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] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[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...
At the end of the First Age, Sauron makes a choice.
[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.
[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
B2MeM 2010
Back to Middle-earth Month 2010 was a collaborative game-style challenge where participants created fanworks in order to progress in their attempt to win the Last Battle. 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.
Name Calling: Group Identity and the Other among First Age Elves by Angelica
As the names used by the early Elves to identify themselves and others evolved according the essay Quendi and Eldar (HoMe 11), relationships between the different cultures are revealed.
How to Review by JunoMagic
This comprehensive essay discusses how to write balanced and effective fiction critiques with a special emphasis on Tolkien fan fiction.
in your very own symphony by kimaracretak
"You should be flattered," Thuringwethil counters, "To know that for you alone I would change my skin."
Aredhel scoffs. "Steal another's skin, more like."
(Be careful what you hunt. Or don't.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 466 |
| Posted on 23 February 2021 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Exile, Wyrd and the Anglo-Saxon Warrior Ideal in The Wanderer and Tolkien's Quenta Silmarillion by Esteliel
As a professor of Anglo-Saxon, Tolkien's stories are undeniably influenced by the literature of this early people. This essay considers how exile, fate, the warrior ideal, and masculinity in the Quenta Silmarillion were influenced by the Anglo-Saxon poem The Wanderer.
Chronology of the Silmarillion by clotho123
A compilation of Tolkien's various timelines from the First Age and earlier that presents dates for important events from The Silmarillion.
Tyrannosaurus by hennethgalad
Gandalf tells Bilbo Baggins of a time when he was still called Olórin.
Oromë struggles to court Vána.
""As yet no flower had bloomed nor any bird had sung, for these things waited still their time in the bosom of Yavanna; but wealth there was of her imagining, and nowhere more rich than in the midmost parts of the Earth, where the light of both the Lamps met and blended. And there upon the isle of Almaren in the Great Lake was the first dwelling of the Valar when all things were young, and new-made Green was yet a marvel in the eyes of the makers; and they were long content."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ainur, Aulë, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Manwë, Oromë, Tilion, Vána, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 777 |
| Posted on 23 February 2021 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Summer's End by oshun
New Chapter: The Wild Hunt (Chapter 9)
For the Noldor, the personal is always political. This story has humor, conflict, scandal, and a crazy mixture of discord and affection, which characterize the Finweans as I write them. This story is set shortly before the founding of Nevrast, before the Mereth Aderthad.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin, Fingon, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 28, 084 |
| Posted on 4 September 2013 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
As Stars From the Earth by StarSpray
"...and there in the forest of Neldoreth Lúthien was born, and the white flowers of niphredil came forth to greet her as stars from the earth.”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 292 |
| Posted on 20 February 2021 | Updated on 20 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In the Forest: Night by Lferion
Celegorm, Returned, faces a challenge. A double-drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Oromë, Vána |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eärendil on Taniquetil by Lferion
Eärendil, waiting for the answer of the Valar to his plea. A triple drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 301 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winds of Change by Lferion
Anairë, Nerdanel, and Faniel are visited by Ëonwë's sisters, the Winds of Sunset, Midnight, and Dawn.
Four drabbles.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 406 |
| Posted on 1 February 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mystery of the Vanishing Elf by AdmirableMonster
An essay on the subject of where the hell Beleg Cúthalion gets to in the second half of The Children of Húrin. He may be dead, but why is even his memory conspicuously absent?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Glaurung, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 575 |
| Posted on 25 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Aurora: Seeking the Northern Sky by Lferion
Fingon, returned, has more questions than answers, and travels north to find what answers he can for himself.
A drabble sequence
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 617 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Color of Hope by Grundy
Things are grim on the Helcaraxë. Fingon and Aredhel get an unexpected surprise.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 637 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Midwinter 2020 Image Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the SWG Discord server sessions on 9 January 2021.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Círdan, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 500 |
| Posted on 11 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When the sun rises (Naturalists Guide to Middle Earth Challenge) by Tethys Resort
After the Halls, Pilihel looks for home. A story from the rising of the Sun and Moon.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nienna, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 670 |
| Posted on 14 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sorrow and Joy by Nienna
The tears poured out of Nienna. They rushed through the valley until they collected at the bottom in a now rushing river.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nienna, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Pearls in the Shell by Raiyana
Returning to a once-loved place after losing the one who made it special is difficult... and yet, sometimes, it might be rewarding in a new way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on 9 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Mist upon Hithlum by Lindariel
Findekáno writes his father a military dispatch and mentions the weather.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hell or Frozen Water by Nienna
When I saw the ships burning in the distance, for a moment I thought it was some sort of celebration. For a moment it reminded me of the bonfires in springtime, and the grand holidays when all the children would dance together, spinning wildly. But then the fire grew too large and too bright to carry my wishful thinking, and I knew. I think we all knew, right then.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Angrod, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
New Perspectives by Nienna
Elros and Aglaril (his wife) take their young son Vardamir camping. After he falls asleep they enjoy a quiet conversation. Written for Tolkien Secret Santa 2019 as a gift for the-lefuet-blog on tumblr.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Vardamir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 623 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Drabbles by Grundy
Any and all Silmarillion drabbles I have written will be posted in this story. May or may not fit in with anything else I've written.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Soundtrack |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 529 |
| Posted on 17 July 2017 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Dancing In The Dark by Grundy
History remembers Curufin as the villain. There are a few who think better of him.
Written for the Taboo challenge. First chapter hits 'consequences' and 'ostracization and exile'. Upcoming chapters will mark off other squares. Will give warnings on chapters as appropriate.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Taboo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 24 | Word Count: 69, 516 |
| Posted on 6 February 2017 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (31) |
Like a Silent Shadow by StarSpray
Huan helps Lúthien escape from Nargothrond--everyone knows that--but he doesn't do it alone.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Finduilas, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 438 |
| Posted on 25 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Butterfly Wings by StarSpray
In the many gardens of Tirion there bloomed thousands of flowers, of all colors of the rainbow and more. And fluttering to and fro between the flowers and the trees and the shrubs were butterflies...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, Het | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 496 |
| Posted on 9 October 2020 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
