A Sense of History: Straight Road
The next in a series of articles about ships passing to and from the West, Simon uses "The Fall of Númenor" to attempt to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to "Beowulf."
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New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Meeting the In-Laws by awwyeah107
Caranthir is nervous about meeting Haleth’s father and brother for the first time. Haleth is sure everything will go well.
[Reference] Straight Road by Simon J. Cook
The Fall of Númenor offers the evidence used to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to Beowulf.
[Artwork] Morgoth's prisoner by elennalore
Maedhros in Angband
[Reference] Fandom Voices: Comments and Feedback by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over thirty people contributed their thoughts on the experience of leaving and receiving feedback on fanworks. Emotions run high on all sides, but community and connections emerge as factors that promote feedback while easing its difficulties for readers and viewers.
[Writing] Coincidences of Fate by cílil
Sometimes Eönwë wonders if his life is just like Manwë's romance novels. Sometimes he even thinks the One may be laughing at him from above.
A story told in exactly 4 1/3 drabbles.
[Writing] Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
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Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
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It's Magic!
Incorporate elements of fantasy or magic into a fanwork. Read more ...
New in References
Straight Road by Simon J. Cook
The Fall of Númenor offers the evidence used to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to Beowulf.
Fandom Voices: Comments and Feedback by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over thirty people contributed their thoughts on the experience of leaving and receiving feedback on fanworks. Emotions run high on all sides, but community and connections emerge as factors that promote feedback while easing its difficulties for readers and viewers.
Fandom Voices: Using Fanon in Fanworks by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Sixteen Tolkien fans contributed their definitions of and experiences with fanon or fan-generated theories about the legendarium.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
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Eönwë Week 2024
Eönwë Week is a Tumblr event for creating fanworks about Eönwë.
Teitho August/September Contest: Do you remember ...?
For the contest theme for August and September, characters will look back to the past.
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Innumerable Stars 2024
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A Chain of Daisies by The Wavesinger
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A Chain of Daisies
It is spring in Brethil, and Finduilas watches as Níniel weaves daisies into a chain.
Spring has brought no cheer for her; more and more of her warriors die, and they are stretched to their limit, the darkness creeping upon them on all sides. She cannot join Níniel's happy laughter.
“Finduilas?” Níniel's voice jolts her out of her brooding. “What are you thinking of?”
Finduilas shakes her head. “Nothing that can be solved. Or,” she amends, “Nothing we can solve.”
“You are thinking of battle again.” Níniel places her head on Finduilas' shoulder.
“I—” Finduilas stops, sighs. “We have no hope, Níniel, no chance against Morgoth.”
“Do not say that. Look at what you have won.”
“But our losses far outstrip our victories, and when we do win, it is at too high a cost.” Finduilas tugs absently at the hem of Níniel's cotton dress. “I cannot see an end to this.”
“We will find a way,” Níniel says quietly. “We will, I promise.”
Finduilas closes her eyes. She cannot be as hopeful as Níniel is—it is simply not in her nature to ignore the facts. This had helped her in Nargothrond, helped them all, but now—
“Stop,” Níniel commands. “Stop thinking, and look at what I have made for you.”
Finduilas looks, obediently, at the daisy-chain. “Thank you, Níniel, but—”
“Shhhh.” Níniel places the chain around Finduilas neck. “There. I have crowned you queen of the woods, now.”
“You should have made me a crown, then, not a—aaah!” For Níniel has attacked her tickling her sides mercilessly, running her fingers over sensitive skin until Finduilas is a puddle of helpless laughter. “Have mercy! Stop!”
“Only if you stop brooding,” Níniel demands, her fingers digging deeper into Finduilas' ribs.
“Yes, yes, ” Finduilas wheezes. “Whatever you say, Níniel, only please let me go!”
“If you say so.”
The tickling stops abruptly, and Finduilas is left wheezing on the ground.
Eventually, she recovers. Níniel curls into her lap (careful not to crush the daisies), making content noises as Finduilas draws her fingers through her hair.
“Níniel?”
“Mm-hmm?”
“Thank you.”
