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
Maudits silmarils : maudits bonus du livre 1 by Dilly
Bonus nawak à "Maudits silmarils". Bonus 13 : Le massage
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Fingon, Glorfindel, Idril, Maedhros, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 18, 179 |
| Posted on 22 May 2014 | Updated on 15 September 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dance on the Thunder by Cirth
In the woods, Sam encounters a very old elf. He's not sure how he feels about it.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 425 |
| Posted on 14 September 2015 | Updated on 14 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Aredhel and the Marring of Bliss by just_jenni
Aredhel, Celegorm and Curufin used to play together as youngsters and were great friends. This story concerns that friendship and Aredhel's desire to leave Gondolin and meet her cousins again after much time and many events have passed.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 528 |
| Posted on 16 August 2015 | Updated on 13 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Heard it Through the Grapevine by Levade
Somewhere in Aman there's a pub and from time to time a few musicians like to gather there to 'discuss' human songs.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Lindir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 419 |
| Posted on 11 September 2015 | Updated on 11 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Sea-Queen's Touch by Elwin Fortuna
Tar-Míriel, beyond all hope, is rescued.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 139 |
| Posted on 11 September 2015 | Updated on 11 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Voices of the Departed by heget
Maglor has a discussion with his younger brothers.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 739 |
| Posted on 8 September 2015 | Updated on 8 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The knife Angrist by Himring
So, Curufin, son of Feanor, is conveniently walking around with a dwarf-made knife at his waist that just happens to be suitable for cutting a Silmaril out of Morgoth's iron crown and he just happens to give Beren enough provocation to rob him of his possessions, including the knife.
Here is a slightly AU gapfiller on the subject of the early history of Angrist, the knife that would cleave iron as if it were green wood.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingon, Lúthien Tinúviel, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 511 |
| Posted on 5 September 2015 | Updated on 5 September 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thanksgiving by My blue rose
Aragorn ascends Mount Mindolluin to fulfill his obligations as King for an ages old tradition. There he meets someone he does not expect and finds something he was not looking for.
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 19, 681 |
| Posted on 31 August 2015 | Updated on 31 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Spin Songs for the Sea by heget
Eärwen as a young maiden of the Swan-haven, surrounded and supported by family, and the intersection of song and spinning thread.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 10, 744 |
| Posted on 31 August 2015 | Updated on 31 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Finellach by Agelast
Gil-galad learns to face his destiny -- but he isn't alone. Written during Ardor in August 2015 for LuxaLucifer.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 8, 336 |
| Posted on 31 August 2015 | Updated on 31 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Forever - Give or Take by IgnobleBard
Gil-galad and Celebrimbor have a great life together in Aman, until a certain person from the past shows up.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 366 |
| Posted on 31 August 2015 | Updated on 31 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Grief is an Undertow by heget
Ships leave the port of Alqualondë for the shores of Middle-earth to begin the War of Wrath, and the niece of Olwë recounts her grief and cries for vengeance.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Ossë, Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 875 |
| Posted on 31 August 2015 | Updated on 31 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Luminous Any Dark Place by Elleth
In dire straits in Araman, Aredhel and Elenwë struggle with more than just the cold.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 557 |
| Posted on 30 August 2015 | Updated on 30 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Until the Stars No Longer Shine by Independence1776
During the Great Journey, on the bank of what will become known as the Anduin, Finwë, Míriel, and Indis marry.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë, Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 361 |
| Posted on 30 August 2015 | Updated on 30 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Passage by Agelast
Túrin goes down another path -- and changes everything for those he loves. Written for Rarepairs 2015.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 593 |
| Posted on 29 August 2015 | Updated on 29 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Neighborhood Watch by heget
Finrod frets while helping the People of Bëor settle Estolad. He desires a safe home for his new friends (and some elves are safer neighbors than others).
| Major Characters: Balan, Beleg, Bëor, Celeborn, Finrod Felagund, Mablung, Men, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 578 |
| Posted on 23 August 2015 | Updated on 23 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Bull and the Tides by heget
The story of the first companion of Finrod and Beren to die in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 862 |
| Posted on 21 August 2015 | Updated on 21 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Revenant by heget
During the War of Wrath, one of the survivors of the people of Bór must deal with the enemy who occupy Dor-lómin. Another peak into the fates of some overlooked Easterlings.
Yet again Bledda has an unexpected encounter.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 452 |
| Posted on 18 August 2015 | Updated on 18 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Whom Thou Namest Friend, Part One by ElrondsScribe
I'm a bit embarrassed by this story now, but I thought I'd share it with you all anyway. I only got three chapters into it, but I don't think I'm likely to update it. It crosses over with Narnia, and follows Omega. You really have to read Omega before starting this one.
NEW: Major revisions being made. This story is meing re-written to make it consistent with Avenger of Blood.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 647 |
| Posted on 24 December 2014 | Updated on 17 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wall the Heart by heget
After the first battle of Beleriand, more unexpected tragedy strikes in the heart of Menegroth, and a Girdle must be raised.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Eöl, Mablung, Melian, Original Character(s), Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 688 |
| Posted on 17 August 2015 | Updated on 17 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Prisoner by Uvatha the Horseman
A fanfic of elfscribe's "Elegy to Numenor" in which Sauron, recently taken prisoner by Ar-Pharazon, puts terrifying visions into the minds of his guards. (He's being a jerk because he's bored.)
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 935 |
| Posted on 16 August 2015 | Updated on 16 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Brief Early History of Avant-Garde Textile Art by zopyrus
Vairë the Weaver had several tapestry projects going at once, and Míriel Serindë disappeared from them all at the same time.
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 259 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Thralldom and Pearls by LadyBrooke
She is just a servant, and her lover can't be a thrall - for why would Morgoth want such an unimportant person as one?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 354 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Curse of Death by LadyBrooke
This was supposed to be a birth, and Denethor’s wife is dying.
And from this, he wonders if he cursed his family for the remaining ages of the world.
| Major Characters: Denethor (Nandor), Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 409 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Walls of Night by LadyBrooke
Celegorm knows the Sinda has no real power to do anything to them.
If it wasn't for his brothers trembling next to him, and the Sinda smirking, he would be utterly convince this was a dream. Afterall, that made more sense than a Sinda somehow dragging their souls along with his to this cursed place.
Mild violence warning for mention (and description) of future Silm events.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celeborn, Celegorm, Curufin, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Suspense | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 088 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
