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
[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.
[Series] Pennas Pengolodh by AdmirableMonster
The majority of the Silmarillion was penned by a single Elf--an Elf who was so thoroughly written out as to appear only through the ways in which their perspective shaped the stories we see. This is their story, the historian's history, the Pennas Pengolodh.
[Writing] Havens by AdmirableMonster
The Exiles of Gondolin come to Sirion. The residents of Sirion welcome them, and friendship blossoms between the last remaining loremaster of Gondolin and a young poet of Sirion.
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] Hurting Tyelpë by elennalore
Sauron has taken Celebrimbor as a prisoner in Ost-in-Edhil. Whump happens.
[Writing] On a Night of Snow by Elleth
Fingon returns to Barad Eithel after a late-autumn hunt, finding someone unexpected with his wife. The night takes an even more unexpected turn for all three of them.
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
Holidays in Arda
Set a fanwork in a place that you would like to visit on Arda, whether a city, region, island, or body of water. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Varda delle Stelle, Anérea
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.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Of Ingwë Ingweron by heget
Of the history of the Elves at Cuiviénen and the development of the the three tribes, of the family of Elwë and the discovery of Oromë, of how Indis received her name and Ingwë earned his, and of the honor duel between Imin and Ingwë to decide the leadership of the Minyar and the future of the Eldar.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elu Thingol, Elves, Finwë, Imin, Indis, Ingwë, Oromë, Valar, Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 33, 575 |
| Posted on 3 October 2015 | Updated on 18 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Celebrían by Grundy
Celebrían is one of the legion of women in the legendarium whose status suggests she should play a more prominent role in the narrative than she does. This month's biography sifts through the many mentions of Celebrían in various sources to provide a picture of this important—if canonically neglected—woman.
Salmar-Noldorin by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Salmar appeared early in the legendarium in a muddled variety of roles only to disappear swiftly, known in the published text as the artificer of the horns of Ulmo, the Ulumúri.
Guileless Son by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Carphadril, Queen of the Evair, moves against the King and Queen of Doriath, a threat to her rule. She raises a son who - she hopes - will wed Luthien and claim the throne of the other great forest realm for her.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Maedhros's portrait by Varda delle Stelle
Here is a portrait of the Eldest son of Feanor, with his swords ready to try to protect his people and fufill his Oath
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Fates of Man by AdmirableMonster
Two natural philosophers struggle to warn the Faithful that the end of Númenor is approaching. But can sworn enemies find a way forward in the midst of the final tumult?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 451 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Written and Unwritten by Grundy
Young Feanor learns a lesson.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 482 |
| Posted on 15 April 2023 | Updated on 15 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by reindeer_pizza
Tyelkormo is the beloved daughter of Nerdanel and Fëanor. But what if she doesn't want to be a daughter?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Nerdanel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 601 |
| Posted on 14 April 2023 | Updated on 14 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Before the Storm by polutropos
As Elwing navigates uncertainties about identity, rulership, and her impending motherhood, a chance meeting with a reclusive woman of the Haladin leads to a relationship that will give her strength facing the challenges to come. [WiP. Rating based on chapter 1 but will change to Adult.]
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Evranin |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elwing/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Het | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 926 |
| Posted on 9 April 2023 | Updated on 9 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of The Fate of Eluréd and Elurín by cuarthol
The cruel servants of Celegorm seized [Dior's] young sons and left them to starve in the forest... and of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Eluréd, Elurín, Ents |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 963 |
| Posted on 9 April 2023 | Updated on 9 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Ulmo, Lord of Waters, Part 1 by Anérea
From the earliest version of the legendarium, Ulmo existed as the Lord of the Waters, although over the decades his character would evolve to fit the changing tone of the "Silmarillion." Part One of his biography considers his domain, his relationships with the other Ainur, and the symbolic significance of the watery element in Tolkien's work.
Divine Things Well Envelop'd by StarSpray
Legolas and Gimli pass through Fangorn Forest, and it isn't as bad as Gimli had expected.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Gimli, Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: Gimli & Legolas |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 923 |
| Posted on 3 April 2023 | Updated on 3 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Rise before sunset by firstamazon
A disabled young man is approached by a mysterious stranger. A triple drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character, Sauron & Witch-king of Angmar |
| Genres: Drama, Suspense | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 602 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 3 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Part 06: Here in Our Frailty by Eilinel's Ghost
“Let us not perish here in the long darkness,” Balan said softly, crossing back to take one of the waiting wreaths and set it upon his own brow, “these creatures you chose to form. Remember us, here in our frailty.”
It is Yuletide. The Atani and Finrod celebrate throughout the night as they stay awake to greet the dawn after the Longest Night. Balan's people settle into Estolad, Atani traditions abound, and Finrod faces some memories.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 672 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Many Paths to Tread by Arveldis
Frodo had always been meant to leave the Shire.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Frodo, Merry |
| Major Relationships: Frodo Baggins & Merry |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 210 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drabbles and one-shots by firstamazon
Drabbles and one-shots written for instadrabbling sessions on the SWG Discord server.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Fëanor, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Morwen, Orcs, Rúmil (Lothlórien), Sauron, Túrin, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 21 May 2021 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
What the Water Gave Me by Rocky41_7
Finduilas had never thought she had been saved for a reason, until she found the woman in the river.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Drama, Femslash, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 27, 390 |
| Posted on 3 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Éowyn - warrior & healer by daughterofshadows
Éowyn refuses to be a foot note in the history of men.
| Canon Source: Jackson Lord of the Rings (films), Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 408 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Awesome Ladies by daughterofshadows
4 women, 4 story cycles, 400 words each.
Snapshots from the lives of four incredible women in Tolkien.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Belladonna Took Baggins, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 641 |
| Posted on 30 March 2023 | Updated on 30 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
Cry the color of love by firstamazon
Míriel Þerindë was one of a kind.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 208 |
| Posted on 28 March 2023 | Updated on 28 March 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
A Promise of the Sun by cuarthol
The roles of youth and age trade places.
Finduilas may be one of the few among the Eldar of Nargothrond who can understand the changes which age brings to Bëor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: Bëor & Finduilas |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 874 |
| Posted on 26 March 2023 | Updated on 26 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Who Gets to Say? Canon and Authority by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that, when considering who has the authority to define that ever-elusive concept of canon in the Tolkien fandom, fanfiction authors navigate this question in various ways.
For One Year, One Day, of the Flame by cuarthol
Andreth prepares for the approach of midwinter, while Aegnor seeks to right a choice from long ago, before it is too late.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 775 |
| Posted on 24 March 2023 | Updated on 24 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
With Radiant Garland by Rocky41_7
Beautiful hair is considered a desirable trait among Elves, whether on the head--or elsewhere.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel/Lúthien |
| Genres: Erotica, Femslash, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 423 |
| Posted on 22 February 2023 | Updated on 21 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aerin |
| Major Relationships: Aerin + Brodda |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 19 March 2023 | Updated on 19 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
