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
Canon with a Twist
Choose a single moment in Tolkien's canon, have a character make a different choice, and create a fanwork about how the history changes. 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.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
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
"oh t'have a courtin' beau, an' have him crown me queen of May" by heget
A cute outing early on in the courtship of Finduilas Faelivrin and Gwindor during the Long Peace.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 542 |
| Posted on 14 February 2020 | Updated on 14 February 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
And I'll Bloody Up My Hands (As Long As You Don't Have To) by electroniccollectiondonut
Celegorm is injured in Dagor Bragollach. When he wakes in Nargothrond, he remembers things that haven't happened yet.
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 16, 748 |
| Posted on 11 February 2020 | Updated on 14 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Grey Rain-Curtain by Lindariel
Galadriel returns to Valinor only to find it has changed beyond her imaginings.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Galadriel, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 13 February 2020 | Updated on 13 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Beren Raps by hennethgalad
'crack': "Rap or song battles gone horribly wrong or right - Finrod learned it somewhere"
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 261 |
| Posted on 12 February 2020 | Updated on 12 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Olwë's Home for Wayward Elves by Morcondil
A series of misadventures has left Galadriel in disgrace; Finarfin thinks a summer with Olwë might help his daughter find her way. After all: nothing exciting ever happens in Alqualondë. A story of questionable fashion choices, growing up, and finding one's place.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eärwen, Finarfin, Galadriel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 20, 942 |
| Posted on 10 January 2019 | Updated on 12 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Melkor: Null and Void by Chilled in Hithlum
A revisit to the site and reworking of an earlier submission. Melkor considers his life before his final defeat at Angband during the War of Wrath
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 594 |
| Posted on 9 February 2020 | Updated on 9 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Duilin, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 322 |
| Posted on 9 February 2020 | Updated on 9 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sweeping past the minutes of its face by Himring
A mechanical clock is imported from The Shire to Valinor.
| Major Characters: Frodo, Quennar i Onótimo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on 8 February 2020 | Updated on 8 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Nost-na-Lothion by Grundy
Sometimes little things make a big difference. Flowers, for example.
| Major Characters: Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Season's Greetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 371 |
| Posted on 8 February 2020 | Updated on 8 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Lord by Lferion
Fingon, Returned, still holds the fealty of many, unlooked-for. He's not sure what to do with it.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 555 |
| Posted on 8 February 2020 | Updated on 8 February 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The second song by Morcondil
Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same. But it was not the will of Ilúvatar that like should always cleave to like. // A story of Nienna and Nessa before the Trees.
| Major Characters: Nessa, Nienna, Tulkas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 757 |
| Posted on 6 February 2020 | Updated on 6 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Liegeman by Lferion
Ilverin Littleheart has a story he does not tell, a fealty he cannot acknowledge.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Littleheart |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 638 |
| Posted on 5 February 2020 | Updated on 5 February 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A tale of grief and hope by Sognante
A twin, an uncle and a distantly future father: Elrond on sorrow, hope, family and love, at a time of mourning for him and Númenor.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 460 |
| Posted on 2 February 2020 | Updated on 2 February 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Crossing the Helcaraxe by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Artanis (Galadriel) and Itarille (Idril) make their way across the Grinding Ice with their kindred. They bond with each other over the shared horror they're experiencing, and observe local flora whenever it crosses their path.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Idril, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 605 |
| Posted on 27 January 2020 | Updated on 27 January 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A New Tradition by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Thranduil, King of the Greenwood, receives a gift one autumn, and a new tradition is begun.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 734 |
| Posted on 27 January 2020 | Updated on 27 January 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
White Flower's Wilting by Kaylee Arafinwiel
At the Fall of Doriath, Queen Nimloth prepares to face the invaders.
| Major Characters: Nimloth, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 402 |
| Posted on 27 January 2020 | Updated on 27 January 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hewers of wood and drawers of water. by hennethgalad
an unwitting eyewitness struggles with the consequence.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 118 |
| Posted on 22 January 2020 | Updated on 22 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Twice Burnt by Lferion
Fingolfin Returned reflects on petitioning for the release of Feanor
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 742 |
| Posted on 19 January 2020 | Updated on 19 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Day Will Come Again by Narya
Fingon takes a moment to remember his cousin at midwinter.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Season's Greetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 19 January 2020 | Updated on 19 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Small and Secret Things by Lferion
"[Yavanna] is the lover of all things that grow in the earth, and all their countless forms she holds in her mind, from the trees like towers in forests long ago to the moss upon stones or the small and secret things in the mould." ~ Valaquenta
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Love Actually, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 110 |
| Posted on 19 January 2020 | Updated on 19 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Holidays Gone By by StraightOuttaHimring
Vignettes of four elves celebrating holidays over the years, and one holiday spent togeather. For The Silmarillion Writer's Guild 'Seasons Greetings' challenge.
Glorfindel: Tarnin Austa in Gondolin
Gildor: Begetting Day in Nargothrond
Erestor: Turuhalmë on Amon Ereb
Lindor: Coming of Age in Lindon
Yestarë in Imladris
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Finduilas, Glorfindel, Lindir, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Female Character(s), Orodreth, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Season's Greetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 165 |
| Posted on 13 January 2020 | Updated on 15 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Short Tale for Summer's End by StraightOuttaHimring
It’s the dog days of summer and Maglor and the twins are trying to survive the heat on Amon Ereb. Fortunately Maedhros has a plan to help.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 988 |
| Posted on 12 January 2020 | Updated on 12 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Hearing Inside by Himring
Growing up in Valinor, Maglor and Caranthir establish a strong connection, despite difficulties.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 276 |
| Posted on 12 January 2020 | Updated on 12 January 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Gathering Dusk by Idrils Scribe
A nameless evil spreads through the North, and the Elves must fight or be destroyed. When the Hidden Valley comes under siege, Elrond and Celebrían's children face wars of their own. Elladan bears the burden of his father's secret, Elrohir fights his greatest battle yet, and Arwen seeks her purpose in a darkening world.
The tale of the fall of Arnor and the rise of the Witch-king, as seen from Rivendell.
This story is completely written and will be posted over the month of December. Many thanks to my wonderful beta readers Dawn Felagund and Cherepashka.
| Major Characters: Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 29, 564 |
| Posted on 30 November 2019 | Updated on 12 January 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Walk down Memory Lane by Raiyana
The Story of the Courtship of Curufin, son of Fëanor, told via a collection of objects left behind in Aman.
Collection of vignettes, really.
You're welcome to play 'Spot the object'; there are usually more than the title implies involved ;)
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor, Romance | Challenges: In Rare Form, Middle-earth Museum, Notion Club Revival, Season's Greetings |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 23, 721 |
| Posted on 19 March 2018 | Updated on 10 January 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
