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
Utopia/Dystopia
To reflect both the idealistic beginnings and the dark endings that are so frequent in the Legendarium, we invite you to create a fanwork inspired by utopian or dystopian prompts from novels, songs, artworks, or films. 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
As Stars From the Earth by StarSpray
"...and there in the forest of Neldoreth Lúthien was born, and the white flowers of niphredil came forth to greet her as stars from the earth.”
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 292 |
| Posted on 20 February 2021 | Updated on 20 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In the Forest: Night by Lferion
Celegorm, Returned, faces a challenge. A double-drabble.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Oromë, Vána |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eärendil on Taniquetil by Lferion
Eärendil, waiting for the answer of the Valar to his plea. A triple drabble.
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 301 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winds of Change by Lferion
Anairë, Nerdanel, and Faniel are visited by Ëonwë's sisters, the Winds of Sunset, Midnight, and Dawn.
Four drabbles.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 406 |
| Posted on 1 February 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mystery of the Vanishing Elf by AdmirableMonster
An essay on the subject of where the hell Beleg Cúthalion gets to in the second half of The Children of Húrin. He may be dead, but why is even his memory conspicuously absent?
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Glaurung, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 575 |
| Posted on 25 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Aurora: Seeking the Northern Sky by Lferion
Fingon, returned, has more questions than answers, and travels north to find what answers he can for himself.
A drabble sequence
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 617 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Color of Hope by Grundy
Things are grim on the Helcaraxë. Fingon and Aredhel get an unexpected surprise.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 637 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Midwinter 2020 Image Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the SWG Discord server sessions on 9 January 2021.
| Major Characters: Beren, Círdan, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 500 |
| Posted on 11 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When the sun rises (Naturalists Guide to Middle Earth Challenge) by Tethys Resort
After the Halls, Pilihel looks for home. A story from the rising of the Sun and Moon.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 670 |
| Posted on 14 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sorrow and Joy by Nienna
The tears poured out of Nienna. They rushed through the valley until they collected at the bottom in a now rushing river.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Pearls in the Shell by Raiyana
Returning to a once-loved place after losing the one who made it special is difficult... and yet, sometimes, it might be rewarding in a new way.
| Major Characters: Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on 9 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Mist upon Hithlum by Lindariel
Findekáno writes his father a military dispatch and mentions the weather.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hell or Frozen Water by Nienna
When I saw the ships burning in the distance, for a moment I thought it was some sort of celebration. For a moment it reminded me of the bonfires in springtime, and the grand holidays when all the children would dance together, spinning wildly. But then the fire grew too large and too bright to carry my wishful thinking, and I knew. I think we all knew, right then.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
New Perspectives by Nienna
Elros and Aglaril (his wife) take their young son Vardamir camping. After he falls asleep they enjoy a quiet conversation. Written for Tolkien Secret Santa 2019 as a gift for the-lefuet-blog on tumblr.
| Major Characters: Elros, Vardamir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 623 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Drabbles by Grundy
Any and all Silmarillion drabbles I have written will be posted in this story. May or may not fit in with anything else I've written.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Soundtrack |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 529 |
| Posted on 17 July 2017 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Dancing In The Dark by Grundy
History remembers Curufin as the villain. There are a few who think better of him.
Written for the Taboo challenge. First chapter hits 'consequences' and 'ostracization and exile'. Upcoming chapters will mark off other squares. Will give warnings on chapters as appropriate.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Taboo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 24 | Word Count: 69, 516 |
| Posted on 6 February 2017 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (31) |
Like a Silent Shadow by StarSpray
Huan helps Lúthien escape from Nargothrond--everyone knows that--but he doesn't do it alone.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Finduilas, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 438 |
| Posted on 25 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Butterfly Wings by StarSpray
In the many gardens of Tirion there bloomed thousands of flowers, of all colors of the rainbow and more. And fluttering to and fro between the flowers and the trees and the shrubs were butterflies...
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, Het | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 496 |
| Posted on 9 October 2020 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Spring in Doriath by Himring
Doriath welcomes the spring.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 52 |
| Posted on 13 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Arrival of Darkness by Ellynn
Telperion observes something very unusual, very sinister, very ominous approaching Valmar.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 860 |
| Posted on 15 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maglor's Dream by Himring
Wandering Maglor dreams of Arda Marred.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 152 |
| Posted on 22 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Natural History of Middle-earth: A Tour by Himring
Drabbles inspired by natural history prompts, from the Years of the Trees to the Fourth Age, from Valinor to Far Harad.
Featuring Indis and Miriel, Ilmare and Varda, Earendil and his mariners, Aragorn and the past, and Beruthiel and her white cat.
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Aragorn, Berúthiel, Erellont, Eärendil, Falathar, Ilmarë, Indis, Míriel Serindë, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 498 |
| Posted on 30 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Bitter Glass by Himring
Do not look in the bitter glass...
A poem drawing on the account of the song battle of Finrod Felagund with Sauron in the First Age.
A poem against pessimism and disillusionment, if you will.
I also had the Mirror of Galadriel and Galadriel's advice to Sam in mind.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on 2 February 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Dream Come True by Ellynn
In the beginning of 21st century, on one New Year's morning, Maglor's long time dream comes true.
| 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 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eagle's eye by SkyEventide
Manwe and Mandos watch the Nirnaeth. They break the fourth wall.
| Major Characters: Ingwë, Mandos, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Crackuary, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 193 |
| Posted on 5 January 2021 | Updated on 5 January 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
