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
A mushroom surprise by daughterofshadows
They've been down on their luck, trying to acquire a silmaril, but maybe this is the sign that things are finally looking up.
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 14 October 2022 | Updated on 14 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Let us taunt old care with a merry air / And sing in the face of ill by Rocky41_7
When Elwing lands in the Havens, she befriends a young princeling from Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Ficlet, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 648 |
| Posted on 14 October 2022 | Updated on 14 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lament for Halwen by Ermingarden
Halwen the Spearwoman was a Avarin elf who joined the service of Maedhros Fëanorion shortly before the Dagor Aglareb and died fighting against her lord at Sirion. The untitled Sindarin text commemorating her, known today as the "Lament for Halwen," survives in a single manuscript now preserved at the Library of Rivendell.
Translated from Sindarin into English by Ermingarden and illustrated by Fiona15351.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 509 |
| Posted on 13 October 2022 | Updated on 14 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
All the Stars are Faded by ArizonaPoppy
On a camping trip by the Aeluin, Finrod is concerned by his brother’s unguarded attitude toward Andreth.
This story was a submission in the Teitho Contest "Five Ingredients IV" challenge.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth, Aegnor & Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 494 |
| Posted on 11 October 2022 | Updated on 13 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Who Shall Release Us? by polutropos
A re-embodied Maedhros slowly remembers. As he does, he must come to terms with an absence and accept that there are some things he will never know.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 323 |
| Posted on 11 October 2022 | Updated on 11 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Rubicon as Sin by SonOfMandos
Celegorm, Curufin, Maedhros, Maglor, Caranthir and Finrod meet at Caranthir's on Maedhros' order because Finrod owns Celegorm and Curufin, and Maedhros is angry about it!! Finrod doesn't want to give Tyelko and Curvo away for free, that's stupid, he demands payment. Moryo has tons of money. Finrod desires more. SUSPENSE!!
Read the fic to know what happens!!!
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 901 |
| Posted on 11 October 2022 | Updated on 11 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Seven Years Since by Gwanath Dagnir
Battle-stricken after the Last Alliance, Elrond is haunted by the loss of Gil-galad on the seventh anniversary of his fall. A dangerous accident leads to introspection and brings him closer to Celebrian on the path towards healing.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 417 |
| Posted on 9 October 2022 | Updated on 10 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hearken Still Unsated by polutropos
When the Noldor return to Middle-earth to make war on Morgoth, only rumours reach Menegroth of their reasons for coming, but Doriath's minstrel experiences their loss and longing through his connection to Music and the gift of his Queen. Years later, he is sent to the Feast of Reuniting and meets the Elf whose grief he felt.
A story about the Eldar returning home, their connection to the land and to each other, and their relationship to Music and fate, love and free will.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Daeron & Melian |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 16, 256 |
| Posted on 2 October 2022 | Updated on 9 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Don't forget the Light by chrissystriped
Sharû is an orc, a soldier of Morgoth, and he should feel nothing but hatred and contempt for elves. But there are his parents who teach him differently, (his brother who looks like an elf), and there's also his superior who has sympathy for the slaves.
When the Valar come to fight, he helps to free the slaves instead of killing them, the deed earning him and his men a place in Aman.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 18 August 2022 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Meeting the Past by chrissystriped
Mablung is back in Aman and both Ecthelion and Sharû have things to apologise for. Glorfindel, who was asked by Ecthelion to approach Mablung about it, is there to wittness their conversation.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 878 |
| Posted on 25 October 2020 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Boy in the Snow by chrissystriped
Melkor, imprisoned in Aman and frustrated, calms his emotions with as snowstorm. Afterwards he realises there was an elf caught in it.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| Posted on 16 August 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hunting the Hunter by chrissystriped
Beleg and Mablung only meant to hunt for food, but they find something in the forest that leads them on the trail of a more dangerous quarry.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Mablung |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 987 |
| Posted on 24 December 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gil-galad, son of... by chrissystriped
Kashnai died when she tried to bring her son to safety. Now she is reborn and her greatest wish is to see him again.
Ereinion has wished for all his life to be able to meet his mother, but given that she was an orc, he hadn't thought it would ever be possible.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Gil-galad, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 177 |
| Posted on 24 September 2022 | Updated on 4 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Joining of Two Families by chrissystriped
Shai is the first orc to be reborn and Sharû is overjoyed to have his mother back. When Shai hears that her husband can't be reborn because both she and Arasiel, his wife from when he was an elf, are alive, she is not prepared to accept that. Shai and Arasiel team up to get their husband back, coming closer to each other in the process.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Ecthelion/Original Character, Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 15, 381 |
| Posted on 11 April 2021 | Updated on 3 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Before the Darkness by chrissystriped
Mablung has a crush on Glorfindel, so he is quite happy (although baffled) when the older elf seeks him out. Everything could be perfect, if Glorfindel weren't so conscious of his age.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Original Character |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 16, 174 |
| Posted on 6 July 2019 | Updated on 3 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Restore and Rebuild by polutropos
Instadrabbles for the August-September 2022 SWG Challenge, Restoration and Rebuilding.
| Major Characters: Dior, Elros, Maglor, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Elros & Maglor, Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 303 |
| Posted on 26 August 2022 | Updated on 2 October 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Tinfang Warble by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tinfang Warble is a character who fits best in the early, whimsical fairy-story mode of the Lost Tales before receding to a figure of folklore and legend and finally disappearing altogether.
The Emperor's Goodbye by Himring
Before his death, Elros has a near-death experience.
Featuring Numenorean bears, just because.
| Major Characters: Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 533 |
| Posted on 1 October 2022 | Updated on 1 October 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Trinkets by Independence1776
A collection of unrelated drabbles and ficlets too short to post on their own. Each story has a separate rating and all are under a thousand words.
Newest story: Chapter 48: Aulë, Finarfin, and Maglor's ignored return to Aman. Crackfic. Rated General. Ficlet.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrían, Elenwë, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Indis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienna, Oromë, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Horror, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Competition, International Day of Femslash, Middle-earth Olympics, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 48 | Word Count: 12, 113 |
| Posted on 5 July 2013 | Updated on 30 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (99) |
My Greatest Joy and Deepest Sorrow by Rocky41_7
A brief history of one of the more noteworthy relationships of Noldor history.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Classical, Pop, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Lúcë (Enchantment) 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, Elves, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Willow by Anérea, Narya
A willow-spirit: some places she went and the people she met.
Story by Narya, painting by Anérea.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elrond, Farmer Maggot, Finrod Felagund, Goldberry, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
inundated with the fated thought of you by hanneswrites
Nerdanel finds love in the wake of her grief and slowly but surely builds a new life for herself.
Set Many Years Post-Flight of the Noldor, Nerdanel/OMC, Romance and hurt/comfort with a good bit of family bonding and female friendships.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Indis & Nerdanel, Nerdanel/Original Character, Nerdanel & Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 171 |
| Posted on 22 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
of roots and where they lie by hanneswrites
Thranduil catches the eye of Melian during his youth in Doriath and she takes him on as one of her apprentices. Over time, he learns both how to control his innate magical potential and the cost of protecting those you care about. Genfic with Magic!Thranduil, focus on Thranduil & Melian and Thranduil & Legolas.
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Melian, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Melian & Thranduil |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 915 |
| Posted on 22 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Carved in Bone by Maggie Honeybite
Elenwë tries to protect her daughter. A story about the connection between mothers and daughters which neither time nor distance (or death) can erase.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Idril |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 261 |
| Posted on 24 September 2022 | Updated on 24 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
