Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow
Dragons are one of the most familiar creatures in Tolkien's world and one of the least understood. In this interview, Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his Mereth Aderthad presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," the nature of dragons and their connections with Dwarves, and the musicality of Tolkien's works.
SWG News
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Series] I made loving you a blood sport by atlantablack
In which Fëanor & Fingolfin are re-embodied in 4th age Aman, are nowhere near as healed as everyone believes them to be, and decide to pretend that sleeping together will fix their relationship instead of causing more problems.
[Writing] evidence of a love that transcends hunger by atlantablack
Fëanor does not even get a chance to finish being annoying before Fingolfin’s eyes flash with something far too dark to be only fury and his hand snaps out to grab a handful of Fëanor’s hair. He wrenches Fëanor’s head back in a move that is so surprisingly painful it throws him off balance. In…
[Writing] Not Going Without You by StarSpray
Daeron is caught by orcs in the shadow of the Ephel Dúath, but is rescued by someone entirely unexpected.
[Series] Instadrabbling by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions.
[Writing] April Fancies by AdmirableMonster
A series of short responses to instadrabbling prompts on Sat, Apr 5, 2025.
[Writing] She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
[Writing] And Love Grew by polutropos
As a host of survivors makes the journey from Sirion to Amon Ereb under Maglor's leadership, old bonds unravel and loyalties crumble. But from the scraps and ruins, new and unlikely bonds take shape. A story of perseverance through suffering.
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Fanon Inverted
Take a fanon you feel passionately about and turn it on its head, creating a fanwork that goes against the fanon norm. Read more ...
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
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] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
One Flesh, One Soul. Part II by FellFireFan
The fates of the lovers have been sealed. After Aegnor makes a promise to Andreth he seeks council one last time from Finrod to reveal the identity of the maiden who had stolen his heart and hopes Finrod will share in his newfound happiness. However, it does not go well between the brothers, and a heated argument unfolds, plunging even Finrods' own safety into uncertainty. Aegnor finds himself faced with an agonising choice, one that will rip his entire being asunder. Yet hope still remains, and it rests in the palm of none other than Erú Illuvatar himself who, through the sheer power of Aegnor's undying love for Andreth, has taken notice. Brace yourself once more for this gripping continuation. Where the power of love truly conquers all.
| Major Characters: Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 33, 903 |
| Posted on 3 November 2024 | Updated on 11 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Vidumavi of the Northmen by Secondborn
A seemingly minor character, Vidumavi's story illustrates the themes of fellowship, the fading of faerie, and the dangers of racial hierarchy.
Brandir by Himring
Brandir was the leader of the Haladin when he became ensnared in the downfall of Túrin.
Come Together, Broken Things, and Grow by UnicornsInSpace
Idril and Meleth (my OC) welcome Finduilas, Niënor, and other refugees into Havens after the Fall of Doriath, hoping they can start anew there. Finduilas's daughter is distraught about the situation. Also, how did Finduilas and Niënor make it to the Havens after the Fall of Doriath?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Finduilas, Idril, Mablung, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Mablung/Nienor, Oropher/Unnamed Canon Character, Finduilas & Original Character, Idril & Original Character, Finduilas/Nienor, Finduilas/Túrin, Beleg/Túrin |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, General, Het, Poly, Romance, Slash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 3, 993 |
| Posted on 12 March 2024 | Updated on 10 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Nienor, Nellas, Finduilas, Morwen, Aerin, Rían, Tar-Ancalimë, Uinen, Míriel Serindë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Jubilee, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 569 |
| Posted on 9 January 2025 | Updated on 9 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Delicacies by sallysavestheday
Drabble and micro-fic responses to 2024 Potluck Bingo prompts.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 812 |
| Posted on 29 December 2024 | Updated on 8 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
And Leave of Gold There Grew by StarSpray
Galadriel and the mallorn trees: three drabbles
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 307 |
| Posted on 8 January 2025 | Updated on 8 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
More Light by Grundy
Erestor learns about a new holiday, and thinks on an early memory.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 127 |
| Posted on 6 January 2025 | Updated on 6 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Tolkien, His Gnarly Canon, and His Authority by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data from 2015 and 2020 shows that Tolkien fans have diverse views on Tolkien's authority but suggests that adherence to his authority is decreasing over time.
