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
Lover's Leap by Ellie
Princess Eärwen successfully managed to turn a young Finarfin into a suitable candidate for husband for a Telerin bride, but just how far is he willing to go for her?
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 433 |
| Posted on 17 August 2010 | Updated on 17 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Unprecedented by Lyra
At Finarfin's wedding feast, young Fingon surprises his family by announcing that he intends to marry Maedhros.
For the SWG 5th Birthday Celebration, Do Something That's Never Been Done theme.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 678 |
| 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 (21) |
Fëanaro by Idril_Vanimedle
For the "Do Something That's Never Been Done" Challenge. Sibling rivalry has been taken to a whole new level as Fëanaro and Fingolfin but heads for the title of Crown Prince of the Noldor. May become a larger story.
| Major Characters: Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 930 |
| Posted on 17 August 2010 | Updated on 17 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
At the dawn of the world by Ithildae
A poem, based on my impressions after reading the book for the first time.
| 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: 105 |
| Posted on 16 August 2010 | Updated on 16 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Greatest Torment by Still Anonymous
After his rescue from Thangorodrim, Feanor's eldest dreams of the kinslaying at Alqualondë.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 570 |
| Posted on 15 August 2010 | Updated on 15 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Kind of Poetry by Independence1776
Indis can't help but fall in love with Finwë-- and his wife Míriel. When the couple brings her into their relationship, everything changes.
Finwë/Míriel/Indis, with an emphasis on Míriel/Indis.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 017 |
| Posted on 14 August 2010 | Updated on 14 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
The Wars of the Valar by Fiondil
Before the Coming of the Children, before Arda was even created, the Valar labored in wastes unmeasured and unexplored, and in ages uncounted and forgotten while Melkor sought to dominate all to his own desires and purposes. This is their story. As always, my thanks go to Alassiel for the beta-read. MEFA 2008: Honorable Mention: Longer Works (General).
| Major Characters: Maiar, Melkor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 58 | Word Count: 163, 942 |
| Posted on 8 August 2010 | Updated on 14 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kin No More by Ellie
During the War of Wrath, remnants of the king’s guard bear a badly wounded Finarfin from battle only to find themselves ensnared in an even older conflict.
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 7, 377 |
| Posted on 14 August 2010 | Updated on 14 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shadow and Flame by Esteliel
Glorfindel meets his fate at Cristhorn.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 653 |
| Posted on 14 August 2010 | Updated on 14 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Wish Fulfilment by Himring
Once again, Maedhros steals a boat, but this time he's got Fingon with him.
Holiday-ish.
Fingon/Maedhros, but nevertheless Teens (anything else must be supplied by your own imagination...)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 684 |
| Posted on 12 August 2010 | Updated on 12 August 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Through Sorrow to Find Joy by Dawn Felagund
This series will include small thinglets that do not fit in my other series.
New: Speak Faster. Nerdanel meets Ælfwine on Tol Eressëa. A double drabble.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Celegorm, Eriol, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 106 |
| Posted on 20 November 2009 | Updated on 11 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Flickers by Meril
Drabbles of varying multiples focused on Nerdanel, Feanor, their family and their lives.
| Major Characters: Elves, Fëanor, Nerdanel, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 1, 111 |
| Posted on 10 August 2010 | Updated on 10 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shiny Little Things by Meril
My Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales-based drabbles.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Elves, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 1, 598 |
| Posted on 10 August 2010 | Updated on 10 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Dragon Tale by Pearl Took
Where did the Dragons come from?
| Major Characters: Glaurung, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 450 |
| Posted on 10 August 2010 | Updated on 10 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Song of Summer by pandemonium_213
While visiting Imladris during the 20th year of the Fourth Age, Radagast overhears an elf-woman singing in the kitchen gardens of the House of Elrond. There he finds Mélamírë bending to pull weeds, but when she stands straight by a row of tomatoes, she sings a song in Radagast's mother tongue. When the wizard observes that she has used a Song of Making, she informs him of her purpose and priorities.
