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
True Leader
Create a fanwork using one of our quotes from a woman in leadership. 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
Feast of the Hunter by chrissystriped
In the Greenwood a contest is held each autumn to choose the Leader of the Hunt.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 566 |
| Posted on 25 July 2021 | Updated on 25 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A harpist's injury by Aprilertuile
Child Makalaurë is just learning to play the harp, and as all students do at times, he overdid it...
Inspired by a real-time event, harp strings are pure evil.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 028 |
| Posted on 24 July 2021 | Updated on 24 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Vengeance is Mine by chrissystriped
An elf escapes from Angband and earns himself a new name.
| Major Characters: Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 705 |
| Posted on 23 July 2021 | Updated on 23 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
last made but first planned by Chestnut_pod
That was how it had begun, that hope for a tangible reminder of the past, of victory and hope against the odds. Two candles then for what was lost, and wine and bread for those still living.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 754 |
| Posted on 22 July 2021 | Updated on 22 July 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Teleri Times. by hennethgalad
Controversy rages at the Games as the House of Fëanor is accused of using performance enhancing drugs.
| Major Characters: Elves, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Ingwë, Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 441 |
| Posted on 22 July 2021 | Updated on 22 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Death of the Last-King by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Arvedui Last-King found second love in the frozen lands of the North. Now, though, he has determined to go home, despite his lover's misgivings. Is braving the Ice Bay worth the risk when Angmar's sorcerer King is on the move?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Arvedui |
| Major Relationships: Arvedui/Original Character |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 400 |
| Posted on 20 July 2021 | Updated on 20 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Of Peredhil and Seagulls by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Adolescent Earendil and Elwing have a conversation by the sea-wall, interrupted by a rather adorable friend.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elwing & Original Character |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 208 |
| Posted on 20 July 2021 | Updated on 20 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Just bruises by daughterofshadows
In which Nerdanel tries to sneak some cookies and takes a small tumble. Luckily, Papa is there to help!
| Major Characters: Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Mahtan & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 20 July 2021 | Updated on 20 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
By the Lake of Lorellin by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Melian, scrying in the lake of Lorellin, sees a troubling sight - and her great-granddaughter is equally troubled by the repetition of troubles throughout her life and their people's.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elwing, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 266 |
| Posted on 20 July 2021 | Updated on 20 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
[podfic] Three times, the forge by Chestnut_pod
Celebrimbor kisses Narvi. Narvi kisses Celebrimbor. Somehow, Celebrimbor is still perplexed.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on 20 July 2021 | Updated on 20 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Republic of Tirion by Dawn Felagund
It is Aman. It is the Fifth Age. Finally left to his own devices, Finarfin has decided to show his own radical streak, unkinged himself, and established representative democracy in Tirion against the will of the Valar. Adding to the crazy, all his exiled, slain relatives are beginning to return from Mandos ...
| Major Characters: Amarië, Anairë, Caranthir, Finarfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] The White Tower by Chestnut_pod, Anna_Wing
Amrod and Amras, reborn in Valinor, come to see Elwing. Podfic of Anna_Wing's story.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7 |
| Posted on 19 July 2021 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Return of the King by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The Eglath were lost without Elwe. But eventually, they found him. What did that reunion look like? Let's find out.
| Major Characters: Doriathrim, Elmo, Elu Thingol, Elves, Mablung, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 485 |
| Posted on 19 July 2021 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Oath awakened by Aprilertuile
In Sirion, Elwing has a Silmaril in her possession... And in Amon Ereb, The Oath is awakening in the remaining sons of Feanor.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Elwing, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 356 |
| Posted on 19 July 2021 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Anathema by Harnatano - Lithenna
From their flight from Himlad to their flight from Nargothrond, Celegorm and Curufin have to face the abyss of their defeat, the bitterness of their broken pride, and the tempting shadows of greed. Through envy, frustration, pain and resentment, they have to choose which path to follow, not yet aware that their choices will affect all the people of Beleriand.
Curufin's pov.
