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
[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] Seeking Sunlight by StarSpray
It was winter, and the sunlight that came into the caves was cold and pale, but Rían still sought it out, bundled up in all of the furs and blankets that they could give her.
[Writing] Primordial Daydream by Anérea
The Queen of Faery takes a little light trip down memory lane.
[Writing] Silence Under Starlight by StarSpray
In Valmar, after the Darkening and the Flight of the Noldor, Indis receives a visitor.
[Writing] Where Memory Walks by StarSpray
Neldoreth was both like and unlike the forests of Dior’s childhood and youth.
[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.
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
A loss of something ever felt I by arriviste
Five people Finarfin did not expect, and one he did.
--
It was the Silmarils that had sent Fëanor on his mad way to Beleriand like a falling star, pulling all the youth and brightness of my life in a long tail after him; and the very Silmaril Elwing and Ëarendil brought here now had drawn Finrod my son into darkness and death, and torn him to pieces.
"To be fair, that was the wolf,” Finrod said.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Celebrían, Elwing, Eärendil, Eärwen, Finarfin, Findis, Finrod Felagund, Gil-galad, Idril, Míriel Serindë, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 599 |
| Posted on 21 January 2019 | Updated on 21 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Maegnas by HannaGoldworthy
A blade forged from star-metal by the hand of an Elf from Nan Elmoth proves to be capable of speech, thought, and being judgmental. No, not that one, another one.
Or, in which Maeglin is justly killed with his own treachery, but somewhat differently than the old tales convey.
Inspired by the leaf decor dagger.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 997 |
| Posted on 21 January 2019 | Updated on 21 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Story of the Silent from the Beginning of the World by SteveofCallie
The story of the Quorin, the Silent People, and their home on Tol Úpahtëa.
| Major Characters: Mandos, Melkor, Nienna, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Tom Bombadil, Túrin, Ulmo, Ungoliant, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 5, 781 |
| Posted on 15 January 2019 | Updated on 19 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Forbidden Lavender by Raiyana
The brewing of ale and beer was a woman's work, and thus (because Bunn is a terrible enabler) this little ficlet about Anairë and Nerdanel and some unexpected lavender happened.
Amnesty sitcom fic for the You did WHAT?!? prompt.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Sitcom |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 550 |
| Posted on 18 January 2019 | Updated on 18 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Down by The Docks by Mysterious Jedi
A strange ship sails into Lindon. Who could it be?
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 783 |
| Posted on 17 January 2019 | Updated on 17 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Use Well the Days by bunn
Lalwen knows exactly what she wants. So does Círdan, really, though for him it's more complicated.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Fingolfin, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 704 |
| Posted on 16 January 2019 | Updated on 16 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Regarding And Revisiting The Death Of Thingol And The Subsequent Ambush Of The Dwarven Army by heget
Quote-heavy essay on the Battle at the Sarn Athrad against the dwarves, editorial changes to rework the Death of Thingol to fit together with later drafts, and a possible way to reconcile drafts and conflicting canon.
| Major Characters: Beren, Dwarves, Elu Thingol, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 594 |
| Posted on 15 January 2019 | Updated on 15 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Klingon Promotions Among the Vanyar by heget
It is high time that I explained a head-canon that became the bedrock upon which sits "Of Ingwë Ingweron". Building off some ideas about the Vanyar and my ideas and opinions about Cuiviénen, I landed on what I swear is not a crack theory.
| Major Characters: Imin, Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 747 |
| Posted on 14 January 2019 | Updated on 14 January 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
An Invitation To Dance by Tilperiel
A Yuletide Ball set in Vinyamar in the First age.
This work is for elemmire-of-aman for the Tolkien Secret Santa Exchange 2018.
It can be read as a standalone or as part of the Silver & Gold Verse (soon to be published)
Prompt: Glorfindel, Fingon, Maedhros, Russingon. No NSFW.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Fingolfin, Fingon, Glorfindel, Lalwen, Maedhros, Original Female Character(s), Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Fluff, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 030 |
| Posted on 14 January 2019 | Updated on 14 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
moonsea by kimaracretak
Erendis does not love the Sea.
The Sea loves her, anyway.
| Major Characters: Erendis, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 988 |
| Posted on 12 January 2019 | Updated on 12 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I'll Be Yours If You'll Be Mine by NelyafinweFeanorion
Modern setting AU. Maedhros/Fingon. Maedhros owns a bookstore. Fingon is in grad school. Expect appearances from varied members of the House of Finwë. Except Finwë--he's already dead in this story. This is a modern take on how Maedhros and Fingon meet and develop a relationship. Brothers, sisters, family and roommates--the gang's all here!
Cover artwork of Fingon and Maedhros by the incomparable cinemairon. So grateful, humbled and awed to have this amazing art be part of this story of mine.