Inspired by a peculiar confluence of recent discussion of Lúthien on The Heretic Loremaster and ripe New Jersey tomatoes.
MEFA 2011 Winner. First Place, Ficlet, Later Age Elves
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 797 |
| Posted on 9 August 2010 | Updated on 9 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
A Walk by the River by Elfique
The grief of Finduilas and Gwindor, as each considers the loss of the other.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 439 |
| Posted on 7 August 2010 | Updated on 7 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Jinn by pandemonium_213
While leading his tribe into the deep desert to escape the inevitable war between the Zigûr and the Sea-kings, Sharif finds a woman — injured and unconscious — among the rocks. He discovers this is not a mortal woman, but one of the immortal demons of the north. He is ready to kill her, but the tribe's priestess stays his hand, warning him that slaying the jinn would bring terrible misfortune to his tribe. His wives care for the jinn, who recovers and aids the tribe as they journey to the East in search of a mysterious land where they hope to find sanctuary, the jinn no less than Sharif and his tribe as they flee from the Zigûr and the Sea-Kings.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover, Drama | Challenges: Strangers in Strange Lands |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 237 |
| Posted on 7 August 2010 | Updated on 7 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Vairë's Tapestries by Fiondil
A collection of my short stories originally published on Stories of Arda. Most of the stories are rated for Teens, but any stories that have an "R" rating will be duly noted. Thanks go to Alassiel for the beta.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 17, 405 |
| Posted on 25 July 2010 | Updated on 5 August 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Amandil by Russandol
Amandil - During Akallabêth in August we feature Amandil, the patriarch of the founders of the realms of Men in Middle-earth. Russandol addresses what the stories tell of Amandil, his evolution as the texts developed, and prompts unanswered questions for inspiration and debate. Originally featured August 2010.
Racing Down the Mindon by Himring
As tensions are rising between the factions of Feanor and Fingolfin in Tirion, Celegorm comes to see his brother Maedhros at the palace.
Very kindly nominated for the MEFAs 2011 by Angelica; it won Third Place in the category: "Character Study: House of Finwë".
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 337 |
| Posted on 31 July 2010 | Updated on 31 July 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Findaráto Diaries by Fiondil
A hundred years before Glorfindel was released from Mandos, Finrod Felagund, once King of Nargothrond, was reborn to walk with his father in Eldamar. This is his story. A companion tale to Elf, Interrupted. As always, my sincerest thanks go to Alassiel for the beta.
| Major Characters: Ainur, Amarië, Eärwen, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Gandalf, Ingwë, Maiar, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 38 | Word Count: 124, 940 |
| Posted on 25 July 2010 | Updated on 25 July 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Elf Academy by Fiondil
Desperate for employment, six Elves who never left Middle-earth, decide to apply for the one position that is ready-made for them — being Elves. There’s just one catch. My thanks to Alassiel as always for the beta.
| Major Characters: Ainur, Daeron, Elves, Glorfindel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 91, 478 |
| Posted on 25 July 2010 | Updated on 25 July 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Silmarillion Gospel by Araloth the Random
What happens when a group of clueless fangirls try to "translate" The Silmarillion into Biblical English? Utter chaos, of course!
Nominated for MEFA 2010, with many thanks to elfscribe!
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Elves, Maiar, Sons of Fëanor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 261 |
| Posted on 22 December 2009 | Updated on 25 July 2010 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (68) |
Diptych by Himring
Maedhros looks back from Mithrim, remembering his time on Thangorodrim and in the dungeons of Angband.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 962 |
| Posted on 24 July 2010 | Updated on 24 July 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Heirs of the Past by clotho123
Gil-galad, Celebrimbor and a ring. Not the one you think.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Trinkets and Treasures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 228 |
| Posted on 18 July 2010 | Updated on 18 July 2010 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
