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
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
Slight Air and Purging Fire by mainecoon
Celebrimbor the Ringmaker was tortured to death and could not heal in the Halls of Mandos. His dwarven companion Narvi saw the unthinkable and never found peace. Maglor Fëanorion forgot about the world, but not about the blood on his own hands.
At the dusk of the Third Age, two broken elves and a dwarf ghost set out to fight the Enemy. They mean to find the Rings of Power, but their adventures take an unexpected turn...
Contains Celebrimbor/Narvi established relationship (old-married-couple) romance.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maglor, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 61, 161 |
| Posted on 23 May 2018 | Updated on 5 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Grinding Ice by Gabriel
Fingolfin's decision to cross the ice, weighs heavily on him.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 287 |
| Posted on 4 September 2019 | Updated on 4 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
cut my roots & now my leaves are dead by Astris
Following the move eastwards, the steward of the camp at Himring prepares for a Feanorian reunion. Written for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2019, OC-centric.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Curufin, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 825 |
| Posted on 4 September 2019 | Updated on 4 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Walking the Starlit Road by Independence1776
After creating the musical The Saga of the Rings with his nephew, Maglor struggles to find his place in a greatly changed Aman.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maglor, Nerdanel, Nienna, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 359 |
| Posted on 3 September 2019 | Updated on 3 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Pieces of the Stars by Nibeneth
When the Oath brings disaster to Sirion, Maglor attempts to fix what he can, but a temporary arrangement becomes much more permanent than anyone had foreseen. Elrond and Elros grow up, grow together, and grow apart at the end of a world slowly decaying into myth and legend.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 61, 834 |
| Posted on 25 December 2017 | Updated on 3 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
| Major Characters: Tar-Elendil, Tar-Meneldur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 615 |
| Posted on 31 August 2019 | Updated on 31 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The Ring of Stone. by hennethgalad
after Akallabêth, an architect of the Edain is summoned to meet Gil-galad.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 447 |
| Posted on 29 August 2019 | Updated on 29 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
to higher ground by kimaracretak
She is only nine summers old, Nienor, but already she knows that not all creatures are like her. She is only nine summers old, and she has not yet learned which of the others are to be feared, and so she approaches the girl with a heart vast as the sky, a heart that she knows her mother would scold her for not keeping shut.
| Major Characters: Lalaith, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 932 |
| Posted on 29 August 2019 | Updated on 29 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Retreat by Independence1776
Maglor makes a strategic retreat.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 156 |
| Posted on 28 August 2019 | Updated on 28 August 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
your killer and your lifeline too by kimaracretak
She worried over such futures in the furrows of the world, the spaces of the in-between that she was sure held answers she had yet to grasp. Thuringwethil's skin did not come with her memories, but Lúthien knew what it meant when the world she saw no longer responded to her song. No more could she draw flowers from the earth, or ask the waters of Sirion to dance beneath her outstretched hand.
[ Lúthien, and the price she paid for skin. ]
| Major Characters: Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 415 |
| Posted on 26 August 2019 | Updated on 26 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
As who loses a star by Lumeriel
From the point of view of someone different, someone who was next to the King in his last battle
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 065 |
| Posted on 26 August 2019 | Updated on 26 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nothing Beside Remains by StarSpray
Maglor comes to Ost-in-Edhil some time after its destruction.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 666 |
| Posted on 26 August 2019 | Updated on 26 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Stricken Anvil by SkyEventide
Morgoth has found Gondolin and is attacking it. The city is falling. Rôg leads the House of the Hammer of Wrath into battle and to its death, and he, former slave of Angband, also finds his end.
| Major Characters: Penlod, Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 609 |
| Posted on 22 August 2019 | Updated on 22 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Elwing's obsession, of Celegorm's hair by liruinielfeanoriel
A retelling of Elwing’s short-lived tragedy, from childhood to the Kinslaying of Sirion, of her obsession with the Silmaril and the strand of Celegorm’s hair that changed the course of Arda’s History.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 725 |
| Posted on 10 August 2019 | Updated on 19 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Hope in the Hills by My blue rose
Nerdanel discovers a secret hidden in the wilds of Aman. Or, on the (literal) afterlives of Orcs.
| Major Characters: Maiar, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 556 |
| Posted on 17 August 2019 | Updated on 17 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Battle Cry by Himring
On the battle cry of the Edain of the North--and the cry of Fingon on the first morning of the Dagor Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
| Major Characters: Edain, Finarfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 260 |
| Posted on 17 August 2019 | Updated on 17 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Out of the Darkling West by Lindariel
Teleporno and Alatáriel arrive in Middle-Earth.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 408 |
| Posted on 16 August 2019 | Updated on 16 August 2019 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Thorondor's Rescue of Maedhros - Realistic or Not? by Grundy
How realistic are Thorondor and the eagles of Manwë? Could eagles of such size actually fly, much less carry people on their backs?
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 316 |
| Posted on 16 August 2019 | Updated on 16 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Who is the tallest? More Heat than Light on Height in Tolkien’s World by oshun
I beg your indulgence for this, my entry for the "Solve a problem" challenge. I realize the problem is all mine. Who IS the tallest? Or does it matter? What was Tolkien thinking?
| Major Characters: Ancalagon, Aredhel, Azaghâl, Beleg, Celeborn, Dwarves, Edain, Elendil, Elves, Fëanor, Galadriel, Galdor (Edain), Glaurung, Húrin, Indis, Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Maedhros, Melkor, Nerdanel, Noldor, Númenóreans, Other Fictional Character(s), Real Person(s), Turgon, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 446 |
| Posted on 15 August 2019 | Updated on 15 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 401 |
| Posted on 15 August 2019 | Updated on 15 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Future Set In Stone by Tyelca
The truth behind the Mirror of Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 028 |
| Posted on 13 August 2019 | Updated on 13 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Neither Linguist Nor King by eris_of_imladris
There is no word for what he is now.
Written for the "Solve a Problem" challenge for the Silmarillion Writers Guild.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 098 |
| Posted on 12 August 2019 | Updated on 12 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Hairy Situation by eris_of_imladris
A young Celegorm questions his hair color after a remark from his older brother.
Written for the "Solve a Problem" challenge on the Silmarillion Writers Guild.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 271 |
| Posted on 12 August 2019 | Updated on 12 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Playing With Fire by liruinielfeanoriel
Some happy and sad times of Findarato's romance to oc "I"; some hints to Findarato's relationship with Amarie; throw in a few comments from Celegorm and Curufin; it became a short story.
And it all started with a poem.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 443 |
| Posted on 12 August 2019 | Updated on 12 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maeglin. by hennethgalad
Maeglin is delighted with Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 351 |
| Posted on 10 August 2019 | Updated on 10 August 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
