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
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
Spiders in the Mist: An Arachnid Love Story by Maggie Honeybite
On a mission to the Valley of Dreadful Death, two giant spiders encounter adventure, tackle moral issues and find love. Inspired by Tehta's "Flawed and Fair." AU, humour, giant spider slash.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Erotica, Humor, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 963 |
| Posted on 23 May 2022 | Updated on 23 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Promise of Fire by Maggie Honeybite
Fingon tries to keep a promise made long ago.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 501 |
| Posted on 23 May 2022 | Updated on 23 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
As Rivers of Water in a Dry Place by Maggie Honeybite
During the siege of the Barad-dûr, Gil-galad struggles with the burden of leadership and the grim reality of war. Elrond helps.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 255 |
| Posted on 22 May 2022 | Updated on 22 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the Bleak Midwinter by Maggie Honeybite
On a cold winter night in Lindon, things heat up between the High King and his herald for the very first time. PWP.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 556 |
| Posted on 22 May 2022 | Updated on 22 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Spark by grey_gazania
A brief moment between a young Curufin and his future wife.
Started for a B2MeM prompt from a few years ago, "meeting your future spouse".
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 543 |
| Posted on 21 May 2022 | Updated on 22 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Secret Looms Entwined by Lindariel
Episodes from the life Galadriel wove for herself in Middle-Earth.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 21 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Loyalty by grey_gazania
Who were Ulfang's people, and why did they betray the Elves?
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Bor, Brodda, Caranthir, Dwarves, Maedhros, Uldor, Ulfang, Ulfast, Ulwarth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 20 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Glimpse of the Harbor by Rocky41_7
Elwing watched for the return of Earendil's ship.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 640 |
| Posted on 16 May 2022 | Updated on 16 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Second Lives, Second Chances by chrissystriped
They meet again by accident and that could have been all that was, if Glorfindel's never-voiced feelings for Rog hadn't come alive again.
Rog does not want to get tangled up in the affairs of the Noldor again, but how could he decline when Glorfindel asks him to come back with him to Middle-earth? That's what he has wanted since he was reborn, after all.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Rog |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Rog |
| Genres: Adventure, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 15, 167 |
| Posted on 15 May 2022 | Updated on 15 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Knocking on nameless doors by daughterofshadows
A fragment of a rohirric nursery rhyme, presumably about the death of prince Baldor.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 50 |
| Posted on 10 May 2022 | Updated on 10 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Illuminating Now and Dark Hath-been by polutropos
Two great bards meet during the Sack of Sirion. Written for the SWG Challenge "On a Different Page."
Prompt from Mythopoeia:
“Such isles they saw afar, and ones more fair,
and those that hear them yet may yet beware.
They have seen Death and ultimate defeat,
and yet they would not in despair retreat,
but oft to victory have turned the lyre
and kindled hearts with legendary fire,
illuminating Now and dark Hath-been
with light of suns as yet by no man seen.”
| Major Characters: Dírhavel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Dírhavel & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 823 |
| Posted on 10 May 2022 | Updated on 10 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Improbable Beautiful & Afraid of Nothing by StarSpray
The body wanted to look forward, however accustomed the spirit was to looking back.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Dior, Eärendil, Elwing, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth, Dior & Elwing |
| Genres: Family, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 361 |
| Posted on 7 May 2022 | Updated on 10 May 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Telchar of Nogrod by Lindariel
Telchar emerges in some of Tolkien's early writings but remains elusive, despite his status as a great Dwarven smith. However, some of what is known about his character is revealed in his creations.
The Love of Their Mothers by Rocky41_7
Anaire and Earwen discuss the upcoming births of their children on a mild summer afternoon.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Anairë & Eärwen |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 333 |
| Posted on 6 May 2022 | Updated on 6 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Pet from Next Door by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel and Earwen disagree about free-roaming pets.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Family, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 658 |
| Posted on 5 May 2022 | Updated on 5 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Horseman Wild in Windy Clouds by Himring
Annael tells his fosterling Tuor about the rides of Orome in Beleriand, before the Darkening of Valinor.
| Major Characters: Annael, Oromë, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 553 |
| Posted on 1 May 2022 | Updated on 2 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Sleepless in Lórien by elennalore
Elwë is one of the three Elven ambassadors in Valinor. Melyanna is a Maia, and their guardian. Their story did not begin in Nan Elmoth. It first began here, in the gardens of Lórien, when Elwë could not sleep.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol, Finwë & Thingol |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 178 |
| Posted on 2 May 2022 | Updated on 2 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 231 |
| Posted on 1 May 2022 | Updated on 1 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Cruellest Month by Himring
Gwindor has returned after years of imprisonment and thralldom in Angband, but true homecoming continues to be difficult, a year on.
Finduilas, his betrothed, has tried to support him. Gwindor foresees that the strain will have an impact on their relationship.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Gwindor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 222 |
| Posted on 1 May 2022 | Updated on 1 May 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Concerning Hobbits by Grundy
Gandalf may have known a fair bit about the origins of hobbits, but he didn't know it all.
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 28 April 2022 | Updated on 28 April 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Making a King by chrissystriped
Fingon witnesses Maedhros giving the High Kingship to Fingolfin.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 981 |
| Posted on 24 April 2022 | Updated on 24 April 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Depths of Moria by hennethgalad
Durin, after the discovery of Mithril in Moria. Elvish names used.
| Major Characters: Durin I |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 351 |
| Posted on 2 October 2016 | Updated on 23 April 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rings of Pride; Rings of Ruin by Aiwen
Celebrimbor discovers that Annatar has betrayed them all, and has to take responsibility for the situation before total disaster can result.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Durin III, Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 7, 208 |
| Posted on 22 February 2009 | Updated on 21 April 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Aulendil, Lover of Aule by Cirdan
Celebrimbor convinces Durin to join the War of Wrath. Celebrimbor decides to fight under the standards of the Dwarves instead of those of the Elves.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Durin III |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 117 |
| Posted on 27 August 2009 | Updated on 21 April 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Ulmo and The Balrog. by hennethgalad
for Tolkien Crack Week: day 1; chance encounters.
Ulmo and the Balrog...
| Major Characters: Durin VI, Dwarves, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 174 |
| Posted on 9 August 2020 | Updated on 21 April 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
