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
Book by Its Cover
Go ahead and judge a book by its cover! We'll send you a book cover as a prompt to inspire your fanwork. 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
A Wild Tangle of Stones and Vines by Independence1776
An attempt to write for all of SWG’s 2019 challenges in a ‘verse where Celebrían is rescued immediately and therefore doesn’t sail West and Maglor settles in Rivendell.
The series is complete. Nine of the eleven challenges were written in this series; the other two challenges appeared in other fics.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 12 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Tyrant Spells by Independence1776
After an ambush by Morgoth’s army destroys the Fëanorian camp, the survivors seek refuge in the Havens. This is the aftermath, both immediate and later.
This is a dark AU (but not hopeless or grimdark), so the entire series functions under the "Choose Not to Warn" banner because I suspect I'd miss a warning if I attempted to list them all. The first story contains a ton of off-screen character death, on-screen suicide-by-battle, and no good answers. The rest of the series may have references to and graphic descriptions of torture.
This series is complete.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 11 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Course Correction by Raaf
After the not so untimely death of Ar-Pharazôn the kingdom of Númenor is now officially under the sole rule of Tar-Míriel. In practice, the position of the Faithful remains precarious and unpopular. She doesn't have the support to outright reverse her subjects’ misguided course, but now at least she has an opportunity to start fixing that.
Sauron’s powerbase is entrenched in Númenórean society, but it was based on the favour and support of the king. Openly acting against his nominal sovereign would endanger it. It was time to adjust his strategy.
Plotting ensues.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 20, 218 |
| Posted on 22 March 2020 | Updated on 11 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Hunter, Hound and Lady by chrissystriped
Tyelkormo let himself fall to the ground when he heard the twang of a bowstring and the arrow hit the tree trunk above him.
After crossing the Ice, Aredhel confronts Celegorm in the woods.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Celegorm |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 963 |
| Posted on 27 June 2020 | Updated on 11 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Begun in the Cradle by chrissystriped
Maedhros's and Fingon's friendship started when they were little, not least thanks to their mothers.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingon, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros, Anairë & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Family, Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on 12 January 2020 | Updated on 11 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
It'll All Be Clear by StarSpray
Eluréd and Elurín return to Imladris after their search for Daeron, but all is not well with them.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 053 |
| Posted on 10 April 2021 | Updated on 10 April 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
To Whom It May Concern by Anne Wolfe
This law-abiding Oklahoman isn't sure whether she's the best kind of person to find a Silmaril or the worst, but she does know one thing: she doesn't want to die. Featuring Mt. St. Helens and Tupperware.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Original Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 3, 488 |
| Posted on 30 June 2019 | Updated on 10 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Little Ghosts by Anne Wolfe
Eluréd and Elurín are lost. They meet somebody in the woods, though. Perhaps they can all be lost together.
| Major Characters: Amrod, Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Experimental, Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 461 |
| Posted on 28 October 2019 | Updated on 10 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Not Shortened by Anne Wolfe
"Do you think Númenor may yet be saved?"
A story of the Faithful, and of hope.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Anárion |
| Major Relationships: Amandil & Anárion |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 592 |
| Posted on 30 September 2020 | Updated on 10 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Words of Whimsy and Wit by Lferion
Fills for the March 2021 Silmarillion Writer's Guild bingo challenge, based on W words edited by JRRTolkien from the Oxford English Dictionary. Poems, drabbles and half drabbles ranging from silly to solemn.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 958 |
| Posted on 10 April 2021 | Updated on 10 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Endure by Anne Wolfe
The stench of fresh blood reached even to the queen's chambers.
A snapshot of Númenor, in the earliest days of sacrifice. Written for Tolkien Gen Week.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 526 |
| Posted on 22 September 2020 | Updated on 9 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Uttermost West by Sasha Honeypalm
On the eve of the War of Wrath, a reborn Nando is not quite sure which side of the Sea she belongs on.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 118 |
| Posted on 28 March 2020 | Updated on 9 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Ninnachel by Elwin Fortuna
The story of Ninnachel of the Noldor, neither male nor female, but gwegwin -- literally 'man-woman' -- intersex and identifying as outside the binary. Warrior, lover, writer of obscene poetry, giver of hope and defiance, community builder.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s), Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Experimental, Humor, Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 24 July 2018 | Updated on 7 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Hair Commander by Elwin Fortuna
Maedhros shows Fingon a new way of thinking about himself.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 762 |
| Posted on 26 March 2021 | Updated on 7 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Food From the Heart by Nienna
Isilmë and Moda, her wife, decide to revamp a dish that Moda never liked from her childhood, a dish that was used to celebrate the dawning of winter.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Isilmë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 671 |
| Posted on 7 April 2021 | Updated on 7 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
All of Lferion's Instadrabbles by Lferion
Individual, sequences or sets of instadrabbles, as well as pieces which have instadrabbles and other elements in them.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 7 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Healing wounds by firstamazon
After millennia of being a self-imposed bachelor, Glorfindel reencounters the only person from his past capable of turning his world upside-down.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Maglor, Erestor & Glorfindel, Elladan/Erestor, Erestor & Glorfindel, Elrond & Erestor |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 425 |
| Posted on 2 March 2021 | Updated on 6 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The First time Ever I Saw Your Face by Keiliss
After his village is attacked and his family destroyed, half-Avarin Erestor has to start a new life in Imladris. He and Glorfindel, both outsiders of sorts, are drawn together through shared grief and survived disaster. Some angst, much sweetness in the looming shadow of war with Angmar.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Glorfindel |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 11, 357 |
| Posted on 28 August 2019 | Updated on 6 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Elements of Maedhros by Elwin Fortuna
Five stories, mainly about Maedhros, tracing his relationship with Fingon, his mental breakdown after Fingon's death, his healing, and their reunion at last.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 6 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Galdor of Gondolin by oshun
Galdor of the Tree appears in The Book of Lost Tales, in the story of the Fall of Gondolin, a notable supporting character in this central tale of the legendarium.
The Bowman from Greenwood by Russandol
All of my Silmfic stories featuring Legolas are in this collection, ordered chronologically.</p><p>Please heed the warnings for each individual story.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elrond, Eönwë, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gimli, Glorfindel, Ingwion, Legolas Greenleaf, Manwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 2 April 2021 | Updated on 2 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Gathering Dusk by Idrils Scribe
A chronicle of the Angmar war, as seen from Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 1 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Conversations with Maglor by AndyC
Maglor keeps getting pulled into conversations about the past. About the Silmaril, the Oath, and even the Succession of the High Kingship.
He's usually honest.
an anti-Athrabeth by Aerlinn
Not really what it says on the tin. It's just that Andreth never quite seems to agree with Finrod, much as I may like him, and I can't seem to let that go. Aegnor, of course, is never heard from at all. My athrabeth-based scribbles more or less belong to the same mood, though it has not been that consistent.
