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] 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.
[Writing] The Reckless Hearts of Mortal Men by mouse
Two years before the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Húrin and Huor journey from Dor-lómin to Eithel Sirion for a war council with their new allies from the East. A story about the stirring of hope and foreshadowing of woe. Well-peppered with humour.
[Artwork] Valier & colours by daughterofshadows
Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.
[Artwork] 2024 Potluck Doodles by silmalope
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
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
[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
A Spitting Image by oshun
Fëanor feels sorry for himself. (Artwork with short, short story.)
B2MeM 2017 Prompt: Blue Path, Artwork, Realistic; also Tumblr Feanorian Week (Caranthir)
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 646 |
| Posted on 22 March 2017 | Updated on 22 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Noldolantë – Maglor’s Lament by oshun
This is an micro-essay and a banner created as an extended introduction to a fic-rec list pulled together to celebrate Maglor’s Day on the Fëanorian Week celebration on Tumblr and initially inspired by the SWG Strength and Beauty March 2017 challenge.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Noldor, Sons of Fëanor, Uldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 672 |
| Posted on 21 March 2017 | Updated on 21 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
She walks in Beauty by lindahoyland
Varda has not forgotten Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017, Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 023 |
| Posted on 20 March 2017 | Updated on 20 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Still by LadyBrooke
Findekáno thinks Maitimo is beautiful, through life and into death, though not always how others think of it.
7 connected drabbles.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 717 |
| Posted on 20 March 2017 | Updated on 20 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Strength Bestows Beauty by oshun
"Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony,
but it often bestows it; and in everything imposingly beautiful,
strength has much to do with the magic." ~Herman Melville, Moby Dick
SWG March 2017 Strength and Beauty Challenge
B2MeM 2017 (blue path/artwork/secondary colors/Tolkien quote)
Fëanorian Week Tumblr 2017 - Day 1- Maedhros - > Adjusting/Coping, Beauty
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: B2MeM 2017, Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 551 |
| Posted on 19 March 2017 | Updated on 19 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Ring of Barahir by hennethgalad
Finrod is inspired to make a ring.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Mahtan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 096 |
| Posted on 18 March 2017 | Updated on 18 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cast All Away by Zdenka
Celebrimbor takes refuge in memory. (Finding out wherever there is comfort there is pain, only one step away . . .)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2014 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 688 |
| Posted on 17 March 2017 | Updated on 17 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Insomnia by Michiru
Macalaurë often has trouble sleeping. After the birth of the new baby, he finds he’s not the only one.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 561 |
| Posted on 15 March 2017 | Updated on 15 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Bedtime Stories by lindahoyland
Aragorn tells his son stories of the First Age
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 187 |
| Posted on 20 September 2010 | Updated on 12 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Far Too Many Of You Dying by StarSpray
After the Noldor depart, Alqualondë is left reeling.
| Major Characters: Elves, Olwë, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 145 |
| Posted on 10 March 2017 | Updated on 10 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Your Image in an Antique Book by IgnobleBard
After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Maedhros revisits Fingon's fortress.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 176 |
| Posted on 10 March 2017 | Updated on 10 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Those Who Remain by Tyelca
In 1997, Maglor visits the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel shortly after the premiere, and one song in particular catches his attention.
Also featuring Fëanorian Stubbornness.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 447 |
| Posted on 10 March 2017 | Updated on 10 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Obsidian to Cut by LadyBrooke
He is reborn in Valinor, and they assume he died because the Kindi were incapable of standing against Morgoth, especially after their King and Princes were not.
(The Noldor forget that their relatives weren't left behind on the March because they were incapable, but because they didn't wish to come.)
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 333 |
| Posted on 10 March 2017 | Updated on 10 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Like The Fall Of Night by hennethgalad
Morgoth sells the concept of swords to the elves through his minions.
(Ah, er, contains a canon error. Mairon was not in Valinor at the same time as the elves.
