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
Vintage
Pick your prompts from four bingo cards themed around vintage literature, art, poetry, and fanworks. 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
Flight by Erulisse
For Tolkien Weekly challenge, a drabble about dragons and the separation of loved ones.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 105 |
| Posted on 24 April 2011 | Updated on 24 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Under the Curse by Finch
The love of two fallen Elves: Maedhros and Fingon.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Glaurung, Maedhros, Maglor, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 32, 406 |
| Posted on 23 April 2011 | Updated on 23 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Marta's Mathoms - BMEM 2011 by Marta
A series of stories written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2011.
- New! "Jus Ad Bellum" ft. Elrond, Isiildur, and Maglor; 1,472 words
- NEW! "Things Unseen" ft. Elendil + Pharazon, 1,136 words
- NEW! "Three for the Elven-Lords II" ft. Cirdan, 200 words
| Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 16, 468 |
| Posted on 3 March 2011 | Updated on 23 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
When I Am Wise by Deborah Judge
At the end of the First Age, Elrond and Elros must choose between mortality and immortality.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 685 |
| Posted on 16 April 2011 | Updated on 16 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Forest's Rulers by Erulisse
For Tolkien Weekly’s Fell Beasts Challenge - Spiders
Because it is National Poetry Month, I present a poem drabble for Spiders...
| 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: 84 |
| Posted on 12 April 2011 | Updated on 12 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Heart Song by Erulisse
Originally composed for HA's Nazgul of the Month Forum - April - Elrond the Bard, I wrote this story featuring a young Elrond learning about love and loss.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 223 |
| Posted on 11 April 2011 | Updated on 11 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mighty Sword by lanyon
Turgon looks back.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Gandalf, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 350 |
| Posted on 10 April 2011 | Updated on 10 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Crash Course in History by Himring
Maedhros reads The Lord of the Rings (the Imladris edition).
In honour of Oshun, Biographer-in-Chief, on the occasion of her birthday.
Fingon/Maedhros.
Now a MEFA 2011 nominee. Thank you very much, Angelica!
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 264 |
| Posted on 9 April 2011 | Updated on 9 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Glinting Gleam by Nekomitsu
Maedhros found an unexpected treasure during the Feast of Reuniting and decided to show it to the King of the Exiles against the advice of his cousin Fingon. Featuring weddings-to-be, adventures, balrogs, golden harps, a most beautiful princess, fire, and thieving brothers. (Fairytale, loosely based on the Russian folktale The Fire Bird and Princess Vasilisa.)
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 553 |
| Posted on 8 April 2011 | Updated on 8 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Shades of Optimism by Himring
The Sons of Feanor ask Thingol to hand over the Silmaril. Maedhros and Maglor discuss the wording of the letter.
B2MEM 2011, March 28: There was no avoiding it; the letter had to be composed...
Language could be considered mildly expletive by some.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 171 |
| Posted on 7 April 2011 | Updated on 7 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Feast of Reuniting by oshun
Written to the prompt to start a story with Charles Dickens' opening line from A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Perhaps, it could be read as a non-spoilery trailer for my Mereth Aderthad.)
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 449 |
| Posted on 7 April 2011 | Updated on 7 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Unspoken by Elfique
Many things remain unspoken, the reason for Glorfindel's apparent batchelorhood being one of them. A five part series of vignettes.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 333 |
| Posted on 20 December 2010 | Updated on 7 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Volcano by SurgicalSteel
Late Second Age. Ar-Zimraphel struggles up the mountain.
Character death.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 720 |
| Posted on 6 April 2011 | Updated on 6 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Survival of the Fittest by Erulisse
Tolkien Weekly's Fell Beasts - Wargs challenge. A true drabble.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 157 |
| Posted on 6 April 2011 | Updated on 6 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Poppies for Idril by Erulisse
A story for H-A List's 9th Anniversary. The ninth wedding anniversary features Copper, Leather, Poppies and Lapis Lazuli. Here is my birthday gift for the list.
| Major Characters: Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 136 |
| Posted on 6 April 2011 | Updated on 6 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
To Place Oneself above Loyalty or Betrayal by oshun
Write a story where the characters have to decide between loyalty or betrayal. Celebrimbor makes his choice at Nargothrond. I’m pushing a little here to squeeze out a few more passport stamps for myself. For March 9, B2MeM 2011, Nargothrond.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 152 |
| Posted on 5 April 2011 | Updated on 5 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
But Maybe That Was The Light Of The Trees by Nekomitsu
In response to the B2MeM 2011 challenge: Maglor's long life in thirty-one short vignettes.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 2, 009 |
| Posted on 26 March 2011 | Updated on 5 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Sacrifice by oshun
Himring: Write a story where characters make sacrifices in order to achieve their goals; March 11 B2MeM 2011. (Thank you to my dearest IgnobleBard for Beta reading.)
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 720 |
| Posted on 4 April 2011 | Updated on 4 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Spring Cleaning by Russandol
One day during the Noontide of the Blessed Realm, Manwë and Varda get ready for a celebration at Ilmarin, their halls upon the peak of Taniquetil.
Written for B2MeM 2011, Day 31: Valinor.
2nd Place, Humour: General & Smaug's Treasure, MEFA 2011
Dawn Felagund recorded a fabulous podfic for Spring Cleaning, listen to it here!
| Major Characters: Mandos, Manwë, Oromë, Tulkas, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 364 |
| Posted on 2 April 2011 | Updated on 2 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Talking Hurts by Lipstick
Maedhros is rescued from Thangorodrim, Maglor tries to talk him back to sanity
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 9, 122 |
| Posted on 1 April 2011 | Updated on 1 April 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Folly by SurgicalSteel
For the B2MeM 2011 Challenge: Day Thirty-One: Valinor
"Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."
Friedrich Schiller
Write a story or poem or create artwork that illustrates this quotation.
Could the downfall of Númenor have been prevented had the Valar acted differently?
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 168 |
| Posted on 1 April 2011 | Updated on 1 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Laurië Lassi – Golden Leaves by Esteliel
Glorfindel's past, from his youth in Aman to his death at Cristhorn and his eventual return to Middle-earth. A collection of drabbles and small ficlets written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2011.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 31 | Word Count: 8, 149 |
| Posted on 6 March 2011 | Updated on 1 April 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
B2ME Day 31 - Stupidity by Erulisse
B2ME Day 31 - Stupidity. Stupid is as stupid does.
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on 31 March 2011 | Updated on 31 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
B2ME Day 30 - Leaving or Returning Home by Erulisse
B2ME Day 30 - Leaving or Returning Home. Homecoming in a true drabble.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 106 |
| Posted on 31 March 2011 | Updated on 31 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
B2ME Day 29 - Battling the Dark by Erulisse
B2ME - Battling the Dark - The trees are dead and the Noldor have left. Who is left to pick up the pieces?
| Major Characters: Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 439 |
| Posted on 30 March 2011 | Updated on 30 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
