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
Look Homeward Angel by oshun
Day 30: Grey Havens -- Write a story or poem, or create a piece of art on the theme of leaving or returning home. A moment of domesticity with Elros, Elrond, Maglor and Maedhros.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ankle Biters, B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 568 |
| Posted on 29 March 2011 | Updated on 29 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
B2ME Day 28 - Letters by Erulisse
B2ME Day 28 - Letters. A letter written to be delivered in Valinor.
| 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: 549 |
| Posted on 29 March 2011 | Updated on 29 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Love and other forbidden things by tinni
A Maedhros/Fingon romance
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 076 |
| Posted on 29 March 2011 | Updated on 29 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
B2ME Day 27 - Following a Dream by Erulisse
B2ME Day 27 - Following a Dream. Alqualonde from a personal perspective.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 546 |
| Posted on 29 March 2011 | Updated on 29 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2MEM 2011 - The Silmarillion Extracts by Dwimordene
See snazzy title. Currently posted: Day 17(?) - kindness - Faithful friends; Day 23 - use assigned quote (see chapter) - Where sea meets shore; Day 27 - character rises above herself/themselves - The Dunsinane Waltz
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melkor, Original Character(s), Pallando |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 818 |
| Posted on 3 March 2011 | Updated on 27 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Talebearer by erunyauve
A very neglected son of Finarfin has a moment in the sun.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 125 |
| Posted on 27 March 2011 | Updated on 27 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
B2ME Day 26 - Character Expression by Erulisse
B2ME Day 26 - Character Expression. What is really going through Huan's head?
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finwë, Huan, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 853 |
| Posted on 27 March 2011 | Updated on 27 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 25 - Shards of Glass by Erulisse
B2ME Day 25 - Shards of Glass. A gift from a cherished daughter has shattered, reflecting her shattered dreams.
| 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: 408 |
| Posted on 27 March 2011 | Updated on 27 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 24 - Animal Symbols by Erulisse
B2ME Day 24 - Animal Symbols. Maitimo wants to commission a special gift for his cousin, Findekano.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 942 |
| Posted on 27 March 2011 | Updated on 27 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 23 - Avoiding the Tower by Erulisse
B2ME Day 23 - Avoiding the Tower. Not all interactions between characters in Middle Earth are fraught with danger.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 281 |
| Posted on 24 March 2011 | Updated on 24 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
B2ME Day 22 - Refugees by Erulisse
B2ME Day 22 - A story about refugees. Not all elves who left the east actually travelled to the West. A story of one of the "dark" elves.
| 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: 300 |
| Posted on 24 March 2011 | Updated on 24 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
B2ME Day 21 - East and West by Erulisse
B2ME Day 21 - East and West. The journey to the West is interrupted for one elf, for a very long time.
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 582 |
| Posted on 22 March 2011 | Updated on 22 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Lúthien Meets Beren by oshun
MEFA 2011 Third Place in Romance, Smaug's Treasure Award
Rivendell, Day 19, write a story or create a piece of artwork centered on meetings or reunions. (This one is a very soft R-rated piece.) I always wondered what Lúthien saw in that grubby unwashed Beren. Shallow person that I am, I figured he had to have been hot and had a sense of humor at very least.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 536 |
| Posted on 22 March 2011 | Updated on 22 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
B2ME Day 20 - Making a Decision by Erulisse
B2ME Day 20 - Making a Decision. A mother's request will affect the life and death of her son.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 197 |
| Posted on 22 March 2011 | Updated on 22 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 19 - Meetings or Reunions by Erulisse
B2ME Day 19 - write a story featuring meetings or reunions. A horse adopts his boy in the spring.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 674 |
| Posted on 21 March 2011 | Updated on 21 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Isles of Cinnamon by oshun
SWG Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 challenges: Day 15, The Shire; the cuisine of The Shire is unsurpassed. Write a story or poem, or create a work of art, featuring food. And Day 18, Wilderland; the act of kindness or hospitability usually comes from a generous heart. Write a story where your character displays this virtue.
It is fanon that Elves can never be fat. It is my invention, but I believe a plausible one, that spices would be hard to come by in the hidden city of Gondolin. Idril plans a sumptuous dinner for guests, including Salgant, Lord of the House of the Harp (who is described in The Book of Lost Tales II as “heavy and squat”). Tuor enjoys admiring his wife and young son and tiny Eärendil dreams of sailing to faraway places. Oh, my! Almost forgot to thank Elleth and Erulisse at the Lizard Council for nitpicking this one. Thank you, again!
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Salgant, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 754 |
| Posted on 20 March 2011 | Updated on 20 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Minstrel of Noldo by Alaudesketchbook
Here's what I wrote back in fanfiction. A group of drabbles about Canafinwe.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 381 |
| Posted on 20 March 2011 | Updated on 20 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Between Two Worlds by Marnie
Young Ereinion Gil-Galad faces a childhood in wartime exile, with some help from a couple of Sindar, accounted among the Wise in Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, 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: 4, 339 |
| Posted on 20 March 2011 | Updated on 20 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
B2ME Day 18 - An Act of Kindness by Erulisse
B2ME Day 18 - a story detailing an act of kindness. A chance discovery by the patrol brings smiles to the face of the children of Vinyamar.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 526 |
| Posted on 19 March 2011 | Updated on 19 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Vault of Topless Trees by oshun
Prompt for B2MeM Day 5, Menegroth: Write a story that will illustrate the consequences of isolation. Galadriel stays in Doriath, while Finrod leaves without her. Thank you so much to the writers of the Lizard Council for suggestions and corrections.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Celeborn, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 132 |
| Posted on 19 March 2011 | Updated on 19 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 17 - An Exchange of Gifts by Erulisse
B2ME Day 17 - write a story featuring the exchange of gifts. A gift from Valinor ends up sailing the skies.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Glorfindel, Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 620 |
| Posted on 18 March 2011 | Updated on 18 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Reborn by Gadira
A conversation that will change the fate of Númenor forever. Written for B2MEM Day 14, "Armenelos", on the subject of religion. Based on my Full of Wisdom verse, though it can be read on its own.
| Major Characters: Ar-Adunakhôr |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 107 |
| Posted on 18 March 2011 | Updated on 18 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
One Can Never Go Home Again by oshun
B2MeM 2011, March 16: Arnor. Write a story which begins with this line: “A gentle breeze brushed the hilltop, combing the ruins. In the Fourth Age of Arda, the re-embodied Fingon and Maedhros visit the ruins of Formenos.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 17 March 2011 | Updated on 17 March 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
B2ME Day 16 - Ghosts by Erulisse
B2ME Day 16 - "A gentle breeze brushes the hilltop, combing the ruins..." Arafinwe returns to a place of great sorrow.
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 158 |
| Posted on 17 March 2011 | Updated on 17 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 15 - Family History by Erulisse
B2ME Day 15 - write a story that centers around food. An embarrassing incident goes down into Turukano's family history.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Idril, Manwë, Original Character(s), Turgon, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 295 |
| Posted on 17 March 2011 | Updated on 17 March 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
