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
Utopia/Dystopia
To reflect both the idealistic beginnings and the dark endings that are so frequent in the Legendarium, we invite you to create a fanwork inspired by utopian or dystopian prompts from novels, songs, artworks, or films. 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.
[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] 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
my hero bares his nerves by Agelast
Written for the prompt - the Turin pairing of your choice having disastrous sex. But it's always a disaster, when Túrin's around!
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 122 |
| Posted on 17 November 2015 | Updated on 17 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Last Tango in Nargothrond by Agelast
It takes (at least) two to utterly destroy a city.
| Major Characters: Orodreth, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 196 |
| Posted on 17 November 2015 | Updated on 17 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The heart of a father is a masterpiece of nature by Harnatano - Lithenna
A short piece about young Celebrimbor and his father, being happy in Aman.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 626 |
| Posted on 15 November 2015 | Updated on 15 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
One Last Song by Harnatano - Lithenna
Maglor in the moments that precede and follow Maedhros' death.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 666 |
| Posted on 12 November 2015 | Updated on 12 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Rose of Summer by Sleepless_Malice
"It was customary for the noble Lords of Gondolin to celebrate – every week, beginning the week after Tarnin Austa, one of the great houses of Gondolin held an impressive celebration in honor of the labor it took to build the hidden city and of their king, who was dearly loved by all. The House of the Heavenly Arch marked the beginning of the special season, followed by the Houses of the Fountain and Swallow and their respective lords until the feast of the King marked the end of the endless celebrations. Today, however, it was the night of the Golden Flower, and it would most likely become a night to remember."
..and it indeed became a night to remember - but not as expected!
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Duilin, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Penlod, Rog, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 280 |
| Posted on 9 November 2015 | Updated on 9 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kingfisher in a Cage by heget
The story of the fifth companion of Finrod and Beren to die in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
| Major Characters: Beren, Edrahil, Finrod Felagund, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 344 |
| Posted on 8 November 2015 | Updated on 8 November 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Almarë Eruo by The Wavesinger
Elros and his wife, and the making of a queen. A legend of Meneltarma.
| Major Characters: Elros, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 236 |
| Posted on 7 November 2015 | Updated on 7 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gone with the Wind by Sleepless_Malice
Glorfindel’s violent death has left incurable mental wounds behind and his memory only consists of very small fragments. Thoughts of how he had failed to protect the White City and its inhabitants trouble him to such an extent that Námo seems incapable to cure him. He is released from the Halls of Waiting to reside in Irmo’s gardens to aid his recovery, because: sooner or later, he has to return to Middle-Earth. However, his state remains unchanged and in his desperation, Irmo consults Manwë for guidance how to proceed with the grieving elf in his care, without being aware of their own fateful history.
This story tells their very own and special history and touches Glorfindel’s motives to leave the Blessed Realm behind, and explains what troubles him to such an extent that he fights against the help of the Valar. Can they reconcile and finally forget what had happened between them millennia ago?
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Lórien, Mandos, Manwë, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 836 |
| Posted on 4 November 2015 | Updated on 4 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Stranger in a Strange Land. by Cheeky
A bored Erestor gets the surprise of his life when Glorfindel returns from the dead. But their reunion does not exactly go smoothly. Things have changed in the last several hundred years. Can Glorfindel adjust?....Will Erestor ever wear trousers?
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 5, 954 |
| Posted on 3 October 2015 | Updated on 3 November 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Feasting with the Lions of Valmar by heget
On the eve of the War of Wrath, Ingwion asks his father to be the one to lead the Vanyar in battle. Afterwards his family dinner highlights a hidden motive in his eagerness to journey to Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Ingwë, Ingwion, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 896 |
| Posted on 30 October 2015 | Updated on 30 October 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Queen and Her Consort by The Wavesinger
The Ruling Queen of Numenor and her Consort discuss Council politics.
(Finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories)
| Major Characters: Herucalmo, Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 432 |
| Posted on 30 October 2015 | Updated on 30 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Noldolantë by The Wavesinger
Maedhros and Fingon: how they fight, and how they lose.
(Finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 578 |
| Posted on 30 October 2015 | Updated on 30 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dust Clouds by The Wavesinger
Luthien rides in search of Beren.
I am finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories
| Major Characters: Beren, Húrin, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 378 |
| Posted on 30 October 2015 | Updated on 30 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Nocturnal Rapport by Cirth
Elrond remembers Sirion, and learns the art of the sword.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 652 |
| Posted on 27 October 2015 | Updated on 28 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Motionless in Time by The Wavesinger
#5: Aredhel, trapped in Gondolin.
A collection of fixed-length fic(let)s, each based on a line (or lines) of a poem/play.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beren, Elrond, Fingon, Gil-galad, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Nessa, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 322 |
| Posted on 3 August 2013 | Updated on 25 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
'Star People' & 'Orc' by Himring
A short scene from the dungeons of Angband.
No actual gore, but Angband is Angband...
Now added: 'Orc' - an orc escapes from the Fall of Angband.
| Major Characters: Elves, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Beginnings |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 359 |
| Posted on 31 October 2010 | Updated on 24 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The green stone by sullhach
Enerdhil' s green stone
| Major Characters: Enerdhil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 429 |
| Posted on 14 October 2015 | Updated on 14 October 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Pins by heget
The story of the seventh companion of Finrod and Beren to die in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
| Major Characters: Noldor, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 132 |
| Posted on 10 October 2015 | Updated on 10 October 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rain and Drought by Cirth
The ups and the downs, and the things that lie between. A series of drabbles.
| Major Characters: Bor, Borlach, Borlad, Uldor, Ulfang, Ulfast, Ulwarth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 355 |
| Posted on 6 June 2015 | Updated on 30 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Where Dragons Come From by Tyelca
About Smaug and how he passed the Ages since his Master's defeat in the War of Wrath.
My personal view on the origins of Smaug, the last of the Great Firedrakes of the North, from his flight from Angband to his death in Esgaroth, because I don't believe such great Dragons appear out of nowhere.
Warning! Melkor is kind-of a good father-figure here ;)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 29 September 2015 | Updated on 29 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Love Song to Middle-Earth in Spring by Himring
A song that could have been sung by anyone after the first rising of the Sun, really-- but maybe particularly by Beren himself, from whose song this piece is adapted, or by Aragorn, since he seems to have liked the Lay of Leithian, from which Beren's song is taken?
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 89 |
| Posted on 25 September 2015 | Updated on 25 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Girls of Minas Tirith by heget
These are the girls of Minas Tirith before Sauron comes.
(Character study to Release from Bondage)
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 330 |
| Posted on 23 September 2015 | Updated on 23 September 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Deeds of Small Hands by StarSpray
Lúthien is not the first Elf to discover Beren wandering the forest.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Beren, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Nellas, 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: 452 |
| Posted on 23 September 2015 | Updated on 23 September 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Clouds of Steam by Luxa
Many people spoke of Himring for many reasons. Fingon thought of it only for the Elf who ruled it. Maedhros/Fingon
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 023 |
| Posted on 18 September 2015 | Updated on 18 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Whatcha Gonna Call It? by heget
In an alternative universe Aegnor and Andreth do marry. That does not stop the philosophical debates. Or more mundane questions. Where Angrod's worries about his family are a little more prosaic and involve Beleriand's version of baby name books.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Angrod, Boromir (House of Bëor), Bregor, Eldalótë, Finrod Felagund, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 010 |
| Posted on 18 September 2015 | Updated on 18 September 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
