Archive Software Upgrade and Downtime on April 19, 2025
Expect site outages on Saturday, April 19, 2025 as we perform a major software update on the archive.
SWG News
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow
Dragons are one of the most familiar creatures in Tolkien's world and one of the least understood. In this interview, Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his Mereth Aderthad presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," the nature of dragons and their connections with Dwarves, and the musicality of Tolkien's works.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Series] Instadrabbling by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions.
[Series] I made loving you a blood sport by atlantablack
In which Fëanor & Fingolfin are re-embodied in 4th age Aman, are nowhere near as healed as everyone believes them to be, and decide to pretend that sleeping together will fix their relationship instead of causing more problems.
[Writing] evidence of a love that transcends hunger by atlantablack
Fëanor does not even get a chance to finish being annoying before Fingolfin’s eyes flash with something far too dark to be only fury and his hand snaps out to grab a handful of Fëanor’s hair. He wrenches Fëanor’s head back in a move that is so surprisingly painful it throws him off balance. In…
[Writing] Not Going Without You by StarSpray
Daeron is caught by orcs in the shadow of the Ephel Dúath, but is rescued by someone entirely unexpected.
[Writing] April Fancies by AdmirableMonster
A series of short responses to instadrabbling prompts on Sat, Apr 5, 2025.
[Writing] She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
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] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2025
Silmarillion Epistolary is a challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Midwinter: A Christmas Carol by ford_of_bruinen
It is Midwinter and Maedhros refuses to celebrate and scoffs at Maglor’s attempts to cheer him up. Later that night he is visited by the ghost of his dead lover and later of three ghosts. Yes, it is a rewrite of Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 717 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Secrets kept, Secrets shared by ford_of_bruinen
Fingon has kept his feelings for Maedhros hidden for many years but under an unexpected visit from his cousin he finds himself unable to hide them any longer.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 735 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
When first I saw you by ford_of_bruinen
Maedhros recalls his first meeting with Fingon and reminisce about other times during their years as friends and lovers.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 883 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Crumbling Walls by ford_of_bruinen
The story follows Glorfindel and Ecthelion’s relationship from the move from Nevrast until the fall of Gondolin in a series of four short stories. The crumbling relationship between Glorfindel and Ecthelion is used to illustrate the growing divisions in the hidden city until its fall.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 312 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Across the Ice by ford_of_bruinen
The story follows Fingon across Helcaraxe from just before the ships burn at Losgar until the rising of the moon.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elenwë, Fingolfin, Fingon, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 4, 064 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Silent Sanctuary by ford_of_bruinen
An elf wakes on the battlefield with no memories and eventually finds and rescues the orphaned and deserted twins of Doriath.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 381 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Souls already lost by ford_of_bruinen
A poem about what motivated Maglor to not kill Elrond and Elros but instead, rear them as his own.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 67 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Seagull flight by ford_of_bruinen
A poem about how Elwing felt when they parted from their sons, Elrond and Elros, fearing that they might have die
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The King and the dreamer is dead by ford_of_bruinen
A poem onon Beren's feelings about the death of Finrod.
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 235 |
| Posted on 12 September 2007 | Updated on 12 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With Heavy Steps by ford_of_bruinen
Finarfin returns to plead in front of the Valar...
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 318 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Wild by ford_of_bruinen
A poem about Aredhel
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 116 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Turin Turumbar by ford_of_bruinen
The death of Beleg Cuthalion.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 58 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
This Darkest Son by ford_of_bruinen
Caranthir from a lover's view...take two
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 105 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The first to fall by ford_of_bruinen
The death of Celegorm
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 108 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Soft by ford_of_bruinen
Curufin and the love he had for his wife which was crowned with the begetting of Celebrimbor.
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 87 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
One more minute by ford_of_bruinen
Another poem about Gil-Galad following his death
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 110 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mourning Luthien by ford_of_bruinen
From Celegorm to Luthien a love ballad of sorts...
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 186 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maglor's whisper by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor reflects when only he and Maedhros remains alive
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 133 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maeglin by ford_of_bruinen
Maeglin as he falls of the walls of Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 117 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maedhros' Lament by ford_of_bruinen
In horror Maedhros watch the events after the lights failed
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 141 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
I married for love by ford_of_bruinen
Indis reflects on her marriage...
| Major Characters: Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 325 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Falling by ford_of_bruinen
Glorfindel's fall in the pass of eagles.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 235 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Beleg by ford_of_bruinen
The death of Beleg Cuthalion.
| Major Characters: Beleg |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 44 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
After all are gone by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor is left when all others are dead
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 85 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A soul in pain by ford_of_bruinen
Caranthir from a lover's view...
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 175 |
| Posted on 11 September 2007 | Updated on 11 September 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