However, i could just change the name of the evil maia and it would be compatible...)
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maiar, Original Male Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Horror | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 457 |
| Posted on 9 March 2017 | Updated on 9 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Parting of the Ways by Lyra
On the eve of the Great Journey, Morwë discusses his doubts with Finwë.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Morwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 021 |
| Posted on 9 March 2017 | Updated on 9 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Deaths of Kings: Historical Bias in the Death Scenes of Fëanor and Fingolfin by Dawn Felagund
The death scenes of Fëanor and Fingolfin parallel each other closely in plot, beginning with the rash pursuit of single combat with Morgoth. Yet the manner in which the narrator of The Silmarillion, Pengolodh, employs language and symbolism leads to two very different conclusions that likely served to advance Pengolodh's political and personal agenda. Written for B2MeM 2017 for the prompt "Analyze a Chapter or Passage" on the nonfiction (orange) path.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 891 |
| Posted on 8 March 2017 | Updated on 8 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Early Roman Kings by mangacrack
The degree of civilisation of a society can be judged by entering its prisons.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Idril, Maeglin, Rog, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 052 |
| Posted on 8 March 2017 | Updated on 8 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wait Until the Light Breaks by Michiru
The night after Eöl’s execution, a young orphan sits in his mother’s room and waits for his fate to catch up to him.
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 061 |
| Posted on 8 March 2017 | Updated on 8 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Bears and Bees by StarSpray
Eluréd, Elurín, and Radagast are traveling through Wilderland, and discover the Carrock—and that someone has carved steps into it.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 228 |
| Posted on 7 March 2017 | Updated on 7 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Book Blubs by oshun
Chapter 5 – Bird Talk - Known for his popular TV show “Shut Up and Listen,” specialist in bird behavior from early childhood Turko Fëanárion insists that his methods work with the most resistant birds and the clumsiest of humans. Get all the details in this water-resistant 100-page paperback guide.
These blurbs are written by a reader who is on the mailing lists of far too many publishing companies. Why not use some of the dozens of prompts of yet another annual B2MeM to design covers or ads, write ad copy, review, or draft summaries of books I would not be likely to write?
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Elu Thingol, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Maglor, Mandos, Olwë, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 471 |
| Posted on 3 March 2017 | Updated on 7 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Uncertain Seas by Grundy
Today changed everything, and Artanis isn't certain of anything now.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Galadriel, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 310 |
| Posted on 5 March 2017 | Updated on 5 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Give Me Freedom, Give Me Fire by Fernstrike
In the week after the beginning of Dagor Bragollach, an elfling and his mother flee their settlement near the Fens of Serech. With his father's fate unknown and his home destroyed, the elfling considers what is to come next.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 010 |
| Posted on 5 March 2017 | Updated on 5 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Three by the Door by Himring
Elros, future King of Numenor, makes the acquaintance of some of his future subjects--and finds out that some traditions that he thought forgotten have survived the drowning of Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Elros, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 688 |
| Posted on 4 March 2017 | Updated on 4 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Fosterling Prince Arrives by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The young Túrin is led to the gates of Menegroth. What welcome will he receive?
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elu Thingol, Gethron, Grithnir, Mablung, Melian, Nellas, Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| Posted on 3 March 2017 | Updated on 3 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Writing Aman, or the Balance between the Mythic and the Real by Dawn Felagund
Fantasy writers, including creators of Tolkien-based fanworks, have long struggled to depict the "otherness" of realms like Aman. In the past, the Tolkien fan fiction community showed a preference for an idealistic portrayal of Aman that left little room for imperfection. My work has long taken the opposite approach, and in this essay, I argue for the artistic need and canonical basis for grounding stories set in Aman in a more recognizable reality of human experience. This essay was written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2017 for the orange/nonfiction path with the prompt "Worldbuilding."
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Melkor, Ungoliant, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 841 |
| Posted on 3 March 2017 | Updated on 3 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
