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
True Leader
Create a fanwork using one of our quotes from a woman in leadership. 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
Storm Tossed by Levade
She was his, his bright-eyed, noisy, always-hungry lovely, until the day the sea called her home. Ereinion, Círdan and a quick look at life in 2nd Age Lindon.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 686 |
| Posted on 6 July 2013 | Updated on 6 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Threads by Dawn Felagund
Shortly after the kinslaying at Alqualondë, Finarfin finds his nephew Fingon on the beach. Always the peacekeepers in their tumultuous family, both must choose where their loyalties lie in times to come.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 352 |
| Posted on 5 July 2013 | Updated on 5 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Cold are the waters of Cuiviénen by belegur
Melkor's thoughts before the making of the orcs.
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Horror, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 421 |
| Posted on 4 July 2013 | Updated on 4 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Cook Wanted by Alquien
Cooking for a large family is harder than it may seem.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 430 |
| Posted on 3 July 2013 | Updated on 3 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In The Interest of Historical Accuracy by Duilwen
In Eregion in the mid-Second Age, an ambitious young scholar sets out to understand the last remaining followers of the House of Fëanor.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 20, 209 |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 2 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (37) |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 868 |
| Posted on 28 June 2013 | Updated on 28 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Without the Walls by clotho123
In which Fingolfin makes a fresh start, and later discusses the First Age with his younger brother
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 439 |
| Posted on 27 June 2013 | Updated on 27 June 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Then Eru Spoke by Taylor17387
After destroying the world, Morgoth reunites with Eru to have an enlightening conversation in the dark.
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 997 |
| Posted on 26 June 2013 | Updated on 26 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Poetic History of Arda ( Part 1: The Music of the Ainur) by Furnace with wings
An ongoing project to render the ENTIRE history of Arda (From the Music of the Ainur to the Fourth Age) into Verse.
Comments and Suggestions for improvement are solicted and accepted.
| Major Characters: Ainur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 868 |
| Posted on 23 June 2013 | Updated on 23 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Rare Gift by Elisif
At the end of his life, Elros recieves an unexpected visitor.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 293 |
| Posted on 23 June 2013 | Updated on 23 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Ecstasy by Independence1776
Varda/Yavanna femslash: photosynthesis as sex.
| Major Characters: Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 22 June 2013 | Updated on 22 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Acquiescence by Elleth
When Nelyafinwen Maitimë meets her cousin Findekániel Astaldë, they are drawn irrevocably toward each other, but will they overcome Maitimë's reservations and the strictures society imposes on them? (Not very serious Rule 63'd fluff with a mildly Austenite bend.)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 455 |
| Posted on 21 June 2013 | Updated on 21 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Stand before my eyes* by Fadesintothewest
This is a follow up to Sea Song.
He likes to watch. She can’t take it…[warning explicit sexual content]
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 860 |
| Posted on 21 June 2013 | Updated on 21 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sea Song by Fadesintothewest
The Feast of Reuniting finds the House of Fingolfin relaxing around a fire. Fingon is bold, Turgon is reserved, and Fingolfin loves his sons. A short character study that I hope to flesh out into a larger story, centering Fingon.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Original Character(s), Sons of Fëanor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 518 |
| Posted on 19 June 2013 | Updated on 19 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Path Shrouded in Mist and Shadow by Meisiluosi
The shadows are deepening in the East and two powerful chieftains, Ulfang and Bór, hold a meeting where much has to be decided and the future path for them and their people is to be set. That path, however, is uncertain, as their final decision has some rather complex and troubling implications.
| Major Characters: Bor, Uldor, Ulfang |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 055 |
| Posted on 19 June 2013 | Updated on 19 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Twenty-Two Copies by Luxa
Elrond was determined that there was going to be a record of what it was like to love the sons of Fëanor.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 064 |
| Posted on 18 June 2013 | Updated on 18 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Dual Number by Acharion
We all know about the twins Elladan and Elrohir. But what about the other twins in Middle Earth? Erestor has encountered not one, but four sets of twins while serving the Noldor: The sons of Fëanor, Dior, Eärendil, and Elrond.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Eluréd, Elurín, Elwing, Erestor, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 921 |
| Posted on 16 June 2013 | Updated on 16 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Fingon's Lament by Fadesintothewest
The lament at Fingon's incremation breaks Maedhros.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 589 |
| Posted on 15 June 2013 | Updated on 15 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Piano by Elisif
Maglor makes a surprising discovery and finds himself giving the twins their first music lesson. Fluff.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 036 |
| Posted on 11 June 2013 | Updated on 11 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Thangorodrim by ford_of_bruinen
Fingon rescuing Maedhros. Prequel to Vodka and Unhingedf
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Thorondor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 664 |
| Posted on 10 June 2013 | Updated on 10 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Seeing by Levade
Erestor has an unsettling encounter with Elwing not long after the fall of Doriath.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Erestor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 790 |
| Posted on 9 June 2013 | Updated on 9 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
This Game We Play by theeventualwinner
As the Siege of Angband takes hold, Mairon and Melkor must find ways to occupy their time. But how far does Mairon dare push his master, and will he like what he finds?
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 6, 575 |
| Posted on 11 May 2013 | Updated on 8 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Another Future by Keiliss
A chance encounter at a ball leaves Glorfindel with a deeper understanding of himself and the world he lives in.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 425 |
| Posted on 4 June 2013 | Updated on 4 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Present Circumstance by LadyBrooke
Indis has been friends and sometimes lovers with Míriel and Finwë for a long time, from the forests of Middle-earth to the palaces of Valinor and in spite of deaths and family members.
Eventual Finwë/Indis/Míriel threesome, in the course of the story every combination of two of those possible.
Written as a late birthday gift for Indy, posted here with her kind permission.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 563 |
| Posted on 4 June 2013 | Updated on 4 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Unhinged by ford_of_bruinen
Sequel to Vodka.
Another conversation between brothers (Maedhros and Maglor)
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 711 |
| Posted on 4 June 2013 | Updated on 4 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
