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
Jubilee
This January, for our annual amnesty challenge, any challenge from January 2017 onward is fair game. 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.
The Tallest Tower by Luxa
Fingon let himself look at his cousin, really look, for the first time in decades. He was strong and tall and proud and yet so different than the way he'd been all those things before. Different, and strange. Fingon felt as though he barely knew him anymore; but he wanted to.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 053 |
| Posted on 14 January 2014 | Updated on 14 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Seduction by Erulisse
A commissioned statue of Indis turns into much more in Nerdanel's studio. A story written to try a genre I've never written before - in this case, femmeslash.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 463 |
| Posted on 11 January 2014 | Updated on 11 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Assertion by Elleth
Lady Maedhris asserts her right to rule over Himring and leaves her cousin Fingwen quite awed. Written for Zeen for the 2013 edition of Fandom Stocking.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 568 |
| Posted on 10 January 2014 | Updated on 10 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Smear of Grey across the Sky by mangacrack
It was a wet and grey morning, on which Fëanáro had decided to surrender himself to the dull task of reviewing his students essays.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 046 |
| Posted on 9 January 2014 | Updated on 9 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Oceanside by Fadesintothewest
The story of how Fingon comes to learn that Maedhros does indeed return his feelings, though he has to go through some angst to get there. Maglor is there to sing his way through stories as he always does, but as is for Maglor, his story is the one we are left waiting for.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 844 |
| Posted on 9 January 2014 | Updated on 9 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Great Tales of Beleriand: Definitive Edition by Chilled in Hithlum
This story is inspired by the turning-point chapter (18. Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin) where so much happens and in which so much goes unexpanded. Of course prior to the occurences in this chapter much has already taken place, and there are allusions to past events as published in The Silmarillion and other works.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Script/Play/Screenplay | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 56, 092 |
| Posted on 26 December 2011 | Updated on 7 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Bloodstains by Aerlinniel
It had been via certain unknown methods that Melkor had created the Orcs during the first age within the pits of Utumno.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 477 |
| Posted on 7 January 2014 | Updated on 7 January 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Accidentals by Agelast
Maglor overhears something that he (perhaps) should not have.
(Written for the prompt - Fingon/Maedhros/Maglor/Maglor's Harp.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 140 |
| Posted on 7 January 2014 | Updated on 7 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Double inheritance by Dilly
Maedhros' double heritage... Drabble, english and french.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 73 |
| Posted on 7 January 2014 | Updated on 7 January 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gold, Silver and Lead by Agelast
A young Indis meets Míriel Serindë for the first time.
Written for dear Elleth in Lord of the Rings Secret Santa Exchange 2013. She asked for either friendship or femslash for the requested characters, with an element of hurt/comfort and a hopeful ending.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis, Ingwë, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 882 |
| Posted on 3 January 2014 | Updated on 3 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Cage of Light by Astris
During the transition to Gondolin, Aredhel finds she is not the only one with doubts. (Written for Elleth at the 2013 Yule Fic exchange)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 646 |
| Posted on 2 January 2014 | Updated on 2 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Daytracer by Dawn Felagund
After the Darkening of Valinor, the Aulendur struggle to find a way to bear aloft the final fruit and flower of the Two Trees. Nerdanel finds a unexpected ally in Arien, who helps her discover the secret knowledge that will return the world to light. Written for Wheelrider for the MPTT Yule Fic Exchange.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arien, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 839 |
| Posted on 2 January 2014 | Updated on 2 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Wreath in the Rapids by Elleth
After Niënor is gone from Doriath, Nellas cannot simply sit deedless. Written for Astris for the 2013 LotR SeSa challenge, for a request for a Nellas/Niënor fic. A sequel to Sweet Water and Gold.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Mablung, Nellas, Nienor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest, Suicide, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 090 |
| Posted on 1 January 2014 | Updated on 1 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Exile to Exile by Elleth
After the Darkening not nearly all past resentments are extinguished, and Nerdanel begins to receive comfort from an unexpected source – and give some in return. - A gift fic for Dawn Felagund's request for the 2013 MPTT Yule Exchange: A story set during the Time of the Trees or the First Age about friendship between two (or more!) women of the House of Finwë.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 249 |
| Posted on 1 January 2014 | Updated on 1 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Spirit of Fire by Caunedhiel
An insight into one doomed and forsaken in the void.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 237 |
| Posted on 1 January 2014 | Updated on 1 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Come Morning Light by Astris
Fingon pays a visit to Himring and the cousin he has not seen in several years--and finds Maedhros changed in more ways than one. (Fingon/Maedhros)
Written for Burning_Night at the lotr_sesa exchange.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 187 |
| Posted on 1 January 2014 | Updated on 1 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Memory and Spice by Himring
The Sindar have found out about the Kinslaying in Alqualonde and that Fingon was involved. Not a good time for Fingon, even though the Sindar have decided that he is less to blame than the Sons of Feanor--especially as Maedhros remains in the Marches and the cousins are communicating only by letter.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Círdan, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 383 |
| Posted on 1 January 2014 | Updated on 1 January 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Wandering Wind by bluedancingkittykat
Interactive story! Ránsûl is on her way to Doriath to train with the warriors there. This is a right of passage for the men in her village and this is her story on how she got there and survived: at the same time. or perhaps she didn't make it and died. Or perhaps...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 10, 890 |
| Posted on 30 December 2013 | Updated on 30 December 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
SA 1856 (i): Something Like Being a King by Ilye
A contrast of constants and motion. Glorfindel reflects on his homes, his lives and his king - oh, and on sex in unusual places.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 267 |
| Posted on 26 December 2013 | Updated on 26 December 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Moving Forward by StarSpray
A drabble series written for Tolkien Weekly's "Trees" challenge, centered around the beginning of the Second Age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Daeron, Elrond, Elros, Eärendil, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Lindir, Sauron, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 17, 910 |
| Posted on 14 December 2013 | Updated on 24 December 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Boys of Summer by Keiliss
This does not pretend to be the story of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. That is a vast tale of a battle to rival the Battle of the Somme in our own time, with all its moments of terror and heroism (plus dragons, balrogs, and the death of a king). This is just about Gildor, son of Lalwen, and Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower (which Gildor assures me sounds better in Quenya) and something of their experience during those six days of horror.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gildor, Glorfindel, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 906 |
| Posted on 21 December 2013 | Updated on 21 December 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Be Good and Be Warned by mangacrack
Instead of Morgoth, they released Míriel. It's only sightly less tragical.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 304 |
| Posted on 19 December 2013 | Updated on 19 December 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Halcyon Days by Himring
Fingon and Maedhros en route on their way to visit Hurin in Dor-lomin.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 651 |
| Posted on 18 December 2013 | Updated on 18 December 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Annatar's triumph by Dilly
Annatar thoughts after Celebrimbor's death. Ficlet, english and french.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 788 |
| Posted on 18 December 2013 | Updated on 18 December 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Return of the Balrog-Slayer by Tehta
So, how did Glorfindel of Gondolin make his (posthumous) way to Middle-earth in order to become Glorfindel of Rivendell? The relevant canon is full of uncertainties and contradictions.
I like to think it might have happened as follows...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 347 |
| Posted on 16 December 2013 | Updated on 16 December 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
