New Challenge: Bollywood
This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships
As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available
The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] An exercise in music... And patience by Aprilertuile
Makalaurë was sitting at the harp in his music room. He was holding a dark blindfold in his hands and was looking at it with much scepticism.
[Writing] No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
[Writing] I called it Fate that I should fail by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
[Writing] All of you by chrissystriped
Elrond and Celebrían celebrate their anniversary with their family.
[Writing] Lament for the Singer by daughterofshadows
A short thing about Maglor, death and grieving.
[Writing] Cosmological Poems of Arda by AaronAzrael
I would like to share my revelations of Tolkien's Universe in the form of narrative and emotional poems.
[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…
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Dear Irmo
Historians trace the first advice column to 1690, and in the three centuries hence, the heartsore, woebegone, and perpetually puzzled have turned to these "agony aunts" (and uncles) to solve their most debilitating dilemmas about family, work, and of course, love. Choose one of our real advice columns, tweaked just slightly, for your prompt. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
[]The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
[]So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
[]It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
Around the World and Web
Fellowship of the Fics: Summer Stories 2024
Fellowship of the Fics offers four weeks of summer-themed prompts during the month of July.
Elrond Week 2024
Elrond Week is a fandom event dedicated to Elrond Peredhel that will run from July 10th to July 16th on Tumblr.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
July 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers and proposals in July 2024.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Of Night and Light and The Half-light by oshun
This is a place for short contributions or graphics (mostly but not all from Back-to-Middle-earth Month 2012). The title is from "He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven" by William Butler Yeats. Some are serious and some are silly.
Added "Death of Arvedui" graphic.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor, Noldor, Númenóreans, Orcs, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 15, 702 |
| Posted on 4 March 2012 | Updated on 3 October 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Beautiful Ones by Elleth
Before the discovery of the Quendi by Oromë, a young Indis and her lover try to make sense of each other and the world around them, while the threat of Morgoth upon Cuiviénen increases.
Originally written for Aliana's Bechdel Action/Adventure challenge, continued for B2MeM.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elu Thingol, Finwë, Indis, Ingwë, Original Character(s), Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 12, 025 |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 1 October 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Time After Time by Agelast
Maedhros takes in the newly re-embodied Fingon, and some old ghosts refused to be laid to rest.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingon, Maedhros, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 506 |
| Posted on 26 September 2014 | Updated on 26 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Up from the Ocean's Cup by StarSpray
“Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you, or are we just never going to talk again?” he asked finally, as they crested the Calacirya, and sprawling Alqualondë came into view, rainbow beaches glittering in the noonday sun. Even from there they could hear singing rising from the docks.
Elwing took a breath. “I don’t know,” she said finally. “Am I ever going to see you again?”
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, 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: 1, 989 |
| Posted on 26 September 2014 | Updated on 26 September 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Running by Elleth
A collection of scenes about Mithrellas and Nimrodel that did not make it into Searching and Searching, from their life in Lothlorien and their separation to finding each other again.
| Major Characters: Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 186 |
| Posted on 20 September 2014 | Updated on 20 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Writhen Pool by pandemonium_213
When the Istyari of Second Age Ost-in-Edhil deny her a place in an important new initiative to be taken up by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, a young master smith struggles to make her mark in the man's realm of the forges. An opportunity arrives when the smith is offered a commission that will present challenges of both mind and heart.
Pandë!verse-centric.
Rated Adult. Specific advisories will be posted per chapter as needed.
Two — count 'em, two — new chapters posted!
Chapter 10, In the Bright Light of Morning
Summary: The morning after arriving in Ost-in-Edhil, Elrond and Erestor each suffer from the aches and pains of the long road from Mithlond as well as from other sources.
Chapter 11, The Path's Heart
Summary: Elrond finds a nearly comatose Mélamírë in dire straits. She resists his attempts to reach her through sanwe-latya, until, with her permission, he gives her a bitter medicine that allows them to share a dream, called the lugnolossê by an ancient shaman of the Unbegotten.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Dwarves, Elrond, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 58, 859 |
| Posted on 18 April 2013 | Updated on 20 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (118) |
Colors of the Sky by Astris
Eilinel knows how to spin color into cloth, and she knows who she loves. (It might take her some time to admit it, though.) Written at the I Need My Fics 2014 exchange for Elleth.
| Major Characters: Eilinel, Glóredhel, Gorlim |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 041 |
| Posted on 19 September 2014 | Updated on 19 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Searching and Searching by Elleth
Both Nimrodel and Mithrellas are said in myth to have vanished without a trace, but that is not all there is to their story. Written for Astris at I Need My Fics 2014.
| Major Characters: Amroth, Imrazor, Mithrellas, Nimrodel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 726 |
| Posted on 15 September 2014 | Updated on 15 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Untrodden Path by Cirth
In the Years of the Trees, an adolescent Finrod feels an inexplicable pull towards his singular cousin, Maglor, and learns a bit more about himself.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 8, 338 |
| Posted on 21 July 2014 | Updated on 9 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Getting to Know Him by oshun
Request from Winterwitch: “ . . . something about Maedhros and Elrond would be lovely, perhaps of the time when one of the two discovers his respect, admiration, or even fondness of the other. Or Maglor and Elrond in the same situation.”
