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 Gift for a King by Dawn Felagund
Just after Fingolfin's birth, Fëanor makes a gift for his father. For Oloriel.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 924 |
| Posted on 4 January 2008 | Updated on 4 January 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Understanding of a Father by Ellie
During the preparations for the War of Wrath, a recently restored Glorfindel and his father come to a better understanding of what transpired for them both since the rebellion of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 876 |
| Posted on 4 January 2008 | Updated on 4 January 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Letting Go by Ellie
The night before the departure of the Vanyar for the War of Wrath, King Ingwe comes to terms with the decisions he has made leading up to this event.
| Major Characters: Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 576 |
| Posted on 4 January 2008 | Updated on 4 January 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Starlit Memories by Ellie
On a peaceful night, Glorfindel indulges in a sweet memory of a blissful time in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on 4 January 2008 | Updated on 4 January 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
If I Had One Wish by Ellie
Indis reveals her greatest wish.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Finwë, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 644 |
| Posted on 4 January 2008 | Updated on 4 January 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
How To Love Him by Rhapsody
On the eve of her wedding night, Amarië has a startling revelation about herself and her love for Finrod.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: From Evil Comes Good, Gift of a Story, Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 530 |
| Posted on 26 December 2007 | Updated on 26 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Full Brothers in Blood by oshun
Gift story for Dawn Felagund, Christmas 2007, Fingon and Turgon as young brothers. Honorable Mention, MEFA 2008
| Major Characters: Anairë, Celegorm, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Ankle Biters, Gift of a Story, Sibling Rivalry |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 196 |
| Posted on 25 December 2007 | Updated on 25 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
The Election Farce of Nargothrond: Of Dumbness, Treachery, and Brotherly Love by Dawn Felagund
A satirical look at how an election for the King of Nargothrond might have gone based on current political events. Silly, irreverent, and full of bad metaphors. Updated especially for Fanged Geranium.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 9, 054 |
| Posted on 24 December 2007 | Updated on 24 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
A Harmony in Autumn by oshun
A tale of belatedly requited love, with a dose of politics, set in the period immediately preceding the foundation of the city of Gondolin. Written in response to Slashy Santa 2007 request by Talullah Red. (Beta: the ever-generous Ignoblebard.)
Honorable Mention - MEFA 2008
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Fingon, Glorfindel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story, One True Love |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 026 |
| Posted on 24 December 2007 | Updated on 24 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Santa Claus (or whatever happened to Maglor...) by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor has carved out a new life for himself as one of the most famous figures in the modern world...
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 132 |
| Posted on 24 December 2007 | Updated on 24 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Something to chew on. by ford_of_bruinen
Mablung and Saeros enjoy a day of seduction in the woods of Doriath, at least until they realise they are in the prescence of a voyeuristic goat...
Written for Zhie in the 2007 Slashy Santa exchange.
| Major Characters: Mablung, Saeros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 273 |
| Posted on 24 December 2007 | Updated on 24 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Hearts Like the Sea by IgnobleBard
An adventurous Elwe (Thingol) and lonely Nowe (Cirdan) form a friendship before the First Age.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 926 |
| Posted on 24 December 2007 | Updated on 24 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Heart of the Wood by Kenaz
" ...And Beleg and Túrin were companions in every peril, and walked far and wide in the wild woods together." Six vignettes of Beleg and Túrin, on the marches of Doriath and beyond.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung, Original Character(s), Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 684 |
| Posted on 23 December 2007 | Updated on 23 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Noldolantë by Dawn Felagund
For Oshun, how Maglor devised the Noldolantë. 2008 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maglor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 4, 551 |
| Posted on 23 December 2007 | Updated on 23 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Coronation by Dawn Felagund
For Allie, Nerdanel, Finarfin, and Eärwen on the day of Finarfin's coronation.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 122 |
| Posted on 23 December 2007 | Updated on 23 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
When a child is born by ford_of_bruinen
This is the first of two Christmas stories for 2007. This one deals with the birth of Earendil and is sweet and fluffy and wintry, I think...
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 966 |
| Posted on 23 December 2007 | Updated on 23 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Discretion by Dawn Felagund
For Tarion, Caranthir discovers a dark secret about Maedhros, the revelation of which could irreparably divide the Noldor. Will he reveal what he knows? Slash; Maedhros/Finrod. 2008 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fëanor, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 605 |
| Posted on 20 December 2007 | Updated on 20 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Midwinter Sweetness by ford_of_bruinen
These are two different stories, the first one was a Christmas tale for Christmas 2004 and retells the Christmas Story in a Second Age setting. The second one is a very short ficlet written as a Christmas present the following year for Keiliss and Ilye, using their favourite pairing.
Warnings: There are some VERY mild slash references in the two stories and one of the stories need an MPreg warning... just cos it would not be the same take on the christmas story without it.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 559 |
| Posted on 19 December 2007 | Updated on 19 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Forth to War by Dawn Felagund
For Hrymfaxe, Beleg and Mablung decide to fight in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, told in seven double drabbles.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elu Thingol, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 394 |
| Posted on 12 December 2007 | Updated on 12 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
And Then There Was Cake, or Begetting Day Horrors by Klose
A little ficlet in which Maedhros muses on the frivolous affair that is the Begetting Day Celebration. (Warnings for potentially offensive language and bawdy humour, or attempts thereof!)
This was written for Oshun's 2007 birthday, and was originally posted to the SWG LiveJournal community.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Angrod, Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Galadriel, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 997 |
| Posted on 8 December 2007 | Updated on 8 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Bonfires of Trust, Flashfloods of Pain by Klose
The loss of innocence with the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, the invocation of Doom at the very edges of Arda... and then, the parting of Fingolfin and Anairë.
[Written in honour of Fingolfin being character of the month at SilmarillionWritersGuild for January 2007 (I've been slow to post it to this archive!), and also because I refuse to believe Anairë's friendship with Eärwen was the sole reason for their separation.]
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 628 |
| Posted on 8 December 2007 | Updated on 8 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Ghost in the Garden by Dawn Felagund
A frightening experience one night in Doriath leads Galadriel to consider the irreconcilable differences between Sindar and Noldor. For Marta. 2008 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 938 |
| Posted on 5 December 2007 | Updated on 5 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
To Forgive by Dawn Felagund
For Rinnor, three fixed-length ficlets about forgiveness among the Noldor: Feanor on forgiving his half-brother, Maedhros on pardoning the mistakes baby brothers make, and Fingolfin on why forgiveness is essential for the Noldor to defeat Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 597 |
| Posted on 5 December 2007 | Updated on 5 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Rekindling by Dawn Felagund
For Elleth, Fëanor and Nerdanel meet again at the end of the world. A tale of loss and redemption. 2008 MEFA nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 386 |
| Posted on 1 December 2007 | Updated on 1 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
For What I Wait by Dawn Felagund
For Hannah, an "AU in which Fëanor outlives all of his children." Fëanor and Maglor, together at the end. MEFA 2008 nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide, Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 209 |
| Posted on 1 December 2007 | Updated on 1 December 2007 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
