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
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) |
The Voice of Rage and Ruin by IgnobleBard
A slashy AU horror story set in the Fourth Age. Maglor is living in a small settlement in the woods when a set of mysterious murders threatens to expose his secrets.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Horror, Mystery, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 680 |
| Posted on 6 August 2014 | Updated on 6 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Used to Weather and Wind by Gwenniel
Driven by boredom and a will to show their worth, Amrod and Amras, the young lords of Estolad decide to take matters into their own hands, best as they can, while the Long Peace still lasts.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 11, 728 |
| Posted on 5 August 2014 | Updated on 5 August 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Our Old Shipwrecked Days by Agelast
Elrond is swept away by a new acquaintance, Glorfindel gets a new lease on life, and Erestor just wants everyone not to die. Written for Lynndyre, Ardor in August 2014.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Elrond, Erestor, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 9, 108 |
| Posted on 3 August 2014 | Updated on 3 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Work of Wings by Elleth
While the War of the Elves and Sauron rages in Middle-earth, Finduilas welcomes Elwing on Tol Eressëa to let her seek out news about her son. Neither woman expected to have her feelings thrown into turmoil by the visit. Written for Calima at AinA 2014.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 924 |
| Posted on 3 August 2014 | Updated on 3 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
As Little Might Be Thought by Writing Gecko
From the Sacking of Sirion to Amon Ereb; from princes to captives to sons. The story of the unlikely bond between Elrond and Elros and Maglor and Maedhros.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 463 |
| Posted on 1 August 2014 | Updated on 1 August 2014 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
At the River's Edge by Elisif
Finduilas and Niënor survive and take refuge at the Havens.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 475 |
| Posted on 25 July 2014 | Updated on 25 July 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Always There by Writing Gecko
A young Elladan and Elrohir return from playing by the sea with a strange tale that sends their father on a mad chase.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Círdan, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 189 |
| Posted on 22 July 2014 | Updated on 22 July 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Luthien's spell by Dilly
It was notorious, in Doriath, that Lúthien’s beauty was so powerful than her charms were able to cross the usual lines... Drabble.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 228 |
| Posted on 21 July 2014 | Updated on 21 July 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
All Mustn't Fail or Falter by Elleth
A collaboration between alackofghosts and yours truly for the International Day of Femslash, featuring art and fic: Aerin comforts a grieving Morwen after news of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad reaches Dor-lómin.
| Major Characters: Aerin, Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 883 |
| Posted on 20 July 2014 | Updated on 20 July 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Wonders Wild and New by oshun
A story of Galadriel and Luthien in Doriath, early First Age. Written for International Day of Femslash 2014. Many thanks to Ignoble Bard for the rush Beta of this.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 222 |
| Posted on 19 July 2014 | Updated on 19 July 2014 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Seabirds Winging West by Astris
Lúthien lives with Beren as an immortal until his time runs out. Someone's been waiting, of course, and is there to catch her when she starts falling apart. Or when she gets into fights with Orcs.
(AU: Beren didn't die, meaning there was no trip to Mandos, meaning Lúthien is still immortal.)
For the International Day of Femslash.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 396 |
| Posted on 19 July 2014 | Updated on 19 July 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
