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
Canon with a Twist
Choose a single moment in Tolkien's canon, have a character make a different choice, and create a fanwork about how the history changes. 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
The Table of Fingolfin by hennethgalad
Turgon confesses manipulating people.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 373 |
| Posted on 30 November 2016 | Updated on 30 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Excavating Nargothrond by hennethgalad
How Felagund got his title.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 935 |
| Posted on 28 November 2016 | Updated on 28 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Ship ii by hennethgalad
Glorfindel returns to Finrod.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gandalf, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 237 |
| Posted on 27 November 2016 | Updated on 27 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Ship by hennethgalad
Frodo learns of Finrod and Glorfindel.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 893 |
| Posted on 27 November 2016 | Updated on 27 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eithel Ivrin by hennethgalad
Finrod meets Glorfindel. Swimming. There are golden flowers.
I just want to point out that Finrod had a badge bearing a crown of golden flowers. In my view the flower is gorse, also known as whin, often found in dells.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 272 |
| Posted on 4 November 2016 | Updated on 26 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Ice Between by Nibeneth
Nearly two decades after rescuing Maedhros from Angband, Fingon visits him at his newly-completed fortress of Himring. Much has changed since they were carefree in love in the bliss of Valinor, and they too must change in order to overcome the obstacles of their new situation.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 20, 571 |
| Posted on 9 November 2016 | Updated on 20 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
A Stiff Northern Breeze by Himring
During the time of the Siege of Angband, the princes of the Noldor meet once again in council, this time at Tol Sirion. Maedhros has a disturbing conversation with Orodreth, their host. He discusses Orodreth with Fingon, while they take a walk along the river.
A Christmas present for Alasse--Christmas 2010, that is. Only about two months late, that's almost punctual, for me... Thank you for the discussion of weather conditions in northern Beleriand, Alasse!
Maedhros/Fingon.
Now added: Engineering and Diplomacy (Fingon & Curufin, double drabble)
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fingon, Maedhros, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 716 |
| Posted on 18 February 2011 | Updated on 19 November 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Chain That Snaps by Independence1776
Elrond rescues Maglor from a laboratory. Hurt/comfort.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Galadriel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 680 |
| Posted on 18 November 2016 | Updated on 18 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Rebellion by Uvatha the Horseman
Mairon gradually makes the decision to leave Aule's household and join Melkor's.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Maiar, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 4, 001 |
| Posted on 22 October 2011 | Updated on 17 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
non-fiction on the nature of elves by hennethgalad
Consideration of free will and the nature of elves.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eöl, Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gildor, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lindir, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maeglin, Maglor, Manwë, Melkor, Orcs, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 354 |
| Posted on 16 November 2016 | Updated on 16 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shattered Disguise by Sleepless_Malice
“Because in a few years you’ll sit in Mandos’ halls and regret your choices!"
Sometimes dark and gloomy thoughts are necessary to unveil the truth.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 891 |
| Posted on 10 November 2016 | Updated on 10 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dust is the Only Secret by Agelast
Dust is the only Secret—
Death, the only One
After the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, Maedhros struggles to continue on.
Written for Trick or Treat 2016, for Amyfortuna.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 398 |
| Posted on 7 November 2016 | Updated on 7 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Song I Will Never Sing by Fernstrike
Ages from now, Daeron remains in the East, and he remembers.
(Or, a poem of one that felt too much and made terrible decisions because of it)
| Major Characters: Beren, Daeron, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 999 |
| Posted on 2 November 2016 | Updated on 2 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Craving Dreams by Sleepless_Malice
Gil-galad spends some free time at the beach close to his realm in Lindon, thinking he is alone until he realizes that Elrond is present as well.
Based on the wonderful MMM-prompt: "His sword was long, his lance was keen" - and he has to 'polish' it regularly."
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 597 |
| Posted on 2 November 2016 | Updated on 2 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Cunning Deceit by Sleepless_Malice
Mairon discovers a new game he likes to play with his favorite captive, and much to his amusement Maedhros takes equal delight in it — until the illusion scatters. Spiced up with a pinch of unhealthy Angbang.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 674 |
| Posted on 2 November 2016 | Updated on 2 November 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Companies,clubs, and cliques by hennethgalad
Postcards from Mereth Aderthad.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Daeron, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 588 |
| Posted on 31 October 2016 | Updated on 31 October 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dol Guldur by hennethgalad
Mithrandir brings news of grim findings at the fall of Dol Guldur.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Gandalf, Oropher, Saruman, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 485 |
| Posted on 31 October 2016 | Updated on 31 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Look Outward by Independence1776
Nienna approaches Námo about releasing Eluréd and Elurín from the Halls.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Mandos, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 641 |
| Posted on 31 October 2016 | Updated on 31 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Creepy Basement by hennethgalad
Annatar gets a guided tour of Amon Lanc from Thranduil.
| Major Characters: Oropher, Sauron, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 827 |
| Posted on 30 October 2016 | Updated on 30 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"Because my Land is Fair" and other drabbles by Himring
Drabbles about Annael, Grey Elf of Hithlum:
I. "Because my Land is Fair": Annael refuses to leave Hithlum.
II. "Inspiration": A first meeting between Rian and Annael, just after she has arrived in Hithlum as refugee
III. "Elvish Reminiscences": Annael tells Tuor about his great-grandparents.
IV.: "The Escape Route": Fingon shows Annael the entrance to the Gate of the Noldor.
V. "Under the Stars, in Sunlight": Annael and Tuor talk about the Sun and about elves and men.
VI. "Defeat": Annael in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
VII. "Leaf Loss": Annael, after all, ends up leaving Hithlum.
| Major Characters: Annael, Beleg, Fingon, Rían, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 975 |
| Posted on 30 October 2016 | Updated on 30 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Beast With A Human Face by hennethgalad
Concerning The Shadow, and the battle between Sauron and Elendil and Gil-galad.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond, Gil-galad, Isildur, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 858 |
| Posted on 29 October 2016 | Updated on 29 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Two Trees and Unnumbered Stars by DrummerWench
“While I lay drowsing on the earth, there came to me the voices of the growing things of Arda, mourning the loss of the light of the Lamps. Now the living things of Aman indeed rejoice in the light of the Trees, yet Middle-earth remains in darkness. And the time of the coming of the Firstborn of the Children of Ilúvatar draws near."
| Major Characters: Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 712 |
| Posted on 28 October 2016 | Updated on 28 October 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wargs by hennethgalad
Radagast takes Thranduil warg-hunting.
| Major Characters: Radagast, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 931 |
| Posted on 28 October 2016 | Updated on 28 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eöl by hennethgalad
Aredhel meets Eöl
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on 26 October 2016 | Updated on 26 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bringing Trouble to Barad-dur by Aiwen
In the Halls of Mandos, Celebrimbor and Gil-galad receive a unique assignment: go as ghosts to Barad-dur and distract Sauron from his war against the free peoples of Middle-earth. MEFA 2010 Humor Incomplete 3rd place winner.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Dwarves, Elves, Gil-galad, Mandos, Men, Nazgûl, Orcs, Original Character(s), Sauron, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 22 | Word Count: 23, 942 |
| Posted on 7 January 2015 | Updated on 26 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (32) |
