, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 23 | Word Count: 93, 601 |
| Posted on 25 January 2009 | Updated on 26 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (108) |
Distractions by Zdenka
Lalwen pays Elemmírë a sudden visit, trying to escape the growing divisions among the Noldor and her family. (250-word fixed-length ficlet.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 003 |
| Posted on 26 June 2016 | Updated on 26 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Hidden City by Lady MSM
A kid from nowhere seeks out an old family friend...and that's when things get interesting. A retelling of the Fall of Gondolin set in the 1920s.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elwing, Eärendil, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Idril, Maeglin, Tuor, Turgon, Ulmo, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 267 |
| Posted on 19 June 2016 | Updated on 25 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A troubling epiphany by Harnatano - Lithenna
Curufin joins Celegorm for a hunt in Oromë's woods and will be touched by a sudden realization regarding the situation of the Noldor in Aman.
It takes place not long after the creation of the Silmarils, Celebrimbor is still a child and the feud with Fingolfin hasn't reached its peak yet, but Melkor's twisted murmurs have started to burn in the hearts of the Noldor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Finwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 846 |
| Posted on 20 June 2016 | Updated on 25 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Song in the Darkness by Zdenka
Maglor still makes music, and Maedhros listens, when it is all they have left.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 677 |
| Posted on 25 June 2016 | Updated on 25 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Threads of Gold by Zdenka
Finduilas, recovering from her wound among the folk of Brethil, finds a young woman on Haleth's grave-mound, and fate is changed. (Finduilas/Nienor; canon divergence AU.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 23 June 2016 | Updated on 23 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Flame of Swords by Zdenka
A conversation with Thorin Oakenshield; Glorfindel knows more of Orcrist's history than he wishes to tell. (Triple drabble.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| 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: 922 |
| Posted on 22 June 2016 | Updated on 22 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
50 Prompts: AU Silmarillion by Urloth
50 Prompts resulting in 50 AU Silmarillion based or related drabbles or ficlets.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Dior, Draugluin, Elu Thingol, Elwing, Eärendil, Eöl, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Glorfindel, Haleth, Indis, Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maeglin, Maglor, Maiar, Manwë, Melkor, Míriel Serindë, Noldor, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Tar-Míriel, Tata, Tatië |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Erotica, General, Het, Horror, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 29 | Word Count: 29, 138 |
| Posted on 2 February 2013 | Updated on 22 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The hunter's heart, the hunter's mouth by Urloth
There was a wound in his heart. Ingwion felt it tear; tear up his eyes and drench his mind in dark resignation and despair. Belatedly he realised the wound had been there an achingly long time and by forcibly involving himself in this he was reopening it. Or widening it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Ingwë, Ingwion, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 823 |
| Posted on 22 June 2016 | Updated on 22 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lost and Found by Zdenka
With the Silmaril lost, Maglor is driven by Elwing’s words to look for her children.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 255 |
| Posted on 21 June 2016 | Updated on 21 June 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Temptation (Rewritten, Again) by Fireworks
Heavily rewritten, again:
This story first appeared in The Silmarillion Writer's Guild's Akâllabeth in August.
Summary, from the Akâllabeth in August page:
Sauron has been taken prisoner by Pharazôn but nurtures an ever-growing influence. In the midst of a Númenor increasingly divided, a young Anárion works quietly after rebellion, discovering both love and betrayal in its midst.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Anárion, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General, Mystery, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 51, 650 |
| Posted on 2 December 2015 | Updated on 20 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hope For No Safety by Zdenka
Elwing's defiance at the Havens of Sirion.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 487 |
| Posted on 20 June 2016 | Updated on 20 June 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Theoretical Impossibility by Zdenka
The learned scholar Rúmil of Tirion meets a Hobbit and shares his opinion about Dwarves.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 503 |
| Posted on 20 June 2016 | Updated on 20 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
How Far Away by Zdenka
Fingon and Maedhros try to overcome what separates them, even death.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 675 |
| Posted on 18 June 2016 | Updated on 18 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Trust Not Blindly by Zdenka
Idril has a troubling encounter with her cousin Maeglin on the morning of her betrothal to Tuor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on 17 June 2016 | Updated on 17 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hammer and anvil by Nuredhel
Young Fëanor is working in his masters forge when he gets an unexpexted visitor, with a very naughty idea. Now how is he to prevent Mahtan from discovering that his daughter loved to play with the apprentice's...hammer.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 586 |
| Posted on 17 June 2016 | Updated on 17 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nox est Perpetua by Zdenka
Morgoth's victory approaches, but Arien will still choose her own fate. (Arien/Ungoliant)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 011 |
| Posted on 16 June 2016 | Updated on 16 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tale of the Phantom Ship by Zdenka
The women of Erendis's household tell each other stories on a rainy day. (Or, a tale from New England retold in Númenor.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erendis, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Het, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 097 |
| Posted on 14 June 2016 | Updated on 14 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Add Salt to the Sea by Zdenka
Míriel has always loved the Sea. After the Downfall of Númenor, the Lady of the Seas offers her refuge and comfort. (Tar-Míriel/Uinen)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Tar-Palantir, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 328 |
| Posted on 13 June 2016 | Updated on 13 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
River Calls Me Home by Zdenka
Bits of memory from Elrond's early childhood. (Double drabble.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 511 |
| Posted on 11 June 2016 | Updated on 11 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
