Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow
Dragons are one of the most familiar creatures in Tolkien's world and one of the least understood. In this interview, Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his Mereth Aderthad presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," the nature of dragons and their connections with Dwarves, and the musicality of Tolkien's works.
SWG News
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Series] I made loving you a blood sport by atlantablack
In which Fëanor & Fingolfin are re-embodied in 4th age Aman, are nowhere near as healed as everyone believes them to be, and decide to pretend that sleeping together will fix their relationship instead of causing more problems.
[Writing] evidence of a love that transcends hunger by atlantablack
Fëanor does not even get a chance to finish being annoying before Fingolfin’s eyes flash with something far too dark to be only fury and his hand snaps out to grab a handful of Fëanor’s hair. He wrenches Fëanor’s head back in a move that is so surprisingly painful it throws him off balance. In…
[Writing] Not Going Without You by StarSpray
Daeron is caught by orcs in the shadow of the Ephel Dúath, but is rescued by someone entirely unexpected.
[Series] Instadrabbling by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions.
[Writing] April Fancies by AdmirableMonster
A series of short responses to instadrabbling prompts on Sat, Apr 5, 2025.
[Writing] She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
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] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
Prince of a Life of Darkness by Lira_of_Imladris
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Chapter 2 - The Warrior
Gil-galad discovers a new talent of Neithan's
Neithan felt the darkness close in around him, constricting him until he could barely breathe. He could hear vague voices, too far away for him to hear them properly and comprehend what they were saying. He felt something warm placed over his body and the darkness seemed to slowly, ever so slowly, melt away until he was almost freezing cold, as if ice had replaced the darkness.
When Neithan felt someone move his right shoulder and then place something cold over it, he stirred before he began to moan from the pain. He opened his eyes and blinked several times to clear the blur of unconsciousness before he noted Maglor and his twin brothers smearing something across his shoulder.
“Neithan, can you hear me?” someone whispered. Neithan turned to the source of the voice to see Maglor looking down at him.
“Aye, what . . . happened?” Neithan asked as he tried to roll his shoulder but Amrod and Amras held it fast.
“Well, after you the girl was shot, you seemed to fall unconscious. We tried to get you away when the warriors of Menegroth came but a stray arrow managed to hit you.” Maglor explained as he took some thread and a needle from a table beside wherever Neithan lay. As Maglor leaned over Neithan’s shoulder, the young prince began to whimper slightly. Maglor looked to Neithan and handed the needle that he had threaded before he moved to Neithan’s other side and grasped his hand.
“Are you alright?” Maglor asked softly.
“Ye- . . . no.” Neithan admitted as he felt tears well in his eyes but he quickly wiped them away.
“You are afraid.” Maglor whispered observantly.
“How do you know?” Neithan asked, trying to pull away from the son of Fëanor.
“I am very perceptive apparently.” Maglor answered. “Are you going to let us help you?”
“Will it hurt?” Neithan asked. Maglor shook his head before Neithan closed his eyes.
“Do not close your eyes Neithan, doing that makes it worse.” Amras advised. Neithan looked at the elf’s brothers before he nodded. He looked over to Maglor before he looked up at the ceiling. As he felt the faint piercing of his skin, Neithan clenched at the blanket beneath him until he could barely feel the pain it caused him.
When Amras had finished, he bandaged Neithan’s shoulder before they let the elf sit up, leaning against the wall behind him.
“You said I had only been shot by an arrow, why did I need stitches?” Neithan asked as he gently moved his injured shoulder.
“We were in a hurry when we took it out; we removed it when we were still fighting in case it had been poisoned.” Amrod answered.
“Celegorm pulled it out, that is why the wound needed stitches. Our brother was never known for being gentle to be honest.” Amras added.
“Where are they anyway? Celegorm, Caranthir and Curufin I mean.” Neithan asked, the question suddenly flaring in his mind. Amrod and Amras left at the question but Maglor merely looked down at the floor.
“They all died, they were killed by the warriors Dior sent.” Maglor answered, not looking back up at Neithan.
“I am truly sorry Maglor,” Neithan whispered in apology for both the elf’s loss and for bringing up the subject.
“Do not be, ‘tis not your fault Neithan, we have known this day would come ever since we made our oaths with our father in Valinor.” Maglor replied quickly before a dark haired elf, Noldorin by the looks of him, came in.
“Gil-galad, this is Neithan. Neithan, this is the High King of the Noldor, Gil-galad.” Maglor introduced them.
“So this is the young elf you found in Doriath. Well met Neithan,” Gil-galad said, turning to the young elf that looked at him blankly before Gil-galad turned back to Maglor.
“I just heard Maedhros; I believe he will be requiring assistance soon Maglor, you and your brothers would do well to go to him. He cannot do this alone.” Gil-galad said casually. Maglor looked suggestively towards Neithan before Gil-galad nodded.
“I’ll take him for a walk.” Gil-galad whispered.
“Make sure he does not hurt his shoulder, we just put the stitches in the wound.” Maglor warned before he stood and left. Neithan looked up at Gil-galad who smiled kindly before he sat down next to him.
“What do you like doing Neithan?” Gil-galad asked casually.
“I am afraid I do not know. I usually play with my broth- my friends.” Neithan answered.
