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
Galadriel and Finrod: a scattering of plum blossoms by Encaitariel
Galadriel, Finrod and estel.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 541 |
| Posted on 11 November 2019 | Updated on 11 November 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Legacy of Loss by IgnobleBard
At the end of the War of Wrath a follower of Oromë finds a new purpose.
| Major Characters: Lórien, Original Character(s), Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 235 |
| Posted on 10 November 2019 | Updated on 10 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Sister, Lover, Priestess, Wise-Woman, Queen by oshun
Elrond meets a long-lost family member for the first time. Written in response to the Start to Finish Challenge.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 600 |
| Posted on 10 November 2019 | Updated on 10 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Situation Assessment by Grundy
Beren, newly arrived in Nargothrond, explains his predicament to Finrod.
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 857 |
| Posted on 9 November 2019 | Updated on 9 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
A Memory in Hand by Himring
Finduilas is still trying to settle in in Nargothrond, when she receives a gift from Finrod.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 016 |
| Posted on 9 November 2019 | Updated on 9 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
A Place to Rest by Independence1776
Elrond runs into Maglor after the latter has a momentous conversation with Mithrandir.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 336 |
| Posted on 7 November 2019 | Updated on 7 November 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Long Despair of Success by AndyC
Maglor, just wanting to be alone, is forced to tell his story to some victorious Elves of the Host of Finarfin.
But he doesn't tell them everything.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 446 |
| Posted on 5 November 2019 | Updated on 5 November 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Game of Chess by Lilith
A series of outtakes from an AU about Sauron’s sojourn in Númenor in which Sauron is a lady (of sorts).
| Major Characters: Amandil, Anárion, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Isildur, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 014 |
| Posted on 22 August 2019 | Updated on 3 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
No rolling eyes by Raiyana
Nienna finds an escape beneath the sea... and more understanding than she might have expected.
And Ulmo realises he might have more in common with a Valië than he could have imagined...
| Major Characters: Nienna, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Family Matters |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 512 |
| Posted on 3 November 2019 | Updated on 3 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Even More About Maedhros by Himring
Collection for slightly longer pieces featuring Maedhros.
Now added: Land of Mist (Maedhros, Fingon)
| Major Characters: Curufin, Elrond, Fëanor, Fingon, Gandalf, Maedhros, Maglor, Mahtan, Noldor, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2015, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 8, 085 |
| Posted on 30 June 2014 | Updated on 3 November 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 3 November 2019 | Updated on 3 November 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Namesakes by Himring
In the First Age, just before the Fifth Battle of Beleriand, Beleg joins the forces of King Fingon and meets Haldir of the Haladin, son of Halmir, who had been his ally in an earlier victory in Brethil.
Millennia after the disastrous loss of the Fifth Battle, Haldir of Lothlorien is introduced to a re-embodied Beleg in Valinor, and Beleg speaks to him of his namesake.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Haldir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 805 |
| Posted on 27 October 2019 | Updated on 27 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To Remember by Raiyana
The Reborn Slain, those who fell in the First Kinslaying, are born from the Halls of Mandos into lives that are not quite familiar...
Some chose to forget, but some... some chose to remember.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 724 |
| Posted on 23 October 2019 | Updated on 23 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
infin che 'l mar fu sovra noi richiuso by Feanoriel
Tales and rumours arose along the shores of the sea concerning mariners and men forlorn upon the water who, by some fate or grace or favour of the Valar, had entered in upon the Straight Way and seen the face of the world sink below them, and so had come to the lamplit quays of Avallónë, or verily to the last beaches on the margin of Aman, and there had looked upon the White Mountain, dreadful and beautiful, before they died. --- J.R.R.Tolkien, The Silmarillion
A collection of stories about the Fall of Númenor.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 959 |
| Posted on 22 October 2019 | Updated on 22 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The High Queen's Foretelling by Kaylee Arafinwiel
One day, in the orangery on Ilmarin, Queen Elindis, wife to Ingwe, and her adolescent great-niece Artanis have a quiet talk, and Elindis reveals some surprising information.
Challenge quote:
"In my time, I have been called many things: sister, lover, priestess, wise-woman, queen." ~ Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Mists of Avalon
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Ingwë, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Start to Finish |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 433 |
| Posted on 17 October 2019 | Updated on 17 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Can No More Stay by Independence1776
Lalwen and Findis say farewell.
| Major Characters: Findis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 637 |
| Posted on 17 October 2019 | Updated on 17 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Setting a Precedent by Elwin Fortuna
When one woman threatens another in the marketplace, Finarfin must judge the circumstances and determine consequences.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 778 |
| Posted on 14 October 2019 | Updated on 14 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Northern Skies by Idrils Scribe
Elrohir's perilous odyssey across Middle-earth finally brings him home to Rivendell. Sadly all is not well: the Elf-child that was abducted into Umbar is now a Man grown. Forty years of war and darkness left Elrohir deeply scarred, and the Hidden Valley harbors ancient conflicts of its own. Will the love of his family be enough when Elrohir finds himself a stranger in a strange land?
This story is part of the Under Strange Stars series, but it can perfectly well be read on its own. STORY COMPLETE!
Many thanks to my excellent beta Dawn Felagund. Any remaining mistakes are mine.
| Major Characters: Elrohir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 32 | Word Count: 103, 416 |
| Posted on 4 March 2019 | Updated on 14 October 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (40) |
He Who Harps by StarSpray
While on a walking tour of the Shire, Bilbo goes looking for Elves in the Woody End. He finds one.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 904 |
| Posted on 13 October 2019 | Updated on 13 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
We Keep Living Anyway by StarSpray
Finally, Gil-galad said, "Why did you come out here alone?"
Elrond didn't answer right away. He picked up a seashell and turned it over in his fingers. "I was—angry," he said finally. "It would not be befitting for the lord of Imladris to stand in the middle of Mithlond and scream at the sky, I thought."
| Major Characters: Elrond, Finduilas, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 264 |
| Posted on 13 October 2019 | Updated on 13 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Gift Like No Other by Raiyana
In the aftermath of Curufin's exile, Celebrimbor receives a package.
It changes... everything.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 582 |
| Posted on 13 October 2019 | Updated on 13 October 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Northern battlefields long ago by turlas
Bragollach with Finrod's eyes
| Major Characters: Edain, Edrahil, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 357 |
| Posted on 12 October 2019 | Updated on 12 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Ryhme of Letters by turlas
A smal chant made up by the schoolboys of Minas Tirith to help remember the Quenya names of the tengwar. In it the high and the low, the funny and the grave are strangely mixed, as it is pieced together from trivia of the Elder Days and notions relating to the then recent events of the War of the Ring
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: In Rare Form |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 643 |
| Posted on 11 October 2019 | Updated on 11 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Legend of Fasta and Nykr by Raiyana
A Dwarven fairytale involving some Scandinavic folkloric creatures
I originally wrote the bones of this for a Fíli ficlet; it is a tale told to Dwarf-children, but I thought it fitted the challenge so well I had to polish it up a little.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: In Rare Form |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 502 |
| Posted on 11 October 2019 | Updated on 11 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Blue and Silver, Black and Gold by Lferion
Fingon the legend juxtaposed with Fingon the person.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: In Rare Form |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 317 |
| Posted on 11 October 2019 | Updated on 11 October 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
