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
Bestiary of Arda
Choose a prompt from our "bestiary" of music and images of animals found in Arda. 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
Untold Tales by Cirdan
The lordlings of Gondolin are telling Tuor stories. (Main leaders being Pengolod, Elemmakil, and Legolas.) Glorfindel and Ecthelion later crash their party and suggest telling the tale of Beren and Luthien.
| Major Characters: Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 965 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Twilight of Gondolin by Cirdan
Fluff about Tuor and Idril. Glorfindel and Ecthelion make an appearance. Galdor, Legolas, Elemmakil, and Elentirmo do cameo appearances.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 196 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Story of Love Between Glorfindel and Ecthelion by Cirdan
Glorfindel and Ecthelion tell Tuor about their love and how it came to be.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 083 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Most Beloved Elf-lords of the Blessed Realm by Cirdan
This is a very random story, Silmarillion-based. The Elf-lords that will eventually be part of Gondolin, like Glorfindel and Ecthelion, hang out. You should already know at least the names of these characters when stepping into the story.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 924 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rana, The Wanderer by Cirdan
At the Battle of Lammoth, Ecthelion loses his father Ehtele and is deeply grieved. Glorfindel comforts him. The moon rises and becomes the memorial for the dead.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 190 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Perfect Matches by Cirdan
Love story of Ecthelion and Glorfindel.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 767 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Keeping Count of Unnumbered Tears by Cirdan
Ecthelion and Glorfindel meet in the midst of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears and compare counts.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 893 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
First Star by Cirdan
Voronwe thinks back to Cirdan and Ereinion Gil-galad as he leads Tuor toward Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 484 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Evermind by Cirdan
Ecthelion loses one of his people on the Grinding Ice, and Glorfindel comforts him.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 380 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eladar, The Star-Father by Cirdan
Glorfindel and Ecthelion prepare Tuor for a feast in celebration of Earendil's conception.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 712 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Chance Meetings by Cirdan
Legolas of Gondolin and Gimli the Blind Elf meet again at the Mouths of Sirion after years of not seeing each other. Mablung is present for this momentous occasion. (Momentous in their lives, not in the greater history of ME.)
| Major Characters: Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 434 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
An Ill Omen by Cirdan
A seven-year-old Earendil falls sick, and all of Gondolin worries, especially Turgon and Idril. But Tuor has the "cure."
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 815 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After Unnumbered Tears by Cirdan
Ecthelion and Glorfindel make it back to Gondolin alive and are quite relieved. Elemmakil was left to guard the First Gate, and his best friend Elentirmo thinks he's dead.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elemmakil, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 160 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Son's Most Important Journey by Cirdan
Tuor and an older Earendil bond.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 446 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Redemption of the Noldor by Cirdan
This is the Redemption of the Noldor and the love story of Cirdan and Finrod. (There are 2 endings.)
| Major Characters: Círdan, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 15, 488 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Lord of the Seas by Cirdan
It's the story of Osse and features his rebellion against Ulmo and his relationship with Cirdan and Uinen. (Book of Lost Tales 1 based.)
| Major Characters: Círdan, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 997 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Lady of the Seas by Cirdan
Cirdan lives apart from his people after the return of Thingol. Uinen comes to him to cheer him up. He teaches the Falathrim to use their skill to heal the hurts of the world. Osse and Uinen come to the Falas for a Feast to resolve old issues.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 866 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Aging of Cirdan by Cirdan
This story attempt to explain why Cirdan alone of the elves is old.
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 14, 765 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tales of the Falathrim by Cirdan
These are legends and tales of the Falathrim. The first one is about Cirdan and his turtle. The second is Beleg and his favorite arrow, Dailir. The third tale is about Feanor and Nerdanel falling in love.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Círdan, Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 3, 897 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mithlond's First Winter by Cirdan
For the first time in thousands of years, winter comes to Mithlond, the Grey Havens. Gildor is upset by this and goes to confront Cirdan.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Gildor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 968 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gil-galad, Star of Radiance by Cirdan
Gil-galad is tired of sitting idle on the Isle of Balar and decides to try sailing West to Valinor. Cirdan deters him. The full meaning of Gil-galad's many names is revealed.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 035 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 27 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Caranthir, Pharoh of Beleriand by Cirdan
This is unfinished and likely to never be finished. It should end with the exile of Curufin and Caranthir becoming Pharoh.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 235 |
| Posted on 26 August 2009 | Updated on 26 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
War Children by Fireworks
While the Númenóreans live in the height of their pride and folly, they leave darkness and ruin in their wake. A young woman in Middle-earth struggles with this legacy. [The full text was not showing, but it has been fixed now.]
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 614 |
| Posted on 23 August 2009 | Updated on 23 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Whom They Fear by Michiru
Thingol warns that Morgoth has used seemingly escaped prisoners to his advantage before. Fingon does not appreciate the implications.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 053 |
| Posted on 23 August 2009 | Updated on 23 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sacrifice by SurgicalSteel
Not everyone involved with the sacrifices at Armenelos were believers.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 847 |
| Posted on 22 August 2009 | Updated on 22 August 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
