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
Teen Spirit
In honor of the SWG becoming a teenager, create a fanwork about an adolescent character or adolescence using our prompt generator. 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
A Time to Heal by clotho123
At the beginning of the Second Age Gil-galad must decide what to do about the surviving Fëanorian followers. Can the Noldor be reconciled?
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 277 |
| Posted on 24 December 2008 | Updated on 24 December 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Feanorian Haiku plus Ulmo by Los Gloriol
Today is national haiku day in America.(no I am not making it up.) So, in honor of this most celebrated occasion, I have devised 9 haiku for you. The metric phrases 5,7,5 respectively.
Enjoy complete silliness! Maybe make your own and share:)
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 113 |
| Posted on 21 December 2008 | Updated on 21 December 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
The Deal by Kriemhild
A look from Melkor's point of view at the recruiting of Ungoliant to destroy the Two Trees and steal the Silmarils
| Major Characters: Gothmog, Melkor, Original Character(s), Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 414 |
| Posted on 11 December 2008 | Updated on 11 December 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Footnote to the Akallabêth by clotho123
The results of the Downfall, from the point of view of the Noldor in Aman. Semi-serious.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Anairë, Eärwen, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 939 |
| Posted on 10 December 2008 | Updated on 10 December 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Last Alliance by Isil Elensar
For a few moments in time, a soldier in the Last Alliance remembers the woman he left behind.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 694 |
| Posted on 7 December 2008 | Updated on 7 December 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Competition by Raksha The Demon
Contests of strength and spirit come in all forms; and can sometimes lead to unexpected rewards. A mega-drabble, in that it started out as a short ficlet and finished at 900 words.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 014 |
| Posted on 6 December 2008 | Updated on 6 December 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
No Place of Safety by clotho123
After the fall of Nargothrond more ill-news reaches Balar
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 461 |
| Posted on 3 December 2008 | Updated on 3 December 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Chosen by pandemonium_213
When the Voice of the One names the ruler of the Guardians of Arda, the decision results in dismay and discord by another who believes he should have been chosen. A re-interpretation of the Ainulindalë myth.
MEFA 2009: First Place - Races: Other Beings: General
| Major Characters: Ainur, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 654 |
| Posted on 1 December 2008 | Updated on 1 December 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (26) |
The Downfall by clotho123
A short story addressing one of The Silmarillion's most famous open ends: What happened to Maglor?
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 749 |
| Posted on 30 November 2008 | Updated on 30 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
This Distant Shore by Raksha The Demon
When much is lost, there still remains much to do. A Thanksgiving-inspired look at some special immigrants in the late Second Age.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 633 |
| Posted on 29 November 2008 | Updated on 29 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Ulmo's Wife by pandemonium_213
It was written that Ulmo was alone, but delving deeper into the nature of the Valar and their adopted world reveals otherwise.
MEFA 2009: Third Place - Races: Other Beings: General
| Major Characters: Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 749 |
| Posted on 29 November 2008 | Updated on 29 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
Lintaran by Los Gloriol
Celegorm (Tyelkormo for those picky like me), goes forth to hunt in the Forest of Orome. On this particular day he encounters the mighty stag, Lintarin, whom he battles. This story is in the style of a folklore. At least that is what I was trying to convey. Celegorm is not always cooperative.
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 666 |
| Posted on 27 November 2008 | Updated on 27 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Retrospective by Los Gloriol
Glorfindel has been released from Mandos. His past is starting to merge with his present. You can assume this is not a sudden realisation, but progressive over a long period of time. He tells of his thoughts concerning the Balrog battle, once it is remembered
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Inspiration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 684 |
| Posted on 27 November 2008 | Updated on 27 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Release the Bonds of Winter by Dawn Felagund
Ficlets written for March's challenge "Within the Pages of Lore." Please see the Table of Contents for summaries and specific warnings for each.
Added Love by Moonlight: Tilion observes two kinds of love in Beleriand. Implied Maedhros/Fingon.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Lórien, Maedhros, Orodreth, Tilion, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Within the Pages of Lore |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 190 |
| Posted on 12 March 2008 | Updated on 26 November 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (44) |
The Ice in the North by Moreth
Suggested by Dawn's addition to her 'Release the Bonds of Winter' series, Death of Cold, this is the Helcaraxë from an alternative view point to the grim travail of crossing the ice...
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 286 |
| Posted on 25 November 2008 | Updated on 25 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
Cultural Differences by Keiliss
Cultural differences, a young king, an arrogant Maia, and rather too much wine.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 346 |
| Posted on 12 November 2008 | Updated on 12 November 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Of Sauron and the Lesser Rings by Anlashaq
To an old Friend
| 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: 497 |
| Posted on 11 November 2008 | Updated on 11 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Last Word by Alassante
Boys will be boys and the middle Feanorian brothers take it a step too far.
2nd place winner of ALEC's (A Long Awaited Contest) September challenge - 'Don't Tell Me, I Don't Want To Know'
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 486 |
| Posted on 29 October 2008 | Updated on 29 October 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Do You Believe in Ghosts? by oshun
Happy 2008 Halloween Birthday to IgnobleBard, dear friend, generous and stalwart Beta, who loves scary stories. Credit goes to DarthFingon for the prompt from a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon of the same name. Warnings: language you might expect from a house filled with testosterone-challenged males; references to sexual intimacy, both het and slash, but no explicit content.
MEFA 2009, First Place - Humor: Children
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror, Humor | Challenges: Ankle Biters |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 599 |
| Posted on 21 October 2008 | Updated on 21 October 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
No Traveler Returns by IgnobleBard
Namo confronts a newly dead Elf.
| Major Characters: Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 886 |
| Posted on 21 October 2008 | Updated on 21 October 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Even Quicker Than Doubt by Keiliss
Set in the weeks before Elros departs for Númenor, Doubt explores the reason the twins chose different paths, Elrond’s emotional coming of age, the evolving relationship between Gil-galad and Glorfindel, and the reborn Elf’s adjustment to his new life in Second Age Lindon.
MEFA nominee 2007, my thanks to Oshun
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, All Good Beasts |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 101, 565 |
| Posted on 30 June 2008 | Updated on 13 October 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (23) |
Moon of the Sea by pandemonium_213
There are any number of unnamed women in Tolkien's canon who surely played important roles behind the scenes. One of these women is Elendil's wife, the mother of Isildur and Anárion. She figures as a supporting character in my WIP, The Elendilmir, but this strong woman is taking on a life of her own. So, to keep the bunnies from gnawing my ankles raw, I have been writing ficlets about Isilmë, some of which may blossom into full-fledged stories in the future.
MEFA 2008: Second Place, Times, Second and Early Third Age, General.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 3, 175 |
| Posted on 15 April 2008 | Updated on 1 October 2008 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (42) |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 081 |
| Posted on 22 September 2008 | Updated on 22 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Love Not Wisdom by oshun
Drabble (or, more accurately, a drabble and a half - 150 words) written for Elfscribe, who asked for Beleg and Túrin. Follows in the same universe as my story "Will Overruled by Fate."
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: New Beginnings |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 159 |
| Posted on 20 September 2008 | Updated on 20 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Silence by Anu
Every year the Gate of Summer celebration comes, and with it, silence from midnight until dawn. Or…it should be silent, anyway.
| Major Characters: Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Hot Summer, Hot Stories |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 901 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
