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
Bitter Dregs by Aiwen
Diplomacy is generally a poor source for exciting stories… except when it goes horribly wrong, leaving Gil-galad and the ambassadors of Gondor and Arnor at death's door, and an assassin on the loose. If any of them dies, can the alliance between the Elves and the Numenorean Exiles survive?
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Mystery | Challenges: Crime and Punishment |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 591 |
| Posted on 4 May 2016 | Updated on 26 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Poor Aim by StarSpray
Her contented peace that afternoon, however, was abruptly shattered when a spear shot through the branches scant inches from her head, narrowly missing a squirrel, which shot down the trunk with an angry chatter, to lodge in the trunk of the next tree over. Nellas shrieked and jerked back out of the way, arms flailing—and fell out of the tree. She landed roughly on the ground below, knocking her head against a root hard enough to make her see stars.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung, Nellas, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 673 |
| Posted on 26 October 2016 | Updated on 26 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Under A Spell by hennethgalad
First Contact ! Finrod meets mortals.
(When i wrote this, i had paid no attention to Men, being only interested in Elves. But there is no excuse for forgetting the existence of Dwarves. Nor for not reading the book closely enough to spot the line "marched in warlike companies". Canonically, then, Men were iron age, not stone age when they met Finrod. My error.
But still, i like the story, so i'm leaving it there. Someone must have met them then, even if it was Morgoth.)
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 986 |
| Posted on 24 October 2016 | Updated on 24 October 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Our Love is Great by Huinare
It was said that Gorlim greatly loved his wife, Eilinel. Other things went unsaid, though the result was the same either way.
| Major Characters: Eilinel, Gorlim, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 031 |
| Posted on 24 October 2016 | Updated on 24 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lorgan by hennethgalad
Lorgan goes to Angband.
| Major Characters: Lorgan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 438 |
| Posted on 23 October 2016 | Updated on 23 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
When the Stone Awoke by Zdenka
How the stone giants came to be, and how they settled in the Misty Mountains.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Durin I, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 250 |
| Posted on 23 October 2016 | Updated on 23 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Silver Vine by Zdenka
Newly released from Mandos, Maeglin is reluctant to rejoin society. A cousin he has never met comes to look for him. (Celebrimbor/Maeglin, pre-relationship.)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 672 |
| Posted on 23 October 2016 | Updated on 23 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Thou Art the Spring by Zdenka
Haleth and her people are newly settled in Brethil. Lúthien is drawn to learn more about mortals, and Haleth in particular. (Haleth/Lúthien.)
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Haleth, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 913 |
| Posted on 23 October 2016 | Updated on 23 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Under the Evening Star by Himring
The first sighting of Gil-Estel by the Sons of Feanor.
Slightly canon-divergent.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 251 |
| Posted on 23 October 2016 | Updated on 23 October 2016 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Deadly Doctor by hennethgalad
Maeglin after his father's death.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 116 |
| Posted on 22 October 2016 | Updated on 22 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Grima Wormtongue by hennethgalad
Grima meets Saruman.
| Major Characters: Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 344 |
| Posted on 21 October 2016 | Updated on 21 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Give me a moment for pity's sake by Sleepless_Malice
Finding a few quiet moments to jerk off isn’t the easiest thing in the Fëanorian household. Caranthir + incestuous desires feat. the most annoying (shithead) brothers one could ever wish for.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 121 |
| Posted on 19 October 2016 | Updated on 19 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Your tongue upon my scars by Sleepless_Malice
Fingolfin wants to make Fëanor pay for the burning of the ships in his very own way. Canon divergence AU for Fëanor being still alive when Fingolfin and his followers reach Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 334 |
| Posted on 19 October 2016 | Updated on 19 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shelob by hennethgalad
Isildur discovers the stairs to Cirith Ungol.
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 087 |
| Posted on 18 October 2016 | Updated on 18 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Thuringwethil by hennethgalad
Thuringwethil feeds.
| Major Characters: Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 103 |
| Posted on 16 October 2016 | Updated on 16 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sacrifice me for my Sins by Sleepless_Malice
After the War of Wrath Mairon is brought back to the Blessed Realm together with Melkor who is cast into the Void shortly after.
feat. the requested h/c from the prompter, rebellious Mairon, and mention of past Angbang.
| Major Characters: Manwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 59 |
| Posted on 15 October 2016 | Updated on 15 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Metamorphoses by Sleepless_Malice
"Too deep Ingwion was caught in his thoughts to realize that his fears and dreams almost were identical; only the width of a blade separated them."
The story of Eönwë, the Maia, and Ingwion, son of Ingwë, told from both perspectives; a tale of crushed dreams and betrayal, unhealthy obsessions and desires as old as the world itself.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Ingwë, Ingwion, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 26, 645 |
| Posted on 15 October 2016 | Updated on 15 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gollum by hennethgalad
Thranduil is disturbed by an unseen watcher while bathing.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 109 |
| Posted on 14 October 2016 | Updated on 14 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Temple of Melkor by hennethgalad
A cleaner at the Temple makes a badly-timed remark.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 384 |
| Posted on 13 October 2016 | Updated on 13 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Laying the Foundation by Lotrfan
Elrond and Erestor lead the survivors of the defeat at Eregion to a new home, which will eventually become Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 197 |
| Posted on 12 October 2016 | Updated on 12 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Love Over Gold by Keiliss
Glorfindel meets a strange being beside the sea at Mithlond and is amazed months later when Erestor makes his way to Imladris to find him. But for everything, there is a price.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: With a Bit of Fairy Dust |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 15, 811 |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 12 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Witch-King of Angmar by hennethgalad
Angmar is given a ring by Annatar...
| Major Characters: Sauron, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 550 |
| Posted on 12 October 2016 | Updated on 12 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Spiders by hennethgalad
A letter from Turgon to Fingolfin re spiders.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 899 |
| Posted on 11 October 2016 | Updated on 11 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Tinfang |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 883 |
| Posted on 9 October 2016 | Updated on 9 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mirkwood by hennethgalad
Deciding to leave Amon Lanc.
| Major Characters: Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 465 |
| Posted on 9 October 2016 | Updated on 9 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
