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
[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.
[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...
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[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
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.
Running by Elleth
A collection of scenes about Mithrellas and Nimrodel that did not make it into Searching and Searching, from their life in Lothlorien and their separation to finding each other again.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 186 |
| Posted on 20 September 2014 | Updated on 20 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Writhen Pool by pandemonium_213
When the Istyari of Second Age Ost-in-Edhil deny her a place in an important new initiative to be taken up by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, a young master smith struggles to make her mark in the man's realm of the forges. An opportunity arrives when the smith is offered a commission that will present challenges of both mind and heart.
Pandë!verse-centric.
Rated Adult. Specific advisories will be posted per chapter as needed.
Two — count 'em, two — new chapters posted!
Chapter 10, In the Bright Light of Morning
Summary: The morning after arriving in Ost-in-Edhil, Elrond and Erestor each suffer from the aches and pains of the long road from Mithlond as well as from other sources.
Chapter 11, The Path's Heart
Summary: Elrond finds a nearly comatose Mélamírë in dire straits. She resists his attempts to reach her through sanwe-latya, until, with her permission, he gives her a bitter medicine that allows them to share a dream, called the lugnolossê by an ancient shaman of the Unbegotten.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Dwarves, Elrond, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 58, 859 |
| Posted on 18 April 2013 | Updated on 20 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (118) |
Colors of the Sky by Astris
Eilinel knows how to spin color into cloth, and she knows who she loves. (It might take her some time to admit it, though.) Written at the I Need My Fics 2014 exchange for Elleth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eilinel, Glóredhel, Gorlim |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 041 |
| Posted on 19 September 2014 | Updated on 19 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Searching and Searching by Elleth
Both Nimrodel and Mithrellas are said in myth to have vanished without a trace, but that is not all there is to their story. Written for Astris at I Need My Fics 2014.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amroth, Imrazor, Mithrellas, Nimrodel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 726 |
| Posted on 15 September 2014 | Updated on 15 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Untrodden Path by Cirth
In the Years of the Trees, an adolescent Finrod feels an inexplicable pull towards his singular cousin, Maglor, and learns a bit more about himself.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 8, 338 |
| Posted on 21 July 2014 | Updated on 9 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Getting to Know Him by oshun
Request from Winterwitch: “ . . . something about Maedhros and Elrond would be lovely, perhaps of the time when one of the two discovers his respect, admiration, or even fondness of the other. Or Maglor and Elrond in the same situation.”
This is young Elrond's POV in the first hours after Maedhros and Maglor take him and his brother with them from the Havens of Sirion.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ankle Biters, Family Matters, First Meetings, From Evil Comes Good, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 736 |
| Posted on 6 September 2014 | Updated on 6 September 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril, Nienna, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 659 |
| Posted on 6 September 2014 | Updated on 6 September 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Nerdanel and the doll by Valentis
A very old Nerdanel looks back on her life from childhood to the present and reflects on her art and personal life while remembering her first work.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 329 |
| Posted on 5 September 2014 | Updated on 5 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Sea Is Calling by Lingwiloke
A reborn Telerin mariner contemplates sea-longing.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 528 |
| Posted on 1 September 2014 | Updated on 1 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Winged Voices: Birds of Middle-earth by Himring
Drabble sequence written for bird prompts: various kinds of cross-overs between the Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings and/or The Hobbit.
1) Swan: Galadriel & Celeborn; 2) Thrush: Celegorm, Caranthir, Bard; 3) Raven: Caranthir, Dain; 4) Nightingale: Arwen, Daeron; 5) Eagle: Landroval, Meneldor.
The birds get their own say in some, but not all of the drabbles.
Plus: "In Neldoreth, in Spring": Galadriel & Celeborn and a nightingale
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celeborn, Celegorm, Daeron, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 614 |
| Posted on 31 August 2014 | Updated on 31 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Last Prince: Musings on Finarfin by avanti_90
A character of few words may yet have great significance. An essay on Finarfin, the third son of Finwë and later King of the Noldor, and what he means to the story of the Silmarillion.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 481 |
| Posted on 29 August 2014 | Updated on 29 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Nemo me impune lacessit by Agelast
No one cuts me with impunity.
