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] 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! :)
[Writing] Ransom of the Fairy Twins by Rocky41_7
Maglor and Maedhros trade Elrond and Elros to King Gil-galad in exchange for a Silmaril, but they have miscalculated.
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
Heroes
Create a fanwork about a hero, whether the typical saves-the-world type or the unlikely, unsung, and accidental, those who have been forgotten or perhaps were never noticed at all, who made their worlds a better place. 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
Dust and Ashes by Artano
Húrin kills Mîm and wanders through the remains of a decaying city, the remnants of the peoples who once lived there and called it home.
| Major Characters: Mîm, Húrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Orctober |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 663 |
| Posted on 22 October 2024 | Updated on 22 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Against Expectations- complimenting art by PeasantPlayer
A orc and a elf. The elf hands the orc water
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 21 October 2024 | Updated on 21 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Among the Trees by StarSpray
The remnants of Melian’s power stirred also, gathering around her children in warmth and comfort, bringing sleep and pleasant dreams so they could forget, until spring, the horrors of that night.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Treebeard |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 846 |
| Posted on 20 October 2024 | Updated on 20 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Last Queen of the North by Flora-lass
Arvedui is gone, and Firiel reflects.
| Major Characters: Fíriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 15 October 2024 | Updated on 19 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Designs by Independence1776
Second Age 3261: Sauron prepares to respond to Ar-Pharazon’s heralds. Maglor doesn’t know how he fits into Sauron's plans.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 258 |
| Posted on 18 October 2024 | Updated on 18 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Eyes and Ears by Zdenka
Two Orcs discuss the increased price on Beren's head.
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Orctober |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on 18 October 2024 | Updated on 18 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Against Expectation by chrissystriped
He is dead. His heart is still beating, but he is dead.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Orctober |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 309 |
| Posted on 18 October 2024 | Updated on 18 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Birds of the Field by Zdenka
Erendis prefers the birds of Emerië.
| Major Characters: Erendis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Orctober |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 18 October 2024 | Updated on 18 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Where I Cannot Follow by cuarthol
After no one returns from the Nirnaeth, those left in Hithlum must make a choice.
| Major Characters: Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 248 |
| Posted on 26 September 2024 | Updated on 16 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
An lao ite i mbolg na bó by cuarthol
Before Doriath, before Gondolin, others found their way to the mouths of Sirion, fleeing the destruction of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Círdan & Lalwen |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 917 |
| Posted on 14 October 2024 | Updated on 15 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
A Fresh Wind by Grundy
Along with her newly demonstrated concept for flying, Tindomiel has to explain a few other things from California.
| Major Characters: Olwë, Other Fictional Character(s), Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 693 |
| Posted on 15 October 2024 | Updated on 15 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Voice Like the Sea by Rocky41_7
Maglor the mighty who like the sea with deep voice sings yet mournfully.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Instrumental, Opera, Pop) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 October 2024 | Updated on 14 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Little Sparrow by Himring
Life as a thrall of Lorgan is not easy. Tuor's capture complicates things.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), House of Hador |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 407 |
| Posted on 13 October 2024 | Updated on 13 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
| Major Characters: Turgon, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 776 |
| Posted on 5 October 2024 | Updated on 12 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Silenced by Rocky41_7
After Maglor is brutalized, he seeks out Daeron. Help he may gain, but comfort, little.
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: Daeron & Maglor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 308 |
| Posted on 11 October 2024 | Updated on 11 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
You Can't XXXX in Here, This is the War Room! by Rocky41_7
Blowjob diplomacy.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 075 |
| Posted on 11 October 2024 | Updated on 11 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Until the final flicker of life’s embers by Quente
Dior did not see the arrow until it pierced his own flesh, a hard thrust of a point entering his back and blossoming out of his heart. The pain of the wound, and the feeling of his body in uncertain panic around it, was almost secondary to his curiosity.
Now what?
Dior felt strangely detached, as if he had stepped out of his body. He watched himself fall over the body of the Golodh he’d slain. Dior had worn no helm nor armor that day – and he saw his hair fan out to cover them both. They died together in the dark cloak of it.
Dior’s eyes closed, and all was dark.
~
And then Dior opened his eyes.
| Major Characters: Dior, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nimloth, Elwing, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth, Dior & Elwing, Dior & Lúthien |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 19, 207 |
| Posted on 11 October 2024 | Updated on 11 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Meet Me In The Woods (We'll Make Beautiful Music Together) by cuarthol
Lúthien escapes Menegroth for a clandestine meeting in the woods.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Daeron, Nellas, Mablung, Beleg |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 507 |
| Posted on 9 October 2024 | Updated on 9 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Elendilmir by pandemonium_213
A young child of Men befriends Sámaril, the troubled master smith of Imladris. The Noldorin craftsman experiences the joy and pain born of friendships between the Eldar and mortal Men and comes to question his people’s values as his life becomes entwined with Isildur’s youngest son and two powerful women of the Dúnedain. A sequel to The Apprentice.
Chapter 38 - The Crow's Nest: While Elerina establishes her informal seat of power in Gaillond, thus revealing to Sámaril her former role as Isildur's queen, the elven-smith quickly becomes bored with trade negotiations and resolution of disputes among the local nobility. The reminders of Isildur continue to exert a negative effect on Sámaril, causing frustration between the couple. But Sámaril also begins to dream of the Sea, which sparks a desire to take ship out on to the open waters, ostensibly to learn more about the working men of the Númenórean exiles. He finds the ship on which he wishes to sail and meets its captain.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Sauron, Valandil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 39 | Word Count: 182, 002 |
| Posted on 12 January 2008 | Updated on 8 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (345) |
On the Way Home by silmalope
Doriath Family Reunion AU: Túrin twisted his ankle in the woods, and big sister Lúthien is giving him a ride home. :)
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Túrin, Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Lúthien & Túrin |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 2 October 2024 | Updated on 5 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
Orcs Are People by cuarthol
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.
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 October 2024 | Updated on 5 October 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (14) |
Themed Collections by SWG Newsletter Staff
Themed Collections are a periodic feature of our weekly newsletter and are intended to feature fanworks centered on a theme as a jumping off point for members to add their own recommendations to the collection. Themed Collections are open to new contributions. You can find out more about putting together your own Themed Collection here!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 31 August 2024 | Updated on 5 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Dream of Legolas Greenleaf by clotho123
In which Legolas Greenleaf dreams he is in the First Age. Time is strangely haywire and there are a lot of Noldor royalty talking about ravens. More importantly nobody has offered him a drink.
Or: a medieval Welsh story adapted with Silmarillion characters (and Legolas)
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 580 |
| Posted on 23 June 2024 | Updated on 5 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Summary of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales) by elennalore
A summary of the events in J.R.R. Tolkien's text The Disaster of the Gladden Fields, written for the Third Age Sessions at Alliance of Arda.
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 604 |
| Posted on 4 October 2024 | Updated on 4 October 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 27 September 2024 | Updated on 30 September 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