Canon based, more like a personal combination between the different versions given in HoME and the Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Beleg, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Huan, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 14 | Word Count: 58, 725 |
| Posted on 3 May 2016 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Museum for the Forgotten by Dawn Felagund
It's the Fifth Age. Tirion has developed suburban sprawl, and psychotherapists are in high demand. An unkinged Finarfin experiments with political radicalism and has turned the palace into a memorial of the kinslaying. Amarië composes beat poetry. And Finrod has been reembodied into a world and among people he barely recognizes. Dark humor, for Kenaz for the Around the Fire challenge.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Caranthir, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 824 |
| Posted on 20 September 2016 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
The Sandglass Runs by Dawn Felagund, NelyafinweFeanorion
In Fifth Age Tirion, Caranthir has been reembodied into a changed world: his uncle has unkinged himself and turned Tirion into a republic, Elves live in suburbs and seek psychotherapy, and the Noldor born after his exile have invented all kinds of wondrous things. One day, Caranthir receives a letter that he is being entrusted to mentor his newly reembodied cousin Orodreth. They must not only resolve their old enmity but achieve a tenuous friendship--maybe even more?--as both seek the peace and acceptance they never found in their prior lives. Written for TRSB 2019, based on the artwork by NelyafinweFeanorion.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Caranthir, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Orodreth, Amarië & Caranthir |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 23, 781 |
| Posted on 18 July 2021 | Updated on 19 July 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
[podfic] Spin Songs for the Sea by Chestnut_pod, heget
Eärwen as a young maiden of the Swan-haven, surrounded and supported by family, and the intersection of song and spinning thread.
| Major Characters: Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 18 July 2021 | Updated on 18 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Swans by Dawn Felagund
Against Maedhros's wishes, Fingon is off to a summer retreat in the mountains, a retreat designed by the Valar for newly reembodied Elves. Amid games of kickball and group therapy, Fingon makes a friend, discovers the Noldor haven't actually invented everything, and begins to grasp the complexities of his post-reembodiment relationship with Maedhros. Maedhros/Fingon, set in my Republic of Tirion verse.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 15, 697 |
| Posted on 11 August 2017 | Updated on 18 July 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Relief after the Dagor Bragollach by Aprilertuile
In Himring, Maedhros and Maglor hold the fortress, when they finally receive a message.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 342 |
| Posted on 13 July 2021 | Updated on 13 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Most Valuable Resource by herenortherenearnorfar
The children of elves die easily, for their souls are thinly bound to their bodies and their fate is to endure but not survive. So when faced with a young hostage he really can't afford to let fade away, Sauron is very careful not to do anything too traumatizing.
(Mostly.)
Luckily Feanor's grandson is an interesting child to babysit.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Sauron |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Child Abuse, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 13, 832 |
| Posted on 2 January 2019 | Updated on 12 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And Fair She Was And Free by herenortherenearnorfar
“You are the forest, Nimrodel. The light that filters through the leaves, the starlight in the pools, the flowers. I look at you and I see the earth, black and red and white. I see the flowers, elanor and niphredil. The strength of stone and the transparent delicacy of the spring tadpoles. I did not think much of being a prince of this place before you taught me how to love it.”
| Major Characters: Amroth |
| Major Relationships: Amroth/Nimrodel, Amroth & Celebrían |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 754 |
| Posted on 30 June 2019 | Updated on 12 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A last letter unsent by Aprilertuile
Alone on the shore, after Sauron's defeat, Maglor watches a ship leave Middle Earth and writes in a notebook a letter that he would never send.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 659 |
| Posted on 12 July 2021 | Updated on 12 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Divine Marriages (And Divorces) by herenortherenearnorfar
"Cytise knows exactly what the elf is."
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Easterlings, Sauron, Southrons |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 13, 256 |
| Posted on 23 September 2020 | Updated on 12 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Casting Out The Serpent by herenortherenearnorfar
Balan-who-will-be-Bëor comes to some conclusions about his new friend after said new friend demonstrates a terrifying knowledge of venomous snakes.
In conclusion, Finarfin was a reptile hoarder and also elves might be poisonous.
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor & Finrod |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 813 |
| Posted on 14 February 2019 | Updated on 12 July 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
