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
Little Stars by fingonsradharp
Elrond and Elros are kidnapped, again. But this time, the only people who are around to rescue them are their other kidnappers.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 048 |
| Posted on 27 October 2023 | Updated on 27 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Variations on Fear and Lack Thereof by fingonsradharp
Elrond and Elros are afraid of the Feanorions, until they aren't.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 495 |
| 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) |
I Go To Find The Sun by cuarthol
A letter arrives for Galadriel, but what is left unsaid sends the loudest message.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 607 |
| Posted on 26 October 2023 | Updated on 26 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Say Not Farewell by cuarthol
“I thought I was stronger than a word, but I just discovered that having to say goodbye to you is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” – Colleen Hoover
For the prompt epistolary.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Galadriel |
| Genres: Experimental, Family, General | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 500 |
| Posted on 26 October 2023 | Updated on 26 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Tritina: Sirion by sallysavestheday
The Sons of Fëanor descend on Sirion. Elwing rises.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 89 |
| Posted on 23 October 2023 | Updated on 23 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
1936 by Simon J. Cook
In 1936, a shadow had fallen over Europe. Tolkien's lecture on Beowulf looked to the past to draw for the present moment a theory of courage in the face of an uncertain future.
The Rock Garden by Simon J. Cook
An early draft of Tolkien's essay on "Beowulf" used a rock garden analogy to show how the critics—who were actual people whom Tolkien knew—were responding incorrectly to the poem.
Scorched by polutropos
"They do not touch anymore, not even in violence. Maglor has no need of him. It is his foals, grazing upon his barren spirit, who have brought him back to life."
A messy entanglement, from four perspectives.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Maglor, Elrond & Elros, Elros & Maglor, Elrond/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 5, 020 |
| Posted on 22 October 2023 | Updated on 22 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
O, Cousin Mine by sallysavestheday
Orcs reflect on Elves.
| 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: 243 |
| Posted on 22 October 2023 | Updated on 22 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Theorycrafting: Interview with Scedasticity of the "Silmarillion Headcanon Survey" by Scedasticity and Dawn Felagund
The Silmarillion Headcanon Survey is a sprawling project that seeks to document where fans fall on various fan theories. Lead researcher Scedasticity discusses its inspiration, what it shows of the fandom, and what lies ahead for the project.
The Last Story by Aldwen
Only stones now remember the Elves or Eregion… Is it true? A Silvan Elf learns better as he listens to the story of an ancient holly-tree.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Celebrimbor, Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 537 |
| Posted on 18 October 2023 | Updated on 18 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Oh Maedhros, don't look back in anger by Varda delle Stelle
A moodboard retelling the major events in Maedhros' life from Valinor to his death in Beleriand
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 October 2023 | Updated on 15 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (9) |
Wayward Daughter, Carry on by Himring
The story of a young eagle: how and why she made her way from Valinor to Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Eagles, Manwë, Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 911 |
| Posted on 11 October 2023 | Updated on 15 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Candles and Moths by cuarthol
"What has so shadowed thy spirit? What is this wound thou bearest which I can neither bind nor soothe?"
“The cruelest wound, from which I shall never heal."
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Finrod |
| Genres: Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 494 |
| Posted on 12 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
You better you bet by daughterofshadows
A moodboard for a Celegorm/Lúthien Modern AU inspired by the song You better you bet by The Who.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Lúthien |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
a blissful state by Noldotári
Upon his return from Númenor, Eönwë has memories to face, conversations to have, and old companions to meet.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Finarfin |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 279 |
| Posted on 13 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rising to Meet You by yletylyf
Celebrimbor offers himself to Sauron in exchange for the safety of his city and his people. He is resigned to any number of fates, but what Sauron actually wants from him is a mystery.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 215 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Left you so mournful by yletylyf
While Celebrimbor learns how to live again, the remnants of Sauron's destroyed spirit are drawn to his presence. But when Sauron realizes who and where he is, Celebrimbor doesn't react at all how he expects.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 000 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I should tell you by yletylyf
Mairon is an enigma - but a beautiful one. Eönwë has never wanted anything so much in his life.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 421 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sweet Vision of Mine by yletylyf
Lindon and Eregion clash over how to handle Númenórean deforestation. Ost-in-Edhil is buiding up to its own internal strife. But for Elrond and Celebrían, for this one moment in time, everything is perfect.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond |
| Genres: Family, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 618 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
do you remember when by yletylyf
During the War of Wrath, Sauron encounters an Eönwë down on his luck and lends a helping hand. At the end of the war, their positions are reversed. Eönwë only wishes a helping hand would be enough for Sauron.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 397 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Entwining by yletylyf
Instead of merely hiding the Three Rings, Celebrimbor decides to destroy them. This places him directly in Sauron's path again, for better or for worse.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 32, 787 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Snakes and Ladders by polutropos
It is the night of Tirion's masked ball. Fëanáro is after Artanis' hair, Artanis is after a distraction, Macalaurë is deploying all his wiles, and Findaráto is just trying to have a nice time.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Finrod/Maglor, Galadriel/Maglor |
| Genres: Het, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 779 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Solace by polutropos
Orodreth finds comfort and renewal in the arms of Adanedhel.
| Major Characters: Orodreth, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Orodreth/Túrin |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 410 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Underhanded by polutropos
"Heat crawled over the side of Celegorm’s body where Finrod’s shoulder brushed it, but he smirked. He had no wish to wrest the crown of Nargothrond from his cousin, not yet. Finrod was a competent leader, and beloved. Better to leave the Kingdom in his hands — and for Celegorm to hold Finrod in his."
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Finrod |
| Genres: Erotica, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 404 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
