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
Fanon Inverted
Take a fanon you feel passionately about and turn it on its head, creating a fanwork that goes against the fanon norm. 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
Smudged by cuarthol
“My lord! Excellent news!”
Gil-galad looked up, expectation mixed with mild humor on his face at the eager young scribe who had come to stand before him.
The scribe held up an old, water-damaged tome and declared with absolute assurance, “We finally know who your father is!”
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 830 |
| Posted on 1 February 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
We'll dance among the stars by daughterofshadows
We spend some time with our friends from Gondolin, learn about Nellas and Galdor's relationship in this universe and do a lot of worldbuilding.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Galdor of the Tree, Legolas of Gondolin, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: Galdor of the Tree/Nellas |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Family, Science Fiction | Challenges: Jubilee, X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 5, 992 |
| Posted on 27 January 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For love to bloom by daughterofshadows
Dís, Belladonna and a quiet day together.
| Major Characters: Belladonna Took Baggins, Dís |
| Major Relationships: Belladonna Took Baggins/Dís |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff, Romance | Challenges: Block Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 228 |
| Posted on 1 February 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dance At Your Wedding by Tarion Anarore
A gift, a farewell, and a blessing that she wasn't seeking. Galadriel and Orodreth upon Tol Sirion.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 722 |
| Posted on 31 January 2023 | Updated on 31 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With sword in hand by Morcondil
Many in Valinor sought the hand of the lady Galadriel; to none did she give her heart, for none were worthy.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 981 |
| Posted on 3 May 2018 | Updated on 29 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
No enemy but self by Morcondil
Lost on the Helcaraxë, Aredhel begins to doubt herself. An unwelcome conversation with her least-favorite cousin brings fear and feeling into perspective.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 749 |
| Posted on 12 October 2016 | Updated on 29 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winter Light by Zdenka
A music playlist to go with Dawn Felagund's fic Yule Lights. Featuring Celebrimbor, his memories of his family, and Annatar (who is not up to anything suspicious, of course not).
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Instrumental, K-pop/J-pop/C-pop, New Age, Pop, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 28 January 2023 | Updated on 28 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Into the Unknown - Welcome to the Beleriand System by daughterofshadows
Welcome to the Beleriand System!
Join me as we traverse space stations and ships great and small, meet characters from all across the legendarium and explore new and exciting parts of the Arda Galaxy!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family, General, Science Fiction | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 27 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Seven Mighty Stars by StarSpray
"Then [Varda] began a great labor, greatest of all the works of the Valar since their coming into Arda. She took the silver dews from the vats of Telperion, and therewith she made new stars and brighter against the coming of the Firstborn ... And high in the north as a challenge to Melkor she set the crown of seven mighty stars to swing, Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar and sign of doom." - The Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves"
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art, Landscape |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 January 2023 | Updated on 25 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Power and Desire: The Silmarils vs The One Ring by StarSpray
What do the Silmarils and the Ring have in common? They are both the titular objects of their respective books around which the major plot turns, it is true. They are both made by powerful individuals, and are desired by many different people, and when they are lost and/or stolen their makers are desperate to retrieve them. Characters die for them, and kill for them. At this extremely surface level reading they do, indeed, seem very similar. But the deeper you look at each object the more glaring differences show themselves, until you realize that they do not parallel, but rather oppose each other.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Analysing Arda, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 391 |
| Posted on 22 January 2023 | Updated on 24 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
melodies by hanneswrites
Maedhros watches on as Maglor & Fingon try to settle a debate over whose harp is better. | Years of the Trees, Quenya Names Used
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 224 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
rockrose & thistle by hanneswrites
Nerdanel & Eärwen have tea, talk, and find peace in each other's company.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 980 |
| Posted on 7 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Briefer Light by Himring
Elros considers the lamps of the Edain.
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Demand of the Princess by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel did Feanor a favor; now she has a demand.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Erotica, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 512 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cousin by Ellynn
One Sindarin elf was born with a much greater Ósanwë gift than the others, which he discovered while still a child. Much later, as an adult, when he encounters an enemy after the battle, he will realize – thanks to his gift – that the encounter is very unusual.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 319 |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Cup Always Half Empty by Rocky41_7
Maglor wishes he could want less.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Maglor/Thranduil |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 116 |
| Posted on 19 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maeglin's Choice by chrissystriped
After his release from Angband, Maeglin confides in Rog and events take a better turn.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Eärendil, Maeglin, Rog |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Maeglin, Maeglin & Rog, Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 18 | Word Count: 30, 094 |
| Posted on 7 December 2021 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Daughter of the House of Beor by StarSpray
Whenever he came to visit, or when they were in company together, Elwing was aware of Finrod watching her, searching her face as though he was looking for something. (A double-drabble)
| Major Characters: Elwing, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Finrod |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Ancestors, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into the Depths by Zdenka
A dark Tar-Míriel/Uinen fanmix.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel/Uinen |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Metal, Opera, Rock, Vocal) | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Mature Themes |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Runes by StarSpray
“I think,” Lúthien said, “that the Naugrim would like to see your writings.”
This made Daeron pause, and blink. “My Cirth?” he asked. “Why?”
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Daeron, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: Breaking Boundaries, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 880 |
| Posted on 20 January 2023 | Updated on 20 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hospitality by Russandol
A man with a perilous mission arrives at the shores of Númenor, where he meets two strangers.
A (most likely AU) crossover between my own Chasing Mirages and elfscribe's novel Elegy for Númenor.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Erestor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 160 |
| Posted on 18 February 2012 | Updated on 20 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Retiring Fogs by StarSpray
On a foggy cold morning Eluréd sits atop Elrond's roof, watching the armies of Lindon and Arnor gather.
| Major Characters: Eagles, Elrond, Eluréd |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Eluréd |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 131 |
| Posted on 16 January 2023 | Updated on 18 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Darkened by reindeer_pizza
Written for the Major Arcana Monthly Challenge. I was randomly assigned the Hermit card. An exploration of how Eöl came to be alone in Nan Elmoth, removed from elvish society.
| Major Characters: Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 10, 715 |
| Posted on 12 October 2022 | Updated on 18 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
No Tale Tells by StarSpray
of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.
Except these.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 18 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
This Notable Thing by StarSpray
A series of fics centered around characters' return from Mandos to Valinor, and other characters' reactions, set primarily after the beginning of the Third Age; the title of the series comes from Mary Oliver's "Starlings in Winter".
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 16 January 2023 | Updated on 16 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
