Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
SWG News
New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
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 & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[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! :)
Current Challenge
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. Read more ...
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
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.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
Around the World and Web
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
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.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
that which is given by Fernstrike
Tyelperinquar knew Annatar was keeping something from him.
In which goodbyes are said, gifts are given, and promises are made.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 764 |
| Posted on 11 June 2019 | Updated on 11 June 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 218 |
| Posted on 10 June 2019 | Updated on 10 June 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Under a Sky of Infinite Stars by StraightOuttaHimring
Drabble dipecting a brief moment between Caranthir and Haleth.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 8 June 2019 | Updated on 8 June 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Encounters by Independence1776
Maglor encounters two people… and a pack of puppies.
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 113 |
| Posted on 7 June 2019 | Updated on 7 June 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
High Hopes by Lyra
A little painting for Oshun in celebration of her 100th character bio, vaguely inspired her fic "False Spring" (the mood more than any specific scene). Maedhros and Fingon, surveying the land and making plans - or maybe just cheerfully talking upon the parapets of Himring. A moment of high hope and confidence before everything goes pear-shaped.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 7 June 2019 | Updated on 7 June 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Destined to be together by Himring
In the Third Age, in a small coastal town of Gondor, a young girl has an encounter at a critical time for her.
A wandering Maglor story featuring an animal rescue.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 291 |
| Posted on 31 May 2019 | Updated on 31 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
'the light in your eyes' by hennethgalad
Gundor, youngest child of Hador Lórindo, grows up and falls in love.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Gundor, Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 029 |
| Posted on 31 May 2019 | Updated on 31 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Heart of the Fire by Gabriel
Family get-together's can be trying at the best of times. When Moryo goes missing, Tyelko is sent to find him and stumbles on a cousin he has not met.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Fëanor, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 689 |
| Posted on 22 May 2019 | Updated on 22 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Cloak by Himring
Young Elrond, Maedhros and a lot of rain.
For Oshun, who likes Elrond and Maedhros, in honour of her 100th character bio for the SWG Newsletter. I hope you like it, Oshun!
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 073 |
| Posted on 13 May 2019 | Updated on 13 May 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Perchance to Dream by Grundy
Finduilas is not ready to leave the Halls of Mandos yet.
| Major Characters: Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 9 May 2019 | Updated on 9 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Family Portraits by arriviste
In the beginning, you say, and the stories you tell the boys about themselves start in the mudflats beyond Sirion as you rode away from it together.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 505 |
| Posted on 8 May 2019 | Updated on 8 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Busy by eris_of_imladris
Summary: Finwë hopes his best is good enough. A follow-up scene to “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Prince.”
Inspired by Nina Simone’s performance of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” for SWG’s Sirens and Songstresses challenge.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 113 |
| Posted on 8 May 2019 | Updated on 8 May 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A New Place by Independence1776
Maglor decides to explore Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 206 |
| Posted on 6 May 2019 | Updated on 6 May 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Secret Passages by hennethgalad
Idril enlists the aid of Glorfindel and Ecthelion in preparing an escape route from Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 714 |
| Posted on 28 April 2019 | Updated on 28 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The heart, it hides unimaginable things by Himring
One night in Mithrim, Maglor helps Maedhros through a panic attack.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 842 |
| Posted on 28 April 2019 | Updated on 28 April 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Trials by Independence1776
Maglor talks with Nerdanel and stands trial before the Valar.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Nerdanel, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 598 |
| Posted on 23 April 2019 | Updated on 23 April 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Streams of Time by Leithriel
Time is a tricky thing to play with. It can take everything away from you. Yet, if you play your hand right, it can give back everything it took too.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Lalaith, Melkor, Morwen, Nellas, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Het, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 592 |
| Posted on 20 April 2019 | Updated on 20 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Failure by Lingwiloke
After the events that ended with his father's exile from Nargothrond, Celebrimbor struggles to find a sense of normalcy.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 769 |
| Posted on 18 April 2019 | Updated on 18 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A hand outstretched by anriondrakonion
One-shot of Gil-galad's doomed unrequited love for Elrond, written at 1am.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 337 |
| Posted on 15 April 2019 | Updated on 15 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Elegy for Boromir, Steward of Gondor by Himring
Elegy on the fate of Boromir, the eleventh Ruling Steward of Gondor, son of Denethor I., after whom Boromir, son of Denethor II, was named.
| Major Characters: Boromir (Steward of Gondor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 164 |
| Posted on 14 April 2019 | Updated on 14 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Doubts by Tilperiel
Aredhel's good at playing games, but Turgon isn't stupid
Written for day seven of Gondolin Week
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 865 |
| Posted on 13 April 2019 | Updated on 13 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eloped by hennethgalad
Hareth of the House of Haleth elopes with Galdor of the House of Hador.
also for Legendarium Ladies April
| Major Characters: Galdor (Edain), Hareth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 665 |
| Posted on 13 April 2019 | Updated on 13 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Who Killed King Finwe? by Lingwiloke
After his successful theft of the Silmarils, Melkor is in a very good mood.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 12 April 2019 | Updated on 12 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
To many he appeared fair, to others terrible; but to some evil by Lingwiloke
Sauron through the ages.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 896 |
| Posted on 12 April 2019 | Updated on 12 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Footnotes in History by Tilperiel
Personal pain doesn't need recording in history books.
Written for day six of Gondolin week
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 902 |
| Posted on 12 April 2019 | Updated on 12 April 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
