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
Pilgrim Through This Barren Land by Narya
Gandalf stays behind after Thorin's funeral to speak to an unexpected guest.
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 037 |
| Posted on 1 October 2017 | Updated on 1 October 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Mereth Aderthad by Grundy
“When twenty years of the Sun had passed, Fingolfin King of the Noldor made a great feast; and it was held in the spring near to the pools of Ivrin, whence the swift river Narog arose, for there the lands were green and fair at the feet of the Mountains of Shadow that shielded them from the North. The joy of that feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow; and it was called Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting.”
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celeborn, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 160 |
| Posted on 30 September 2017 | Updated on 30 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Neighbourly Relations by Himring
In Beleriand, the newly assigned territory of Angrod and Aegnor borders on the territory of the cousins who betrayed them.
From the time of settlement to their death in battle, what were the relations between Angrod and Aegnor and their cousin Maedhros, son of Feanor?
Now added: "First Meeting" (Aegnor/Andreth). A related ficlet.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 6, 618 |
| Posted on 15 June 2013 | Updated on 30 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (20) |
The Grinding Ice by fortunaavversa
The Grinding Ice (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Noldor |
| 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: 113 |
| Posted on 29 September 2017 | Updated on 29 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Helcaraxë by hennethgalad
Fingolfin, his family and friends, confront the ice and the unknown, and are drawn closer together by their feat of endurance. But Fingolfin suffers bitter loneliness and only the great valour of the other Elves gives him the strength to keep moving.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Lindir, Orodreth, Turgon |
| 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: 1, 573 |
| Posted on 29 September 2017 | Updated on 29 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
One Last Spring by anthropologyarda
The world is changing. Strange dreams drive an Avari chieftain to embark on a quest, where he unknowingly stumbles upon his people's doom.
| Major Characters: Avari, Original Female Character(s), Original Male 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: 101 |
| Posted on 28 September 2017 | Updated on 28 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Sleeping Arrangements by feanorusrex
"It was not Fëanor's fault there was only one bed."
Having noted the lack of Fëanor/Nerdanel fics from his point of view, as well as the lack of bed sharing fics for this pairing, I took it upon myself to resolve both.
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 105 |
| Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Flight of Birds by grey_gazania
Elrond and Elros have recently arrived on Balar, and Elrond is not happy to be back among his mother's people. But with some help from his brother, he begins to see Elwing in a different light.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 928 |
| Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Guides by Hrymfaxe
Arien of Anar and Tilion of Isil. (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion |
| 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: 24 |
| Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Burning by feanorusrex
Arien's experience following the death of the Trees.
| Major Characters: Arien, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on 27 September 2017 | Updated on 27 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Remnants of a Person by LadyBrooke
After the battle, too few of Denethor’s people remain to search through all the bodies alone.
| Major Characters: Denethor (Nandor), Original Female Character(s), Original Male 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: 676 |
| Posted on 26 September 2017 | Updated on 26 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Exodus of the Noldor by Writing Gecko
After the Exile of the Noldor, Arafinwe and Aule reflect on things which can be fixed, and those that cannot.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Finarfin |
| 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: 2, 707 |
| Posted on 25 September 2017 | Updated on 25 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The First Kinslaying by fortunaavversa
The first kinslaying. [Artwork]
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor, Teleri |
| 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: 2, 392 |
| Posted on 25 September 2017 | Updated on 25 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Memories Burned by Nixie Genesis
Nerdanel remembers her husband and sons while creating pottery.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 764 |
| Posted on 25 September 2017 | Updated on 25 September 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Ashes of the Past by Lyra
On the eve of her wedding, a young Sinda makes a shocking discovery about her family history.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 370 |
| Posted on 25 September 2017 | Updated on 25 September 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Approaching Darkness by ryesil
Melkor, Ungoliant and the darkening of Valinor.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| 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: 103 |
| Posted on 24 September 2017 | Updated on 24 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
This Time It's Different by Nixie Genesis
Melkor meets Ungoliant within her lair in order to fulfill his plan. They both converge on Aman and Melkor takes his revenge.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| 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: 5, 029 |
| Posted on 24 September 2017 | Updated on 24 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Some Things You Can't Punch by heget
One of the Noldor women left behind in Valinor is motivated to join the Army of the Valar and comes to Middle-earth looking for a childhood friend.
A short companion piece to Promise You won't Forget and Release from Bondage.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 23 September 2017 | Updated on 23 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A King Unkinged (For the Love He Bore Feanor) by Himring
Finwe arrives in Formenos.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Finwë, Huan, Maedhros |
| 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, 469 |
| Posted on 23 September 2017 | Updated on 23 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Melkor Stirs Strife among the Noldor by Nixie Genesis
Melkor weaves his lies, especially between the sons of Finwë. (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Melkor |
| 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: 2, 714 |
| Posted on 23 September 2017 | Updated on 23 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Amon-sûl. by hennethgalad
After learning his true name from Elrond, Aragorn rides to Amon-sûl with Glorfindel.
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ancestors |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 503 |
| Posted on 23 September 2017 | Updated on 23 September 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Fates of Our Kin by LadyBrooke
It is an ill omen when a Prince of Doriath appears in the tent of a Dwarf without any weapons and lowers himself to sit beneath her while they speak of important matters.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Mablung, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 110 |
| Posted on 22 September 2017 | Updated on 22 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Dwarves Come into Beleriand by Robinka
The Dwarves arrive in Beleriand. (Artwork)
| Major Characters: Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Comic Strip, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 548 |
| Posted on 22 September 2017 | Updated on 22 September 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Something Lost, Something Found by Ulan
After losing their charge to the fell lands of Beleriand, three lords of Gondolin find themselves on the steps of a fortress.
Egalmoth clearly does not like their host, Glorfindel is acting strangely, and Himring's steward is kind of a toad. Surely, Ecthelion thinks, the day cannot get any worse.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 499 |
| Posted on 22 September 2017 | Updated on 22 September 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
