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
Fanon Inverted
Take a fanon you feel passionately about and turn it on its head, creating a fanwork that goes against the fanon norm. 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
Nest-Building by Himring
An episode early in the exploration of Eastern Beleriand by the Sons of Feanor: Celegorm talks to a bird--and to his brother Maedhros.
Mature Themes: Very discreet allusion to torture.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on 27 February 2011 | Updated on 27 February 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
| Major Characters: Beren, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 251 |
| Posted on 25 February 2011 | Updated on 25 February 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Heavenly Dance by Ellynn
After long months of loneliness and separation, Tilion will finally be close to his beloved Arien for a few moments. 2011 MEFA Nominee.
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 841 |
| Posted on 25 February 2011 | Updated on 25 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Light Over the Mountain by pandemonium_213
Long before the Ainur entered the Circles of Arda, the Guardians, greatest of the Ainur, rescued an unusual group of children from a war-torn land. In this series of vignettes, one of those rescued recounts the terrible events of his childhood that set him on a path to control his destiny and the world around him, a path that would lead to infamy.
MEFA 2011 Winner. Second Place, Incomplete, Drama
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Gandalf, Melkor, Original Character(s), Radagast, Saruman, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 574 |
| Posted on 21 February 2011 | Updated on 21 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
King Thingol's Codpiece by elfscribe
Oropher, a healer and son of the Lord of Nivrim, assists Finrod Felagund in a hunt for a saboteur who has prevented spring from coming to Doriath. In the process, Oropher finds himself increasingly attracted to his clever friend.
A Sherlock Holmes style mystery with a twist.
MEFA 2011 winner First Place in Mystery: General and also a winner of a Smaug's Treasure award.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Melian, Oropher, Treebeard |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 24, 458 |
| Posted on 15 February 2011 | Updated on 15 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
My Grandfather's Cottage by oshun
2011 Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards - First Place, Elves General, and Smaug's Treasure award.
This is a story of tragic heroes of the First Age, while they were young elves in love in Valinor, inexperienced and foolish. Ecthelion, a half-Telerin nerdy musician who fancies himself to be rather worldly and fashionable, sets himself the task of seducing his best friend Glorfindel, a charming math prodigy. The story provides a glimpse at contrasts between Telerin, Noldorin, and Vanyarin cultures, which turns wildly AU in relation to the inclusion of the festival of the Gates of Summer. It’s but a little romp of a love story about growing up spoiled and privileged in Aman during the Years of the Trees.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elrond, Glorfindel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 025 |
| Posted on 15 February 2011 | Updated on 15 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Labadal and Túrin by Dreamflower
A series of drabbles about the child Túrin, and his friend the lame woodwright, Sador Labadal. I have long been fascinated by their friendship. Why would a noble child's best friend be a crippled servant?
| Major Characters: Sador Labadal, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 523 |
| Posted on 9 February 2011 | Updated on 15 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Still Waters by Olorime
Finrod Felagund gets stranded in a storm, a mysterious elf comes to his rescue. His life will be forever changed.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Mandos, Manwë, Orodreth, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 999 |
| Posted on 15 February 2011 | Updated on 15 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
On the Twilit Planet Below by darthfingon
"Now they begin their new lives."
A rigid society on a distant planet imprisons free thinkers. A vast ship transports prisoners across the galaxy to their new home colony.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 520 |
| Posted on 15 February 2011 | Updated on 15 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Web of the World by Dwimordene
"Vairë the Weaver [...] weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs [...]" - "Valaquenta", Silmarillion
It is hard to love the world that is. Nevertheless, someone has to do it...
| Major Characters: Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 358 |
| Posted on 12 February 2011 | Updated on 12 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
No Way You Can Fall by Himring
Fingon braces himself to defy Namo for the sake of his love of Maedhros, but it turns out to be strangely unnecessary. Ages later in Tirion, there is a rather more dramatic confrontation, when Fingolfin finally suspects the reason why Fingon has immured himself in his house with the cousin he has recently retrieved from Lorien.
