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
Teen Spirit
In honor of the SWG becoming a teenager, create a fanwork about an adolescent character or adolescence using our prompt generator. 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
A Damnable Spot by Rocky41_7
Elwing is dead, but she will not let Maglor alone, no matter how he pleads.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Maglor |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12, 042 |
| Posted on 14 November 2023 | Updated on 21 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Hunter and the Hare by cuarthol, polutropos
Tirion's masked ball offers decadent delights, mistaken identities, insatiable yearnings, and inescapable philanderings.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Caranthir, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: Angrod/Caranthir, Angrod/Eldalótë, Angrod/Fingon |
| Genres: Het, Humor, Slash | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 361 |
| Posted on 18 November 2023 | Updated on 21 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Unforseen by cuarthol
For a "trick or treat" 3-setence story prompt on tumblr. Thank you to shrikeseams for the request.
| Major Characters: Dior, Galathil |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 54 |
| Posted on 20 November 2023 | Updated on 20 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
We Made Our Own by cuarthol
Finduilas has accompanied Finrod on a visit to Doriath, but she is soon drawn out into the forest to explore the land of hidden enchantments.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nellas |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 306 |
| Posted on 1 April 2023 | Updated on 20 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Pages from the Archives of Cîr Imladris by Lferion
Elrond took his library with him to Valinor. In that archive are many things, and the librarians and archivists of Cîr Imladris (New Rivendell) are kept delightfully busy.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fingon, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry | Challenges: Crackuary, Experimental, Laws and Customs, Middle-earth Is Multitudes, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, On a Different Page, Postcards from Middle-earth, Rejects, True Leader, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 5, 393 |
| Posted on 27 June 2020 | Updated on 14 November 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (32) |
Himring by between_thepages
A visit to Himring, castle in the snow.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 14 November 2023 | Updated on 14 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Nenlindalë by Anérea
A love letter between Daeron and Maglor in the form of musical notation.
(Asemic music notation and song lyrics)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern, Calligraphy, Word Art |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 November 2023 | Updated on 14 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (20) |
Documents from Doriath in Rivendell's Library by UnicornsInSpace
Small pieces of the Silm told through documents from Doriath.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elu Thingol, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Galadriel |
| Genres: Experimental, Family, General, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 922 |
| Posted on 12 November 2023 | Updated on 12 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Drabble Collection: Experimental Challenge by mairoff
11 Drabbles for the Experimental Challenge.
- Melkor x Fluithuin
- Maglor x Daeron
- Mairon & Melian
- Eönwë x Arien
- Galadriel x Luthien
- Mairon x Arien
- Sons of Fëanor
- Maedhros x Mairon
- Fëanor & Nolofinwë
- Maiar of Ulmo
- Aulë & Tevildo
| Major Characters: Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Arien, Aulë, Daeron, Eönwë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Melian, Melkor, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Tevildo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 151 |
| Posted on 12 November 2023 | Updated on 12 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
White Flowers by StarSpray
The first and last time Turgon sees Aredhel
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Turgon |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 841 |
| Posted on 8 November 2023 | Updated on 11 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Beautiful like Starlight by between_thepages
During a ball in Ingwion's manor, Turukáno meets the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 145 |
| Posted on 10 November 2023 | Updated on 10 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
First Brick in the Wall by Simon J. Cook
Jane Chance's interpretation of the tower analogy in Tolkien's lecture-turned-essay "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics" dismisses historical inquiry as a valid reading of the poem.
A Star Shines by cuarthol
A new beginning cannot erase the past, but it can soften the blow.
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Míriel |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 250 |
| Posted on 9 November 2023 | Updated on 9 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Making Plans by StarSpray
A conversation between Tuor and Idril concerning their plans for escape from Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, Het | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 212 |
| Posted on 9 November 2023 | Updated on 9 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Autumn Crown by Flora-lass
An attempt at a sonnet for the Experimental challenge.
Thranduil returns to Greenwood the Great, with a diminished army and without Oropher.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 113 |
| Posted on 8 November 2023 | Updated on 8 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Empty Streets by StarSpray
Fingon comes to Nevrast and finds it empty.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon, Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 313 |
| Posted on 7 November 2023 | Updated on 7 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Across the Dance Floor by StarSpray
Anairë, newly come to Tirion, gets her first look at Prince Nolofinwë.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Ficlet, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 597 |
| Posted on 6 November 2023 | Updated on 6 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Morning Star Shines on Everyone by Himring
Short extracts from Pallando's notebook, mirroring encounters of the Blue Wizards in the East.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12 |
| Posted on 31 October 2023 | Updated on 31 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Western Lands Beneath the Sun by StarSpray
“Well, Sam,” said Frodo one sunny afternoon as they sat together in the garden, “what do you think of Elves, now that you have seen Elvenhome?” He spoke with a smile, and both of them remembered the times before that he had asked the question—after first meeting Gildor and his party and spending the night with them at Woody End, and later at Rivendell, and later still as their sojourn in Lothlórien came to an end. It was practically tradition.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 873 |
| Posted on 30 October 2023 | Updated on 30 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Thuringwethil and Tilion by Himring
A haiku about Thuringwethil and Tilion. (I added a photo.)
| Major Characters: Thuringwethil, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 16 |
| Posted on 28 October 2023 | Updated on 28 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Interview with artist Ruslan Shapolov by Anérea
A behind the scenes look at the creating of a book of Silmarillion illustrations by Ukranian artist Ruslan Shapolov.
Letter for you by daughterofshadows
Over the course of their friendship, Arador and Belladonna write many letters to each other.
Here are two of them.
| Major Characters: Arador, Belladonna Took Baggins |
| Major Relationships: Arador & Belladonna Took Baggins |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 257 |
| Posted on 26 October 2023 | Updated on 27 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
| Major Characters: Aerin, Beleth, Morwen, Sador Labadal |
| Major Relationships: Aerin/Morwen |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Intolerance, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 713 |
| Posted on 26 October 2023 | Updated on 27 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Like a White Fire Within by fingonsradharp
Findekáno’s coronation should have been a grand affair. Moringotto was dead, and the Ñoldor could begin to rebuild and slowly retake the lands the Enemy had destroyed in the battle that they had all thought was the beginning of the end.
But Findekáno’s father had fallen even as he slew the Black Foe. Over four hundred years he had ruled, and Findekáno knew this was quite possibly the worst time for a change in leadership.
He still didn’t know where Turukáno and Írissem were.
He still had not heard from Russandol.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon & Lalwen |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 7, 253 |
| Posted on 27 October 2023 | Updated on 27 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Other Side of the Mirror by fingonsradharp
Celebrimbor must face the reality that Annatar, his friend, confidant, partner, and lover, is and always was Sauron, the lieutenant of Morgoth and the Torturer of Angband.
Mairon must come to terms with his own broken promises and the lies he had to tell to create his Rings of Power.
Ten of the Rings are hidden. Celebrimbor knows where they are. Sauron wants the Rings. Celebrimbor wants Annatar.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 251 |
| Posted on 27 October 2023 | Updated on 27 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
