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
[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.
[Writing] An End to All Things by Thorveig
Mairon stood in utter stillness for it seemed to him that the voice of his master mocked him from afar...
At the end of the First Age, Sauron makes a choice.
[Reference] 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.
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
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
[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] 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.
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
Outrun, Outlast by StarSpray
Stay alive until this horror show is past
Eregion has fallen; Sauron is closely pursuing Elrond and Celeborn’s forces, who desperately need somewhere to hide.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elrond, Eluréd, Elurín, Elves, Galadriel, Men, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 5, 848 |
| Posted on 30 March 2017 | Updated on 26 August 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Lucky One by grey_gazania
A young Nandorin woman is saved from death by Amras and taken in by his people.
Part 1 of a series.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 9, 398 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 26 August 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Sharpen your swords, O Elves of Nargothrond by maeglin
Sundry tales of Elven politics.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Finarfin, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 9, 917 |
| Posted on 19 December 2014 | Updated on 25 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Two months by maeglin
Short tales that should have remained untold.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amroth, Andreth, Arvedui, Arwen, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elrond, Elros, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Eöl, Finarfin, Finwë, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Legolas Greenleaf, Maedhros, Rog, Tulkas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 17 | Word Count: 40, 514 |
| Posted on 17 September 2015 | Updated on 24 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
The Black Room. by hennethgalad
Mithrandir protects Thranduil from a new weapon of Sauron.
(reading 'Dol Guldur' first will add to this)
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Sauron, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 976 |
| Posted on 20 August 2017 | Updated on 20 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Rustle in the Underbrush by Lordnelson100
Of the Petty-Dwarves, the Elves, and first encounters. What they told themselves, and others.
| Major Characters: Avari, Dwarves, Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: Noegyth Nibin |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 072 |
| Posted on 19 August 2017 | Updated on 19 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Hunting by feanorusrex
Larnach's daughter kills her would-be rapist.
| Major Characters: Larnach's Daughter |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 038 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Waiting by feanorusrex
Fëanor in the halls of Mandos has one request for Nerdanel.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 773 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Invisible Suspenders: Sometimes Elves Write Songs by feanorusrex
Fingon and Maedhros write a song.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 7, 067 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Darkness Wandering by feanorusrex
Morwen and Hurin's final meeting.
| Major Characters: Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 498 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hope and Healing by feanorusrex
The closest thing to Bradir/Niniel fluff that has ever been written.
| Major Characters: Brandir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 840 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Flames by feanorusrex
Idril watches Gondolin burn.
| Major Characters: Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 245 |
| Posted on 18 August 2017 | Updated on 18 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Whispers In The Stream by just_jenni
A tragic story of love between elf and mortal with some political issues that may be offensive to some readers.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 13, 046 |
| Posted on 17 August 2017 | Updated on 17 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Candle for the Hollow City by Lordnelson100
About the Nauglamír and the other side of the story. Of culture clash, betrayal, and lost art.
We have our teaching, and the Elves have theirs. Through countless years, they have continued to tell their own version of events about the Nauglamír. Ever they turn the story against us, saying it reveals the greed of the Dwarves, and our treachery.
They say that Elven memory is perfect. And yet it seems not so.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celeborn, Dwarves, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Elves, Elwing, Finrod Felagund, Gimli, Historical Character(s), Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 39, 223 |
| Posted on 17 August 2017 | Updated on 17 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Hold Each Other by Grundy
Carnistir had been curious about the firimar for a while, but he hadn’t seen them for himself until now.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Elves, Haleth, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 230 |
| Posted on 23 March 2017 | Updated on 12 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
I've Hungered for Your Touch by oshun
Caranthir is offered a chance to read an unpublished diary entry. It’s a copy of a recently discovered ancient manuscript apparently written by Haleth the Hunter. It’s a follow-up to my previous story The Manly-hearted Woman, but can be read independently of that one. It is also an entry in the SWG Challenge Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song. (“...use a popular love song as a prompt to inspire a fanwork about romantic or sexual love. You will choose your own prompt from the list of love songs below.” I chose "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers: video | lyrics).
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Nerdanel, Noldor, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 10, 517 |
| Posted on 11 August 2017 | Updated on 12 August 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (28) |
New Directions. part two. by hennethgalad
In part one, the crew of Eärendil were sent back to Beleriand from Valinor in a new ship.
In this part, the wind changes for the Ainumanä and the crew meet some strangers.
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Erellont, Falathar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 221 |
| Posted on 10 August 2017 | Updated on 10 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Far From The World We Know by Himring
At the top of Elwing's white tower.
Earendil has landed, back from traversing the pathless sky, and Elwing has flown to meet him.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 168 |
| Posted on 9 August 2017 | Updated on 9 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Pictures at an Exhibition by Robinka
A series of drabbles, some humorous, other not so much, centered on the Sindar (because they deserve all the praise).
Brand new one, written for the challenge Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song!
| Major Characters: Beleg, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Maedhros, Melian, Nellas, Original Character(s), Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 2, 031 |
| Posted on 10 June 2007 | Updated on 7 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (56) |
Back to the Shadow by Luxa
“You come all the way to Belegost to see the Lord of Himring?”
“Yes,” says Amlach.
“I hope you’re not here to impart a message of doom upon him—a memorandum that one of his brothers has died, a notice that the Dark One has broken the Siege, something like that.”
| Major Characters: Amlach, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 149 |
| Posted on 6 August 2017 | Updated on 6 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Snakes and the Flowers by Lyra
A young Vanyarin poet makes some clever observations, the relevance of which only grows apparent in good time.
Inspired by Oshun's character biography of Barahir, and written for the "New Directions" challenge... and a different character altogether.
| Major Characters: Amarië |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Directions |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 257 |
| Posted on 6 July 2017 | Updated on 2 August 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Maeglin, Other Fictional Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 747 |
| Posted on 29 July 2017 | Updated on 29 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hypotheticals by grey_gazania
Word of the coronation of Fingon's child reaches the Sons of Fëanor, and Maedhros is shaken by a realization about himself.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 178 |
| Posted on 29 July 2017 | Updated on 29 July 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The taste of sulphur by Harnatano - Lithenna
The siege has just been broken and Curufin must deal with a certain amount of contradicting feelings and fears.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 141 |
| Posted on 23 July 2017 | Updated on 23 July 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For Love of Silver Stars by LadyBrooke
The sun’s dying rays faded over Doriath for the first time, and Lúthien looked at Nimloth.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 300 |
| Posted on 22 July 2017 | Updated on 22 July 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
