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
Air All Full of Singing by StarSpray
Roverandom is left behind and bored when his boy goes off on holiday, but then a strange magical musician comes through town...
| Major Characters: Daeron, Goldberry, Maglor, Thranduil, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 941 |
| Posted on 3 September 2019 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Ossë by Dawn Walls-Thumma
One of the longest-enduring characters in the legendarium, Ossë evolved over the decades from a perilous character adjacent to Melkor himself to a figure both dangerous and benevolent.
Of Nerdanel by Rocky41_7
The House of Finwe grieves its losses, and Nerdanel struggles to find purchase in a stormy sea.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 595 |
| Posted on 4 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
the marks that bind us by polutropos
In Ossiriand after Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Celegorm meets the Green-elf he deserves.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 993 |
| Posted on 4 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Nienna's House by Independence1776
Floorplan of Nienna's house.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Calm and Storm by Independence1776
The Third Kinslaying: the calm before the storm and the aftereffects.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Silmarillion as Space Opera by Independence1776
Evil Empire! Scrappy Rebel groups that have a similar overall goal and different ideas of the best way to achieve it! Different Elven cultures having unique styles of spaceships! Laser swords! Elven magic!
Maglor and his wife Calien (pictured) are on a scouting mission when they learn information that will lead them deep into the heart of Morgoth’s Empire: to the capital planet of Angband itself. They team up with Beren and Lúthien for the mission despite their groups’ differences.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Off on an Adventure by Independence1776
A Hobbit lass off on an adventure in the East stumbles across a captive Maglor. Further adventures ensue.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
This is how we defend ourselves by Independence1776
A graphic of ways Tolkien characters defend themselves, both literally and metaphorically: sword and shield, song and story, family and friends.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Maglor Meets Roverandom by Independence1776
Maglor meets Roverandom and goes on an adventure.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
I Didn't Realize You Were Coming by Rocky41_7
Maedhros never stopped thinking of little cousin Finrod as the Elfling who followed him around pulling at his robes and playing games. Finrod was happy to keep it that way, but Maedhros was bound to find out about the parties someday.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 605 |
| Posted on 2 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the Rose-Gold Light of Valinor by Rocky41_7
Finrod was like another little brother to him.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 836 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 2 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
After the Dragon by Lferion
After his first encounter with Glaurung, Fingon reflects on what it means to be brave.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Fingon |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 402 |
| Posted on 2 March 2022 | Updated on 2 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
First Ruins of the Noldor by Rocky41_7
The sundering of the Noldor was bound to leave scars.
| Major Characters: Anairë |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 418 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 1 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Death to the Young by Kaylee Arafinwiel
As Dior lays dying, yearning to reach twin boys taken from his care, something deep within him cracks and slams into place. There's more of his grandmother Melian in him that he ever thought he would inherit.
| Major Characters: Dior |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 455 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 1 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Khuzdul proverb by Anérea
What the title says...
| Major Characters: Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 17 |
| Posted on 28 February 2022 | Updated on 28 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Pastry Shop by oshun
In the Golden Age of Valinor, Maedhros tries to court an appropriate young woman. Meanwhile, Fingon smitten with his older cousin doesn’t intend to make it easy for him. In fact, he will do whatever he can to interfere.
---
Written for LaSamtyr for 2022 Slashy Valentine. Requested pairing: Elf/elf, Fingon/Maedhros
Story elements: slice of life "weirdness", a lost item is found or rediscovered, Silm-oriented (House of Finwë preferred but not required.) Any Age is fine.
Thank you, Ignoble Bard, for the Beta and encouragement.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 385 |
| Posted on 27 February 2022 | Updated on 27 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Song by Melesta
When Fingon rescues Maedhros he sings a song of Valinor the Noldor made of old. How did that song come to be?
As a young minstrel, Makalaurë performs a Song of Power for the first time. His music changes irrevocably the destiny of his older brother Maitimo and his cousin Findekáno.
How do Maglor and Fingon use Songs of Power in Beleriand?
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 371 |
| Posted on 27 June 2021 | Updated on 27 February 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Their Ancient Friendship by Melesta
Ongoing Russingon-centric exploration of the Finwëan family dynamic. Maedhros and Fingon throughout the ages and those who loved them dearly.
Stories can be read independently.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 27 February 2022 | Updated on 27 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Soothing by Himring
In Mithrim: Maedhros and his healer.
A bit of backstory for the later master healer of Himring.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 527 |
| Posted on 26 February 2022 | Updated on 26 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The king perishes with his city by elennalore
Turgon watches Gondolin burn. Someone watches Turgon.
| Major Characters: Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 526 |
| Posted on 25 February 2022 | Updated on 26 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
What remains by chrissystriped
After the destruction of the Ring, Eonwe searches for Sauron and takes him home.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 138 |
| Posted on 25 February 2022 | Updated on 25 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Pass the Parcel 2021 by Raiyana, Narya
Narya & Raiy's Pass the Parcel for Holiday Party 2021
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 23 February 2022 | Updated on 23 February 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Land Ahoy! by Raiyana
A Day on the Water
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 438 |
| Posted on 23 February 2022 | Updated on 23 February 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Into the West by Raiyana
The First glimpse of Aman
| Major Characters: Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on 23 February 2022 | Updated on 23 February 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
