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
B2MeM 2011
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. 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
The Gift by Ithilwen
A young Maedhros makes a gift for his father, and learns a harsh lesson in the process.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 126 |
| Posted on 10 May 2009 | Updated on 10 May 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Another Lie about Love by Naltariel
Fingon's unrequited love. Took place after Maedhros being released from Thangorodrim.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 017 |
| Posted on 10 May 2009 | Updated on 10 May 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Wine-Dark Sea by Ithilwen
A view of the Kinslaying through Maedhros's eyes. Warning: violent and disturbing imagery.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 227 |
| Posted on 8 May 2009 | Updated on 8 May 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Fire and Ice by Naltariel
Aegnor meets Feanor in Mandos. Nominated for MEFA 2009.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 385 |
| Posted on 8 May 2009 | Updated on 8 May 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Tale and Truth by Naltariel
Silmarillion adaptation of the folktale The Little Mermaid. A Maia found out that falling in love with Maglor isn't the wisest thing to do.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 852 |
| Posted on 8 May 2009 | Updated on 8 May 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Defiance by Marta
Of all the Valar, Ulmo arguably knew the Numenoreans best and it was his waves that were used in their destruction. What must he have thought about the Akallabeth?
| Major Characters: Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 313 |
| Posted on 7 May 2009 | Updated on 7 May 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
I Hate You by oshun
Day 24 – B2MeM 2009, prompt: “Choose your favorite line or quotation from a non-Tolkien source.” This is a story referenced more than once but never developed in my short novel A New Day. Inspired by Dawn Felagund’s ficlet “Hatred,” it is an account of a low point in the relationship of Maedhros and Fingon before they left Valinor.
2009 MEFA - Second Place - Drama: House of Finwë
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë, Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2009, One True Love |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 363 |
| Posted on 21 April 2009 | Updated on 21 April 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
No Regrets by clotho123
An Eärendil vignette exploring why he was fated to sail the skies. A little odd, and a little bleak.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 962 |
| Posted on 18 April 2009 | Updated on 18 April 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Beyond Hope by clotho123
Of the sack of Sirion and the power of the Oath of Fëanor
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 934 |
| Posted on 18 April 2009 | Updated on 18 April 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A New Day by oshun
(New: see illustration by Robinka, added as Chapter 12.) This is a sequel to my first tale, (Maitimo and Findekáno), in my cycle of stories recounting the life-long relationship between Fingon and Maedhros. It occurs after the definitive fracture between the Houses of Feanor and Fingolfin and the flight of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Beginning immediately after Fingon’s rescue of Maedhros from the cliffs of Thangorodrim, it tells of how Fingon and Maedhros reunite and together resolve to heal the divisions among the Noldor. (Slash.)
MEFA 2008 First Place, Longer Works: General
MEFA 2007 2nd Place, Elves: Incomplete
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Aredhel, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Love Conquers All, New Beginnings, One True Love |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 52, 811 |
| Posted on 15 June 2007 | Updated on 16 April 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (53) |
The Men Who Would Be Kings by SurgicalSteel
In the late Second Age, a merchant from Belfalas comes to an agreement with new arrivals from downfallen Númenor.
| 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: 2, 576 |
| Posted on 12 April 2009 | Updated on 12 April 2009 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Into Exile by Aiwen
Elendil's arrival in Middle Earth, and his first meeting with the Elves.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 878 |
| Posted on 10 April 2009 | Updated on 10 April 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Good, the Bad, and the Queen by Robinka
Shortly after the council in Mithrim, a lone messenger enters Doriath, seeking a privilege of King Elwë's audience. Is he another talebearer? Or perhaps he does play a main role in the Noldor's diplomacy.
