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
And Borte Did Gather Her People by heget
Of the People of Bór in the aftermath of the Fifth Battle, for the side that lost the Nirnaeth Arnoediad was comprised of more than just the elves and Edain.
Of the Easterlings, both the family of the sons of Bór left defenseless after defeat and the incomplete victory of the followers of Ulfang.
Of an old woman who must save who she can and face more than a few unwelcoming receptions.
| Major Characters: Men, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 356 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Night the Wolves Were Silent by Lingwiloke
Elrond, and a quiet night at the conclusion of the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| 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) |
Into the Darkness They Go by Elwin Fortuna
Aranwë paints a significant scene in the history of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Aranwë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| 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) |
My Dear Finduilas by Luxa
I write you this letter in hopes that I have not forgotten the words to do so.
| Major Characters: Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 397 |
| Posted on 15 August 2015 | Updated on 15 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Cousinly Bonding by Klose
While on a family holiday in Balar, Idril has a beachside chat with Gil-galad about their family.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 441 |
| 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) |
Family and Wolves by heget
The Great Wolf of Angband leaps, and Thingol thinks of family.
| Major Characters: Beren, Carcharoth, Elu Thingol, Huan, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 513 |
| Posted on 14 August 2015 | Updated on 14 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Some Futile Hope by Luxa
It is the Second Age of Middle-earth. Sauron is regrouping, the Rings are being forged, the Numenorians are beginning their descent into madness, and Glorfindel has been sent back to Middle-earth for...for what? Only time will tell, and when it does, all of Middle-earth will rise up to fight.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 21 | Word Count: 33, 377 |
| Posted on 5 June 2013 | Updated on 14 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Pretty Carvings by Luxa
“I am my people, Caranthir.” Haleth doesn't trust most Elves, but she trusts this one enough to show him their culture.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 872 |
| Posted on 14 August 2015 | Updated on 14 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Three Letters by Talullah
Three letters Almarian receives from the men in her life.
| Major Characters: Almarian, Tar-Aldarion, Tar-Meneldur, Vëantur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration, Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 90 |
| Posted on 14 August 2015 | Updated on 14 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
What Is Love? by just_jenni
Earwen has an idea to help Nerdanel recover from her grief over Feanor's demise.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 440 |
| Posted on 14 August 2015 | Updated on 14 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hold Fast Ere Night Comes by heget
Loving mortals will end in death. Angrod knows this.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Bregolas, Eldalótë, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12, 884 |
| Posted on 13 August 2015 | Updated on 13 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Bledda and the Beast by heget
A young man of the Bór stumbles across a strange animal in the refugee camps of Balar in the early days of the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 650 |
| Posted on 13 August 2015 | Updated on 13 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Vulture With the Sun in Its Talons by heget
A new star has risen in the sky, a great army from the West has come to war with Morgoth, and the survivors of the Bór make their choice for honor and hope.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 410 |
| Posted on 12 August 2015 | Updated on 12 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Bride's Jewel by Scribe of Mirrormere
The tale of enduring love, which began by the shores of Cuiviénen, that will set forth the events that impact all of Middle-earth for ages to come.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Lalwen, Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Vairë, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 18, 560 |
| Posted on 11 August 2015 | Updated on 11 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Skin by Scribe of Mirrormere
During a visit in Doriath, Aredhel and Eöl get caught up in a trivial argument.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beleg, Eöl, Galadriel, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 172 |
| Posted on 11 August 2015 | Updated on 11 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Smell of Raindrops and Lightning by heget
A quiet moment between the King and Queen of Beleriand long before the rise of the Sun and Moon, the building of Menegroth, or the birth of Lúthien Tinúviel. Plus Science!
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 616 |
| Posted on 11 August 2015 | Updated on 11 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Coming Flood by Luxa
Two women stand as the funeral procession of everyone they've ever known rolls by and they hold hands. The Valar have much to pay for. Amarië/Elenwë, modern AU dystopia.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 693 |
| Posted on 10 August 2015 | Updated on 10 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Arátellë by Scribe of Mirrormere
Aredhel’s experience in Alqualondë.
“I shall be known by no other name than Arátellë,” she told Turukáno.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Argon, Celegorm, Original Female Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 251 |
| Posted on 10 August 2015 | Updated on 10 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fight to the End by just_jenni
For the SWG Tenth Birthday Challenge.
Prompt Generator:
Form/Genre: Guyslash
Theme: Chaos vs Order
Quotes: "If they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways that we can".
Event: Beren and Luthien fight against Celegorm and Curufin
Rating: R
Warnings: Non-explicit non-con.
A twist to the Beren, Luthien, Celegorm and Curufin story.
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 997 |
| Posted on 10 August 2015 | Updated on 10 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the camps of the Bór by heget
After the Third Kin-slaying, Maglor and Maedhros return to their camp in Ossiriand with Elwing's sons. A human woman learns of what happened and must make hard decisions.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 180 |
| Posted on 9 August 2015 | Updated on 9 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Motherhood by lindahoyland
Galadriel becomes a mother.
A drabble.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 99 |
| Posted on 9 August 2015 | Updated on 9 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Curse by Robinka
A True Blood/The Silmarillion crossover fic written for the 10th Birthday Celebration Contest. It is not entirely serious, you get the idea.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Drama | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 380 |
| Posted on 9 August 2015 | Updated on 9 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Whispers by Luxa
Betrayal, the Dark One had told him. He cannot work through it, not when the wind blows through soft drapes while his mind screams.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 709 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Homecoming by swampdiamonds
"In those halls in the hills at that homecoming
mirth was mingled with melting tears"
(The Lay of the Children of Húrin, Canto III:1999-2000)
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Guilin, Gwindor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 490 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 462 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
