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
The Brides of Death by heget
"Nóm has many questions, but he never asks about the wreath Andreth wears in her hair."
A story of the Edain and their first interaction with the elves, of courage and defiance and most of all the Gift of Men.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 248 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Rise Like the Break of Dawn by Elwin Fortuna
Lalwen witnesses the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and leads as many as she can to safety in its aftermath.
| Major Characters: Annael, Fingon, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 318 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Save The World by Elwin Fortuna
Nimloth is on her way to visit Luthien. She's caught in a summer mist and hears a beautiful voice singing. Who will she meet?
| Major Characters: Dior, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 893 |
| Posted on 8 August 2015 | Updated on 8 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Maedhros Incident by Cheeky
What happened to Maglor and Erestor after " A Song For My Beloved"? Why did it all go wrong? How could Maglor ever forget about Maedhros's claustrophobia? And will the Son's of Feanor EVER take a day off?
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 887 |
| Posted on 5 August 2015 | Updated on 5 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Isilmë's Gift by Talullah
Isilmë has a visitor.
| Major Characters: Isilmë, Tar-Aldarion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 533 |
| Posted on 3 August 2015 | Updated on 3 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
the wise & the lovely by Agelast
Galadriel takes care of an unwanted suitor in her own inimitable way.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Celebrimbor, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 882 |
| Posted on 2 August 2015 | Updated on 2 August 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Running Around The Sun by Calithiel
That moment when the smalest thingd from life leave a mark that will remain far longer than we imagined...
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 594 |
| Posted on 31 July 2015 | Updated on 31 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Soldier by Fadesintothewest
Fingon finds the bones of an unknown soldier. The short story that follows is what he does with those bones.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 134 |
| Posted on 29 July 2015 | Updated on 29 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
In His Absence by Elleth
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and its losses, two desperately lonely people find comfort with each other.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Romance | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 098 |
| Posted on 27 July 2015 | Updated on 27 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by oshun
It’s a Years of the Trees’ story of Finrod and Amarië as young lovers, long before the rebellion of the Noldor separates them.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 158 |
| Posted on 26 July 2015 | Updated on 26 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
A Song for My Beloved by Cheeky
Erestor has a crush, Maglor has a harp and Fingon's singing is really, really bad. Just who is the song for? That's what we all want to know. The beginning of Maglor and Erestor's story.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 938 |
| Posted on 25 July 2015 | Updated on 25 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Under the Tree by Agelast
Elrond tells a story.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 139 |
| Posted on 24 July 2015 | Updated on 24 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In Dor-Cuarthol by Himring
They were former outlaws who under the leadership of Turin and Beleg, the Elf from Doriath, turned to fight against the Shadow in the North. It was more of an idea, really, than a homeland--or a period of time, too short to call an era--but they gave it the name of Dor-Cuarthol, the Land of Helm and Bow.
Those former outlaws--Algund was one of them. He and Beleg had something in common, but there was more that divided them from each other.
| Major Characters: Algund, Beleg |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 001 |
| Posted on 24 July 2015 | Updated on 24 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Impromptu Song by Scribe of Mirrormere
Prideful young Maglor finds inspiration for a new song.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Finrod Felagund, Gildor, Lalwen, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 298 |
| Posted on 24 July 2015 | Updated on 24 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Strangers in a Strange Land by My blue rose
It is said that Amandil set sail into the West, taking with him three servants and never again were they heard of by word or sign. This is the tale of Amandil’s fate.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Eönwë, Salmar, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 11, 263 |
| Posted on 15 April 2015 | Updated on 21 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Remembrance Is All by Agelast
Here lies ficlets, meme responses, and things that are too short to post on their own.
Update: A young Gil-galad meets some of his kin.
| Major Characters: Amras, Beleg, Curufin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Gil-galad, Haldir, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 999 |
| Posted on 8 April 2013 | Updated on 18 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Turn at Last to Home by StarSpray
Idril returns to Tirion.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 238 |
| Posted on 18 July 2015 | Updated on 18 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
For as Long as It Takes by oshun
A significant encounter between Nerdanel and Indis introduces a new chapter in their lives. Written for silmladylove’s second annual 2015 Tolkien Femslash Week on Tumblr. The romance herein is not explicit, but foreshadowed. I do have an untold story of these two women rattling around in my head that I will continue. I had hopes when I wrote my story A Kindred Heart that the astute reader would guess it could contain the seeds of something like this.
Many thanks to Elleth and also to Everyonelovesaloser for Beta reading this ficlet for me.
| Major Characters: Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 599 |
| Posted on 17 July 2015 | Updated on 17 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Footnotes by grey_gazania
Short scenes set in my "Wrapped Up in Books" series.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 547 |
| Posted on 27 June 2015 | Updated on 17 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
How Short Is Too Short? by oshun
Collection of ficlets too short to stand alone, which do seem to fit comfortably into my existing collections.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 53 |
| Posted on 17 July 2015 | Updated on 17 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Darken Me by Nibeneth
On one of his good days, Maitimo airs his grievances with that new horror they call the "sun."
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 046 |
| Posted on 17 July 2015 | Updated on 17 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Woman of the Secret Shadow by King Naugladur
Thuringwethil's thoughts as she prepares to attack Luthien.
| Major Characters: Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 384 |
| Posted on 16 July 2015 | Updated on 16 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Master of Puppets by Cirth
Maglor finds himself in a difficult position at the Gap, and is forced to make decisions that will affect the lives of his people.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Maglor, Uldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 825 |
| Posted on 21 June 2015 | Updated on 14 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Rian's Only Metal Hit by Elwin Fortuna
The Elves make no song of Fingolfin's last stand. One of the Edain, however, did.
| Major Characters: Huor, Húrin, Melkor, Morwen, Rían, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, General, Humor | Challenges: Canon with a Twist, Songs of Arda, Strong Women |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 375 |
| Posted on 10 July 2015 | Updated on 10 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Reflection by Nibeneth
Maedhros' hand is hurting him. Elrond has an idea that might help.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 97 |
| Posted on 9 July 2015 | Updated on 9 July 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
