New Challenge: Bollywood
This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships
As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available
The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Unforgotten by daughterofshadows
Carrying the Silmaril for millennia has consequences.
[Series] The Light and the Sea (Steampunk Númenor) by AdmirableMonster
Largely focused on Númenor, its fall, and the aftermath, as seen from the perspective of two Mannish scientists, bit players in some ways, but who nonetheless cast their shadows across the history of Middle Earth.
[Writing] Reflections by AdmirableMonster
A story of three friends in Númenor, one of whom attracts the attention of the High Priest. What does friendship mean in the shadow of the Black Temple?
[Writing] No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
[Writing] An exercise in music... And patience by Aprilertuile
Makalaurë was sitting at the harp in his music room. He was holding a dark blindfold in his hands and was looking at it with much scepticism.
[Writing] I called it Fate that I should fail by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
[Writing] All of you by chrissystriped
Elrond and Celebrían celebrate their anniversary with their family.
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Strong Women
Choose a female character from The Silmarillion or related texts who contributes something of value and create a fanwork about her. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
[]The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
[]He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
[]So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
[]It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
Around the World and Web
Fellowship of the Fics: Summer Stories 2024
Fellowship of the Fics offers four weeks of summer-themed prompts during the month of July.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
July 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers and proposals in July 2024.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
Scribbles & Drabbles 2024
A chill Tolkien event, where artists make art, and authors write little stories in response. Begins in June and ends in November.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
haunted by your handiwork by skywardstruck
Together, they could have been great. But love cannot last, on the inescapable path Sauron has set for himself.
As he gains more territory in Eriador after the fall of Eregion, Sauron contemplates his solitude.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 553 |
| Posted on 17 November 2022 | Updated on 17 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And Now For Something Completely Different... by Grundy
The world changed when Sauron fell. Orcs have to adapt to survive, and the elves may have to try new things too.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Elladan, Elrohir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Challenges: X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 283 |
| Posted on 15 November 2022 | Updated on 15 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
To Aman from Ard-Galen by Lferion
Places reflect on elves and events that were.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 867 |
| Posted on 14 November 2022 | Updated on 15 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Lay of Thangorodrim by DaegredWinsterhand
A retelling of the rescue of Maedhros in the form of a narrative poem, in which the Valiant heads out in search of the Tall.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on 15 November 2022 | Updated on 15 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Voyage of the Sand Piper by Himring
In the Years of the Trees, Cirdan and a young relative of his, Voronwe's mother, decide to go on a voyage together. It promises to be an enjoyable trip. Nevertheless, Beleriand at this time is less peaceful than it was, if not as dangerous as it will one day become.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 640 |
| Posted on 8 November 2022 | Updated on 13 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Burning by chrissystriped
After touching a poisonous plant, Mablung is running a fever. Melkor takes care of him.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 059 |
| Posted on 28 August 2019 | Updated on 13 November 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Prince and his Servant by chrissystriped
In Aman Maedhros and Fingolfin start a secret relationship based on their common taste for plays of power and pain. When Maedhros comes back from Angband hurt both in body and soul Fingolfin does everything he can to make him still feel wanted.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 14 May 2021 | Updated on 7 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Wonder Ere the Waking Dawn by StarSpray
Eärendil invites Bilbo aboard Vingilot to sail the skies.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: Bilbo & Eärendil |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 056 |
| Posted on 7 November 2022 | Updated on 7 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Woven with Ribbons by StarSpray
Ereinion sat on his bed holding up a mirror; its frame was ornate and heavy, but he kept it steady as he watched his father’s slender fingers twist his hair into braids befitting a Prince of Noldor. Into the braids Fingon wove ribbons—not golden threads like he wore himself, but yellow silk, bright and sunny.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Fingon, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Gil-galad, Fingon & Gil-galad |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 670 |
| Posted on 7 November 2022 | Updated on 7 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Ghost of the Shore by Independence1776
The Blue Wizards seek Maglor’s help in their fight against Sauron.
| Major Characters: Alatar, Maglor, Pallando |
| Major Relationships: Alatar & Maglor & Pallando |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 785 |
| Posted on 6 November 2022 | Updated on 6 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Earendil the Seafarer by Himring
Spring arrives at the Havens of Sirion.
