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
Thousand Years by Ulan
It was love at first sight, certainly. Glorfindel only wondered that it took him this long to find himself in that moment - past three ages in a land so changed, looking up at a stranger standing at a balcony.
(Glorfindel/Erestor)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Lindir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 736 |
| 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) |
Children of the Shore [A Halloween Story] by Lordnelson100
Sail, sail, sail, to the West,
Sail to the one that you love best!
| Major Characters: Númenóreans, Original Character(s), Teleri, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 092 |
| Posted on 20 October 2017 | Updated on 20 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The City Lights Burn by Tyelca
Elrond and Gil-Galad discuss Annatar’s presence in Ost-in-Edhil.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad, 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: 1, 264 |
| Posted on 20 October 2017 | Updated on 20 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
"As Fate" by hennethgalad
Indis is away hunting when Fëanor is born.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Behind the Scenes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 533 |
| Posted on 20 October 2017 | Updated on 20 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Roads Not Taken by anthropologyarda
With Tar-Ciryatan's crowning, Númenor takes the well-traveled path – but it wasn't the only one. His sister held other dreams.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Tar-Ciryatan, Tar-Minastir |
| 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: 328 |
| Posted on 19 October 2017 | Updated on 19 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Bright Star - An Exile into Paradise by oshun
Elros is preparing to leave behind the land of his birth, everyone and everything he has known, to become one of the founding settlers and the first king of Númenór. Elrond is not ready to let him go.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 665 |
| Posted on 18 October 2017 | Updated on 18 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
There was battle in the air by Lyra
"But Eärendil came, shining with white flame, and about Vingilot were gathered all the great birds of heaven and Thorondor was their captain, and there was battle in the air all the day and through a dark night of doubt. Before the rising of the sun Eärendil slew Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest of the dragon-host, and cast him from the sky; and he fell upon the towers of Thangorodrim, and they were broken in his ruin." (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Ancalagon, Eärendil, Thorondor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 036 |
| Posted on 17 October 2017 | Updated on 17 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
We Will Be Who We Are by Lotrfan
The Army of Valinor has come to Beleriand. Maedhros and Maglor feel they must join in this battle against Morgoth but are reluctant to bring Elrond and Elros into the conflict. War of Wrath prompt focusing on the relationships between the surviving sons of Fëanor and the sons of Eärendil they are fostering.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 732 |
| Posted on 17 October 2017 | Updated on 17 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Tears by heget
One inter-dimensional phone call later, a real reunion for Aegnor and Andreth. Or what immediately happens after Mandos hears Lúthien's plea.
| Major Characters: Mandos, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 065 |
| Posted on 16 October 2017 | Updated on 16 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Tyrant Spell Has Bound Me by Independence1776
After an ambush by Morgoth’s army destroys the Fëanorian camp, the survivors seek refuge in the Havens. Dark AU.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elwing, Eärendil, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 173 |
| Posted on 16 October 2017 | Updated on 16 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Elwing's Balrog by Keiliss
When 12 year old Elwing, the fey, half-elven grandchild of Beren and Lúthien, realises that she might age and die like a mortal, she goes to the person she trusts most for advice and incidentally discovers a new aspect of her heritage.
Both parties in this unlikely friendship = written with love.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Gil-galad, Gildor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 416 |
| Posted on 15 October 2017 | Updated on 15 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Beyond the Cirith Thoronath by Robinka
Death of a Golden Flower. (Poetry and Artwork)
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Thorondor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 316 |
| Posted on 15 October 2017 | Updated on 15 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Escape by hennethgalad
Tuor meets the messengers of Círdan and passes through the mountains to the sea. At Vinyamar he comes face to face with Ulmo.
| Major Characters: Gelmir, Tuor, Ulmo |
| 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: 401 |
| Posted on 14 October 2017 | Updated on 14 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Ravens over Doriath by Hrymfaxe
In the aftermath of the Second Kinslaying (some gore and horror themes). (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| 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, 028 |
| Posted on 13 October 2017 | Updated on 13 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Too late to go in peace by mangacrack
Dreams tell Dior to stop the madness, but the young king doesn't listen.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celeborn, Dior, Eluréd, Elurín, Elwing, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nimloth |
| 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: 6, 452 |
| Posted on 13 October 2017 | Updated on 13 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Unwound Beneath the Skies by Independence1776
After a car accident, the government captures Maglor. Subira and Kate deal with the consequences.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 485 |
| Posted on 13 October 2017 | Updated on 13 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Finwë’s Nose by oshun
Celebrían goes into labor. Galadriel is there to help. (Don't worry no graphic childbirth details here.) Crack fic.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 737 |
| Posted on 13 October 2017 | Updated on 13 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Their Uncle's Children by LadyBrooke
Maedhros looks at the sleeping twins and says they look like their great-grandfather.
Maglor knows Maedhros thinks Elrond and Elros look like someone else, as well.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 301 |
| Posted on 12 October 2017 | Updated on 12 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
A Dwarf's Memories by LadyBrooke
An excerpt from the memoirs of a Dwarf of Belegost, concerning her childhood in Menegroth.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 398 |
| Posted on 12 October 2017 | Updated on 12 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Strife about the Nauglamír by Robinka
Strife about the Nauglamír. (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Mablung |
| 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: 21 |
| Posted on 12 October 2017 | Updated on 12 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Promise by Tyelca
Young Fëanor has nightmares. Finwë offers comfort to his only son.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 406 |
| Posted on 12 October 2017 | Updated on 12 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Dagnir Glaurunga by Robinka
The dragon and his executioner. A take of the death of Glaurung, but with a twist. (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Glaurung, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Comic Strip | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 353 |
| Posted on 11 October 2017 | Updated on 11 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Follow Me Home by Robinka
Beleg meets his doom.
| Major Characters: Beleg |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 720 |
| Posted on 11 October 2017 | Updated on 11 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Home in the Highlands by heget
Drabbles and short stories about the House of Bëor and their elves. Mostly light-hearted addendums to Hold Fast Ere Night Comes and other stories set in Dorthonion before the Dagor Bragollach.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod, Barahir (First Age), Boromir (House of Bëor), Boron, Bregolas, Bregor, Emeldir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 19, 147 |
| Posted on 19 August 2015 | Updated on 10 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
False Spring by oshun
The story of the Union of Maedhros, the great alliance of Elves, Men and Dwarves organized by Fingon and Maedhros, is the prelude to the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. It is the return of hope for my protagonists and yet the beginning of the end of the struggle of those rash and heroic Noldor whose deeds made me fall in love with The Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Erestor, Fingon, Maedhros, Original 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: 9, 172 |
| Posted on 10 October 2017 | Updated on 10 October 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (20) |
