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
Two Journeys by Lferion
In the First Age, Fingon traveled to Rerir after discovering Turgon's disappearance. In the Fourth Age, he travels to Rerir again in Beleriand Risen.f
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros, Caranthir & Fingon |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 152 |
| Posted on 15 January 2023 | Updated on 16 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Caranthir's sketches by Anérea
Quick & silly sketches from an Instadrabbling/Instadrawbling session...
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 January 2023 | Updated on 16 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (15) |
Fishy Business by Grundy
Eärendil has found an odd fish. Elwing knows that just because it looks like a fish doesn't mean it is.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil & Elwing |
| Genres: | Challenges: Book by Its Cover, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 756 |
| Posted on 14 January 2023 | Updated on 14 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 370 |
| Posted on 13 January 2023 | Updated on 13 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Whisper of the Old World by Narya
A brief moment in the woods between two old people who are more than they seem...
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 211 |
| Posted on 13 January 2023 | Updated on 13 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Mingling by cuarthol
Parallel narratives of Ilwen, wife of Ingwë, and Gwidhil, wife of Orodreth.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Ilwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Hidden Figures, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 467 |
| Posted on 8 January 2023 | Updated on 13 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
A Weird and Wonderful Fruit by Rocky41_7
Haleth was told to stay out of the woods of Doriath. Haleth decided not to listen. Haleth finds herself in strange positions in the darkness of the woods...
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Haleth, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel/Melian, Galadriel/Haleth, Galadriel/Haleth/Melian |
| Genres: Erotica, Poly, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 980 |
| Posted on 12 January 2023 | Updated on 12 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
| Major Characters: Morwen |
| Major Relationships: Morwen & Rían |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 901 |
| Posted on 12 January 2023 | Updated on 12 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Song of Lake Linaewen by Zdenka
Brief scenes of the love between a Sindarin Elf of Nevrast and a Noldo follower of Turgon: meeting and parting in the midst of loss, betrayal, and war. (A double drabble poem and four ficlets.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 223 |
| Posted on 12 December 2016 | Updated on 12 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
With Lights and Holly and Songs of Good Cheer by cuarthol
In Post-First Age Valinor, Finrod and Elwing create a new custom to share with one another, to keep them connected to their past and kin.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Finrod |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Ancestors, Jubilee, Season's Greetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 242 |
| Posted on 5 January 2023 | Updated on 10 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
In Dreams Revealed by daughterofshadows
Across the ages, Elrond dreams.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 399 |
| Posted on 10 January 2023 | Updated on 10 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Only Starlight by Varda delle Stelle
The relationship between the Eldar of a young Beleriand and Elbereth's Stars.
| Major Characters: Laiquendi, Sindar, Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 169 |
| Posted on 8 January 2023 | Updated on 9 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Noldolantë by cuarthol
Filk of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'
A musical/poetic exploration of the Fall of the Noldor - 'Noldolantë' - from the discord sewn by Melkor to Fëanor's death.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Jubilee, Vintage |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 236 |
| Posted on 9 January 2023 | Updated on 9 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Description of a Frieze in the Temple of Melkor at Armenelos by Sarbanes Oxley
A translation of a description of a frieze in the antechamber of the Temple of Melkor at Armenelos by Lindir of Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrimbor, Elrond, Lindir, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 758 |
| Posted on 8 January 2023 | Updated on 9 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Motley Crew by Himring
Maglor survives the tsunami that hit the coast of Middle-earth during the Fall of Numenor, in the company of a somewhat unexpected group of fellow survivors.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Block Party, Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 305 |
| Posted on 8 January 2023 | Updated on 8 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Jubilee Instadrabbling by elennalore
1. Ar-Pharazôn muses on progress and opportunity.
2. Curvo gives Tyelko a begetting day present.
3. Turgon misses Elenwë.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Celegorm, Curufin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 316 |
| Posted on 8 January 2023 | Updated on 8 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
My Tent Is Always Open To You by Grundy
A snippet of life in early Numenor, in which Elros tries once again to persuade his brother to come see his new place.
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 642 |
| Posted on 7 January 2023 | Updated on 7 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Chase the Wind by StarSpray
Then he heard movement in the bushes. He tensed, hand going to the hilt of his knife, but the next sound to emerge was a small whimper. “Eluréd?” called Elurín from across the camp.
“One moment,” said Eluréd. He crept closer to the sound, and parted a few branches to find a bundle of blankets, tightly wrapped, and something squirming and crying inside them.
“What is it?” Elurín asked from behind him.
“A child.”
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, General | Challenges: Jubilee, X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 130 |
| Posted on 6 January 2023 | Updated on 6 January 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Silmarils by Narya
A lanterne poem, in response to January's formal challenge at the Tolkien Short Fanworks community on Dreamwidth.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10 |
| Posted on 2 January 2023 | Updated on 2 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
All the More Did He Seek Their Friendship by StarSpray
Silver light poured through the windows, catching and refracting on the crystals hung about the room, twinkling like tiny stars. The court of Tirion was particularly splendid that evening, Indis thought as she sat upon the dais beside Finwë, watching the dancing. A rare event: all of their children and grandchildren were present, and even Fëanáro seemed to be in good spirits as he twirled about the floor with Ëarwen.
But still Indis felt uneasy.
| Major Characters: Indis, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Major Arcana |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 698 |
| Posted on 2 January 2023 | Updated on 2 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Lumpy Dumplings by Rocky41_7
Elwing lets the twins help her in the kitchen.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 257 |
| Posted on 31 December 2022 | Updated on 1 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Journeying Together by chrissystriped
Celebrían takes Elrond to meet her friend the Riverdaughter, who has news for him about someone he thought lost.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Goldberry, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond, Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Adventure, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 213 |
| Posted on 18 December 2022 | Updated on 31 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
"Fëanor" Is A Dactyl… and Other Poems by sabcatt
A repository of extremely silly poetry, about our favorite extremely silly elves. (And other beings, on occasion.)
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 58 |
| Posted on 19 November 2022 | Updated on 31 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Strength and Truth of Men by Raiyana
Boromir lives!
...but then what? What might one additional man desperate to return to the defense of his homeland accomplish after cheating death?
A jaunty (I lie, we go Angst, here) romp through canon-adjacency
| Major Characters: Boromir (Fellowship), Imrahil, Merry |
| Major Relationships: Boromir & Imrahil, Boromir & Merry, Boromir/Théodred |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 8, 842 |
| Posted on 31 December 2022 | Updated on 31 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Haunting of Faramir by Raiyana
The line of Dol Amroth have often given birth to dreamers, people who see things invisible to others - some claim it a curse, some a blessing carried by their ancient Elven blood.
Imrahil, fresh from the battle of the Pelennor, names it loss.
Or hope?
| Major Characters: Imrahil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 001 |
| Posted on 30 December 2022 | Updated on 30 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
