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
End Is the Beginning
Take the ending of a story from "The Silmarillion" and use it as the beginning of a fanwork. 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
Howl by heget
On the autumn equinox the first men to arrive in Beleriand dance and sing to remember how and why they fled over the mountains. On the night of masks, a young Beren is dragged before the throne.
Companion piece to The Brides of Death.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Baragund, Belegund, Beren, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 76 |
| Posted on 5 April 2016 | Updated on 5 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Ghost Of Memory by Tyelca
Madness can be transmitted; or at least, the memory of madness can. When Nerdanel finds herself alone, she finds that the line between memory and madness is much more easily crossed than she ever thought was possible.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 59 |
| Posted on 3 April 2016 | Updated on 3 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax by The Wavesinger
(Also cabbages, and kings.) Ficlets which are, even by my standards, too short to stand alone (and aren't part of a series).
#6: Finduilas contemplates sickness and Nienor.
| Major Characters: Elros, Finduilas, Gilmith, Goldberry, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Nellas, Nienor, Original Female Character(s), Uinen, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 2, 086 |
| Posted on 23 November 2015 | Updated on 3 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The cost of crossing by Ariana
Helcaraxe spares no one.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Argon, Fingolfin, Fingon, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 98 |
| Posted on 3 April 2016 | Updated on 3 April 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Not Wholly Unwilling by Ecthelion
For the marriage of the Eldar, what is "not wholly unwilling"?
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 897 |
| Posted on 28 March 2016 | Updated on 28 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Tales of the Nine by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Who were the Nine before they became Ringwraiths - and after? Intended as a collection of Wraith-centric pieces whenever they come to me.
| Major Characters: Nazgûl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 488 |
| Posted on 25 March 2016 | Updated on 25 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Time Enough for Love by Ecthelion
An extra chapter of Sad But True.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Huan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 068 |
| Posted on 23 March 2016 | Updated on 23 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sad But True by Ecthelion
A story for Celegorm the fair, the third son of Fëanor. An attempt to give the life of a simple villain more details without compromising his essential character.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm, Curufin, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 25, 974 |
| Posted on 23 March 2016 | Updated on 23 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Breach in the Walls by Ecthelion
What was Maeglin thinking when he faced Idril in the end?
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 912 |
| Posted on 23 March 2016 | Updated on 23 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
One star less by Ariana
Shortly about burning ships in Losgar according to "The Peoples of Middle-Earth"
| Major Characters: Amras, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 366 |
| Posted on 21 March 2016 | Updated on 21 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Letter by Alquien
A thank you note provides unexpected insight.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Legolas Greenleaf, Legolas of Gondolin, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 958 |
| Posted on 21 March 2016 | Updated on 21 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Short Tales of Arda by grey_gazania
Various short pieces.
Newest (3/19/16):
"Ammë": Curufin and Celebrimbor struggle with the absence of Celebrimbor's mother.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Círdan, Curufin, Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Nerdanel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Horror | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 3, 096 |
| Posted on 16 June 2015 | Updated on 19 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Black snow falls by Harnatano - Lithenna
Fëanor just died, his sons are silently gathered around the ashes of his body, and Curufin must face the reality of his father's death, and his legacy.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 993 |
| Posted on 17 March 2016 | Updated on 17 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Translations from the Elvish by Himring
Elrond and Bilbo discuss "Translations from the Elvish" and its sources, especially the writings of Pengolodh.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Elrond, Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 736 |
| Posted on 13 March 2016 | Updated on 13 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Stolen Light by Chiaroscuro by Scribe of Mirrormere
Eöl discovers the world of fanfiction thanks to Aredhel and agrees to collaborate on a project with her.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 474 |
| Posted on 6 March 2016 | Updated on 6 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
There shall be no lie by Harnatano - Lithenna
A summer during the Siege of Angband. Beleriand is calm and peaceful, Himlad is safe, and Celebrimbor decides to take his father on a short trip in Assoriach.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 927 |
| Posted on 5 March 2016 | Updated on 5 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Atop Aewellond's Tower by Kaylee Arafinwiel
While looking eastward and missing her children, Elwing is brought important news, and makes a new friend.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 372 |
| Posted on 4 March 2016 | Updated on 4 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Quiet promises by Harnatano - Lithenna
Nerdanel and Fëanor sharing a moment of tenderness; A first child will be born.
(unrequired post coital fluff.)
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 900 |
| Posted on 4 March 2016 | Updated on 4 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In An Hour Unlooked For by Kaylee Arafinwiel
She had always loved the Sea. She never knew how much the Sea loved her back…
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 572 |
| Posted on 4 March 2016 | Updated on 4 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Temptation of Osse by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Even in the Beginning of the Beginning, Osse was drawn to Melkor's Themes, and Ulmo worried for his impetuous Maia...
| Major Characters: Gothmog, Melkor, Ohtar, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 201 |
| Posted on 4 March 2016 | Updated on 4 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dying on the Vine by Ilye
At the start of the Second Age, Gil-galad and his mother have a frank conversation about Fingon whilst Maedhros passes from politics into history.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2014 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 374 |
| Posted on 2 March 2016 | Updated on 2 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dying on the Vine by Ilye
At the start of the Second Age, Gil-galad and his mother have a frank conversation about Fingon whilst Maedhros passes from politics into history.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2014 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 032 |
| Posted on 2 March 2016 | Updated on 2 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Animal Skins by Ilye
AU in which Celegorm is captured by Morgoth instead of Maedhros, and rescued by Aredhel instead of Fingon.
“Well, brothers? Aren’t you going to ask me what kind of creature I am today?”
Silence. A cleared throat; an awkward shifting of weight. Aredhel rolled her eyes, but the drama was his alone and he was going to savour it.
“Ask me,” he pushed, then again more loudly when still no answer came, “Ask me!”
“Well tell us, then,” sniped Curufin from the back of the room, then affected a sing-song. “What kind of creature are you today, Tyelko?”
“Today…” he grinned, and the distance grew greater between him and them. “Today, I’m a Celegorm.”
| Major Characters: Amrod, Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 19, 605 |
| Posted on 9 January 2016 | Updated on 2 March 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Condensed Silmarillion by Cheeky
The Silm you read when you are not really reading the Silm. Everything you wanted to know without all the boring bits.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Aulë, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Dwarves, Eru Ilúvatar, Eöl, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Maedhros, Maglor, Mandos, Manwë, Melkor, Men, Teleri, Thorondor, Tulkas, Turgon, Ulmo, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 59 | Word Count: 186, 625 |
| Posted on 23 July 2015 | Updated on 29 February 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away by The Wavesinger
In which May is captured and Fin rescues her (with some string-pulling help given by Commander Skywalker, of course). Or, the Fingon/Maedhros edition of Star Wars AUs.
(Written for Amy Fortuna for Chocolate Box 2015)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 467 |
| Posted on 29 February 2016 | Updated on 29 February 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