Triptych, II by Grundy
Three vignettes, three times Luthien thinks about Treelight and Silmarils.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Celegorm, Dior |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: It Comes in Threes, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 459 |
| Posted on 6 January 2025 | Updated on 6 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Unhappy Into Woe by StarSpray
Maglor's wanderings take him up the Anduin, where orcs find him and take him to Dol Guldur--where the Necromancer dwells.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Jubilee, Orctober |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 11, 089 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 6 January 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
Nienor and the Golden Fish by Anérea
An illustration for a very loose crossover concept with Nienor and the magic golden fish from the Chinese fairytale of Ye Xian, a Cindarella tale predating the European version by over 1000 years.
| Major Characters: Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Fairytale | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 5 January 2025 | Updated on 6 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
It is not a word by AdmirableMonster
In the wake of the fall of Eregion in the Second Age, the loremaster Pengolodh comes to the newly-founded refuge of Rivendell. Although Elrond has never seen eye to eye with the reserved loremaster, can they work through the pain of their pasts and come to a common understanding?
| Major Characters: Elrond, Pengolodh, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Pengolodh, Glorfindel & Pengolodh |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Jubilee, Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 890 |
| Posted on 5 January 2025 | Updated on 5 January 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Finding Peace by StarSpray
“You seemed so unhappy when you arrived yesterday, but today you are so much more relaxed. Did you quarrel with Nolofinwë? Or with Fëanáro?”
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 312 |
| Posted on 5 January 2025 | Updated on 5 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Insight by polutropos
While practicing their jumps, Angaráto confesses to being distracted after a rather embarrassing quarrel in the marketplace. Artanis listens and offers her insight.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Angrod |
| Major Relationships: Angrod & Galadriel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 939 |
| Posted on 4 January 2025 | Updated on 5 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Silmarillion: Who Speaks? by Dawn Felagund
On ongoing project to analyze who speaks in The Silmarillion and who is silent.
| Major Characters: Túrin, Fëanor, Melian, Elu Thingol, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 3, 266 |
| Posted on 26 December 2024 | Updated on 4 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
So You Want to Present at a Tolkien Conference? Writing the Proposal by SWG Newsletter Staff
Video and materials from our session on how to write a proposal for a Tolkien conference. The session covers how conferences work, the different types of sessions, and how to structure and write a proposal.
Children's Game by Elleth
First tidings of the ruin of the Union of Maedhros come to Eglarest. Written for B2MeM 2014.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2014 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 640 |
| Posted on 8 March 2014 | Updated on 3 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Mîm: 30-Day Character Study - Artwork by Artano
Artwork created for prompts for the 30-Day Character Study Challenge.
| Major Characters: Mîm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawble/Finished Sketch, Drawing/Painting, Landscape, Word Art |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 2 January 2025 | Updated on 2 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Healing and The Blessing by Ecthelion
A Tale of Two Elessars: Fëanor's and Enerdhil's, and the story of how they became intertwined.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Enerdhil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 349 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Those Merry Young Folk by Flora-lass
A cheerful song for the new year season.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 138 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Writing Celebrían by Zara BalrogBalls
Writing — mostly ficlets, meta, creative non-fiction and maybe a little bit of art, for the 30 day character study challenge on Celebrían my beloved! These are going to be out-of-order, but each chapter will make it clear which day it applies to.
| Major Characters: Celebrían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 635 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Spirit of the Mountain by Elrond's Library
The mountain has always been a place of growth and safety and memory. It will stand in the face of war and water, fated to last until the end of Arda. The spirit of Himring will watch, and remember.
Or - the history of Arda through the eyes of Himring personified.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 2, 220 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The story of Njal who was burned by clotho123
Nellas, long after the fall of Doriath, is again a witness to tragedy
This is a very geeky crossover between The Silmarillion and Njal’s Saga, the longest and arguably best of the early medieval Icelandic Sagas which Tolkien knew very well.
| Major Characters: Nellas, Historical Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Drama | crossed with Icelandic Sagas | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 701 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
We Were as in a Dream by Zdenka
Lalwen has known the bliss of Valinor unmarred, but this is sweeter.
| Major Characters: Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Lalwen/Elemmírë |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 106 |
| Posted on 1 January 2025 | Updated on 1 January 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