A "what-if" story written for the challenge "Many meetings", also for Back to Middle Earth Month, Day 24th: Favorite quote. Inspired by the challenge "And if they'd had a chat" at Open Scrolls Archive.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Maedhros, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009, Many Meetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 693 |
| Posted on 5 April 2009 | Updated on 5 April 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Gentlemen's Night Out by oshun
The Hangover Redux set at the victory celebration at the Fields of Cormallen following the Battle of the Morannon, starring Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, and Prince Erchirion of Dol Amroth. No, seriously, it is a consideration of Laws and Customs of the Eldar, Morgoth’s Ring, Volume 12, History of Middle-earth, with particular attention given to Noldorin, Sindarin, Silvan and Gondorian interpretations of that essay. (Actually, it is really not very serious.)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 016 |
| Posted on 4 April 2009 | Updated on 4 April 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Bird in the Hand by Marta
In the Fourth Age, Gondor grapples with the legacy of Numenor that was. (Updated February 2013)
| Major Characters: Barahir (Fourth Age) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 816 |
| Posted on 4 April 2009 | Updated on 4 April 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Burden of Truth by Rhapsody
As she faces the concequences of her sons and husband's actions daily, Nerdanel must make a decision how to face tomorrow.
~ MEFA 2009: First Place in Genres: Drama: House of Finwë
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009, New Beginnings, Strong Women |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 783 |
| Posted on 31 March 2009 | Updated on 31 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Illuminations by Dawn Felagund
For Back to Middle-earth Month 2009: scenes from the life of young Pengolodh, the loremaster of Gondolin whose writings brought us The Silmarillion.
Updated:
Truth for Day Eight: Beauty/Ugliness
The Mountains and the Sea, for Day Nine: Anti-Heroes
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Original Character(s), Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, General, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 8, 971 |
| Posted on 2 March 2009 | Updated on 28 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (76) |
The Huntsman and the Lady by Sulriel
Galadriel walked away from the laws and ideals of the Valar so she could rule her own land in her own way, but faced with choices in these wild lands, is she really ready to abandon her upbringing to return to the old ways of her Avari forefathers?
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 5, 315 |
| Posted on 27 March 2009 | Updated on 27 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Ponderous Tome by oshun
A short character study of a youthful Elrond and a reflection on an aspect of his relationship with Maedhros and Maglor; in response to Day 26 of the B2MeM challenge. The prompt is: “a teacher who played a key role . . . . write a character who educated his people in some way.”
MEFA 2009, Third Place - First Age and Prior:
Featuring Maedhros or Maglor
Tree and Flower Awards 2013, First Place
Favorite Characerization of Elrond
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ankle Biters, B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 082 |
| Posted on 26 March 2009 | Updated on 26 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Heresy by Marta
"The cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons and left them to starve in the forest. Of this Maedhros indeed repented, and sought for them long in the woods of Doriath."
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 965 |
| Posted on 23 March 2009 | Updated on 23 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Survivors of the Downfall by SurgicalSteel
Sailors from Umbar realize that Numenor is no more.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 256 |
| Posted on 22 March 2009 | Updated on 22 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
In the Beginning by Marta
A professor, a typewriter, a rainstorm... and a beginning. (Triple-drabble.)
| Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 298 |
| Posted on 22 March 2009 | Updated on 22 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Uinen’s Revenge by oshun
Back to Middle-earth Month Challenge, Day 21 – The Prompt: Describe a big storm . . . place it in Tolkien's world. A fixed-length ficlet of 125 words (counted by MS Word). “But Uinen wept for the mariners of the Teleri; and the sea rose in wrath against the slayers, so that many of the ships were wrecked and those in them drowned.” (The Silmarillion, “The Flight of the Noldor.”)
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 119 |
| Posted on 21 March 2009 | Updated on 21 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Bar Joke by oshun
Day 19 SWG Back to Middle-earth Month entry. The prompt: "If you could pass on three pieces of wisdom to future generations, what would they be?"
Summary: "Four guys were sitting in a bar . . . " (the Fab Four of the Finwean Cousins). A drabble and a half (150 words as counted by MS Word and the author). G-rated, but with warnings for extreme irreverence.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 154 |
| Posted on 19 March 2009 | Updated on 19 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Like Mother, Like Son by oshun
Day 18 of the Back to Middle-earth Month challenge. Prompt: “your character is in bed and he or she awakes to a future leader, heir, or current leader standing outside the window, staring into your character's face with a giant smile.”
Summary: Fëanor is in the dog house, but his heir does not mind. A double drabble (200 words as counted by MS Word).
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 191 |
| Posted on 18 March 2009 | Updated on 18 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
