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] 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.
[Reference] 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.
[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
Major Arcana
Select a Tarot card and use any aspect of the card or its description to inspire your fanwork. 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.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
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.
Teitho November/December Contest: Healing
The theme for Teitho's November/December contest is healing.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Don't forget the Light by chrissystriped
Sharû is an orc, a soldier of Morgoth, and he should feel nothing but hatred and contempt for elves. But there are his parents who teach him differently, (his brother who looks like an elf), and there's also his superior who has sympathy for the slaves.
When the Valar come to fight, he helps to free the slaves instead of killing them, the deed earning him and his men a place in Aman.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 18 August 2022 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Meeting the Past by chrissystriped
Mablung is back in Aman and both Ecthelion and Sharû have things to apologise for. Glorfindel, who was asked by Ecthelion to approach Mablung about it, is there to wittness their conversation.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 878 |
| Posted on 25 October 2020 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Boy in the Snow by chrissystriped
Melkor, imprisoned in Aman and frustrated, calms his emotions with as snowstorm. Afterwards he realises there was an elf caught in it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| Posted on 16 August 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hunting the Hunter by chrissystriped
Beleg and Mablung only meant to hunt for food, but they find something in the forest that leads them on the trail of a more dangerous quarry.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Mablung |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 987 |
| Posted on 24 December 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gil-galad, son of... by chrissystriped
Kashnai died when she tried to bring her son to safety. Now she is reborn and her greatest wish is to see him again.
Ereinion has wished for all his life to be able to meet his mother, but given that she was an orc, he hadn't thought it would ever be possible.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Gil-galad, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 177 |
| Posted on 24 September 2022 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Joining of Two Families by chrissystriped
Shai is the first orc to be reborn and Sharû is overjoyed to have his mother back. When Shai hears that her husband can't be reborn because both she and Arasiel, his wife from when he was an elf, are alive, she is not prepared to accept that. Shai and Arasiel team up to get their husband back, coming closer to each other in the process.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Ecthelion/Original Character, Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 15, 381 |
| Posted on 11 April 2021 | Updated on 3 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Before the Darkness by chrissystriped
Mablung has a crush on Glorfindel, so he is quite happy (although baffled) when the older elf seeks him out. Everything could be perfect, if Glorfindel weren't so conscious of his age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Original Character |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 16, 174 |
| Posted on 6 July 2019 | Updated on 3 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Restore and Rebuild by polutropos
Instadrabbles for the August-September 2022 SWG Challenge, Restoration and Rebuilding.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dior, Elros, Maglor, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Elros & Maglor, Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 303 |
| Posted on 26 August 2022 | Updated on 2 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Tinfang Warble by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tinfang Warble is a character who fits best in the early, whimsical fairy-story mode of the Lost Tales before receding to a figure of folklore and legend and finally disappearing altogether.
The Emperor's Goodbye by Himring
Before his death, Elros has a near-death experience.
Featuring Numenorean bears, just because.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 533 |
| Posted on 1 October 2022 | Updated on 1 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Trinkets by Independence1776
A collection of unrelated drabbles and ficlets too short to post on their own. Each story has a separate rating and all are under a thousand words.
Newest story: Chapter 48: Aulë, Finarfin, and Maglor's ignored return to Aman. Crackfic. Rated General. Ficlet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrían, Elenwë, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Indis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienna, Oromë, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Horror, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Competition, International Day of Femslash, Middle-earth Olympics, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 48 | Word Count: 12, 113 |
| Posted on 5 July 2013 | Updated on 30 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (99) |
My Greatest Joy and Deepest Sorrow by Rocky41_7
A brief history of one of the more noteworthy relationships of Noldor history.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Classical, Pop, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Lúcë (Enchantment) by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they silently stared at each other for two hundred years. What actually happened between them during that time? And why could no one find them?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Elves, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Willow by Anérea, Narya
A willow-spirit: some places she went and the people she met.
Story by Narya, painting by Anérea.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elrond, Farmer Maggot, Finrod Felagund, Goldberry, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
inundated with the fated thought of you by hanneswrites
Nerdanel finds love in the wake of her grief and slowly but surely builds a new life for herself.
Set Many Years Post-Flight of the Noldor, Nerdanel/OMC, Romance and hurt/comfort with a good bit of family bonding and female friendships.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Indis & Nerdanel, Nerdanel/Original Character, Nerdanel & Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 171 |
| Posted on 22 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
of roots and where they lie by hanneswrites
Thranduil catches the eye of Melian during his youth in Doriath and she takes him on as one of her apprentices. Over time, he learns both how to control his innate magical potential and the cost of protecting those you care about. Genfic with Magic!Thranduil, focus on Thranduil & Melian and Thranduil & Legolas.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Melian, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Melian & Thranduil |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 915 |
| Posted on 22 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Carved in Bone by Maggie Honeybite
Elenwë tries to protect her daughter. A story about the connection between mothers and daughters which neither time nor distance (or death) can erase.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Idril |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 261 |
| Posted on 24 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Aching Wings by Narya
Of Yavanna, Melian, birdsong, and birds.
Written for TRSB22, for Grundy's wonderful moodboard.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Melian, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Melian & Yavanna |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 203 |
| Posted on 24 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Who Are We? Tolkien Fanfiction and Demographics by Dawn Walls-Thumma
When you picture a Tolkien fanfiction writer, who comes to mind? The Tolkien Fanfiction Surveys of 2015 and 2020 provide insight on who is present in the fandom and which fans are missing.
Through the Snowy Wood by StarSpray
Thranduil, Oropher, and Elwing have escaped Menegroth and must make their way through the forests of Doriath.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 199 |
| Posted on 22 September 2022 | Updated on 22 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After the Fall by Lferion
The aftermath of the Fall of Numenor, from two different shores and three perspectives. Three drabbles.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Littleheart |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 307 |
| Posted on 14 September 2022 | Updated on 22 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Her Gift to the Secondborn by Ellynn
In the ancient time before the Children of Iluvatar and all other beings of Arda woke up, Yavanna thinks about men and their vulnerability, and uses her power to help them – even if only in an indirect way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 875 |
| Posted on 21 September 2022 | Updated on 21 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
There in the Fragrant Pines by Maggie Honeybite
A story about the two times that Bëor called Finrod “lad” and one time he didn’t. Or, after the angst of the Helcaraxë, Finrod finds some love and happiness at last. A sequel to Same Shade of Gold. But also stands alone.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Adventure, Erotica, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 518 |
| Posted on 14 September 2022 | Updated on 15 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Left On the Hither Side of Death by kimikocha
In the wake of Elessar's passing, Arwen encounters a child in the fading woods of Lórien who is much older than she seems.
[Written for TRSB 2022, Art #9: Seeking a Favor]
| Canon Source: Jackson Lord of the Rings (films), Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Arwen |
| Major Relationships: Arwen & Original Character |
| Genres: Experimental, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 240 |
| Posted on 14 September 2022 | Updated on 15 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
What Your Life Is by StarSpray
"Surely not." At the sound of his voice the great shaggy shape stirred, and turned its head. Behind him Asar called out, asking a question, but Maglor barely heard him. He fell to his knees in the wet sand, staring into eyes that gleamed with ancient Treelight and even older starlight. Then his face was being licked clean of tears by a giant tongue, and he was both laughing and crying as he flung his arms around the dog's shoulders, burying his face in wet fur, hardly caring that it was still crusted with sand that scraped against his cheeks. "Huan, what are you doing here?"
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Elladan, Elrohir, Huan, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 20, 025 |
| Posted on 14 September 2022 | Updated on 14 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
