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
East-front by Gwenniel
They named it the Union of Maedhros. Maedhros was to be the right hand of the High-King, the Commander of Troops in the upcoming war. Moments of happiness are mixed in the dire political tension before the upcoming war, the war where all bonds of loyalty will be tested.
| Major Characters: Azaghâl, Bor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 19, 837 |
| Posted on 25 February 2013 | Updated on 26 March 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Lords of the West by Marta
Olwe and Fingolfin had more cause than most to resent the Valar's tendency to leave dark lords unchallenged. A meditation on courgae, tragedy, and divine inaction.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 235 |
| Posted on 23 March 2013 | Updated on 23 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Silver Bells and Honey Cakes. by Urloth
Finrod and his werewolf
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture, Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 164 |
| Posted on 22 March 2013 | Updated on 22 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Things of Comfort and Joy by LadyBrooke
In Valinor, the effects of the rebellion are still very visible to the Noldor. Nerdanel and Aredhel are unwelcome in the city, both as reminders of the past, and as the two who flaunt the rules on fidelity.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elrond, Eärwen, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 762 |
| Posted on 18 March 2013 | Updated on 18 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Bread Maker's Lament by Agelast
Mounds of earth, or people's lives. A young woman, living in First Age Hithlum, grapples with grief and loss, and bakes bread.
| Major Characters: Morwen, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 411 |
| Posted on 18 March 2013 | Updated on 18 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Sculptress by Alquien
Artistic vision often equals foresight.
| Major Characters: Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 467 |
| Posted on 17 March 2013 | Updated on 17 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Not Like Lúthien by lindahoyland
How alike are Arwen and her famous foremother?
| Major Characters: Arwen, Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 906 |
| Posted on 17 March 2013 | Updated on 17 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Downfall by Marta
"Nine ships there were: four for Elendil, and for Isildur three, and for Anarion two; and they fled before the gale out of the twilight of doom into the darkness of the world. [...] And all the coasts and seaward regions of the western world suffered great change and ruin in that time; for the seas invaded the lands, and shores foundered."
| Major Characters: Anárion, Meneldil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 871 |
| Posted on 15 March 2013 | Updated on 15 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Pursuing with weary feet, the road called life. by Urloth
EDITED. Maedhros' suicide takes the Silmaril he bears deep into the embrace of the earth. For the eldar concerned this was the end of the sorry saga. For the silmaril in question it was not
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Experimental, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 10, 741 |
| Posted on 26 November 2011 | Updated on 15 March 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sunset by ford_of_bruinen
Cirdan arrives to Sirion after the sons of Feanor attacked the town.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Meleth (Elf) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 551 |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 14 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sunrise by ford_of_bruinen
The first sunrise
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 519 |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 14 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tata's lullaby by ford_of_bruinen
A simple lullaby as imagined by the elves at cuivienen
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 91 |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 14 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When We Were Very Young by Marta
"And it came to pass that Tar-Palantir grew weary of grief and died. He had no son, but a daughter only, whom he named Míriel in the Elven-tongue; and to her now by right and the laws of the Númenóreans came the sceptre. But Pharazôn took her to wife against her will..." (The Akallabeth)
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 102 |
| Posted on 13 March 2013 | Updated on 13 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Tapestry by Keiliss
Yule on Balar in F.A. 515, or how a little Noldor pragmatism changed the fate of the world.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 926 |
| Posted on 12 March 2013 | Updated on 12 March 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Another Man's Cage by Dawn Felagund
In the Time of the Trees, during the Bliss of Valinor, the young family of Fëanor experience the everyday triumphs and tragedies of life in paradise. But as Fëanor's genius blossoms and his sons grow into their roles in Tirion society, tensions build that will sunder the House of Finwë and drive the House of Fëanor to open rebellion.
Completed!
| Major Characters: Anairë, Caranthir, Celegorm, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 53 | Word Count: 355, 782 |
| Posted on 25 September 2011 | Updated on 10 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (117) |
No Victory Without Cost by Tarion Anarore
"The deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the last days of Arda."
Maglor at the end of an age. The fulfillment of more than one promise.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 078 |
| Posted on 8 March 2013 | Updated on 8 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Echoes by Idle Leaves
At the Mereth Aderthad, Finrod and Maglor meet for a long-overdue discussion.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 622 |
| Posted on 6 March 2013 | Updated on 6 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tengwa malta by Sky
A mosaic of memories of the Elder Days
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Amras, Amrod, Angrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 8, 211 |
| Posted on 6 March 2013 | Updated on 6 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Heart-stung by Agelast
The thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart.
Written for the Friendship theme for B2MeM 2013, Day One.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 476 |
| Posted on 6 March 2013 | Updated on 6 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In the Bleak and Early Morn by Elleth
A story for B2MeM 2013, combining the prompts for archetypes, good and ill, and back to lands you once did know (days one, two and four respectively):
Maglor's wife, a Sinda of Mithrim, learns about the events of Alqualondë, and confronts her husband about his actions, differing beliefs, and the future.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 099 |
| Posted on 5 March 2013 | Updated on 5 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
The Art of Long-Distance Grandparenting by Kaz
Why did Glorfindel return to Middle-earth? Maybe the Valar decided they needed a messenger. Maybe he felt he still had something to do there and begged them to let him return. Or maybe it went something like this...
It's the early Second Age and Idril is worried about her grandsons. In the course of this she waylays new arrivals to Valinor, tries to find her footing with her own grandmother, schemes with Tuor, Finrod and Glorfindel, and finally sets a plan into motion.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Elrond, Finrod Felagund, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 343 |
| Posted on 4 March 2013 | Updated on 4 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
In Neldoreth, the Muddy Season by PerpetuaLilium
Doom falls on Tinúviel, and it is at least as earthbound as ethereal.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 720 |
| Posted on 3 March 2013 | Updated on 3 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Fallen by Dawn Felagund
In her youth, Amarië of the Vanyar was an idealistic and gifted poet, a rising star among the Vanyar. Many thousands of years later, having weathered unimaginable loss, Amarië is called to Lórien to witness the awakening of her once-beloved and newly reembodied Finrod. For B2MeM 2013, Day One, archetype and loss of innocence.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Elemmírë, Finrod Felagund, Lórien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2013 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 802 |
| Posted on 1 March 2013 | Updated on 1 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Words like Pearls, Love like Life. by Urloth
Galadriel keeps her brother's letters. His words are like pearls. Gildor is married. His love for his wives keeps him breathing.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel, Gildor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Experimental, Het, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 9, 834 |
| Posted on 5 August 2012 | Updated on 28 February 2013 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Little More Broken by oshun
This story is based upon a mystery element within my short story No Justice to Yourself. It stands alone, but it contains the revelation of Erestor's old boyfriend who had recently dumped him in that story. While it is a prequel of sorts to "No Justice to Yourself," it is a short story which may be understood on its own.
Ignoble Bard did even more than he usual does in his Beta of this story. He forced me to write an ending when I just wanted to stop. Thank you very much, my dear friend.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 873 |
| Posted on 27 February 2013 | Updated on 27 February 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
