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
Dip the Ladle
Tolkien had many tales, places, and artists who inspired his work. For this challenge, prompts invite creating a fanwork using one of Tolkien's influences. 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
Silver Fragments Falling by StarSpray
When Finrod had previously considered his death, he had thought it would come in battle, at the end of a sword or a mace or an arrow.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Beren, Finrod Felagund, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 099 |
| Posted on 31 May 2018 | Updated on 31 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
(Vote) Up Not Down by Himring
Life is too short for some kind of contests.
Maybe it's possible to love one thing without knocking the alternative.
(Especially if both of them happen to be fictional, in any case.)
Free verse (pretty much extra free)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 169 |
| Posted on 28 May 2018 | Updated on 28 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
In the Light of the Sun and the Moon by Raiyana
The year is 130 of the Third Age of the Sun, and peace has been restored to the Eldar after the great and Terrible War that ended the previous Age... or has it?
Glorfindel has doubts, and when Elrond is kidnapped, he smells a nefarious plot afoot...
Can he save his friend from a no-doubt terrible fate at the hands of his abductor?
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 104 |
| Posted on 26 May 2018 | Updated on 26 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Enemies to Sons by eris_of_imladris
Gil-galad’s relationship with Elrond and Elros from beginning to end. A prequel, midquel and sequel to Fourth Father from Gil-galad's POV, as requested by Tamuril2 on ao3. Written in the spirit of the Differing Perspectives challenge.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Differing Perspectives |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 782 |
| Posted on 24 May 2018 | Updated on 24 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
The Words You Left Me by eris_of_imladris
Ten words that influenced Fëanor and Fingolfin’s relationship and drove them down their paths to doom. Inspired by the concept and lyrics of Milim from Eurovision 2010 as part of SWG’s “Competition” prompt.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 4, 879 |
| Posted on 20 May 2018 | Updated on 20 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Dramatic Arts by Raiyana
Erestor learns a new thing about his lover... and likes it ;)
Glorfindel rather enjoys it, too, in the end...
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 617 |
| Posted on 14 May 2018 | Updated on 14 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Stargazing by Grundy
Celebrimbor needs to get away from it all from time to time. He stumbles across someone he did not expect in his favorite spot.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 035 |
| Posted on 11 May 2018 | Updated on 11 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Shipwright and the Elm Tree by Raiyana
The first time Círdan visited Hithlum... and met Irimë
| Major Characters: Círdan, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 962 |
| Posted on 11 May 2018 | Updated on 11 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Poems As We Said Them by LadyBrooke
At the beginning of the Third Age, Doriath is long gone with most of its people. Fëanor, Fingolfin, and their children are long gone as well.
Elrond might never know how these words were originally spoken, for all they are written down in his library.
Celebrían wants to keep anyone in the future from wondering how their poems are meant to be spoken.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 834 |
| Posted on 10 May 2018 | Updated on 10 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Sorceress’ Apprentice by oshun
Lúthien encourages Galadriel to approach Melian for tutoring.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 324 |
| Posted on 10 May 2018 | Updated on 10 May 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
An Ongoing Research by Tyelca
A new prisoner is brought to Angband, and in her ever-ongoing pursuit of knowledge, Thuringwethil spends some time with him.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Melkor, Sauron, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 233 |
| Posted on 10 May 2018 | Updated on 10 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The last word by Raiyana
In Nargothrond, Curufin leaves behind the last remains of the heart that was once filled with fire... and a letter.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 929 |
| Posted on 10 May 2018 | Updated on 10 May 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Forced Perspective by Grundy
Findis has to re-evaluate a friendship in light of fresh information.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Findis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 588 |
| Posted on 7 May 2018 | Updated on 7 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Such marks we leave by Morcondil
Raising a child of the house of Finwë is no small task, and Elenwë is plagued with doubts as Idril grows to become much like her father’s family. She sets out to give her daughter a gift worthy of a Noldorin princess.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 559 |
| Posted on 7 May 2018 | Updated on 7 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
All That We're Fighting For by Zdenka
Feredwen copes badly with the aftermath of the Third Kinslaying and sees the new star rise for the first time. (With cameos by Maedhros, Maglor, and a Silmaril.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 447 |
| Posted on 5 May 2018 | Updated on 5 May 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tirisórnë No More by Caranthol
A tale of how a Maia got seduced by Melkor to his side and of the price she had to pay for her fall.
| Major Characters: Maiar, Melkor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 706 |
| Posted on 5 May 2018 | Updated on 5 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Olórwendë by Caranthol
A Man of Númenor is brought into Aman by a mysterious being. He spends a day there, and in that time learns an important truth about the nature of paradises and that there is some danger even in bliss.
| Major Characters: Maiar, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 833 |
| Posted on 4 May 2018 | Updated on 4 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
leave me restless, leave me hung by kimaracretak
Light dies, and the web endures.
| Major Characters: Melian, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 3 May 2018 | Updated on 3 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Meanings We Give, The Light We Find by Nienna
In a world newly wrought, Yavanna ponders all the ways in which the world is being brought into being, and her place in it.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Valar, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 457 |
| Posted on 2 May 2018 | Updated on 2 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Shadows and Whispers by StarSpray
Annatar comes to Eregion
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 422 |
| Posted on 29 April 2018 | Updated on 29 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
History and Conspiracy by Himring
In the Fourth Age, young Barahir comes up with a conspiracy theory about a Numenorean queen and explains his theory to Ivriniel of Dol Amroth.
| Major Characters: Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 558 |
| Posted on 29 April 2018 | Updated on 29 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Rings by eris_of_imladris
A look into the dreams and ambitions of Curufin’s wife.
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 815 |
| Posted on 28 April 2018 | Updated on 28 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Ainu Ficlets by Raiyana
A collection of ficlets and drabbles all revolving around the Ainur!
Most of these are Ainu POV ;)
| Major Characters: Aulë, Eru Ilúvatar, Estë, Mandos, Manwë, Oromë, Ossë, Sons of Fëanor, Uinen, Ulmo, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 954 |
| Posted on 28 April 2018 | Updated on 28 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Palantíri. by hennethgalad
Nerdanel devises a way to make Palantíri.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 068 |
| Posted on 28 April 2018 | Updated on 28 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Queen Comes To The Mountain by Lyra
In the last hour of Númenor, Tar-Míriel attempts to gain ground with a final prayer.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 340 |
| Posted on 26 April 2018 | Updated on 26 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
