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
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
Blessing of the Spirit by Iavalir
For many years Maglor suffered alone in the sea, singing his lament, till the day he heard Beleg’s song.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 489 |
| Posted on 14 February 2012 | Updated on 14 February 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Thief in Valinor? by Iavalir
Is there a theif in Valinor?
Written for Tolkien Weekly drabble challenge.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 99 |
| Posted on 14 February 2012 | Updated on 14 February 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Noldolante by Elvewen
Maglor's thoughts as he played the Noldolante for the first time.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Songs of Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 773 |
| Posted on 4 February 2012 | Updated on 4 February 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Elemental Spirits by Beatrisu
Maedhros likens some of his loved ones to the elements.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Four Elements |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 176 |
| Posted on 31 January 2012 | Updated on 31 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Surrender after the War of Wrath by Uvatha the Horseman
This story explores Sauron's motives for surrendering after the War of Wrath, and for failing to show up for trial. It also explores Eönwë's, for letting him.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 3, 890 |
| Posted on 29 January 2012 | Updated on 29 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lending a Hand - Redux by Erulisse
I wanted this to be sharper and to explain Isildur's feelings towards the elves with greater clarity. So I refined this a bit more. This is what I came up with.
What thoughts are passing through Isildur’s mind after his defeat of Sauron? A bit of gallows humor in response to the prompt “lend”.
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 111 |
| Posted on 27 January 2012 | Updated on 27 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fall of Sauron by xxxVilda
Sauron the bad guy was good in the end, wasn't he? A take on Sauron's kin's feelings about his fall.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 079 |
| Posted on 22 January 2012 | Updated on 22 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Just and Equitable Government by Himring
In Mithrim, during Maedhros’s time of recovery, Maglor appears one evening at Fingolfin’s camp and asks Fingon to return to Maedhros’s side. On his way back to the Feanorian camp, Fingon remembers the incident that made him stay away. When he finally reaches his cousin, it turns out that there was something Maglor had failed to mention.
With a vignette of Fingon on the quays of Alqualonde.
Warnings for aftermath of torture (Thangorodrim) and violence (Alqualonde) as per canon.
(Fingon/Maedhros; not explicit)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 6, 833 |
| Posted on 20 January 2012 | Updated on 20 January 2012 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
You Live Your Life in the Shadow of the Mountain by darthfingon
At the end of the First Age, religious feuds and civil unrest threaten Valmar and Tirion. A 'What-If' AU.
New in Chapter 20: Sidaizon sets out to begin his new duties as Oraistar of Oichimyaiva, and learns some disturbing news from Vedezir.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Ingwë, Ingwion, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Another Place in Time |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 78, 920 |
| Posted on 6 October 2009 | Updated on 18 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (35) |
Isles of sleep by Aerlinn
And in the twilight a great weariness came upon mariners and a loathing of the sea.
Some will sleep until the very end of the world. Not every Valinorean explorer returns.
| Major Characters: Lórien, Noldor, Original Character(s), Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Experimental, General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 671 |
| Posted on 17 January 2012 | Updated on 17 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Temptation of Knowledge by Erulisse
In response to the prompt “borrow”, what did Celebrimbor think about when he was facing Annatar for the first time? Did he think he was borrowing trouble?
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 12 January 2012 | Updated on 12 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Season of Hope by Keiliss
Midwinter in Sirion, a young king and a traumatized child: Gil-galad offers Elwing a new way of looking at Yule.
MEFA 2011: Second Place: Character study, House of Finwe
| Major Characters: Elwing, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 918 |
| Posted on 10 January 2012 | Updated on 10 January 2012 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Burning Cold of Snow by Erulisse
Mordor was not only used by evil in the Third Age. It had been used by Morgoth in the First Age. Brushkût, an orc from Mordor is trained to join the troops at Angband and sets off with his regiment, walking through the dead of winter towards the far north.
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 662 |
| Posted on 9 January 2012 | Updated on 9 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Warping Arda by Clodia
A collection of drabbles, mostly written for the LJ comm Tolkien_Weekly. Some of these drabbles received awards in MEFA 2010; see inside for details.
10. Good as New. Glorfindel, his father and a piece of the past. One drabble.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beren, Celeborn, Celebrían, Daeron, Dior, Dwarves, Eilinel, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Glorfindel, Goldberry, Idril, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Original Character(s), Sauron, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 5, 689 |
| Posted on 1 January 2010 | Updated on 8 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Unexpected Gratitude - Re-examining Exile by Erulisse
It is told that Fëanáro was exiled to Formenos for threatening his half-brother with a sword. But what was Fëanáro’s true feeling when seeing his place of exile? A response to the prompt “Unexpected Gratitude”.
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 104 |
| Posted on 30 December 2011 | Updated on 30 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Light from Afar by Erulisse
A series of drabbles centered around the theme of different types of light and featuring Earendil and Elwing. I hope that through these small stories some light may be cast on the personalities of these characters.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 981 |
| Posted on 10 November 2011 | Updated on 30 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Strange Fire by Dwimordene
Melkor meets humanity: a theological romance with Haradrim.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 912 |
| Posted on 22 December 2011 | Updated on 22 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Every Fire is a Lesson Learned by Agelast
Over the ages, Nerdanel has a lot of time for reflection.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 696 |
| Posted on 20 December 2011 | Updated on 20 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Morning People by Huinare
Yet none ever guessed Sauron's true reason for turning to the will of Melkor.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Maiar, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 482 |
| Posted on 19 December 2011 | Updated on 19 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Menelvagor's Chase by Kimberleighe
The tale of Menelvagor, and how he came to the skies.
Second story in the "Legends of the Stars" series.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Storyteller |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 492 |
| Posted on 18 December 2011 | Updated on 18 December 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Gwilwileth's Folly by Kimberleighe
The tale of Gwilwileth
First in the "Legends of the Stars" series
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: Storyteller |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 249 |
| Posted on 10 December 2011 | Updated on 10 December 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Lesion by pandemonium_213
Something is rotten within the heartwood of Nimloth.
Written in response to the prompt "Second Age — Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn — under the White Tree of Númenor" for the Comment!Ficathon for the LOTR World.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 897 |
| Posted on 10 December 2011 | Updated on 10 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Unconscious Arithmetic by grey_gazania
To his great surprise, Caranthir makes a friend.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 005 |
| Posted on 8 December 2011 | Updated on 8 December 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Darkest Season by Elleth
In early winter 506, three Fëanorian soldiers are drawn into the events surrounding the Silmaril of Doriath.
Written for adventchallenge on LJ.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 7, 714 |
| Posted on 1 December 2011 | Updated on 6 December 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Once upon Amon Hen... by Rhapsody
As the Fellowship reach the shores of Amon Hen and Boromir makes a fatal mistake, Frodo flees from this man and races towards the ruins where he will encounter a stranger.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 710 |
| Posted on 4 December 2011 | Updated on 4 December 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
