New Challenge: Bollywood
This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships
As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available
The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Series] 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.
[Writing] Reflections by AdmirableMonster
A story of three friends in Númenor, one of whom attracts the attention of the High Priest. What does friendship mean in the shadow of the Black Temple?
[Writing] No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
[Writing] An exercise in music... And patience by Aprilertuile
Makalaurë was sitting at the harp in his music room. He was holding a dark blindfold in his hands and was looking at it with much scepticism.
[Writing] I called it Fate that I should fail by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
[Writing] All of you by chrissystriped
Elrond and Celebrían celebrate their anniversary with their family.
[Writing] Lament for the Singer by daughterofshadows
A short thing about Maglor, death and grieving.
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
B2MeM 2011
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
[]The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
[]He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
[]So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
[]It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
Around the World and Web
Fellowship of the Fics: Summer Stories 2024
Fellowship of the Fics offers four weeks of summer-themed prompts during the month of July.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
July 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers and proposals in July 2024.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
Scribbles & Drabbles 2024
A chill Tolkien event, where artists make art, and authors write little stories in response. Begins in June and ends in November.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Complete by Melesta
Turukáno has come of age and discovers a bond deeper than friendship between his brother Findekáno and their cousin Maitimo. How does this impact his own life?
How does Turgon come to see the bond between Fingon and Maedhros? What does it have to do with his decisions in Beleriand, in Gondolin, and later back in Valinor? Can he cope with and forgive everything that has happened?
An attempt to explore the complex psychology of Turgon through the ages, from his own POV.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 857 |
| Posted on 26 May 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Day of leisure at the riverside by Aprilertuile
As they reach safer ground, Elrond and Maglor find a river, and decide to stop there for the rest of the day.
A day of peace, and of conversations. Also of conversations strategically avoided.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 297 |
| Posted on 9 September 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Walk and talk under the stars by Aprilertuile
The area being unstable, Maglor and Elrond decide to keep walking during the night.
Conversation happens.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 660 |
| Posted on 9 September 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fellow Students by Himring
Galdor has been sponsored by Fingolfin to go and study on Taniquetil.
It is here that he first meets Elenwe and becomes devoted to her.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Galdor of the Tree |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Galdor of the Tree |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 466 |
| Posted on 8 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Echo as of a Child's Voice by StarSpray
He heard the voice again, and turned towards it, westward, but as he did he saw the girl again, with her green dress and her yellow hair. She ran up to him on light feet, leaving no trace behind on the snow. “Are you leaving?” she cried. “Please don’t leave!”
“But I am called,” said Elurín. “Don’t you hear?”
“Yes. He calls me, too, but I cannot go!” She cried, and it was the sound on the wind and in the river. “I am afraid.”
| Major Characters: Elurín, Lalaith |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 741 |
| Posted on 8 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dragon Deception by Mimi Lind
Spellbound by Glaurung, Father of Dragons, Túrin abandons Princess Finduilas and runs on a fool’s errand. But what if she doesn't wait in vain for a rescuer that will never come, and fights back? Perhaps then Túrin can evade his doom after all.
- A fix-it version of the Silmarillion tragedy, but the first two chapters are canon compliant and can be read as a standalone piece. Written for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2021, with cover art by Zomburai
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Glaurung, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Túrin, Brandir/Nienor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 135 |
| Posted on 5 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tower of Water. by hennethgalad
Glorfindel gets a booty call from Ingwë.
for the "Kings and Kink" challenge. NSFW!
"“To the true votaries of these love orgies grossness of language is a stimulant to passion. Fuck-frig — bugger — cunt — prick — ballocks — bubbles — arsehole — are all sacred words only to be pronounced when in the exercise of love's mysteries. At all other times a guarded decency of word, act, and gesture is imperative, as enhancing the delight of an unbridled vocabulary in the voluptuary of raging lust. I shall from time to time inculcate sage precepts on this point — enough for the present. Let us now indulge in mutual embraces.”
~From The Romance of Lust, Vol. 3"
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Ingwë |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: In-Universe Classism, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 222 |
| Posted on 7 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Young Thranduil's Confusion (Or, A Númenórean Poem Most Strange...) by Kaylee Arafinwiel
In the midst of the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, ticking down to the end of the Second Age, there are frequently lulls between the action-packed moments. War is a lot of waiting, as one young Sindarin lieutenant - who happens to be Greenwood's crown prince - learns to his dismay.
Still, in such quiet moments are friendships fostered. Prince Elendur Isildurchil, the very first of Isildur's Heirs, has often invited Greenwood's prince to spend time in his tent and learn the wisdom of Men.
Sometimes Thranduil learns lessons the barely more than elfling is ill prepared for...and Elendur's not much more prepared for moments like these.
