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
Letter to Fingon by oshun
SWG Back to Middle-earth Month prompt: A stereotype is a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified . . . . Write a story… where characters break stereotypes. Summary: Maedhros writes a letter to Fingon questioning his strategy behind his attack on the dragon Glaurung. (I hope that the format is legible. I would have written it in Quenya (yeah, right!) and used Tengwar, but then no one would have been able to read it.) Thank you, IgnobleBard, for Beta reading this ficlet.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Glaurung, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 958 |
| 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 (12) |
Sporting Woods by IgnobleBard
Namo takes a stroll through Lórien.
| Major Characters: Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 531 |
| Posted on 16 March 2009 | Updated on 16 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Walking Down Narrow Streets by Marta
What if Tolkien's writings really were translations rather than original creations? Late one night, a certain professor wanders around Oxford, searching for answers.
| Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 913 |
| Posted on 16 March 2009 | Updated on 16 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Threat of Spring by oshun
My entry for day 14 of the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge. The prompt is: What is your favourite season? . . . . how your character would appreciate (or not) the same things.
A ficlet wherein a grumpy Fingon faces spring, once his favorite season. (Fingon/Maedhros)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 384 |
| Posted on 15 March 2009 | Updated on 15 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Till Fire Purge All Things New by pandemonium_213
Sauron has a moment of doubt in the Sammath Naur.
For B2MeM 2009: Day 15 -- The Ides of March: "Do I dare disturb the universe?"
MEFA 2009: First Place in Genres: Ficlets: General
Update! Illustration by the fabulous Robinka now added to the story!
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on 15 March 2009 | Updated on 15 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
My Greatest Fear by oshun
A ficlet in which Fingon visits Maedhros at Himring Hill and they confess their greatest fears to one another. (Fingon/Maedhros: soft R, at the highest.)
My entry for day 13 of the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge. The prompt: Write a story where the characters have to confront their greatest fears.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 606 |
| Posted on 14 March 2009 | Updated on 14 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
That's Not Funny! by oshun
In their youth in Valinor, Maedhros has a secret crush on Fingon, his younger half-cousin, and Maglor loves to tease him about it.
A ficlet of 550 words in response to the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge, day 11, humor misunderstood. (R-rated for language and implication only.) Also, translation of Quenya names at the bottom for those who want them.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 550 |
| Posted on 11 March 2009 | Updated on 11 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
If I were a wood elf... by Robinka
A poem in response to the 2009 Back to Middle Earth Month, Day Seventh: "In the woods".
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 11 March 2009 | Updated on 11 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Far Side of the World by SurgicalSteel
During the reign of Tar-Ancalimë, a group of Númenórean mariners find something that surprises and alarms them in their explorations.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 434 |
| Posted on 8 March 2009 | Updated on 8 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (24) |
A Real Beauty by oshun
A double-drabble in response to the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge, day 8, “contrast beauty/ugliness.”
It’s a story of young Finwean firebrands in love (Aredhel/Celegorm). I knew I would eventually get around to writing something like this. I’ve always imagined that Aredhel and Celegorm shared a youthful romance in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 201 |
| Posted on 7 March 2009 | Updated on 7 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
As Little Might Be Thought by Marta
"For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath."
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 878 |
| Posted on 7 March 2009 | Updated on 7 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Breath of Forgiveness by IgnobleBard
Maglor thinks over old regrets.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 5 March 2009 | Updated on 5 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
To My Father by oshun
Response to prompt for Day Four: March 4 of the Silmarillion Writers Guild observance of Back to Middle-earth Month. Relating to role models, I chose to write a drabble about feelings that Maedhros might have wanted to communicate to his father.
MEFA 2009, Third Place in First Age and Prior: Drabbles
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 4 March 2009 | Updated on 4 March 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Three Wishes by Noliel
Fingon musing while facing off against Gothmog. Almost-tribble.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 312 |
| Posted on 4 March 2009 | Updated on 4 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Happiness by Angelica
B2MeM day 3.
I'm at the other end of the continent where summer has been deadly. A storm last Sunday was one of the happiest moments in the week.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2009 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 3 March 2009 | Updated on 3 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Compromised by spookystoy
When you need a stealthy archer, who you gonna call?
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 96 |
| Posted on 1 March 2009 | Updated on 1 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Fairest by spookystoy
Yeah, yeah, Celegorm's the fairest of the Sons of Fëanor, but how many times does he need to hear it? Curufin cannot resist tweaking his brother's vanity.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on 1 March 2009 | Updated on 1 March 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eau de Olórin by pandemonium_213
Olórin spies on the Doomsman of the Valar and the Master of Dreams, hoping to catch them in flagrante delicto. What he sees is terrifying yet oh, so compelling.
MEFA 2009: Honorable Mention - Humor: General
Update! Chibis by whitewave added! Please see her Gallery of Chibis on Photobucket. Many thanks, whitewave.
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Lórien, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 626 |
| Posted on 28 February 2009 | Updated on 28 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Of Lúthien and Huan by Moreth
For Huan, consenting once more to be her steed, had borne her swiftly hard upon Beren's trail.
A grittier and more macabre version of the 'fairystory'. Warning: Contains some rather grotesque imagery.
| Major Characters: Beren, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 695 |
| Posted on 26 February 2009 | Updated on 26 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Well by Independence1776
Post Fourth Age. Maglor meets someone unexpected. Nominated in the 2009 MEFAs.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 601 |
| Posted on 25 February 2009 | Updated on 25 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Seven Falls by Dawn Felagund
Melkor and Finwë battle in Formenos after the Darkening of Valinor. A sestina.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 368 |
| Posted on 23 February 2009 | Updated on 23 February 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Forlorn by Levade
What secret hides in the forests that once sheltered Menegroth? Two elves go to see, directly after the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 589 |
| Posted on 15 February 2009 | Updated on 15 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Cat's Paws by pandemonium_213
Tyelperinquar/Tyelpo (Celebrimbor) and Aulendil (Annatar/Sauron) discuss brotherhood and the secret of the deep arts on an early summer evening in Ost-in-Edhil.
This fic, told from Celebrimbor's point of view, predates The Apprentice by about 240 years, give or take, but it's the same setting. Rating is Teen due to a touch of horror-lite.
MEFA 2008: Second Place, Villains, General.
Illustration by Robinka added on 14 February 2009.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: Forbidden Lore |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 9, 020 |
| Posted on 9 September 2007 | Updated on 14 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Stones of Seeing 3. Elrond Peredhel by clotho123
Concluding a trilogy of stories about the history of the palantirí. After his journey into the West Elrond makes a visit and returns a gift.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 038 |
| Posted on 14 February 2009 | Updated on 14 February 2009 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Arkenstone by clotho123
Where did the Arkenstone really come from, and why does it seem so strangely familiar? (Despite the subject most of this story is set in the Silmarillion period)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 770 |
| Posted on 7 February 2009 | Updated on 7 February 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
