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.
He'll Knock Next Time by Grundy
Turgon interrupted something. Drabble written for the Dear Irmo challenge, inspired by the "Now You've Spoiled the Cheese ..." prompt.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 9 October 2021 | Updated on 9 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Finwean Ladies Week 2021 by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Loosely connected Finwean Ladies Week snippets written for the prompts.
Chapter One: Indis & Miriel (mostly Indis conflicting with Feanaro, mention of Findis, small Lalwen and Nolofinwe)
Chapter Two: Findis & Lalwen (Findis protesting Lalwen's desire to follow their brothers into Exile.)
Chapter Three: Artanis & Irisse (Galadriel and Aredhel on the Helcaraxe. Fingon being a teasing brother, mention of Finrod)
Chapter Four:
Chapter Five:
Chapter Six:
Chapter Seven:
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elves, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Child Abuse, In-Universe Intolerance, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 914 |
| Posted on 7 October 2021 | Updated on 7 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Out of Hopeful Green Stuff Woven by StarSpray
Findis waits for Lalwen outside of Mandos
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Findis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Findis & Lalwen |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 850 |
| Posted on 5 October 2021 | Updated on 5 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thranduil's Shadow by Mimi Lind
Young Thranduil rushes into a relationship that divides his family, and a series of tragic events turns him cold and reserved. To find happiness and love he must deal with his shadows, but how can he ever become free of his father?
This is a story of how Thranduil met Legolas’ mother, and also a recount of parts of the Silmarillion from his perspective.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Amroth, Beleg, Beren, Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Oropher, Thranduil, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 682 |
| Posted on 14 February 2021 | Updated on 5 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Meeting by Starlight by StarSpray
Miriel comes to see Indis one evening.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 521 |
| Posted on 4 October 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on 3 October 2021 | Updated on 3 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Quietus by UnnamedElement
Chroniclers will claim--above all else--that Maeglin left Nan Elmoth for desire of lordship alone. While we all know how the story ends, before that there was more: a mother and her son and a dark dark wood; three lives and three deaths, and the dazzling sunlight in between. This story is a portrait of the why behind the flight: family violence and a woman under siege, a child grown to adulthood in lonely darkness, learning to fight with only the tools provided him. It is a tale of childhood nightmares maturing into something more--manipulated by heart-darkened fathers and gently used by desperate mothers--until living becomes surviving and reality is a dream...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Eöl, Aredhel & Eöl & Maeglin, Aredhel & Maeglin, Eöl & Maeglin |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 15, 583 |
| Posted on 24 September 2021 | Updated on 1 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
No Fit Place by Independence1776
Instead of dying, Maedhros is captured by Sauron.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eluréd, Elurín, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 150 |
| Posted on 26 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty by Gadira
The History of the Downfall, from Ar Sakalthôr's accession to Ar Pharazôn's Armada. EPILOGUE: In Middle-earth, life begins anew, and hope lies hidden in the most unlikely places. Story now complete.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Amandil, Ar-Gimilzór, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Isildur, Tar-Míriel, Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: Ar-Pharazôn/Tar-Míriel, Original Character/Original Character, Amandil & Ar-Pharazôn, Anárion & Isildur, Isildur/Tal-Elmar, Amandil & Númendil, Amandil & Elendil, Amandil & Original Character, Ar-Pharazôn & Original Character, Ar-Gimilzôr & Tar-Palantir, Ar-Pharazôn & Sauron |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Horror, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Character Death, Expletive Language, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Incest, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 159 | Word Count: 1, 003, 532 |
| Posted on 6 June 2007 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
This is just to say… by Himring
A letter to the author, by a writer of fan fiction.
That is, to Tolkien.
Written for a prompt of the "Dear Irmo" challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 469 |
| Posted on 25 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Swan-ship by heget
Their Falmari companion tells of the arrival of Eärendil's ship, Vingilot, to Alqualondë.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 451 |
| Posted on 26 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Uinen by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over the course of Tolkien's development of the legendarium, Uinen evolved from a morally murky nature deity to a protector of Arda's mariners.
Threads of Time by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Young Elwing seeks her Aunt Galadriel's reassurance after a disappointing judgement on her threadwork at the Arvernien Summer Faire.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Galadriel |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 590 |
| Posted on 21 September 2021 | Updated on 21 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Winds of Wrath by StarSpray
But as Eluréd and Elurín made their way south along the sunny coast of Lindon the heat had settled in, like a heavy blanket over the land that even the sea breezes could not abate. It brought with it scattered rain showers, the occasional rumble of thunder, and an oppressive feeling.e
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 303 |
| Posted on 19 September 2021 | Updated on 19 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To Give and Receive by Narya
A prince, his butler, and a pair of unexpected gifts.
A fluffy ficlet written in response to the 'Dear Irmo' challenge at the Silmarillion Writer's Guild.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 682 |
| Posted on 19 September 2021 | Updated on 19 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Why Steel Points North by Anne Wolfe
Long ago, before any of the elves awoke, there were two great lamps: one silver, named Illuin, and one gold, named Ormal.
The story of how magnets came to be.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 429 |
| Posted on 16 September 2021 | Updated on 16 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Hidden, Healing, Shaped to Touch by Lferion
During the long, strange years After the Sun, Nerdanel made sculptures. Not statues, not the likenesses she was known for, but abstract pieces intended to be touched as much as seen.
A 5 drabble sequence
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel, Faniel & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Kink |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on 10 September 2021 | Updated on 15 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren & Dior |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 802 |
| Posted on 12 September 2021 | Updated on 15 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Women of Troy by heget
The story repeats and yet doesn't, over and over with the aftermath of each battle.
Fingon strips Dor-lomin of men for his grand assault on Angband - only the women and children and defenseless are left behind.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Meril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 274 |
| Posted on 11 September 2021 | Updated on 11 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 256 |
| Posted on 10 September 2021 | Updated on 10 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Loyalty by Melesta
Írissë and Findekáno have always been close and understand each other well, and not only for the love they share for certain Fëanorian cousins.
How does this sibling love evolve between Aredhel and Fingon in Beleriand? What stands behind some crucial decisions for the White Lady of the Noldor?
A few heart-to-heart conversations between these two valiant Nolofinweans. And then some. Aredhel's POV.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon, Aredhel + Celegorm |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 2, 014 |
| Posted on 27 May 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Complete by Melesta
Turukáno has come of age and discovers a bond deeper than friendship between his brother Findekáno and their cousin Maitimo. How does this impact his own life?
How does Turgon come to see the bond between Fingon and Maedhros? What does it have to do with his decisions in Beleriand, in Gondolin, and later back in Valinor? Can he cope with and forgive everything that has happened?
An attempt to explore the complex psychology of Turgon through the ages, from his own POV.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 857 |
| Posted on 26 May 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Day of leisure at the riverside by Aprilertuile
As they reach safer ground, Elrond and Maglor find a river, and decide to stop there for the rest of the day.
A day of peace, and of conversations. Also of conversations strategically avoided.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 297 |
| Posted on 9 September 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Walk and talk under the stars by Aprilertuile
The area being unstable, Maglor and Elrond decide to keep walking during the night.
Conversation happens.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 660 |
| Posted on 9 September 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fellow Students by Himring
Galdor has been sponsored by Fingolfin to go and study on Taniquetil.
It is here that he first meets Elenwe and becomes devoted to her.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Galdor of the Tree |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Galdor of the Tree |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 466 |
| Posted on 8 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