Mature Themes: Maedhros is gradually regaining his sanity under Fingon's care.
Nominated for the MEFAs 2011. Thank you very much, Lyra!
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 129 |
| Posted on 8 February 2011 | Updated on 8 February 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Through a glass darkly by Aria
Finarfin enroute to the War of Wrath debates his family and their decisions but through darkened sky and darkened glass.
Around the coast, skirt the cliffs. Mind the hidden rocks in the dark surf. ....
When the last sword is drawn and then at last sheathed, I will welcome them home. May that day come soon, may all of our days come soon.
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 042 |
| Posted on 7 February 2011 | Updated on 7 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When Sorrow Sang by Ellynn
What did Mandos hear, see and feel while listening to Luthien's song?
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 051 |
| Posted on 1 February 2011 | Updated on 1 February 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
An Anthology of Middle-Earth by tinni
A collection of poems I wrote about various Silmarillion characters
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Gandalf, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 719 |
| Posted on 26 January 2011 | Updated on 27 January 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Driftwood by pandemonium_213
When mortal fishermen rescue a half-drowned elf-man from the northern sea, Elrond's help is requested. Elrond travels to the village of Mousehole, hard against Lindon's northern border, to find the recovering survivor who tells Elrond of his background and his mission, which promises to bring the innovations and wonders of Aman to Lindon. Elrond is intrigued as he attempts to discover just who this mysterious fellow is.
MEFA 2011 Winner. First Place, Second Age and Early Third Age, General
| Major Characters: Elrond, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 883 |
| Posted on 27 January 2011 | Updated on 27 January 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
Maglor and the Twin Stars by tinni
A series of stories about Maglor and the twin stars: Elrond and Elros
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 3, 023 |
| Posted on 21 January 2011 | Updated on 21 January 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Grace by lanyon
If Quendi are going to live in the Modern Day, someone should teach them how not to break hearts. Featuring Fingon, the apparently Valiant.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 098 |
| Posted on 21 January 2011 | Updated on 21 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Love's Persistence by IgnobleBard
In the bleak midwinter Haldir awaits a special visitor.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Haldir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 065 |
| Posted on 19 January 2011 | Updated on 19 January 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Surviving the Sack of Doriath by tinni
How Elured and Elurin survived the sack of Doriath
| Major Characters: Daeron, Eluréd, Elurín, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 878 |
| Posted on 16 January 2011 | Updated on 16 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Song: Memories by Himring
Yes, that song.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 127 |
| Posted on 15 January 2011 | Updated on 15 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Flawed and Fair by Tehta
When Aredhel leaves Gondolin, Ecthelion is part of her escort. During the journey, he will have to deal with Finwe's grandchild, spitting Sindar, orcs, unlight, giant spiders -- and his unnatural feelings for Glorfindel. Slash, spiky humour.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beleg, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Glorfindel, Mablung, Salgant, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 33, 707 |
| Posted on 14 January 2011 | Updated on 14 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Poor Visibility by Himring
On his first visit to Barad Eithel after the Dagor Bragollach, Maedhros believes he has lost Fingon's friendship. He encounters Morwen and talks to her about Beren.
Covers a couple of episodes told at the beginning of Looking at the Stars from Fingon's point of view as seen from Maedhros's point of view. As part of the series, this is Maedhros/Fingon, but obviously at this point...
Mature Themes: grief and alcohol.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 190 |
| Posted on 9 January 2011 | Updated on 9 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 598 |
| Posted on 7 January 2011 | Updated on 7 January 2011 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Malaise by Levade
A rather grumpy Elrond, Glorfindel, a tent, large puddle and a High King with a quirky sense of humour.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 686 |
| Posted on 4 January 2011 | Updated on 4 January 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Fëanor's Dream by WeStandVictorious
A young Fëanor has an amazing dream...
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 466 |
| Posted on 29 December 2010 | Updated on 29 December 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