The Finrod/Curufin Cask of Amontillado AU that no one asked for.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 049 |
| Posted on 27 August 2014 | Updated on 27 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Breakfast Club by Saelind
The morning after the Mereth Aderthad, Fingolfin enjoys a quiet moment with Aredhel.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin |
| 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: 2, 452 |
| Posted on 26 August 2014 | Updated on 26 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Joy as Sharp as a Sword by oshun
Fingon and Maedhros travel to visit Finrod in Nargothrond with a weighty purpose. Finished! It might be one of the more self-indulgent stories I have written, but I hope entertaining. [And the usual thanks to Ignoble Bard for reading and concrit.]
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Edrahil, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Noldor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: Love Conquers All |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 882 |
| Posted on 10 August 2014 | Updated on 25 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Trees of Numenor by Himring
A sequence of eight drabbles spanning the history of Numenor, with a particular focus on the period of Aldarion.
Now added: an extra drabble on Amandil for the Akallabeth in August challenge
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Almarian, Ar-Pharazôn, Elros, Erendis, Gil-galad, Isildur, Tar-Aldarion, Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Míriel, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Suicide, Character Death |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 856 |
| Posted on 14 December 2013 | Updated on 25 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Délivrance by Dilly
Maedhros enchaîné attend sa délivrance... (drabble)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 435 |
| Posted on 22 August 2014 | Updated on 22 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Vengeance From the Void by Alcarin
Sentenced into the Void for eternity, Melkor now plots his final revenge against the Valar. And as time counts towards the prophesied End, Melkor enters into one last alliance with an ancient entity: a self-serving ally in the distant past ... and an old enemy.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 364 |
| Posted on 18 August 2014 | Updated on 18 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
It was Enough by Fadesintothewest
Who was Fingon's wife? How does that mesh up with a Maedhros/Fingon narrative. This is one attempt.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 348 |
| Posted on 18 August 2014 | Updated on 18 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
The Secret Life Of The Forest by Agelast
A fairy tale beginning.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 914 |
| Posted on 17 August 2014 | Updated on 17 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
On Not Leaving Gondolin by Himring
Two extremely different takes on Turgon's refusal to leave Gondolin.
Now added: another crack fic, this time also featuring Tuor!
(i) The Open Door The Dead Walked In (elegy)
(ii) The Turgon Dilemma (crack fic)
(iii) On Not Leaving Gondolin (again) (crack fic)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 20 August 2012 | Updated on 9 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Elopement by Elleth
Eärwen and Anairë have long been pining for one another, but when they make an impromptu journey to Tol Eressëa to escape the fraught political climate of Tirion, their relationship takes a different turn.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 151 |
| Posted on 9 August 2014 | Updated on 9 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Voice of Rage and Ruin by IgnobleBard
A slashy AU horror story set in the Fourth Age. Maglor is living in a small settlement in the woods when a set of mysterious murders threatens to expose his secrets.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Horror, Mystery, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 680 |
| Posted on 6 August 2014 | Updated on 6 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Used to Weather and Wind by Gwenniel
Driven by boredom and a will to show their worth, Amrod and Amras, the young lords of Estolad decide to take matters into their own hands, best as they can, while the Long Peace still lasts.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 11, 728 |
| Posted on 5 August 2014 | Updated on 5 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Our Old Shipwrecked Days by Agelast
Elrond is swept away by a new acquaintance, Glorfindel gets a new lease on life, and Erestor just wants everyone not to die. Written for Lynndyre, Ardor in August 2014.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Elrond, Erestor, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 9, 108 |
| Posted on 3 August 2014 | Updated on 3 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Work of Wings by Elleth
While the War of the Elves and Sauron rages in Middle-earth, Finduilas welcomes Elwing on Tol Eressëa to let her seek out news about her son. Neither woman expected to have her feelings thrown into turmoil by the visit. Written for Calima at AinA 2014.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 924 |
| Posted on 3 August 2014 | Updated on 3 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
