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] 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! :)
[Writing] Ransom of the Fairy Twins by Rocky41_7
Maglor and Maedhros trade Elrond and Elros to King Gil-galad in exchange for a Silmaril, but they have miscalculated.
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
Heroes
Create a fanwork about a hero, whether the typical saves-the-world type or the unlikely, unsung, and accidental, those who have been forgotten or perhaps were never noticed at all, who made their worlds a better place. 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
TRSB24: Until the Stars Are All Alight by Lathalea
This is my second art entry for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on Thorin Oakenshield surviving BOTFA and darker themes of pyrrhic victory, dragon sickness, longevity/eternity, angst/love.
| Major Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Thorin Oakenshield/Original Character |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 30 August 2024 | Updated on 30 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Question of Succession by elennalore
After hearing the Doom of Mandos, Arafinwë returns to Valinor where the remaining Noldor need a new ruler. It appears that the Valar have already made their choice.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Findis, Eärwen, Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin, Eönwë/Finarfin, Finarfin & Findis |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 795 |
| Posted on 30 August 2024 | Updated on 30 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Kingsword by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the young King Thranduil steals away for an evening of solace at The Mysterious Deer, hoping none will disturb him. He listens to a minstrel singing a legend that strikes rather close to home.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 942 |
| Posted on 29 August 2024 | Updated on 30 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
TRSB24: Dwarf Women of the East by Lathalea
This is one of my art entries for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on the Dwarves living in the East, specifically Dwarf-women.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 30 August 2024 | Updated on 30 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Berion's Song by Himring
Berion, captain of Barad Eithel under King Fingon, laments Fingon's death and the loss of his home.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 149 |
| Posted on 29 August 2024 | Updated on 29 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Where have you gone, my friend? by elennalore
Eönwë in Almaren after Mairon went missing.
| Major Characters: Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë & Sauron |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 27 August 2024 | Updated on 28 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Much Sorrow and Many Lives of Men by sallysavestheday
Arvedui in Forochel.
| Major Characters: Arvedui |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 584 |
| Posted on 26 August 2024 | Updated on 26 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
All Unquiet by mouse
Idril disagrees with the king’s decision to execute Eol. Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens.
| Major Characters: Turgon, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Idril & Turgon |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 766 |
| Posted on 25 August 2024 | Updated on 26 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Shards of a Line Unbroken by polutropos
At the gates of Edoras, Aragorn tells the guard that Narsil was forged by Telchar, the great dwarven smith of the First Age. How did this ancient heirloom come into the hands of Elendil, king of the Realms in Exile?
Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens (as well as Akallabeth in August), and part of my Weapons series, the rest of which is on AO3.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elendil |
| Major Relationships: Elendil & Elrond |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 020 |
| Posted on 24 August 2024 | Updated on 25 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
A Tree Named Celeborn by Himring
After the War of Wrath, what was originally planned as a temporary stay (a kind of moral quarantine) on Tol Eressea turns into a permanent settlement. And so we also get another chapter in the history of the White Tree(s).
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 129 |
| Posted on 22 August 2024 | Updated on 22 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dream of the Black Sword by Flora-lass
Beleg comforts Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Bollywood |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 706 |
| Posted on 14 August 2024 | Updated on 21 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Come Back To the Valley by Himring
On some days, maybe, we just get homesick for that Last Homely House?
An invitation to return to Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Hobbit | crossed with Lord of the Rings | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 122 |
| Posted on 17 August 2024 | Updated on 18 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Far is the high gods' song and low by AdmirableMonster
As Númenor convulses in its death throws, Tar-Míriel converses with a friendly soul before she climbs the Meneltarma to her fate.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel & Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 185 |
| Posted on 17 August 2024 | Updated on 17 August 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
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.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Unnamed Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Unnamed Canon Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 9 June 2024 | Updated on 17 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Summer Celebration by between_thepages
Amarië and Finrod are dancing together during a celebration of summer.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Amarië |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Bollywood |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 August 2024 | Updated on 15 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (18) |
Noldolantë by Grundy
Maglor and his wife throughout the Ages.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Bollywood, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 555 |
| Posted on 9 August 2020 | Updated on 14 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Meeting the In-Laws by awwyeah107
Caranthir is nervous about meeting Haleth’s father and brother for the first time. Haleth is sure everything will go well.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Haldad, Haldar |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 315 |
| Posted on 13 August 2024 | Updated on 13 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Straight Road by Simon J. Cook
The Fall of Númenor offers the evidence used to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to Beowulf.
Morgoth's prisoner by elennalore
Maedhros in Angband
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on 11 August 2024 | Updated on 11 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Tumult by StarSpray
After the chaos of the War of Wrath, Uinen smooths the way for the ships of the Edain to sail to their new home.
Later, she does what she can at its fall.
| Major Characters: Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 809 |
| Posted on 10 August 2024 | Updated on 10 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fandom Voices: Comments and Feedback by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over thirty people contributed their thoughts on the experience of leaving and receiving feedback on fanworks. Emotions run high on all sides, but community and connections emerge as factors that promote feedback while easing its difficulties for readers and viewers.
Coincidences of Fate by cílil
Sometimes Eönwë wonders if his life is just like Manwë's romance novels. Sometimes he even thinks the One may be laughing at him from above.
A story told in exactly 4 1/3 drabbles.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron, Gothmog |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Gothmog, Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Ficlet, Romance, Slash | Challenges: Bollywood |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 443 |
| Posted on 7 August 2024 | Updated on 7 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
| Major Characters: Amarië, Arien, Celegorm, Elrond, Estë, Fëanor, Finarfin, Galadriel, Gothmog, Maeglin, Melkor, Nazgûl, Sauron, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Galadriel |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff, Romance, Slash | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 1, 015 |
| Posted on 15 May 2024 | Updated on 7 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Springtime Oasis at Night by Kaylee Arafinwiel
A drawing of an oasis in the desert at nighttime. In the centre is a "Tree of 40 Fruit" with pink leaves. To the right of it is a small hut with a yellow roof and lit up windows.
Quote: "The “Tree of 40 Fruit” is Van Aken’s creation, a single tree that can produce 40 different stone fruits, or fruit with pits, including peaches, apricots, plums, cherries and nectarines." However, why the heck can't it exist naturally (because magic/A Wizard, or maybe Vala Did It) in Beleriand/Middle-earth (or, at the very least, have been invented by someone else who's interested in hybridization. But who is it?) (https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/03/living/tree-40-fruit-sam-van-aken-feat/index.html: link to inspiration for the tree)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 August 2024 | Updated on 4 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Horse Fish? Mine? by Kaylee Arafinwiel
A drawing of a nokk, which in this case is a blue horse with green fins and a green mane and tail swimming in the ocean. It has a thought bubble near its head reading: "Fish?? I am a Nokk!" Near the bottom swims a small grey fish. In the top right is a red buoy with a seagull perched on top. The speech bubble next to it reads: "Horsefish?? Mine?" (The Nokk is responding to the seagull, or trying to.)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 August 2024 | Updated on 4 August 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