This is young Elrond's POV in the first hours after Maedhros and Maglor take him and his brother with them from the Havens of Sirion.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ankle Biters, Family Matters, First Meetings, From Evil Comes Good, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 736 |
| Posted on 6 September 2014 | Updated on 6 September 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
| Major Characters: Idril, Nienna, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 659 |
| Posted on 6 September 2014 | Updated on 6 September 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Nerdanel and the doll by Valentis
A very old Nerdanel looks back on her life from childhood to the present and reflects on her art and personal life while remembering her first work.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 329 |
| Posted on 5 September 2014 | Updated on 5 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Sea Is Calling by Lingwiloke
A reborn Telerin mariner contemplates sea-longing.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 528 |
| Posted on 1 September 2014 | Updated on 1 September 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Winged Voices: Birds of Middle-earth by Himring
Drabble sequence written for bird prompts: various kinds of cross-overs between the Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings and/or The Hobbit.
1) Swan: Galadriel & Celeborn; 2) Thrush: Celegorm, Caranthir, Bard; 3) Raven: Caranthir, Dain; 4) Nightingale: Arwen, Daeron; 5) Eagle: Landroval, Meneldor.
The birds get their own say in some, but not all of the drabbles.
Plus: "In Neldoreth, in Spring": Galadriel & Celeborn and a nightingale
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celeborn, Celegorm, Daeron, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 614 |
| Posted on 31 August 2014 | Updated on 31 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Last Prince: Musings on Finarfin by avanti_90
A character of few words may yet have great significance. An essay on Finarfin, the third son of Finwë and later King of the Noldor, and what he means to the story of the Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 481 |
| Posted on 29 August 2014 | Updated on 29 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Nemo me impune lacessit by Agelast
No one cuts me with impunity.
The Finrod/Curufin Cask of Amontillado AU that no one asked for.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 049 |
| Posted on 27 August 2014 | Updated on 27 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Breakfast Club by Saelind
The morning after the Mereth Aderthad, Fingolfin enjoys a quiet moment with Aredhel.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 452 |
| Posted on 26 August 2014 | Updated on 26 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Joy as Sharp as a Sword by oshun
Fingon and Maedhros travel to visit Finrod in Nargothrond with a weighty purpose. Finished! It might be one of the more self-indulgent stories I have written, but I hope entertaining. [And the usual thanks to Ignoble Bard for reading and concrit.]
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Edrahil, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Noldor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: Love Conquers All |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 882 |
| Posted on 10 August 2014 | Updated on 25 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Trees of Numenor by Himring
A sequence of eight drabbles spanning the history of Numenor, with a particular focus on the period of Aldarion.
Now added: an extra drabble on Amandil for the Akallabeth in August challenge
| Major Characters: Almarian, Ar-Pharazôn, Elros, Erendis, Gil-galad, Isildur, Tar-Aldarion, Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Míriel, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Suicide, Character Death |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 856 |
| Posted on 14 December 2013 | Updated on 25 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Délivrance by Dilly
Maedhros enchaîné attend sa délivrance... (drabble)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 435 |
| Posted on 22 August 2014 | Updated on 22 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Vengeance From the Void by Alcarin
Sentenced into the Void for eternity, Melkor now plots his final revenge against the Valar. And as time counts towards the prophesied End, Melkor enters into one last alliance with an ancient entity: a self-serving ally in the distant past ... and an old enemy.
| Major Characters: Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 364 |
| Posted on 18 August 2014 | Updated on 18 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
It was Enough by Fadesintothewest
Who was Fingon's wife? How does that mesh up with a Maedhros/Fingon narrative. This is one attempt.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 348 |
| Posted on 18 August 2014 | Updated on 18 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
The Secret Life Of The Forest by Agelast
A fairy tale beginning.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 914 |
| Posted on 17 August 2014 | Updated on 17 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
On Not Leaving Gondolin by Himring
Two extremely different takes on Turgon's refusal to leave Gondolin.
Now added: another crack fic, this time also featuring Tuor!
(i) The Open Door The Dead Walked In (elegy)
(ii) The Turgon Dilemma (crack fic)
(iii) On Not Leaving Gondolin (again) (crack fic)
| Major Characters: Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 20 August 2012 | Updated on 9 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Elopement by Elleth
Eärwen and Anairë have long been pining for one another, but when they make an impromptu journey to Tol Eressëa to escape the fraught political climate of Tirion, their relationship takes a different turn.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 151 |
| Posted on 9 August 2014 | Updated on 9 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
