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
The Threads We Weave by Ulan
Their story might not be as great as the ones that make it into legends, but Glorfindel would still not have any other.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 008 |
| Posted on 8 July 2018 | Updated on 8 July 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Middle-earth is Our Earth by Independence1776
A collection of quotes dealing with the fact that Tolkien explicitly set Middle-earth in our world from the very beginning of his Legendarium.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Analysing Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 7, 408 |
| Posted on 6 July 2018 | Updated on 6 July 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
The Peril (and Potential) of Unleashing Lightning in a Fishbowl by Dawn Felagund
Caranthir is a socially awkward public servant and Amarië is a politically radical performance artist when a prestigious battle of the bards entices them to come together in an unexpected friendship that produces an even less-expected new musical genre. Part of the Republic of Tirion series but you don't have to be familiar with the other stories to understand this one. Also featuring the printing press, underground nightclubs, an electric guitar, and Caranthir's bitchy resting face.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Caranthir, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 955 |
| Posted on 5 July 2018 | Updated on 5 July 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
What REALLY Happened; A Falling-out Among Thieves; or Get It In Writing by Cee Cee
Summary
That old villain Melkor, Ungoliant in tow, had plagued Valinor, vandalizing trees, swiping jewels—oh, yes, and killing poor Finwe—then done a bunk.
In this bit, we join them in Middle-earth to observe the end of a not-so-beautiful friendship…ah…partnership.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 473 |
| Posted on 10 May 2018 | Updated on 4 July 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
First Impressions by Grundy
Thingol trusts his kin above all others. When he receives word from Finrod, it is his young kin he sends to meet the representatives of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Original Female Character(s), Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Breaking Boundaries, Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 994 |
| Posted on 15 March 2018 | Updated on 1 July 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
9 Popular Misconceptions About Elf Sex (And What Tolkien Actually Wrote On The Matter) by Lyra
There are various recurring convictions concerning the matter of love, sex and marriage among the Eldar. We've probably all encountered them at some point. But a closer look at Tolkien's writings shows that matters aren't as simple as fanon tends to believe.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Analysing Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 277 |
| Posted on 30 June 2018 | Updated on 30 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Somehow they’ll find their way home by Himring
There are some elves out there who still need to find their way home: Maglor, Daeron, Mithrellas.
Somehow, they will.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Mithrellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 191 |
| Posted on 30 June 2018 | Updated on 30 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Quenta Narquelion by bunn
What if Fëanor's spirit never left the halls of Mandos because it never went there in the first place?
Fëanor, dead, watches the First Age unfold and from time to time, joins in. Canon-compliant character death and a detailed account of the Eastern Front of the War of Wrath. [Thanks to pp for beta reading]
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 23 | Word Count: 119, 810 |
| Posted on 8 May 2018 | Updated on 27 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
I Will Share Your Road by Lotrfan
The road from Tirion is harsh and difficult but Nolofinwë finds his arrival in Beleriand far different than he expected.
Written for the Teitho contest prompt "Expectation."
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 804 |
| Posted on 23 June 2018 | Updated on 23 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
West Over Sirion by swampdiamonds
Gwindor considers the best route home.
| Major Characters: Gwindor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 137 |
| Posted on 18 June 2018 | Updated on 18 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Scion of Kings by janeways
Gil-Galad reflects on his heritage and pens a letter to the man he thinks (hopes?) might be his father.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 4, 765 |
| Posted on 7 May 2018 | Updated on 15 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Sing me a Song of the Queen who is Gone by Raiyana
He thought it was over, the darkest days of grief had passed, giving way to slivers of sunlight and new hope growing.
For a while, he was right.
And then he wasn't, then he was sucked right back into those grim days, trying to keep his heart from breaking but knowing it would inevitably shatter in his breast.
There was only one choice left, and it was no choice at all; it was despair and a guilt he would carry until the end of days, guilt under which he would become a version of himself he hardly recognised...
Or, the story of the Queen of Greenwood and the King who banished her for love and a desperate hope... and the shattered family she left behind.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 7, 110 |
| Posted on 26 May 2018 | Updated on 14 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nightingale before the power of Night by Laura Elizabeth
Luthien casts her songspell over Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 89 |
| Posted on 13 June 2018 | Updated on 13 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
No Sign of Weakness by oshun
Sparring Finwean cousins.
May-June Challenge Entry - Competition/Prompt: Lucie Jones: Never Give Up On You lyrics – 2017 Eurovision Song Contest
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 565 |
| Posted on 11 June 2018 | Updated on 11 June 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
A Farcical Attempt by LadyBrooke
Having recently arrived in Valinor, the three greatest minstrels of Middle-earth are told they will participate in a contest against singers from Valinor.
Daeron thinks Maglor is taking this competition far too seriously.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 078 |
| Posted on 11 June 2018 | Updated on 11 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Both Alike In Dignity by Grundy
Great minds think alike in Second Age Eregion.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 701 |
| Posted on 10 June 2018 | Updated on 10 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Trouble in the library by Jane Speedwell
A young Fëanáro has become interested in linguistics, and Tirion's top etymologist is not happy.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 731 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
His Own Words by Tyelca
The private thoughts of Gríma, counselor to King Théoden of Rohan. The story of how a young man of great potential turned into a traitor to his country, told in his own words.
| Major Characters: Gríma Wormtongue, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 371 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Falling Stars by Tyelca
For we have to remember that a falling star is nothing but a meteor, a burning mass of rock and ice that rapidly descends through the atmosphere before crashing on the surface, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
Seven stories for Fëanorian Week.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide, Character Death |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 437 |
| Posted on 31 May 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Hour of the Wolf by ElberethTheStarkindler
Finrod musters up the courage to die.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 328 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Heroes iii) Play. by hennethgalad
(3 of 3). (part of Laurelöt).
Glorfindel is invited to the House of Curumo (Saruman) where he meets Ingwë.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Ingwë, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 194 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Heroes ii) Tailors of Tirion. by hennethgalad
2 of 3 (part of Laurelöt)
On his first day in Tirion, Glorfindel chooses at the tailors.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 147 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Heroes i). Inside. by hennethgalad
1of 3. (and part of Laurelöt)
The first day in Tirion for Glorfindel. He learns a great deal.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 729 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Eol & Aredhel by gamil-zirak
This is the tale of Eol and Aredhel as told from a different perspective. Some may like it and others not so much. As the author I can only hope that many will read it. I hope you all enjoy the story.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Eöl, Idril, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 41, 212 |
| Posted on 13 March 2017 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Only Teardrops by Raiyana
The Host of the Valar is almost ready to leave Aman... including someone unexpected.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 825 |
| Posted on 5 June 2018 | Updated on 5 June 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
