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
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. 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.
[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
Beyond the Sunset Leads My Way by mainecoon
As the Ringbearers prepare to depart from Middle Earth, one last question still weighs on Elrond's mind. Gandalf is not sure how to answer it. Six thousand years ago at the Havens of Sirion, the twin sons of Feanor found an answer for themselves: one that spoke of little pity and of no hope at all.
Elrond is not willing to accept it, and Gandalf wonders.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Elrond, Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 133 |
| Posted on 24 September 2018 | Updated on 24 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Arms. by hennethgalad
Hador begs the forgiveness of Gildis.
| Major Characters: Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Sitcom |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 161 |
| Posted on 23 September 2018 | Updated on 23 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Ajar. by hennethgalad
Even on the night of his wedding, Hador turns to Fingolfin.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Hador, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Sitcom |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 572 |
| Posted on 22 September 2018 | Updated on 22 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
To The Sea by hennethgalad
Erestor takes Glorfindel to Alqualondë to confront his fear of the dark.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 794 |
| Posted on 19 September 2018 | Updated on 19 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kol Nidrei and the Fëanorian Oath by Independence1776
Can Kol Nidrei annul Maglor’s oath?
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 273 |
| Posted on 16 September 2018 | Updated on 16 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Dust in Desert Winds by Raiyana
Gondor after the death of Isildur is weak, ripe for the pickings - but what stirs among her neighbours is not what Elrond feared, and Erestor’s talents are put to a wholly different test than either expected when he and Glorfindel head into the desert to explore the sentiments of the region post the fall of Barad-dûr.
Written for the Tolkin Reverse Summer Bang 2018
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 22, 207 |
| Posted on 15 September 2018 | Updated on 15 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Burnt Lighthouses by heget
Círdan comes too late to the Havens of Sirion.
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 580 |
| Posted on 13 September 2018 | Updated on 13 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Annael by Tomour
Tuor is raised by his foster-father and the Sindarin elves of the androth. Chapter 2 of Tuor Dreams of Gondolin, in several sections.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 3, 084 |
| Posted on 5 September 2018 | Updated on 12 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Art of Speech Through Smithcraft by Idrils Scribe
Whenever Celebrimbor dared to dwell on what awaited in the Halls of Mandos, he expected punishment. He was no Kinslayer, but some of his deeds in life might be considered grave crimes in their own right.
He had been wrong. When the Doomsman summoned the fëa that once was the son of Curufin to his grim presence, all he asked was a simple question.
"Tell me a story."
Celebrimbor could not help but obey.
The tale, in his own words, of how a young Celebrimbor rode to war for the first time, and began the slow disintegration of his relationship with his father.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 7, 262 |
| Posted on 11 September 2018 | Updated on 11 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Come So Far by Tyelca
Nerdanel sails to Middle-Earth in search of her last surviving son.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 679 |
| Posted on 10 September 2018 | Updated on 10 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
We Know Some Things (But Not All) by LadyBrooke
Celebrimbor is seeking something, though Maeglin does not know what.
Celebrimbor sees too much of his family's mistakes in Maeglin.
Together, they dig a tunnel.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 024 |
| Posted on 10 September 2018 | Updated on 10 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Into The Dark by elvntari
Daeron and Maglor believe they are the only two elves left in Middle Earth, facing the changing world alone, until a suspiciously elven child comes knocking on their door in the midst of a storm, looking for safety.
A birthday gift for my lovely friend Opal, who runs a Tolkien blog @feanorphobic
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 072 |
| Posted on 10 September 2018 | Updated on 10 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
How Far I'll Go by Grundy
Elros muses on his future as he sails to the island that will be the new home of his people.
