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
Caprice and Chance
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are loosely based on the plot arcs and tropes of romance novels. 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.
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.
Prehistory of the Eldar by Lyra
Before the Elves came to Aman, they spent centuries in the dark lands of Middle-earth, but there are few stories from these days. This series collects artwork and stories that attempt to close that gap in the history of the Eldar.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 17 July 2022 | Updated on 17 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Prehistory of the Eldar by Lyra
A collection of illustrations about Elves in their pre-Aman days.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elves, Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Illustration |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2016, Love Actually |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 July 2022 | Updated on 17 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Illegal Noldorin Immigrants by Himring
On Mount Olympus, Zeus receives a puzzling report about unusual activities among the Amazons.
His female relatives appear to know more about these than they let on.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Eldalótë, Elenwë, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 614 |
| Posted on 2 July 2022 | Updated on 16 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
Review of "The Great Tales Never End: Essays in Memory of Christopher Tolkien" by Grundy
The Great Tales Never End: Essays in Memory of Christopher Tolkien is a collection that pays homage not only to the extraordinary achievement of Christopher Tolkien's work on the legendarium but that acknowledges him as a person and scholar whose impact ranged beyond the borders of Middle-earth.
Party Hangovers in Hobbiton by MirienSilowende
Hobbits flock to The Green Dragon to try and decipher the meaning of Bilbo's speech and work out if he was insulting them, or complimenting them.
This is a fic for the Zinger! challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s), Bilbo Baggins |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 604 |
| Posted on 15 July 2022 | Updated on 15 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
The Last Frost Fair by Narya
In 1814 Maglor walks the frozen river Thames, observing and reflecting.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 097 |
| Posted on 15 July 2022 | Updated on 15 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Us Two by Grundy
"Dior was slain also, and Nimloth his wife, and the cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons and left them to starve in the forest."
Maedhros was not the first to look for the missing twins. Nor did he ever learn that they had been found.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Eluréd, Elurín, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Child Abuse, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 247 |
| Posted on 26 March 2017 | Updated on 13 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
The Light of Other Stars by Grundy
Not many elves travel in deep space. Most stay close to home. Elnor is an exception.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 519 |
| Posted on 16 February 2020 | Updated on 13 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Everything In Order by Grundy
I've said many times that nearly everything I write is in the same continuity. So here's an attempt at collecting it all in order. (Still a work in progress at this point...trying out link collections to see if this is the way to go, or if it would make more sense to just start a new story and plunk it all there.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 13 July 2022 | Updated on 13 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Maudits silmarils, livre 2 by Dilly
À Gondolin, pendant que ses chevaliers parcourent le monde, Turgon déprime... Une parodie crack du Silmarillion façon Kaamelott et Sacré Graal. Suite du livre I. Nouveau chapitre : L'absence.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Elenwë, Fingolfin, Fingon, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Meleth (Elf), Men, Meril, Noldor, Orodreth, Penlod, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 22 | Word Count: 60, 429 |
| Posted on 12 January 2016 | Updated on 10 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bloody silmarils, book I by Dilly
In Gondolin, Turgon is depressed... A comedy and parody of the Silmarillion with a lot of characters and chapters. Chapter 20: Fear.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Elenwë, Elves, Fingolfin, Fingon, Glorfindel, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor, Men, Noldor, Orodreth, Penlod, Rog, Sindar, Thorondor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon, Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon & Turgon, Fingolfin & Fingon |
| Genres: General, Het, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 23, 889 |
| Posted on 27 March 2015 | Updated on 10 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Gladden Fields by Himring
Photo of yellow iris with an inset photo of yellow water lilies.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Photography |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 10 July 2022 | Updated on 10 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Tapestries and Fate by ArizonaPoppy
Finrod visits Andreth at her museum, where she works as a conservationist.
A museum/magical realism AU retelling of the Athrabeth for the "Also Appearing" Monthly Challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod, Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Ficlet | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 577 |
| Posted on 7 July 2022 | Updated on 9 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Hier, mit dir im Dämmerlicht by daughterofshadows
Sometimes life creates the most beautiful symmetries.
Or two times, Túrin and Beleg sat together during a blackout.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Túrin |
| Genres: Fluff, General, Science Fiction | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 860 |
| Posted on 8 July 2022 | Updated on 8 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Family Heirlooms by grey_gazania
A collection of stories about Elrond\'s childhood with the Sons of Fëanor, and its impact on his later life.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Celebrían, Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Little Drop of Poison by grey_gazania
Maedhros is injured, and Elrond discovers his talent for healing.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: grey spaces).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 339 |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Miracle of Infectiousness by kimikocha
It's supposed to be impossible for the Ainur to get sick, but Mairon has always been exceptional.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Crackfic, Fluff, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 577 |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tolkien Fanworks Scholarship Bibliography by Dawn Felagund
This collection includes links to online open-access scholarship about Tolkien-based fanworks.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Reference Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 11 June 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Aurë Entuluva by StarSpray
Gil-galad comes face to face with Sauron.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 293 |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sawdust by StarSpray
Findis watches, entranced, as he takes up his tools and begins a new carving, taking a shapeless lump of wood and turning it into a leaping hound before her eyes.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Findis, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: Findis & Finwe |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 559 |
| Posted on 4 July 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Calls from the other end of the galaxy by daughterofshadows
Sometimes you just need a little help with a code from the author, even if you've been working with it for decades. If only they would answer their dang phone!
So, instead Maeglin calls an old friend, hears an amusing anecdote and passes on a message.
It's all in a day's work.
Except for the autopilot. That took a lot longer.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Maeglin |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 601 |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 6 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
So It Is Said by StarSpray
Elros befriends some gulls
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 364 |
| Posted on 5 July 2022 | Updated on 5 July 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Walking in the Woods by daughterofshadows
Welcome to Eryn Lasgalen, the only space station with trees.
Yes, you heard that right. Actual, real life, full-sized trees.
Not the tiny shrubs they have over on Balar.
They may not quite reach the glory of the forests of old Doriath (before it all burned, of course), but what truly can?
Join Thranduil's spouse Alcarinna for a walk in the woods as she contemplates the past, meet Oropher and his husband, Ethuilass, newly returned from their diplomatic mission and despair with Legolas' older brother, Beriathal, and Tauriel over younger siblings who cannot stay in the same spot for longer than a minute, dammit!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s), Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 135 |
| Posted on 4 July 2022 | Updated on 4 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Not Too Far by grey_gazania
Celebrimbor has a conversation with his cousin and ponders the future of his estranged father and uncles.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: family). Part of my Woman King AU.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Gil-galad |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 783 |
| Posted on 4 July 2022 | Updated on 4 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A long ripple of notes by Himring
Before the Fall of Eregion, a minstrel who once was taught by Maglor is asked to revive a performance of his songs in the Hall of the Jewel-smiths in the presence of Celebrimbor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Gwaith-i-Mírdain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 901 |
| Posted on 1 July 2022 | Updated on 1 July 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
