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
Watching the Dance by Lyra
Out in the woods, young Túrin makes a new friend - and learns not to fear thunderstorms.
Written for Elleth - Happy Birthday!
| Major Characters: Nellas, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 747 |
| Posted on 6 September 2010 | Updated on 6 September 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Reflections by Angelica
Eldar and Avari meet for the first time in the forest and discover similarities among their differences.
| Major Characters: Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 422 |
| Posted on 4 September 2010 | Updated on 4 September 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Your Sins into Me by oshun
Shortly after the arrival of the main body of the Noldor in Middle-earth, Fingon the Valiant sets off alone to rescue his cousin and old friend Maedhros who has been captured by Melkor.
Nominated for the 2011 Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 464 |
| Posted on 4 September 2010 | Updated on 4 September 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Breath of Arda by Fiondil
Not all battles are fought with swords and spears. Some are fought with other weapons.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Mandos, Manwë, Nienna, Oromë, Ulmo, Vairë, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 919 |
| Posted on 4 September 2010 | Updated on 4 September 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sons of the Sea Kings by lindahoyland
Aragorn tells his son of his heritage.
| Major Characters: Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 206 |
| Posted on 1 September 2010 | Updated on 1 September 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
If Ever a Fruit Ripens by Pearl Took
At the start of the Fourth Age, a Hobbit meets a strange woman in the courtyard of the king and learns the deep history of the White Tree.
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 683 |
| Posted on 1 September 2010 | Updated on 1 September 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Copper and Flame by Araloth the Random
A sweet and light-hearted story in which a young Feanor discovers new feelings for the daughter of a craftsman. Slightly AU. Complete!
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 8, 782 |
| Posted on 10 August 2010 | Updated on 31 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
A Minor Talent by Lyra
Young Findekáno develops a passion for a song that continues to follow him as the events of the Silmarillion unfold.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 453 |
| Posted on 30 August 2010 | Updated on 30 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Swan Song by Ellie
It is said that elves dwell much in memory. For Maglor son of Fëanor, not all of those memories are pleasant. Second place winner, General category; ALEC November 2008: A Little Night Music.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 862 |
| Posted on 28 August 2010 | Updated on 28 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bard Rising by Rhapsody
It is said that Maglor composed the Noldolantë before he was lost, but none was said about his personal accounts. The warrior bard wants to take you on a journey, a story that will tell you the tale on how a musician became a relentless kinslayer and warrior.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Argon, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Maglor, Mahtan, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 9, 845 |
| Posted on 28 August 2010 | Updated on 28 August 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Five Bells by Dawn Felagund
The people of Tirion learn of Miriel's death. For the Five Things challenge for SWG's fifth birthday. 2011 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Mandos, Míriel Serindë, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 543 |
| Posted on 26 August 2010 | Updated on 26 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
The Cave in the Echoriath by Iavalir
During a masquerade Legolas tells Haldir the tragic tale of the Gondolinian elf named Legolas.
| Major Characters: Haldir, Legolas Greenleaf, Legolas of Gondolin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 560 |
| Posted on 25 August 2010 | Updated on 25 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Left Behind by Isil Elensar
A series of drabbles connected though a family. Each drabble is a look at how certain family member handle being left behind.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Family Matters, Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 500 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Similitude by Isil Elensar
Someone thought long forgotten is found by someone he never expected to find.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 517 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Handmaiden's Rainbow by Isil Elensar
A series of drabbles (five in total) depicting a young elf-maiden who takes pride in her work and service for the Lady Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Time of Trial by Lyra
Sauron has become Ar-Pharazôn's most trusted advisor, but it is not an easy job even for a cunning Maia. An unknown intruder in the palace gardens, however, enables him to set some of his more ambitious plans in motion...
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Elentir, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 7, 467 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Power of Evil by lindahoyland
Morgoth is at once defeated and triumphant.
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Atop Bald Mountain by Iavalir
A letter speaking of the doom that awaits this universe, goes on for thousands of years without ever reaching its recipient. One day it is picked up by some humans, and its perilous message is finally revealed to the world.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 664 |
| Posted on 24 August 2010 | Updated on 24 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Admission by SurgicalSteel
Zamîn and Nemir (two of my OCs) meet after the Last Alliance and discuss their losses.
References my other Second Age fics archived on this site.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 898 |
| Posted on 22 August 2010 | Updated on 22 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cross-overs Are Harder Than They Look by oshun
SWG 5th Birthday Theme: Perfect Matches: Whether humorous or serious, this theme is for cross-overs of all sorts. Fingon tries to write fanfiction and Maedhros tries to help him. (Cross-over of The Silmarillion with Ellen Kushner's Swordspoint, Disney classics, fairy tales, and BBC's Merlin.)
Thanks to IgnobleBard for reading the first draft (the one and only actually--you put up with a lot from me!).
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Humor | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 897 |
| Posted on 22 August 2010 | Updated on 22 August 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Ainulindalë - I by Idril_Vanimedle
An interesting attempt at creating a poem that can be read in more than one way. About the destruction of the Lamps and the flight of the Valar from Middle Earth.
Can be for the 5th birthday challenge "The Lays of Beleriand Reloaded".
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 37 |
| Posted on 21 August 2010 | Updated on 21 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Honi soit... by Lyra
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is by many considered one of the greatest works of English medieval literature, yet its author is sadly unknown. Of course, a brilliant work of poetry must have been authored by a brilliant poet...
A crossover between The Silmarillion and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Humor | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 645 |
| Posted on 21 August 2010 | Updated on 21 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
All the Answers by Himring
Maedhros and Maglor each answer a question at the Mereth Aderthad.
"Musician" was a stand-alone, until I decided to pair it with "A Word In". The two parts are rated differently: see Chapter Notes.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 395 |
| Posted on 15 May 2010 | Updated on 20 August 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Duty Calls by Ellie
Sometimes serving the Lady of the Golden Wood isn’t all it is cracked up to be.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 125 |
| Posted on 18 August 2010 | Updated on 18 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Livinlävidä by Russandol
In the bliss of the Blessed Realm, Legolas makes a wager with Gimli and does something that has never been done before. Manwë is not impressed.
| Major Characters: Gimli, Legolas Greenleaf, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 568 |
| Posted on 17 August 2010 | Updated on 17 August 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
