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
Warmth by feanorusrex
Traveling in Valinor can be cold. Fëanor and Nerdanel have a solution. Well she does at least. Feanor's pleasantly surprised.
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 2 April 2018 | Updated on 2 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Helevorn by grey_gazania
Caranthir and his lake, at the beginning and the end.
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 575 |
| Posted on 2 April 2018 | Updated on 2 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In the Hills of Emerie by Himring
Ancalime in the hills of Emerie.
And music.
| Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, B2MeM 2018, Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 406 |
| Posted on 25 March 2018 | Updated on 1 April 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Five Times Nerdanel Said 'Yes' by oshun
This was written for the SWG 5th Birthday celebration based on the Theme: Five Things, updated to include numerous B2MeM 2012 prompts. Chapter 8 added (30 March 2018).
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Anairë, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 21, 805 |
| Posted on 26 August 2010 | Updated on 30 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (53) |
Our Home Among the Stars by Nienna
A poem/song about the stars, and the Great Journey.
Terza Rima.
For B2MEM 2018 using the prompt,"By the starlit mere of Cuiviénen, Water of Awakening, they rose from the sleep of Ilúvatar; and while they dwelt yet silent by Cuiviénen their eyes beheld first of all things the stars of heaven." (The Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor, Tolkien.)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 360 |
| Posted on 29 March 2018 | Updated on 29 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
In the Bitter Rain by Zdenka
The last stand of the Entwives and the burning of the Brown Lands.
| Major Characters: Ents |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 29 March 2018 | Updated on 29 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Music in the light of Telperion by Aprilertuile
Little Makalaurë just finished composing his first melody and feels the need to share with his eldest brother.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 595 |
| Posted on 29 March 2018 | Updated on 29 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
the quiet of cooling ashes by Sasha Honeypalm
In the Halls of the Dead there are many silences.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 521 |
| Posted on 29 March 2018 | Updated on 29 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Mirror of Belegost. by hennethgalad
Eowyn visits the Museum of Middle-Earth in Minas Tirith after the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen, where she meets Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 677 |
| Posted on 26 March 2018 | Updated on 26 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Abundance [ Nerdanel ] by Lordnelson100
Of artistry, women's bodies, and loss.
#
Week after week, she worked at it, chisel in hand. Her hands were worn and bruised, the skin dry and cracked with stone dust, her nails broken. Her boots and leggings were covered in a thick paste of slurry, and even her tunic and other clothes were frankly unclean. Her hair was stuffed carelessly into a rough cap, from which it escaped in ragged ends.
#
| Major Characters: Aulë, Fëanor, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 095 |
| Posted on 26 March 2018 | Updated on 26 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Fëanorians in 600 Words or Less by eris_of_imladris
Each Fëanorian gets their own headcanon and short story of 600 words or less for this character exploration!
Written for Fëanorian Week 2018.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 18, 130 |
| Posted on 18 March 2018 | Updated on 25 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Forth Again, to Behold the Stars by feanorusrex
Niënor Níniel puts her life back together after Túrin's death.
| Major Characters: Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 8, 477 |
| Posted on 12 January 2018 | Updated on 25 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Final Destination by just_jenni
I've often thought about Nerdanel's life after her husband and sons departed for Arda, leaving her behind in Aman. This story (written for Slashy Santa's recent Valentine exchange) imagines the beginnings of her separation from Feanor - in her mind at least, after doubts about the marriage being successful were sown - and before her special relationship with Anaire had begun. I have imagined the relationship to be a romantic one, although in the beginning there was a definite physical bond between the two women.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Erotica, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 142 |
| Posted on 25 March 2018 | Updated on 25 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
What's in a Name by Raiyana
Fëanor was always fascinated by Nerdanel's freckles... the stars in her skin form constellations all her own - or are they?
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 154 |
| Posted on 25 March 2018 | Updated on 25 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To Look Across the Wide Seas by StarSpray
Elwing receives some unexpected news.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018, Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 537 |
| Posted on 24 March 2018 | Updated on 24 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
White Wings by Zdenka
As Sauron’s influence grows in Númenor, Míriel and a scholar of the Faithful discuss the translation of Elvish poetry.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 216 |
| Posted on 20 March 2018 | Updated on 20 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Lies a Long Shadow by Elleth
Under the growing shadows of Angmar and amid her prophecies, Malbeth loves Fíriel and bides her time.
| Major Characters: Fíriel, Malbeth the Seer |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 253 |
| Posted on 20 March 2018 | Updated on 20 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And the Wave Above Me by Elleth
The Valar call the Elves of Aman to prepare for the War of Wrath. Amid fraught Telerin politics, Anairë is conflicted.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 887 |
| Posted on 20 March 2018 | Updated on 20 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Songs of the Sea by Raiyana
In which Uinen struggles with what to do with Maglor wandering the shore of her Seas, the Oath that still clings to him, the Silmaril he keeps dropping into her domain, and her feelings in general.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Nerdanel, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 12, 567 |
| Posted on 19 March 2018 | Updated on 20 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Memory of joy by Aprilertuile
Nerdanel sees an instrument that her second born used to play and remembers.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 557 |
| Posted on 19 March 2018 | Updated on 19 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Three Sentence Fics: Tolkien by Zdenka
A collection of fills written for rthstewart's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2013 and 2015, for Tolkien-based prompts. (Mostly Silmarillion, with one for Farmer Giles of Ham and Sir Orfeo, and one non-Tolkien crossover.)
Chapters 2 & 3: More Tolkien-based fills written for caramelsilver's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2016 and 2017.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Beren, Celebrimbor, Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Eärendil, Finarfin, Galadriel, Huor, Húrin, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maglor, Melkor, Nazgûl, Other Fictional Character(s), Rían, Sauron, Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Míriel, Túrin, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 192 |
| Posted on 1 June 2016 | Updated on 19 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Walking in the Gardens by Raiyana
A Hero's Journey Matryoshka challenge story, featuring the head gardener of Indis' home in Vanyamar.
Set in Aman, post War of Wrath, when the arrival of Indis and Findis turn the lives of the household upside down - and leads one maiden to lose her heart to another.
| Major Characters: Findis, Indis, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Hero's Journey, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 13, 002 |
| Posted on 9 February 2018 | Updated on 18 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Spell of Silence by Zdenka
Daeron discovers Lúthien's love for Beren. In jealousy and grief, he casts a spell of silence over Doriath.
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 450 |
| Posted on 17 March 2018 | Updated on 17 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Heron. by hennethgalad
Belen, son of Beor, speaks of his youth.
(For 2018 B2MeM. Music of the Waters.
Also a story I was going to use for Breaking Boundaries.)
| Major Characters: Belen, Bëor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 930 |
| Posted on 16 March 2018 | Updated on 16 March 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
So Wide a Sea by StarSpray
While exploring Tol Fuin, Eluréd meets an albatross. They chat.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 652 |
| Posted on 14 March 2018 | Updated on 14 March 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