Check out the tumblr at http://cinemairon.tumblr.com
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Aredhel, Argon, Azaghâl, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 45 | Word Count: 125, 482 |
| Posted on 1 March 2017 | Updated on 11 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
From Sleep to Swift Fury by Raiyana
Ossë's rebellion. I used the quote from the Fall of Arthur off the starter course to create this Fish Course dish... I have no regrets.
In the South from sleep
to swift fury
a storm was stirred,
striding northward
over leagues of water
loud with thunder
and roaring rain
it rushed onward.
| Major Characters: Ossë, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 338 |
| Posted on 10 January 2019 | Updated on 10 January 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Missing the Past by StarSpray
“But no, it is not ruins or pottery I am interested in. They told me that Maglor was living on Himling.”
Círdan set down his glass. He did not look surprised. “I had heard rumors,” he said. “The fishermen up the coast that way are a superstitious folk, and I’ve long thought that their ghost stories might have a particular source. But I did not think he was still there, or that he’d gone out to Himling Isle.”
“It makes sense,” Elrond said, staring down into his glass and watching the liquid catch the sunlight as he turned it in his fingers. “Is there a boat I could borrow?”
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Eluréd, Elurín, Ossë, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 844 |
| Posted on 9 January 2019 | Updated on 9 January 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Moments of Healing by eris_of_imladris
Nerdanel receives comfort and healing from an unexpected source. Draws on content from Fourth Father, Enemies to Sons, and my 2018 Feanorian Week drabbles.
Written for the Silmarillion Writers Guild challenge of using the first line of the nearest thing - I opened a magazine and found: “When tragedy strikes home, we find moments of healing where we can - often in encounters with one another.”
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 820 |
| Posted on 8 January 2019 | Updated on 8 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Release from Bondage by heget
The story of two elves from Nargothrond, neither important enough to be mentioned in the family trees of kings or heroic songs, who lost their names in Angband's slavery. The childhood companion of Finduilas Faelivrin must take the princess's identity to survive in the enemy's hands. Another prisoner, regretting he did not join Beren’s quest, tries his best to save her.
or
The later half of The Silmarillion from the POV of prisoners in Angband, as inspired by A Dance with Dragons.
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Finarfin, Finduilas, Gelmir, Gil-galad, Gwindor, Húrin, Maeglin, Orcs, Original Character(s), Orodreth, Other Fictional Character(s), Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Drama, Horror, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 40, 360 |
| Posted on 3 September 2015 | Updated on 8 January 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Rest, relaxation, & other strange pursuits by Morcondil
The Valier go on their annual camp-out, and Manwë's curiosity gets the best of him.
| Major Characters: Manwë, Valar, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 049 |
| Posted on 6 January 2019 | Updated on 6 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Ode to Gil-galad. by hennethgalad
cheesy ode for the cheese course of Holiday Feast.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 67 |
| Posted on 6 January 2019 | Updated on 6 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kinship by hennethgalad
Gil-gala, Idril Celebrindal and Celebrimbor meet on the Isle of Balar.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Gil-galad, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 470 |
| Posted on 6 January 2019 | Updated on 6 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Times of Change. by hennethgalad
Ereinion Gil-galad sets out for the Falas.
| Major Characters: Galdor of the Havens, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 997 |
| Posted on 6 January 2019 | Updated on 6 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Yule 3018 by hennethgalad
December 25 3018: The Fellowship have just left Imladris...
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Dwarves, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elves, Galdor of the Havens, Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 488 |
| Posted on 5 January 2019 | Updated on 5 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Carol Caterwauling by Nitheliniel
A song from the heart may melt snow and ice - and bitter hearts.
Young Elrond and Elros establish a dear family tradition.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 574 |
| Posted on 4 January 2019 | Updated on 4 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
the season will not wait by quillingmesoftly
Elwing does paperwork.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Holiday Feast |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 107 |
| Posted on 4 January 2019 | Updated on 4 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Love of Small Things by janeways
The ordinary deeds of everyday life in Lindon and Tirion, through letters. A followup to Scion of Kings.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 7, 817 |
| Posted on 8 July 2018 | Updated on 1 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Stars Above the Sea by Idrils Scribe
"The Great Desert was a circle of blinding whiteness and glare. A leaden sun beat down from directly overhead, burning nothing but silence and salt. Elrohir stood in his saddle and looked out over salt flats without end. Crossing Harad’s central plains in the shimmering daytime heat was reckless. To anyone less experienced with the desert it would have been deadly."
After a long and perilous search Glorfindel found Elrond's missing son in Far Harad - only to lose him again. Will Elrohir's odyssey, across Middle-earth from the furthest South to the North, finally lead him to Rivendell? And what will he find once he gets there?
Sequel to Under Strange Stars, but can perfectly well be read on its own. This story is complete, and will be posted in weekly installments. Your feedback is very much appreciated!
As always, a big bow and thank you to my wonderful beta Dawn Felagund.
| Major Characters: Elrohir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 548 |
| Posted on 9 December 2018 | Updated on 30 December 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Manwë, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 342 |
| Posted on 30 December 2018 | Updated on 30 December 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
