Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
SWG News
Fanwork sign-ups are open!
Register for Mereth Aderthad!
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."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
Mereth Aderthad Registration Is Open!
Registration for attending Mereth Aderthad is open for both in-person and virtual attendees and will remain open through the day of the event.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Reference] 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.
[Audio] Twinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril - Podfic by daughterofshadows
A reworking of Twinkle, twinkle, little star, featuring Eärendil. Originally written by Anérea.
[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…
[Writing] The Longed For That Cometh Beyond Hope by Grundy
Eärendil has to find his way in this unfamiliar land. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view) for him, it's a time of festival in Valimar...
[Reference] 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…
[Writing] A Common Blue by Himring
Maglor, having little will to live left in sinking Beleriand, is saved by tiny things.
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
Strangers in Strange Lands
Your character arrives for the first time in a new place. Maybe he journeyed there with a purpose, or maybe she ended up there by accident. What does she perceive? What new experiences and conflicts will he have? This month's challenge asks you to bring a character to a new, strange place for the first time and to develop a story around his or her experiences there. Read more ...
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
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.
Neurodivergent Arda Week 2025
Neurodivergent Arda Week is a Tumblr event to celebrate neurodiversity in Tolkien's works.
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
Call to the West by daughterofshadows
A drabble about sea longing without ever using the word sea. Or longing.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Dark Matter |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 22 February 2025 | Updated on 22 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Go On Aching Still by StarSpray
Troubled by dark dreams, Nerdanel picks up a palantír to seek for Maglor. She finds him.
After, Maedhros has returned to life and also seeks for his brother--and also finds him.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Nienna, Maglor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Nerdanel, Finrod & Maedhros, Maedhros & Maglor, Maedhros & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Bollywood, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 6, 281 |
| Posted on 14 February 2025 | Updated on 22 February 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Becoming (Maedhros & Maglor Week 2025) by 0ur_Ouroboros
Drabbles created (and now polished) from February 15, 2025 Maedhros & Maglor week-themed Instadrabbling session)
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 027 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 20 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Deeds of pity are ever strange by 0ur_Ouroboros
“Forswear the oath, then!” Elrond raises his voice.
“The oath was sworn in the name of Ilúvatar,” Maedhros explains. “It cannot be broken, lest we be doomed to everlasting darkness.”
“Seems to me you're both f****d either way,” Elros says. “So what's the harm in asking?”
"Elros, I will not tolerate that language in my halls. For someone of your stature, it's unbecoming." Maedhros conveniently ignores the question.
The War of Wrath has started, and the kidnap family is coming to an end.
This is how the conversation went.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 354 |
| Posted on 20 February 2025 | Updated on 20 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Elendilmir by pandemonium_213
A young child of Men befriends Sámaril, the troubled master smith of Imladris. The Noldorin craftsman experiences the joy and pain born of friendships between the Eldar and mortal Men and comes to question his people’s values as his life becomes entwined with Isildur’s youngest son and two powerful women of the Dúnedain. A sequel to The Apprentice.
Chapter 38 - The Crow's Nest: While Elerina establishes her informal seat of power in Gaillond, thus revealing to Sámaril her former role as Isildur's queen, the elven-smith quickly becomes bored with trade negotiations and resolution of disputes among the local nobility. The reminders of Isildur continue to exert a negative effect on Sámaril, causing frustration between the couple. But Sámaril also begins to dream of the Sea, which sparks a desire to take ship out on to the open waters, ostensibly to learn more about the working men of the Númenórean exiles. He finds the ship on which he wishes to sail and meets its captain.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Sauron, Valandil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 39 | Word Count: 182, 003 |
| Posted on 12 January 2008 | Updated on 18 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (346) |
Anérea's podfics by Anérea
What it says on the box, i.e. all my podfics in one place.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 18 February 2025 | Updated on 18 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Celebrimbor: 30-Day Character Study by cloudyhymns
Notes and writings on Celebrimbor, following the 30-Day Character Study challenge prompts.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 30 | Word Count: 18, 091 |
| Posted on 19 January 2025 | Updated on 18 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
Interview with Acha Rezak (Quente) by Shadow by Acha Rezak (Quente), daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke to Acha Rezak about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, which reads Tolkien less as a Catholic Christian work and more as a world inclusive of many religions, especially in its focus on nature and landscapes
That Bard from Doriath by Flora-lass
Maglor, Fingon and Finrod go for a picnic, and Maglor is in a bad mood. Written for the Dark Matter challenge prompt: 'the letter E'.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: Dark Matter |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 269 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 17 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Lay the Heart Bare, Leaf by Leaf by IdleLeaves
A collection of flashfic, drabbles, and snippets.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Aredhel, Elenwë, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Elenwë, Curufin/Finrod, Finrod & Maglor, Curufin & Maglor, Fingon/Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 769 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Warrior and the Stone by 0ur_Ouroboros
“They left everything behind? All of their families?” Elrond asks.