Let's hope Lord Elrond and their edair never find out...
| Major Characters: Elendur, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Elendur & Thranduil |
| Genres: Ficlet, Het | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 357 |
| Posted on 8 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Gone With The Harp's Echo by Narya
There was once a young man who could move between worlds, and he fell in love with a fairy...
| Major Characters: Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Original Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 9, 196 |
| Posted on 6 September 2021 | Updated on 8 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
Scope of Imagination by Himring
As Maedhros and Maglor sit together quietly on an evening in Eastern Beleriand, Maglor remembers a conversation he once had in Valinor and it sets off a train of thought.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 727 |
| Posted on 30 August 2021 | Updated on 4 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Himling Isle by Himring
During the Third Age, Maglor returns to Himling, the island which was the top of Himring Hill in the First Age.
His contemplations are interrupted by unexpected visitors.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 296 |
| Posted on 4 September 2016 | Updated on 2 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Woman in Few Words: The Character of Nerdanel and Her Treatment in Canon and Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A review of the canon facts available on Nerdanel and discussion of why she remains so popular with fans despite her scarce appearances in the texts.
Unexpected Nesting by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Earendil comes home to Elwing's Tower in Aewellond (the Bird-haven) to rest from his labors, and finds her just beginning hers. She's been...nesting in his absence.
He hadn't counted on Elwing's bird-skinchanging affecting her like this...
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aulë, Eagles, Eärendil, Eärwen, Elves, Elwing, Eönwë, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Ingwë, Ingwion, Lórien, Maiar, Mandos, Manwë, Melian, Míriel Serindë, Nienna, Noldor, Olwë, Oromë, Teleri, Thorondor, Tulkas, Ulmo, Vairë, Valar, Vána, Vanyar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Eärendil/Elwing/Eönwë |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 6, 020 |
| Posted on 11 August 2021 | Updated on 31 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Whatever it takes by daughterofshadows
Ereinion and Celebrían share a quiet moment on the eve of battle. Tomorrow they will try to break the siege on Imladris, tonight, they are two people worried about a loved one.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían & Gil-Galad |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 077 |
| Posted on 31 August 2021 | Updated on 31 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
When the earth shakes by Aprilertuile
When there's an unexpected earthquake announcing that the seas' eating more lands, it's time to move and fast.
So Elrond and Maglor races through the forest to reach safer ground.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 187 |
| Posted on 31 August 2021 | Updated on 31 August 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Elros interlude by Aprilertuile
While Elrond flees from the camp of the Host, what happens to his brother?
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elros, Eönwë, Galadriel, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 392 |
| Posted on 31 August 2021 | Updated on 31 August 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden Hour by StarSpray
At their head was Elros’ flagship. His banners were the brightest of all, depicting the white niphredil of Lúthien and the white wings of Tuor’s house and the Star of Eärendil—the largest flag, waving from the highest mast and catching the rays of the sun and gleaming nearly as bright as their father’s star itself, which was just visible against the bright sun in the western sky.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 780 |
| Posted on 29 August 2021 | Updated on 29 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Conversation with Elrond by Glorified
This story is a prequal to my series 'The Captive'. It explains some of the back story to Elrond's first meeting with the main protagonist in 'The Captive', Ella. It is narrated from Elrond's point of view.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 564 |
| Posted on 29 August 2021 | Updated on 29 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maiden Crowned with Gleaming Hair by Himring
It was said in Valinor that Galadriel's hair had captured the Light of the Trees, Laurelin and Telperion, and she was named for her hair.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 98 |
| Posted on 28 August 2021 | Updated on 28 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Start of the journey by Aprilertuile
Ossë brings a warning, Elrond and Maglor need to make a choice. Staying in that cave and risk being found by the Host, or leave.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 340 |
| Posted on 28 August 2021 | Updated on 28 August 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The departure by Aprilertuile
After years of living in the war of wrath, Elrond is tired, Elrond in injured in Fëa, Elrond just had to deal with his brother chosing mortality and quite frankly, Elrond had enough and decided to leave.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 214 |
| Posted on 25 August 2021 | Updated on 27 August 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Kinslaying of Sirion and its consequences by Aprilertuile
The kinslaying of Sirion happens.
Maedhros and Maglor kidnap the twins Elrond and Elros, and this will be their life together.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 25 August 2021 | Updated on 25 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Captive by Glorified
This is a story about love's redemptive power, the restoration of hope and belief, it is a slow burn and deals with the the outcasts of society who don't fit in. When two lost and lonely people meet and fall in love they have to navigate an Elvish society that is not quite as fair minded and open as one would think, in fact its down right xenophobic and judgmental and prejudiced.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 31, 368 |
| Posted on 10 June 2021 | Updated on 25 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
mishaps and headaches by Aprilertuile
Follows the story : Back at Amon Ereb
Elrond and Elros managed some small transformations, but didn't get the desired results.
Maglor doesn't know how to deal with it and might not quite know how to keep track of both twins.
Maedhros gets a headache for his trouble.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 506 |
| Posted on 22 August 2021 | Updated on 22 August 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Unlikely Bedfellows by elennalore
"After Zigûr had been in Númenor for twelve years, Ar-Pharazôn reckoned he was lousy company in bed, and sent him to sleep with me."
Tar-Míriel remembers her time as the Queen.
| Major Characters: Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Sauron/Tar-Míriel |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Erotica, Het | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 948 |
| Posted on 21 August 2021 | Updated on 21 August 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