Elwing can see that Earendil is about to go seafaring again.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 382 |
| Posted on 5 November 2022 | Updated on 5 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hesitations of a Re-embodied Elf by Himring
Thoughts of an elf who died during a war in Middle-earth, leaves the Halls of Mandos and is re-embodied.
I am imagining the experience as disorienting at first.
This elf could be Finrod or Glorfindel, if you like, but I did not have a specific elf in mind.
| Major Characters: Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 34 |
| Posted on 5 November 2022 | Updated on 5 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
unbreaking lullaby by skywardstruck
Balan, in hopes of comforting Finrod and reminding him of the time they still have together, gifts him a lullaby passed down among his people. The memories of the Elves are unfading, Balan knows- as long as Finrod remembers, Balan will continue to live.
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 337 |
| Posted on 3 November 2022 | Updated on 3 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Shadows Laid Before the Sun by Idrils Scribe
When Caranthir picks one fight too many with their Arafinwëan cousins, Maedhros drags him east before he single-handedly shatters the Leaguer of Angband.
On their way to Himring the feuding brothers must cross Nan Dungortheb. Not even the mighty Sons of Fëanor will emerge unscathed from the Valley of Dreadful Death.STORY COMPLETE. Chapter 8: “We cannot kill it, can we?” Carnistir asked, and looked aside to see the scarred lines of Maitimo’s face harden.
A Halloween gift for Dawn Felagund. Many thanks to Anoriath and Grundy for the beta, and to Lyra for her Quenya translation skills!
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 10, 127 |
| Posted on 24 October 2022 | Updated on 2 November 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Ulfang and Uldor by Himring
Ulfang and his sons, of whom Uldor is the most prominent, are notorious for their betrayal of the Fëanorians during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Their early association with dark coloration and betrayal introduces questions of how characters of color are depicted in the legendarium and in-universe textual history.
Writing Women in Tolkien Fanfiction: An Analysis of the Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Surveys shows how time, demographics, and platform choice influence how fanfiction authors regard writing about women.
Such a lovely sight by chrissystriped
He knew all the signs – the small, desperate, aroused sounds he made with every breath; the way he squeezed his eyes shut; his hips moving rhythmically – that indicated that the slave was nearing the point where it wasn’t a question of his will anymore if he came.
----
Melkor enjoys to see his slave aroused and the new toy Sauron sent him is really good at keeping him there.
Mablung just desperately wants to come.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 333 |
| Posted on 18 April 2021 | Updated on 26 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Scratching an itch by chrissystriped
The healing scabs on Mablung's back are itching like mad. Melkor decides to help him with that and... other things.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 332 |
| Posted on 30 May 2019 | Updated on 26 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Whatever pleases Master by chrissystriped
Mablung tries to serve his Master well.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 256 |
| Posted on 15 May 2019 | Updated on 26 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Taking pleasure, giving comfort by chrissystriped
Training a slave doesn't always go smoothly. Fortunately for Mablung, Mo is a patient master.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Elves, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 485 |
| Posted on 20 August 2019 | Updated on 26 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Friendship is another Word for Love by chrissystriped
“Do you ever feel… hunted? Like every unmarried girl in the ballroom is staring at you and wants to exchange rings?”
One night Findekáno tells his friend about something that has been weighing on his heart.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 426 |
| Posted on 24 October 2022 | Updated on 24 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Something unexpected by chrissystriped
Mormirion swears loyalty to his new Master.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 224 |
| Posted on 22 July 2019 | Updated on 23 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Brothers, close again by chrissystriped
Manwe invites Melkor to fly with him.
(Part of my Mighty Love-'verse where Melkor repents and is pardoned at the end of the Third Age.)
| Major Characters: Manwë, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Manwë & Melkor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 231 |
| Posted on 23 September 2019 | Updated on 23 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Night of Pleasures by chrissystriped
Thuringwethil comes home from a hunt brimming with desire. Luckily Melkor is more than happy to indulge her and invites her and his two other favourite followers to his rooms.
| Major Characters: Gothmog, Melkor, Sauron, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Gothmog/Melkor/Sauron/Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Erotica, Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 186 |
| Posted on 30 August 2022 | Updated on 23 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fly Home, my Love by chrissystriped
Egalmoth watches the swallows and thinks of his dead husband.
| Major Characters: Duilin, Egalmoth |
| Major Relationships: Duilin/Egalmoth |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 652 |
| Posted on 20 December 2022 | Updated on 23 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