“Yes.”
“All for a magic stone?” he asks.
“Yes. A very special, very magical stone,” Maglor says, unsure why he should have to justify his deeds to a child.
~~~
Maglor tells Elrond and Elros a story. Maedhros listens.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 010 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
What lips my lips have kissed, and why by AdmirableMonster
The king's natural philosophers are an elite group of men of science in Armenelos. When one of them is discovered to be (apparently) a woman in disguise, he is expelled from their ranks. Unfortunately, his youth and beauty draw the interest of the king, and there is no one with the power to protect him, not even the High Priest himself, although to the philosopher's surprise, Tar-Mairon tries...
A possible origin story for the Mouth of Sauron.
| Major Characters: Mouth of Sauron, Original Male Character(s), Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn |
| Major Relationships: Sauron/Original Character, Ar-Pharazon/Sauron, Sauron/Mouth of Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Domestic and Partner Violence, Expletive Language, In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 6, 705 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shadows of Us by Artano
Inspired by the song "Can't Catch Me Now", this AU was written for the Song of Exile and Jubilee challenges.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Mîm, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Mîm |
| Genres: | Challenges: Jubilee, Song of Exile |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 343 |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Menneen Talven Lumia "Snows of Winter Past" by Anérea
After the Dagor Bragollach, Hiril contemplates past and future, despair and acceptance: an illustrated drabble and a half.
| Major Characters: Hiril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Hidden Figures, Idiomatic, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 164 |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Light in Gloom, or An Unexpected Find by Anérea
A teeny tiny illustrated poem about Beleg unexpectedly finding Gwindor with his blue lamp in Taur-na-Fuin, Forest of (Gloomy) Night.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Decorative, Word Art |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Funky 70s, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 16 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (7) |
Many Journeys by Elleth
A gathering place for ficlets of varying length written in response to prompts, prods and as gift ficlets.
New (added February 15/16, 2025): Instadrabbling fics from various SWG server sessions in early 2025 (marked in the respective chapter notes) as well as a few spontaneous drabbles.
| Major Characters: Aerin, Amarië, Amras, Amrod, Anairë, Aredhel, Arien, Aulë, Belen, Brodda, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Daeron, Dwarves, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elemmírë, Elenwë, Elwing, Erendis, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Finduilas, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Gwindor, Haleth, Idril, Indis, Lalwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Mahtan, Mandos, Meleth (Elf), Melian, Meril, Míriel Serindë, Mithrellas, Morwen, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienna, Nienor, Nimloth, Nimrodel, Númenóreans, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Rían, Sons of Fëanor, Tar-Míriel, Thuringwethil, Uinen, Vairë, Valar, Varda, Yavanna, Manwë, Andreth, Vána |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover, Drama, Erotica, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Het, Horror, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash, Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 120 | Word Count: 31, 639 |
| Posted on 20 August 2007 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (72) |
Bring All of You Inside Me by Elleth
Alphangil lives in Eglarest following the Dagor Bragollach, while Fingon remains in Hithlum. During a visit by Maedhros they find a way to bridge the distance.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Erotica, Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 397 |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Elf Queens and Hammocks by Elleth
Alphangil surprises her wife Fingwen and their lover Maedhris in the gardens of Barad Eithel. Fluff and smut ensue.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Erotica, Femslash, Fluff, Humor, Poly, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 008 |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Butterflies and Flutes by Flora-lass
A short tale exploring young Thranduil's arrival in Greenwood the Great, and how he came to consider it home.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 807 |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
{podfic} Lúthad "Enchantment" by Anérea
Melian and Thingol stand enchanted for two hundred years. Why could no one find them in all that time? And what did they see in each other to keep them entranced for so long?
| Major Characters: Melian, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: Jubilee, Kings & Queens, Love Actually |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Lúthad "Enchantment" {story + podfic + illustration} by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they silently stared at each other for two hundred years. What actually happened between them during that time? And why could no one find them?
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Romance, Podfic | Challenges: Arda on Ice, Jubilee, Kings & Queens, Love Actually |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Lúthad "Enchantment" by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they stood enchanted, staring at each other for two hundred years. Why could no one find them in all those years? And what actually happened between them during that time?
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 447 |
| Posted on 12 April 2022 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Methed e-Lúthad "Enchantment's End" by Anérea
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 12 April 2022 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (19) |
{podfic} Entwined by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains—west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four 100-word drabbles
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 19 December 2024 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Gorthaur by elennalore
Artwork created for Mairon 30-Day Character Study
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 February 2025 | Updated on 15 February 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
