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
Ancestors
Create a fanwork in which a character's resemblance or connection to an ancestor plays a central role. 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 Shackle by Elisif
Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 074 |
| Posted on 21 February 2015 | Updated on 21 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
What You Mean To Me by The Wavesinger
Four seasons, four times Fingon loves Maedhros, and three times the rest of the Noldor love them.
AU-ish. Drabble.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Script/Play/Screenplay, Slash/Femslash, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 115 |
| Posted on 21 February 2015 | Updated on 21 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Harvester of Sorrow by Robinka
For the International Day of Fanworks: an orc and his grim job.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: First Meetings, International Fanworks Day, Lost Letters, Things We Never Said |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on 18 February 2015 | Updated on 18 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
a thousand years above her by Agelast
Írimë lives again.
This was written for International Fanworks Day 2015, for the prompts: The Circle of Life, New Beginnings, and Traditions.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Idril, Indis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: International Fanworks Day |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 743 |
| Posted on 16 February 2015 | Updated on 16 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The End is the Beginning by Fadesintothewest
Death is only another beginning for Fingon.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: End Is the Beginning |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 628 |
| Posted on 16 February 2015 | Updated on 16 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Gig in the Sky by Cirth
Maglor learns something new about his musical instruments from a rather unusual creature.
| Major Characters: Amras, Celegorm, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 081 |
| Posted on 15 February 2015 | Updated on 15 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Fate is Yours to Choose by StarSpray
With all the geological upheavel caused by the War of Wrath, the Blue Mountains are not, perhaps, the safest place to be.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Eönwë, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 182 |
| Posted on 15 February 2015 | Updated on 15 February 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Kindler Explains Space to the Children by Elleth
The Starkindler reminisces on the Beyond - and hopes.
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: End Is the Beginning, Parting's Sorrow, Wish upon a Star |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 291 |
| Posted on 15 February 2015 | Updated on 15 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
By the Iris Mere by Elleth
Escaping her death in the rapids of Teiglin, Niënor has followed Nellas to the Havens of Sirion to begin a new life, but fate still has more in store for them.
| Major Characters: Húrin, Melian, Nellas, Nienor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 093 |
| Posted on 15 February 2015 | Updated on 15 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Moonlit Dance by Elwin Fortuna
Luthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, teaches Artanis of the Noldor a new dance.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 632 |
| Posted on 15 February 2015 | Updated on 15 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Silver Night by Elwin Fortuna
Galadriel remembers a long-ago night and an old lost love.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 311 |
| Posted on 12 February 2015 | Updated on 12 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 357 |
| Posted on 2 February 2015 | Updated on 2 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Jug of Wine — And Thou by Agelast
Fingon and Maedhros are young and in love -- with each other and with themselves. A gift for Oshun.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 793 |
| Posted on 1 February 2015 | Updated on 1 February 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Point of No Return by Agelast
Maedhros opened his eyes and saw a sky full of stars.
[An AU ending to The Noon-tide Night.]
| Major Characters: Finwë, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 702 |
| Posted on 27 January 2015 | Updated on 27 January 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The north-march by losselen
A poem for Andreth in Ladros, in the long years of the Siege of Angband.
| Major Characters: Andreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 617 |
| Posted on 26 January 2015 | Updated on 26 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Time to Uproot by StarSpray
"...and the cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons and left them to starve in the forest. Of this Maedhros indeed repented, and sought for them long in the woods of Doriath; but his search was unavailing, and of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.”
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Elves, Ents, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on 25 January 2015 | Updated on 25 January 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winterlights by Elleth
A series of femslash drabbles based around the daily prompts of the 2013 Femslash Yuletide project. Some ficlets for the 2014 run have been added.
| Major Characters: Aerin, Anairë, Aredhel, Arwen, Elemmírë, Elenwë, Findis, Galadriel, Idril, Indis, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Míriel Serindë, Mithrellas, Morwen, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienor, Nimrodel, Original Character(s), Tar-Míriel, Thuringwethil, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 28 | Word Count: 4, 364 |
| Posted on 8 December 2013 | Updated on 21 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
The Sharpest and Sweetest of Recollections by Dawn Felagund
On the night of her betrothal party to Fingolfin, Anairë summons her dearest friend Eärwen to Tirion. Overwhelmed by the sense that she is losing control over her life and her longing for the love she once shared with Eärwen, Anairë wonders if she has made the right choice. A sequel to The Sailing Forth, written for Elleth. Anairë/Eärwen, Anairë/Fingolfin
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: First Lines |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 881 |
| Posted on 18 January 2015 | Updated on 18 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Maglor Dreams by MaedhrosFeanorian
Maglor dreams. He dreams about many things, but this night, he dreams of Nelyo. And of how he ended.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 377 |
| Posted on 18 January 2015 | Updated on 18 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
What's Real, What's Stranger by Elleth
Maglor has come to stay the winter with friends, but his reprieve from wandering allows uncomfortable questions to arise. Written for Indy at Fandom Stocking 2014.
| Major Characters: Maglor, 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: 2, 375 |
| Posted on 17 January 2015 | Updated on 17 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Life and Times of Maedhros by MaedhrosFeanorian
This is a collection of prose by and about Maedhros during his life, highlighting some of the most pivotal moments in his story.
| Major Characters: Amras, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 3, 638 |
| Posted on 13 January 2015 | Updated on 13 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Dagor Dagorath by Marjolenna
A short poem and among the very first things I've ever written Tolkien-related. It isn't much, but I hope you enjoy it.
Based on the original speculations and in-universe prophecies regarding the Dagor Dagorath, the Battle of All Battles.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Tulkas, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 499 |
| Posted on 11 January 2015 | Updated on 11 January 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Swan's Song by Kimberleighe
Chapter 10 includes: politics, dreams, and a lecture.
The tales and travels of Gil-galad's chief counselor during the Second Age.
| Major Characters: Amroth, Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elrond, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 35, 968 |
| Posted on 25 January 2012 | Updated on 7 January 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Songs of Stone and Mountain by pandemonium_213
I have previously alluded to the deep friendship between Dísa, the noble Dwarf-woman of the House of Narvi, and Mélamírë, the Second Age elven-smith of Ost-in-Edhil, e.g., Chapter 28 of The Elendilmir and Chapter 4 of The Writhen Pool. This is a collection of stories about these two OFCs of the Pandë!verse.
So. OFCs. Pandë!verse. That's fair warning. Probably of interest to a limited audience.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 887 |
| Posted on 3 January 2015 | Updated on 3 January 2015 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Of Oaths, Common Sense, and a Silmaril by Aiwen
The third Kinslaying was a hideous self-inflicted wound for the elves of Beleriand. With a little common sense and pragmatism, could it have been averted? Or is that asking too much of all parties involved?
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elwing, Enerdhil, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor, Oropher, Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 3, 211 |
| Posted on 16 December 2014 | Updated on 2 January 2015 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
