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
For All Elvenkind by elennalore
An interstellar spaceship is ready to go. Its all-Elven crew and passengers will become the first explorers and settlers of an exoplanet orbiting the star Vega, or Luinil as the Elves call it. But only Mairon knows that the captain of the starship, Celebrimbor, has a hidden agenda.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: Back To The Future |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 400 |
| Posted on 20 June 2021 | Updated on 20 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
At the end of days, again by Himring
Sometime, somewhere, in the Seventh Age, another distant descendant of Elendil dreams of Numenor.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Back To The Future |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 19 June 2021 | Updated on 19 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Windows by Keiliss
A long way from Balar, Erestor and Gildor share some bittersweet midwinter memories. Sometimes the window opens a crack and then it closes, allowing just a glimpse of the road less travelled.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gildor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 961 |
| Posted on 6 April 2021 | Updated on 12 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Cold Comfort by Chestnut_pod, Elwin Fortuna
Nerdanel, early in the Second Age, ponders the wisdom of her choices.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: Nerdanel/Nienna |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 11 June 2021 | Updated on 11 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Away to the Waters by Chestnut_pod, Elleth
After the Five Armies, Tauriel travels East.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Posted on 11 June 2021 | Updated on 11 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Restless Night in Armenelos by Himring
Tar-Palantir, king of Numenor, at some point in the later part of his reign: night thoughts and a dream.
| Major Characters: Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: Inzilbeth & Tar-Palantir |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 254 |
| Posted on 8 June 2021 | Updated on 8 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Inzilbêth, Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 18 April 2021 | Updated on 8 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
[podfic] Tribute for the Queen by Chestnut_pod
In which cats may or may not be a euphemism.
Prompt fic: "Lalwen gives Beruthiel a calico cat, Beruthiel is annoyed because it throws off her color scheme but also Lalwen is a hottie, confusion ensues."
| Major Characters: Berúthiel, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Berúthiel/Lalwen |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 7 June 2021 | Updated on 7 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
To gather in a flourishing way by Chestnut_pod
It is renowned among both the Teleri and the Noldor, though perhaps for different reasons among each, that Eärwen Swan-Maiden of Alqualondë was married to Arafinwë of the Noldor in a dress broidered with one thousand pearls, and more draped around her neck and woven through her hair like sea spray.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Eärwen |
| Genres: Experimental, Femslash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 281 |
| Posted on 6 June 2021 | Updated on 6 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For the Last Time by chrissystriped
Melkor is a captive of the Valar's army and Mairon sneaks into the camp to find him, when he is caught by Eonwe. Now he has to try to seduce his old friend to still have a chance.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 402 |
| Posted on 20 December 2020 | Updated on 6 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Deed Justly Renowned by AdmirableMonster
Through snow, through ice, through ash and flame...I will always come for you, Russandol.
Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim. It is no easy feat, for he battles not only the creatures and the hostile land, but also himself.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 654 |
| Posted on 6 June 2021 | Updated on 6 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Blossoms Appearing in the Land, Green Figs Forming on the Trees by janeways
The blossoms have appeared in the land / The time of pruning has come / The song of the turtledove / Is heard in our land
The green figs form on the fig tree / The vines in blossom give off fragrance / Arise, my darling / My fair one, come away!
- Song of Songs 2:12-3
Haleth and Caranthir attempt to make love and discover they don't know much about making babies.
My attempt at subverting the bodice-ripper; a triple drabble.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor, Romance | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 316 |
| Posted on 5 June 2021 | Updated on 5 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Always there for you by chrissystriped
After Fingolfin gets a worrying letter from Maedhros, he rides to Himring to be there for him.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 6, 872 |
| Posted on 5 June 2021 | Updated on 5 June 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Third Finwë by jesatria
An account of the reign of King Nelyafinwë Maitimo, 3rd High King of the Noldor. AU, WIP
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 10, 160 |
| Posted on 2 February 2014 | Updated on 4 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Kingdom of Flowers by daughterofshadows
A short ficlet about Elrond and Celebrían in the gardens of Imladris and their hopes for the future.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían & Elrond |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 524 |
| Posted on 3 June 2021 | Updated on 4 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Pillar and the Vastness: A Longitudinal View of the Tolkien Fanfiction Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Using the 2015 and 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data, this presentation reviews fandom demographics, use of sources, influence of the films, and use of sites and archives to post fanfiction, reviewing changes across the two data sets.
[podfic] Aftermath by Chestnut_pod, The Wavesinger
Immediately after the Darkening, Findis and Elemmírë attempt to adjust.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Findis |
| Major Relationships: Elemmírë/Findis |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on 3 June 2021 | Updated on 3 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
It’s a lady’s prerogative to have a few secrets by Gabriel
What was supposed to be a homecoming feast, turns into something so much more, for the Lord of the Falathrim.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Círdan |
| Major Relationships: Círdan/Original Character |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 940 |
| Posted on 13 December 2020 | Updated on 2 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
On and on and ever ever on by UnnamedElement
Elrond and Elros are left without parents; found by their folks' murderers in the ruins of Sirion; taken from the havens of their childhood to wander elsewhere and abroad. And yet, not all is lost--love grows, leaders are raised, pain is endured. Lives transform.
A character study in the key of complex trauma.
Havens rise elsewhere. e
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 549 |
| Posted on 2 June 2021 | Updated on 2 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
As I Say and As I Do: Negotiating Transformational Impulses in Tolkien-Based Fanfiction by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that, while authors and readers of Tolkien-based fanfiction are growing more comfortable with perceiving their work as having a critical purpose, they are still more likely to describe fanfiction as literary criticism when the process is not depicted as a challenge to Tolkien's authority as the author.
The Webs. by hennethgalad
Oropher tries to comfort Thranduil after a nightmare.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Galadriel, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 067 |
| Posted on 2 June 2021 | Updated on 2 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Honeysuckle And Wild Berries by Gabriel
Fëanor and Nerdanel’s first camping trip deep into the wilds of Aman was supposed to be about connecting with nature and having some alone time together. Which is what they did. But it also had the unexpected effect of deepening the unspoken feelings they had fostered for each other for sometime.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 759 |
| Posted on 16 January 2021 | Updated on 1 June 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
[podfic] Athrabeth Amarië ah Elenwë by Chestnut_pod, zopyrus
Elenwë returns early from the Halls of Mandos, and only Amarië knows how to comfort her.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Elenwë |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 31 May 2021 | Updated on 31 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Elrond to Maglor by Himring
Elrond, looking back.
"...love grew after between them, as little might be thought..."
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 76 |
| Posted on 31 May 2021 | Updated on 31 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Memento Mori by Lferion
What did they mean, these small, precise assemblages?
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Suspense | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 30 May 2021 | Updated on 30 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
