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
[podfic] such a sky and such a sun by Chestnut_pod
Finduilas and Niënor and the first days of spring.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 28 May 2021 | Updated on 28 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Beyond the Sunset by elennalore
Arafinwë finds his sister in the battlefield, but not his brother. Will Lalwendë come with him back to Valinor? And what are his nephews up to?
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Írimë |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Lalwen |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 394 |
| Posted on 28 May 2021 | Updated on 28 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
[podfic] a double dream by Chestnut_pod
She came through the night like a stone, hurled across leagues. He only knew that she had wings when she struck the deck.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 26 May 2021 | Updated on 26 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Sad in the fruit, bright in the flower by Chestnut_pod
Galadriel and Nerdanel talk wanderlust. Incompetently.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 May 2021 | Updated on 25 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Saltation by pandemonium_213
Per his notes in HoMe XI, The War of the Jewels concerning the tale of the Awakening of the Elves by Cuiviénen, Tolkien wrote the following: "Actually written (in style and simple notions) to be a surviving Elvish 'fairytale' or child s tale, mingled with counting-lore."
Clearly, this leaves room for alternative origin stories. This is one.
Written for Grey Gazania's birthday.
| Major Characters: Ulmo, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 499 |
| Posted on 28 December 2012 | Updated on 25 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
Refracted Light by StarSpray
Celebrimbor gives young Celebrían a gift.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 525 |
| Posted on 25 May 2021 | Updated on 25 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
[podfic] The Sorceress' Apprentice by Chestnut_pod
From her mother, Galadriel had learned grace, composure, and how to veil the teeth of diplomacy in silk and soft words. From her grandmother, she learned when to bare those teeth. From her cousin she learned the value of will and the power of independence.
Her ambition was her own, and carefully stoked.
(And from Melian she learned nothing at all.)
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel/Melian |
| Genres: Femslash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12 |
| Posted on 23 May 2021 | Updated on 23 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Together the Dawn by Chestnut_pod
Indis and Míriel and the first sunrise. A podfic of LiveOakWithMoss's story.
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Indis/Míriel |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 22 May 2021 | Updated on 22 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Turning Point by elennalore
The Valar have spoken. Arafinwë knows he has to make a big decision, but he's too tired to think clearly. His brother and sister are there for him, even at the moment of parting.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Fingolfin, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Fingolfin, Finarfin & Lalwen |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 289 |
| Posted on 22 May 2021 | Updated on 22 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Freedom by firstamazon
Túrin and Morwen talk.
100 words drabble written for the instadrabbling session on the SWG Discord server with the prompts: mother, drunk, evil, turn.
| Major Characters: Morwen, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 21 May 2021 | Updated on 21 May 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Threat by firstamazon
Double-drabble written for the instadrabbling session on the SWG Discord server with the prompts: children, unlikely, discovering, weird.
This counts 200 words in Word.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 21 May 2021 | Updated on 21 May 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] kâtha batîna lôkhî by Chestnut_pod
Podfic of Vardasvapors' story.
For even after the ruin the hearts of the Dúnedain were still set westwards; and though they knew indeed that the world was changed, they said: 'Avallónë is vanished from the Earth and the Land of Aman is taken away, and in the world of this present darkness they cannot be found. Yet once they were, and therefore they still are, in true being and in the whole shape of the world as at first it was devised.'
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 21 May 2021 | Updated on 21 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Tsenerlingn Sher by Chestnut_pod
Maglor flirts with anti-establishment views and fails miserably at flirting with anything else. Elemmírë just wants him to work on his melisma.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elemmírë & Maglor |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 272 |
| Posted on 20 May 2021 | Updated on 20 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The First Snow by Sirielle
Winter morning in Himring, the siedge of Angband time. Short look at the world with bright grey eyes. Vignette, Maedhros' POV.
| 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: 693 |
| Posted on 24 June 2007 | Updated on 18 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Noise Making by jamcake_muses
Macalaurë cares for Tyelpë, with some interesting results.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 549 |
| Posted on 17 May 2021 | Updated on 17 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
When Blossoms Bloomed by Himring
The refugees from Dorthonion arrive in Dor-lomin.
Rian attempts to embrace their new environment, while her cousin Morwen mourns.
| Major Characters: Morwen, Rían |
| Major Relationships: Morwen & Rían |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 16 May 2021 | Updated on 16 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Merry Little Christmas by Himring
Maglor, still wandering, and a song originally sung by Judy Garland.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 16 May 2021 | Updated on 16 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sweet Mead in Lofty Halls by Himring
Celeborn arrives in Valinor and finds himself in Varda's halls as a guest for the first time.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on 16 May 2021 | Updated on 16 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Laughing Water by Himring
A glimpse of Rian after Lalaith, the little daughter of her cousin Morwen, died from a plague sent by the Enemy.
| Major Characters: Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 420 |
| Posted on 16 May 2021 | Updated on 16 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In crafts of making he had less skill by Himring
Two lessons for Turin: one with Sador, and one with Beleg.
He learns not as much as he might.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Sador Labadal, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 16 May 2021 | Updated on 16 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
For who, finding themselves imprisoned, would not wish to escape? by Himring
Miriel and a book.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 14 May 2021 | Updated on 14 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Only Half-Related by chrissystriped
He should have seen it coming, Nolofinwe thought while Maitimo’s lips descended on his, hot and demanding. His nephew had stolen away to talk with him almost every time he visited Findekáno and it hadn’t escaped Nolofinwe how he looked at him – and he couldn’t deny that Maitimo was proving a hard trial for his self-control.
After Maitimo recognises Nolofinwe at a place for people of special tastes, they share a common secret. But is this a chance to have this kind of relationship with someone they care about or should they forget about it because of their close kinship?
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 6, 438 |
| Posted on 9 January 2021 | Updated on 14 May 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Piecing our Lives back together by chrissystriped
Findekáno brings Maitimo home, but nothing is like it was between Nolofinwe and Maedhros after his imprisonment in Angband. Maedhros feels tainted and unworthy, but Nolofinwe is not going to give up on him.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 17, 463 |
| Posted on 18 March 2021 | Updated on 14 May 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden Flower by Raiyana
What is left behind to linger in time.
| Major Characters: Legendary/Mythical Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Queens of the Quill |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 295 |
| Posted on 10 May 2021 | Updated on 10 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
We were never meant to survive by lightofthetrees
An eagle arrives in Gondolin, bearing news of a great battle to come. Maeglin and Rog discuss their decision to march to war alongside the King.
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Queens of the Quill |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 065 |
| Posted on 9 May 2021 | Updated on 9 May 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