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 587 |
| Posted on 10 September 2018 | Updated on 10 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Eka and the Quen by Dawn Felagund
In a post-apocalyptic world where only scraps of humankind survive, Eka discovers the lingering fëa of an Elf and is able to imagine a very different world. Written as a treat for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang, for the artwork "Courting of the Wood Nymph."
| Major Characters: Elladan, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 483 |
| Posted on 8 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Snakes and Lovehearts by elvntari
A tale of love and betrayal and frankly ridiculous amounts of law-breaking and general questionable activities which include (but aren't limited to): investigating the criminal gang that your ex-boyfriend now seems to help head, shameless flirting with your own step-cousin, making out with coworkers in the back rooms of your work place, and the terrible decision to liken a crime drama to a game of Snakes and Ladders.
The non-coffee shop themed rewrite of Six Shots of Espresso and a Packet of Lovehearts, now with 100% more Riverdale-scale self-indulgent drama. Featuring:
- Eonwe, a cop with a bone to pick and a lot of pretentious prose to spout.
- Sauron, a criminal with a penchant for mind games and bad romantic decisions.
- Fingon, a university dropout just trying to keep his lifeguarding career afloat.
- Maedhros, an exhausted lawyer hiding his growing anxiety problem behind false smiles and firm handshakes.
- Maglor, a musician with a title to defend.
- Daeron, a foreign vocalist with a dark past.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Eönwë, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 795 |
| Posted on 3 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 3. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin, chosen to stand at the side of Hador, whom he loves, reflects on the wedding after the feast.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Hador, Hathol, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 424 |
| Posted on 8 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 2. by hennethgalad
Hador writes in his journal before his wedding.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 875 |
| Posted on 8 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 1. by hennethgalad
Not the wedding speeches.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Hador, Hathol, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 322 |
| Posted on 8 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Scattering of Shadows. by hennethgalad
Arien and Tilion, before and after the Darkening of Valinor.
| Major Characters: Arien, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 212 |
| Posted on 8 September 2018 | Updated on 8 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Scattered Pearls by Grundy
"And many pearls they won for themselves from the sea, and their halls were of pearl, and of pearl were the mansions of Olwë at Alqualondë, the Haven of the Swans, lit with many lamps." The Lindar have their own history, and it's somewhat different in the telling than the Noldorin version.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finarfin, Finwë, Olwë, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 312 |
| Posted on 7 September 2018 | Updated on 7 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
There, Not Back Again by eris_of_imladris
Primula Brandybuck Baggins is faced with the toughest decision of her life after a near-fatal accident in the Brandywine River. While deciding her destiny, she shares a meal with an ancient elf whose own experiences will influence Primula’s fate, and the world’s.
Written for TRSB18!
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 14, 468 |
| Posted on 6 September 2018 | Updated on 6 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
West we will return by Failisse
For those mariners Turgon sent west, but of whom only Voronwë returned. A short story for August's Discovery Challenge
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 905 |
| Posted on 6 September 2018 | Updated on 6 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Halt in a Long Voyage by Himring
Tuor and Idril must go on voyaging on Earrame forever.
But their friends on Tol Eressea find a way to help them deal with it.
| Major Characters: Elves, Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Discovery |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 589 |
| Posted on 5 September 2018 | Updated on 5 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Cradle of Stars by Dawn Felagund, Elleth
After the Darkening of Valinor, Anairë is sent to Alqualondë to offer aid and allegiance after the horror of the kinslaying. There, she finds Eärwen, her lover of old and beloved friend, left to care for her people amid her own inconsolable grief. Anairë and Eärwen will care for each other as they mourn the myriad ways their lives have changed forever with the Darkening and the exile of Anairë's family. It may be the rekindling of their ancient love that is the only force with strength enough to save them--and their people. Anairë/Eärwen; written for the 2018 Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Finarfin, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 24 | Word Count: 21, 747 |
| Posted on 3 September 2018 | Updated on 5 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
On Wings of Storm by StarSpray
When the dragons come, so does Vingilot--and Earendil is not alone on board.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Eärendil, Nienna, Olwë, Original Character(s), Radagast, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 143 |
| Posted on 5 September 2018 | Updated on 5 September 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
