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
Vintage
Pick your prompts from four bingo cards themed around vintage literature, art, poetry, and fanworks. 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 Tribute to the Library of Moria by Dawn Felagund, Himring, and Talullah
As the Library of Moria prepares to close its doors, we look back at twenty years of the archive's history and consider the ways that the Library contributed to making slash and femslash a part of mainstream Tolkien fanworks fandom.
Home Alone: Forgotten in Formenos by Dawn Felagund
In the rush to depart for a Yule celebration in Taniquetil, Amrod and Amras are accidentally left behind by their family. When two skeevy Maiar vying for Melkor's attention set their sights on Fëanor's treasury, only these two can protect it.
Yes indeed, it is a Silmarillion/Home Alone crossover.
Added Chapter 13 onward--now complete!
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amras, Amrod, Anairë, Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover | crossed with Home Alone | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 22 | Word Count: 43, 038 |
| Posted on 23 December 2018 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (80) |
Hastaina by Dawn Felagund
While embarking upon an Arctic expedition in hopes of discovering secret knowledge that might relieve the marring of Arda, a loremaster of Tirion makes a much darker discovery that undermines the very foundation of his belief. Inspired by the style and mythology of H.P. Lovecraft.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Fëanor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with H.P. Lovecraft | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 933 |
| Posted on 13 February 2010 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Flowing Songs of Healing by Anérea
Yavanna and Ulmo in Middle-earth after the toppling of the Lamps.
| Major Characters: Ulmo, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Ulmo & Yavanna |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on 20 August 2022 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Kingless by Anne Wolfe
An elf of the Laiquendi considers the future, after the death of Denethor in the First Battle of Beleriand. Drabble, written in first-person POV.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 20 August 2022 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Just a Bargain by chrissystriped
Ecthelion wasn't killed at the Fall of Gondolin but taken prisoner. When one of his fellow slaves gets sick, he decides to pay the price their overseer names for medicine.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 884 |
| Posted on 2 February 2020 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Transformation by chrissystriped
Faranwe is captured by the Dark Hunter, torn from his family and changed forever. But even in Utumno there can be love and light.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Het, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Mild), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 504 |
| Posted on 12 November 2019 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
What Once Was by cuarthol
What was lost cannot be restored, but something new can always be found
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Avari, Dwarves, Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 253 |
| Posted on 20 August 2022 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Quilt of Growth by AdmirableMonster
Little snapshots of different worlds, for the restoration and rebuilding challenge. Written during Instadrabbling in August 2022.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrimbor, Halbarad, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 472 |
| Posted on 20 August 2022 | Updated on 20 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Scrapbook by Independence1776
Maglor brings Nerdanel a scrapbook of his time in Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 19 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (13) |
Clad Much in Grey by Lindariel
Alatáriel accepts a mission on behalf of her family and encounters the mystery at the heart of a secret.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: Vintage |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 828 |
| Posted on 21 May 2022 | Updated on 19 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Conspiracy is Planned by chrissystriped
Sharû cocked his head as he looked at the numbers on the file.
“Sir?”, he said to Mormirion who sat behind his desk and was writing something.
“Hm?”, the Maia hummed.
“There seems to be something wrong with the numbers”, he said. “I’ve noticed this before. It’s never by much, but there’s always more food ordered than actually is in our rations — and we already eat better than most soldiers.”
Sharû finds out about Mormirion's secret activities and confronts him about it.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 828 |
| Posted on 18 August 2021 | Updated on 18 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beauty in Dark Places by chrissystriped
Celebrían loves to explore caves.
| Major Characters: Celebrían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 526 |
| Posted on 20 December 2021 | Updated on 18 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Easterling Hostages in Middle-earth and Their Parallels in Welsh Medieval History by MirienSilowende
The use of hostages as a political strategy in Third Age Gondor has historical parallels in medieval Welsh history, and the bloody outcome of the real history may explain some of the tensions between the Easterlings and Gondorians as Sauron's power grew.
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, Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 447 |
| Posted on 12 April 2022 | Updated on 18 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Fire flowing like Water by chrissystriped
The air is heavy tonight and Maedhros is restless. Something is brewing in Angband, making the sky glow.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 925 |
| Posted on 20 December 2021 | Updated on 17 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
red by hanneswrites
"It reminded me of you," Findekáno says, grinning up at Maitimo as though that was not the most absurd statement spoken in the last century. Russingon Romantic Fluff, Set during Years of the Trees. Quenya Names Used.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 341 |
| Posted on 17 August 2022 | Updated on 17 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Dress to Draw Attention by chrissystriped
Aredhel and Maeglin have been reborn and their family throws them a party.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 875 |
| Posted on 20 December 2021 | Updated on 16 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Crafting of Galadriel’s Mirror by Anérea
Portrait of Mélamírë, Master Smith of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, crafting Galadriel’s Mirror.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 16 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Elven Nature by Anérea
An elf of the Lembi, those that lingered under the starlight in Middle Earth, shunning the summons of the Valar to journey to Aman. (Later called Avvari by the Eldar.)
| Major Characters: Avari, Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 16 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Lúcëmetta (Enchantment's End) by Anérea
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Elves, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 12 April 2022 | Updated on 16 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (18) |
Chagim by Chestnut_pod
Tolkienfic inspired by and engaging with Jewish holidays.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 15 August 2022 | Updated on 15 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Neldë Nelquain mí Orelesta by Chestnut_pod
Elemmírë gathers sparks in the Darkness -- light without end.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 778 |
| Posted on 15 August 2022 | Updated on 15 August 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wisdom of the Evening Star by StarSpray
Less a series than a label for all my stories that take place in my own headcanon/'verse
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 14 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Lay Down by Himring
Some time before the incident in which Feanor drew his sword on Fingolfin, Maedhros visits Miriel in Lorien.
Late in First-Age Beleriand, things continue not to be all right.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 727 |
| Posted on 13 August 2022 | Updated on 13 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
