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
Final Choice by Meril
Nimloth's last moments in Menegroth.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 338 |
| Posted on 10 April 2008 | Updated on 10 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 707 |
| Posted on 10 April 2008 | Updated on 10 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Five things that never happened to Nerdanel by Meril
A quick character exercise: five short AUs for Nerdanel.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 413 |
| Posted on 10 April 2008 | Updated on 10 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 560 |
| Posted on 10 April 2008 | Updated on 10 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Smile by Aria
"Yet neither bread nor rest would [Orodreth] grant to Celegorm and Curufin within his realm, and he swore that there would be little love between Nargothrond and the Sons of Fëanor thereafter.
‘Let it be so!' Said Celegorm, and there was a light of menace in his eyes; but Curufin smiled [...] In that time Celebrimbor the son of Curufin repudiated the deeds of his father, and remained in Nargothrond."
A study of a father and son, with a momentous decision.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 700 |
| Posted on 8 April 2008 | Updated on 8 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Teler by Dawn Felagund
After the Darkening of Valinor, a Telerin Elf looks back at the days of light. For National Poetry Month.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Duel of Songs |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 356 |
| Posted on 7 April 2008 | Updated on 7 April 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Feanorians by Vicki_Turner
In honor of it being National Poetry month, I tried a new form of poetry. Its a seven line poem, and each line begins with the same letter. What better form to write something about than seven sons of Feanor?
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 28 |
| Posted on 6 April 2008 | Updated on 6 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Fire by Tarion Anarore
Another B2MEM 08 submission, this one about Losgar. A possible glimpse into the thoughts and motivations of the "gentle" second son of Fëanor who did not, in fact, stand aside.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on 3 April 2008 | Updated on 3 April 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Revenge of Curufin's Horse by Moreth
How that 'Song of Parting' made it to the public domain... The Himring Codex version.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 575 |
| Posted on 31 March 2008 | Updated on 31 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
To Write A Song by Tarion Anarore
Debuted in B2MEM after being properly aged. A double drabble on songwriting.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 208 |
| Posted on 24 March 2008 | Updated on 24 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gwindor's Love by Rianna
Gwindor dreams about his beloved Finduilas. A double drabble.
| Major Characters: Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 199 |
| Posted on 18 March 2008 | Updated on 18 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Sky Is Over by Robinka
For the challenge "Within the Pages of Lore", a glimpse at Finrod, dedicated to my friend and fellow writer Rianna.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Within the Pages of Lore |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 13 March 2008 | Updated on 13 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Out, Damn'd Spot! Out, I Say! by Alassante
Like Lady MacBeth, Celebrimbor discovers how much blood is in a body, so much so that water cannot wash it easily away.
For OSA Drabble challenge - Water Also, dedicated to Dawn Felagund for being forgiving and protective like Uncle Maedhros.
2008 MEFA Winner - 2nd Place Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length Ficlets
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 293 |
| Posted on 11 March 2008 | Updated on 11 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Eastern Sea (III) by Gadira
Part III of the Númenor Seas series, for the Sea Voyage challenge. Yehimelkor, the last High Priest of Melkor, stares at the sea thar robbed him of a loved one and bears his fate proudly.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Sea Voyages |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 727 |
| Posted on 8 March 2008 | Updated on 8 March 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Denial by oshun
This is a birthday gift for Kenaz. A ficlet involving Maglor and Maedhros, which is set in the Time of the Trees in Formenos, at the home of Fëanor and his wife and sons. It is set in the same universe as my story Maitimo and Findekáno and occurs a couple of years earlier. I hope it is obvious from the ficlet that Maedhros and Maglor are very young adults and Fingon is the equivalent of a teenager. (There is a reference to slash in this piece but no sexual content.)
MEFA 2008 Second Place: Elves - House of Finwë
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Family Matters, Gift of a Story, Inspiration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 846 |
| Posted on 5 March 2008 | Updated on 5 March 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Dance by Dawn Felagund
A light, sweet version of how Nerdanel and Fëanáro first realized their love for each other. 2008 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 041 |
| Posted on 24 February 2008 | Updated on 24 February 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Thicker Than Water by Noliel
Celebrimbor is told of Curufin's death in an accidental moment.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 489 |
| Posted on 24 February 2008 | Updated on 24 February 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Where the Heart Is by Noliel
Maglor wanders physically, seeks subconsciously, and finds. Really.
| 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 23 February 2008 | Updated on 23 February 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Alqualondë by Moreth
Two drabbles from opposing view-points. Set in the chaos of the first kin-slaying, so rated for death and violence.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 12 February 2008 | Updated on 12 February 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (20) |
Unweaving the Rainbow by pandemonium_213
The student of Nienna takes issue with the servant of Aulë's study of light.
MEFA 2009: Second Place - Genres: Ficlets: General
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 286 |
| Posted on 11 February 2008 | Updated on 11 February 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
In absentia by Robinka
A post-Thangorodrim vignette written for Dawn Felagund.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 529 |
| Posted on 28 January 2008 | Updated on 28 January 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
An Ordinary Woman by Dawn Felagund
For Jenni, a more realistic interpretation of Luthien's story, how she came to enter her people's legends, how she met Beren, and how Finrod got himself into deep trouble. MEFA 2008 nominee.
| Major Characters: Beren, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Gift of a Story, Strong Women |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 817 |
| Posted on 27 January 2008 | Updated on 27 January 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Light of the Westering Sun by Dawn Felagund
For Unsung Heroine, a series of double drabbles about the life of Haleth and how it touched, briefly and in love, upon that of Caranthir. MEFA 2008 nominee.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 204 |
| Posted on 15 January 2008 | Updated on 15 January 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Footsteps in Time by Keiliss
Celeborn and Galadriel, the early years: from Doriath to Balar.
MEFA 2008 Races: Elves: General: Third Place
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 11, 135 |
| Posted on 8 January 2008 | Updated on 8 January 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Surprise by Dawn Felagund
Mahtan on the birth of his daughter Nerdanel: on lives changed and dark destinies fulfilled. For Rhapsody.
MEFA 2008 nominee.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 394 |
| Posted on 7 January 2008 | Updated on 7 January 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
