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
Sirion by Grundy
"And so there came to pass the last and cruelest of the slayings of Elf by Elf; and that was the third of the great wrongs achieved by the accursed oath."
| Major Characters: Amras, Celeborn, Elrond, Elros, Elves, Elwing, Erestor, Eärendil, Galadriel, Galdor of the Tree, Gil-galad, Gildor, Lalwen, Maedhros, Maglor, Melian, Nellas, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 22 | Word Count: 24, 632 |
| Posted on 12 March 2017 | Updated on 30 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Alagor to Daeredhel by hennethgalad
A letter from one friend of Dior to another.
Dior, in trouble with his parents, is sent to Menegroth.
(comes after 'Concerning Dior' and 'for in that sleep of death, what dreams may come ?' )
| Major Characters: Beren, Dior, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 504 |
| Posted on 29 December 2017 | Updated on 29 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tales of Fear and Woe by lightofthetrees
A collection of ficlets/drabbles for Terrifying Tolkien Week 2017.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 8, 032 |
| Posted on 26 October 2017 | Updated on 29 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Observing by feanorusrex
Fingolfin visits Fëanor in Mahtan's forge, which annoys the latter greatly, as he just wants to stealthily stare at Nerdanel.
| 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: 875 |
| Posted on 28 December 2017 | Updated on 28 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Light in the Heart by NelyafinweFeanorion
Written for Feanorian Week 2017. Day 1: Maedhros
A view of Maedhros, just after the rescue from Thangorodrim. Fingon's perpective.
Quenya names utilized due to the timeframe referenced.
The title is taken from a quote by Khalil Gibran that seemed very appropriate: "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 023 |
| Posted on 21 March 2017 | Updated on 26 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Songs of Beleriand by hennethgalad
Elrond gets nostalgic at the celebrations of his daughters wedding.
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 815 |
| Posted on 23 December 2017 | Updated on 23 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Yule 1419. by hennethgalad
Farmer Maggot dines at Bag End before Yule.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Frodo, Men, Merry, Pippin, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 733 |
| Posted on 22 December 2017 | Updated on 22 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"for in that sleep of death, what dreams may come ?" by hennethgalad
Dior is helped to face adolescence by his parents.
| Major Characters: Beren, Dior, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 429 |
| Posted on 18 December 2017 | Updated on 18 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Untended by Lordnelson100
The Noldor never left Aman.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 219 |
| Posted on 17 December 2017 | Updated on 17 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Barad Halatir. by hennethgalad
Angrod meets a member of the House of Bëor.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 215 |
| Posted on 17 December 2017 | Updated on 17 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Wolf Luck by arafinwean
There were things lost on the journey to Aman, history and culture, art and songs. Such things the Eldar might never see again and yet one thing they thought lost forever still survives.
Magic.
When Finarfin begins to dig deeper into the past of his people he discovers things that shouldn't have been forgotten and unearths what the Valar would have preferred to stay forgotten. Magic is dangerous after all, it corrupts all those who use it.
Doesn't it?
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Aredhel, Argon, Beleg, Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Círdan, Curufin, Eärwen, Eönwë, Finarfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Indis, Ingwë, Ingwion, Maglor, Mandos, Manwë, Melkor, Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Oromë, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 686 |
| Posted on 5 December 2017 | Updated on 16 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Varda's Lights by feanorusrex
Fëanor and Nerdanel go and see the sky and stuff.
| 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: 251 |
| Posted on 14 December 2017 | Updated on 14 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
An Evening in Tirion by StarSpray
While wandering around Tirion, Tuor meets Finrod.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 995 |
| Posted on 10 December 2017 | Updated on 10 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Thirty Day Character Challenge: Feanor by eris_of_imladris
This is my first attempt at writing Silmarillion fanfiction, and I hope it will be the beginning of a long fanfiction journey to come :)
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 30 | Word Count: 41, 095 |
| Posted on 8 December 2017 | Updated on 8 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sing, O Muse by arafinwean
A collection of poems I've written over the years inspired by Tolkien's works. Most can be found on tumblr where they were first published.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 982 |
| Posted on 8 December 2017 | Updated on 8 December 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Concerning Dior. by hennethgalad
The first part is excerpts from the journal of Helin, sister to Edrahil, who visits Tol Galen when Dior is a small child.
| Major Characters: Beren, Dior, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 542 |
| Posted on 4 December 2017 | Updated on 4 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sparring by feanorusrex
Nerdanel deals with emotions, and Fëanor teaches her how to fight.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 261 |
| Posted on 2 December 2017 | Updated on 2 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Psyche by Harnatano - Lithenna
In Nargothrond, Curufin deals with a lot of identity issues...
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 204 |
| Posted on 2 December 2017 | Updated on 2 December 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Nerdanel by feanorusrex
Been writing so many fics about Nerdael that I thought I should try to draw her. Made with Krita.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 208 |
| Posted on 27 November 2017 | Updated on 27 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Warning Denied by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Dior was forewarned. Unfortunately, forewarned doesn’t mean ready to listen…
| Major Characters: Dior, Eluréd, Elurín, Elves, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 440 |
| Posted on 26 November 2017 | Updated on 26 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Practice by feanorusrex
Nerdanel wears a dress, Fëanor is really chill about it, and they practice some....stuff.
| 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: 1, 371 |
| Posted on 23 November 2017 | Updated on 23 November 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Broken faith by Harnatano - Lithenna
When Curufin remembers his wife.
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 638 |
| Posted on 19 November 2017 | Updated on 19 November 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Little Spiders in the Woods by LadyBrooke
Morwë and Nurwë may have been left behind with the rest of their family with no knowledge of events in Valinor (and little of what happens in Doriath), but the servants of Morgoth roam their woods as well.
| Major Characters: Morwë, Nurwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 450 |
| Posted on 13 November 2017 | Updated on 13 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Death of Finwë by oshun
Fëanor, summoned out of banishment by the Valar, arrives at the home of Eärwen and Finarfin the day before Manwë’s long to be remembered high feast on Taniquetil. No one knows what to expect from the Valar, but they certainly least of all expected the darkening of Valinor and the death of Finwë. (Written from Eärwen’s point of view.)
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 597 |
| Posted on 12 November 2017 | Updated on 12 November 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Rían at the Hill of Slain by Zdenka
Dying on Haudh-en-Ndengin, Rían has a prophetic vision and sings one last song of defiance.
| Major Characters: Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 530 |
| Posted on 11 November 2017 | Updated on 11 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
