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
Ships in the Harbour by Himring
In the harbour of Lindon, at the beginning of the Second Age, ships are being built--ships for the Edain to leave Middle-earth for Numenor, ships to carry the Elves to Valinor. At this time, Celebrimbor has an unexpected encounter and sees his path more clearly.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Men, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 467 |
| Posted on 10 November 2017 | Updated on 10 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Intermezzo by Grundy
It's not easy to know that great events are afoot but be unable to take part in them. It's not easy being left behind.
| Major Characters: Findis, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 988 |
| Posted on 9 November 2017 | Updated on 9 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Very Lands by Tyelca
The Drowning of Nûmenor is felt all over Middle-Earth.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elves, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 968 |
| Posted on 9 November 2017 | Updated on 9 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
City of Singing Stone by Zdenka
Rían falls unconscious on the Hill of Slain and awakes in Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Idril, Meleth (Elf), Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 927 |
| Posted on 8 November 2017 | Updated on 8 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thangorodrim Triptych by lightofthetrees
A set of three ficlets. The first explores Fingon's interactions with his father and siblings after returning from rescuing Maedhros. The second involves Maedhros, Mairon, smithing, and symbolism. The third is a heart-to-heart between Fingon and Maedhros in which Maedhros confesses that he is going to pass the kingship of the Noldor to Fingolfin.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 3, 472 |
| Posted on 7 August 2017 | Updated on 6 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Visions by feanorusrex
Nerdanel has a surpiring premonition. She definitely does not have a crush on Fëanor though.
| 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: 2, 716 |
| Posted on 4 November 2017 | Updated on 4 November 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Faithless Is He That Says Farewell When the Road Darkens by bunn
The War of Wrath lasted for forty-two years. It was neither a swift nor a certain victory. Here, in the middle of that great war, Celebrimbor, Elrond and Elros meet and work together. Elrond and Celebrimbor have complex feelings about the House of Fëanor. Elros, not so much.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 035 |
| Posted on 2 November 2017 | Updated on 2 November 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Longest Day by Lyra
During the Midsummer festivities of 472 F.A., Anairë is struck by a wrenching sense of dread. Nerdanel helps her to make sense of it.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 700 |
| Posted on 30 October 2017 | Updated on 30 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Lady and the Spectre by feanorusrex
Perhaps not all ghosts are evil. Written for Terrifying Tolkien Week 2017.
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 706 |
| Posted on 29 October 2017 | Updated on 29 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Reconciliation by Ariana
Story about the recovery of Maedhros and his efforts to find himself in this new reality, but also to stitch back what was torn among the Noldor. Lots of relations between brothers.
| Major Characters: Amras, Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Huan, Lalwen, Maedhros, Maglor, Noldor, Original Character(s), Sindar, Sons of Fëanor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 17, 894 |
| Posted on 16 October 2017 | Updated on 29 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shining by feanorusrex
Tilion's thoughts on Arien and being the moon spirit. Companion piece to Burning.
| Major Characters: Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 507 |
| Posted on 28 October 2017 | Updated on 28 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Another Tale of Tol Eressea by Himring
In the uplands of Tol Eressea, there is a place devoted to memories of Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Eärendil, Eärwen, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 820 |
| Posted on 28 October 2017 | Updated on 28 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Untold Pledge by Harnatano - Lithenna
Deep into Curufin's memories
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 680 |
| Posted on 28 October 2017 | Updated on 28 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Nessa the Dancer by feanorusrex
Drawn with Krita. Warning for artistic nudity.
| Major Characters: Nessa |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 653 |
| Posted on 26 October 2017 | Updated on 26 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
There Was A Ship by hennethgalad
Círdan watches as the ship from Valinor reaches Mithlond bearing the Istari.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 582 |
| Posted on 23 October 2017 | Updated on 23 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Gone For Soldiers by Alquien
A late night meeting between cousins just before the Last Alliance.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 798 |
| Posted on 22 October 2017 | Updated on 22 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Chess by grey_gazania
Fingolfin enjoys what will be his last moment of peace with his family.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Gil-galad, Lalwen, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 673 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Endorenna by Lyra
"But when the devouring wave rolled over the land and Númenor toppled to its fall, then [Elendil] would have been overwhelmed and would have deemed it the lesser grief to perish, for no wrench of death could be more bitter than the loss and agony of that day; but the great wind took him, wilder than any wind that Men had known, roaring from the west, and it swept his ships far away; and it rent their sails and snapped their masts, hunting the unhappy men like straws upon the water." (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 541 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Leviathan by Fernstrike
Númenor is sick. A lord out of the east comes bearing a cure - a leviathan that is also an ouroboros.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 857 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Ten Counts by Ulan
Some moments can still tell a full story.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Fingon, Galadriel, Maedhros, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 158 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Tilion's Night by Ulan
It was a legend among the Sindar. It was said that Tilion loved Arien, but Arien did not love Tilion. Struggling with the pain of love unmet, Tilion implored to the Valar on behalf of all who were like him: let the lonely ones find a way to ease the ache, and help all who were left alone to find someone of their own.
(Glorfindel/Erestor)
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 450 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Our Side of the World by Ulan
A collection of one-shots based on random word prompts.
(Glorfindel/Erestor)
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 18, 082 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Keeping Up Appearances by Ulan
As had now become his habit, Glorfindel strode in to Erestor's office with nary a knock or warning, and proclaimed: "I told Celegwen that we are together."
Erestor looked up from his work. "The persistent archer?" he asked placidly, despite the fact that he and Glorfindel were most definitely not, to his knowledge, together. "I see. What did she say?"
...or the five times Erestor let them pretend to be a couple, and the one time that they didn't.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 9, 778 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
All Eru's Children by Ulan
A chance meeting at the edge of a cliff. A conversation on death and old age, the mysteries of the Secondborn, and the choice of the Half-Elves.
Sequel to Arda Marred
| Major Characters: Elladan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 692 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Arda Marred by Ulan
In Valinor, a former high king and his herald come together for tea and conversation.
(Gil-galad/Elrond, Elrond/Celebrían)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 296 |
| Posted on 21 October 2017 | Updated on 21 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