“Why did you leave Doriath?” Gil-galad asked. Apparently Maglor had told a few people.
“Because people there were lying to me, they had deceived to me for a whole century.” Neithan answered becoming exasperated.
“What did they lie to you about?” Gil-galad asked.
“Apparently, Dior found me when I was a baby and took me in as his own. I do not know who my parents are, where I am from.” Neithan answered as his emotions began to overrun the rest of him. “My entire life has been a lie and now I do not know what to do.” Neithan leaned back against the wall as tears began to stream down his face. Gil-galad shifted uneasily before he put his arm around Neithan’s shoulder – being careful of the stitches – and drew the elf into a friendly embrace. Gil-galad handed Neithan a cloth for him to dry his eyes.
Neithan gently dabbed at his eyes before he looked up at Gil-galad and smiled crookedly. Gil-galad chuckled before Maglor stormed into the room.
“What is wrong Maglor?” Gil-galad asked worriedly as he went to comfort Maglor.
“Amrod and Amras refuse to go!” Maglor answered angrily. Gil-galad seemed slightly stunned by his cousin’s sudden outburst.
“Maglor, please calm down, I am quite sure that someone else can go with you to help Maedhros. You are not alone in this war Maglor, remember that.” Gil-galad replied calmly. Maglor had calmed down gradually through his cousin’s speech.
“Please forgive me Gil-galad, I did not mean to be so angry and I should not hold it against you either, if it is fault of anyone, it is Morgoth.” Maglor replied as he sat down by the window.
“Are you alright though Maglor?” Gil-galad asked as he and Neithan approached the other elf who was trying so desperately to avoid them.
“I am fine,” Maglor answered agitatedly, not turning from the view outside. Gil-galad sighed before he led Neithan outside.
“You two are cousins?” Neithan queried as Gil-galad led him into the gardens.
“Aye, my father was his cousin; his father was Maglor’s father’s half brother.” Gil-galad answered as he led Neithan through the gardens. Neithan looked down at the ground as he began to think about what he would do now he’d left Doriath before he noticed Gil-galad’s sword. Gil-galad noticed and chuckled before he looked at Neithan.
“You look as if you’ve never seen a Noldorin sword before.” Gil-galad commented. Neithan looked up at the elf.
“I have not actually, it is beautiful.” Neithan replied.
“Can you fight with a sword Neithan?” Gil-galad asked.
“Nay, Dior never saw it useful to me, he always said I was too young or would not like it. Otherwise, he would come up with another excuse.” Neithan answered as he became lost in daydreams about being able to handle a sword.
“What about archery?” Gil-galad asked.
“I have always been good at that, my friends and I used to have competitions with each other and I won most of the time.” Neithan answered.
“Would you like to try swordplay?” Gil-galad asked.
“That probably is not the best idea milord, I could hurt you. Besides, what about my shoulder?” Neithan reminded him.
“Do not worry about it. My defence is good enough to protect me from any elf who has never handled a sword, I will not get hurt. Come on, you will enjoy it.” Gil-galad replied, trying to coax the young elf into doing what he so desperately desired. Neithan nodded vigorously before Gil-galad led him to the training field. Luckily there was nobody there; Neithan would not be ashamed to make himself look like an absolute fool.
Gil-galad found a spare sword and handed it to Neithan before leading the elf into the center of the field. Neithan handled the weapon gingerly before he slowly unsheathed it, casting the scabbard aside.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” Neithan asked uncertainly.
“Do not worry, Neithan, nothing bad will happen, I swear.” Gil-galad reassured the young elf before he advanced on him, sword raised. Out of pure fear, Neithan blocked the blow Gil-galad made before throwing him to the left. Gil-galad struggled to keep himself on his feet before he leapt at Neithan again only to receive the same reply.
“Try and disarm me Neithan, think about what your doing.” Gil-galad advised before he leapt at the elf again. Neithan ducked to the side before he prepared himself for Gil-galad’s next move. Gil-galad caught him by surprise this time and Neithan only just copped the blow to his head. Neithan fell to the ground, exhausted. Gil-galad knelt down the young elf, worried that he’d hurt him but sighed in relief when he saw the expression on Neithan’s face.
Gil-galad stood up again before he looked down at Neithan and held his hand out. Neithan smiled before he took the elf’s hand and stood again.
“I told you you would enjoy it.” Gil-galad said somewhat. “You have a natural talent by the look of it Neithan Hirvegil.”
“Hirvegil?” Neithan queried.
“Sword master Neithan, you deserve it. Not many have done that so easily and definitely not at their first attempt at swordplay. You mightn’t have beaten me but no amateur would.” Gil-galad answered. “You would make a good warrior, trust me on that.”
Neithan then went to retrieve the scabbard before he sheathed the blade and went to hand it back to Gil-galad who refused it.
“Keep it; you will need to practice Neithan, with talent like that you should not waste it.” Fingon replied before he led Neithan back to where Maglor waited patiently.
“When will you leave Maglor?” Fingon asked.
“After Neithan has healed, he’s become a sort of younger brother if you understand what I mean.” Maglor replied before Gil-galad nodded and left.
“Are you serious Maglor? Do you really think that?” Neithan queried. Maglor nodded silently before he turned away. “I think I might go to bed,” Neithan whispered before he placed his sword against the wall near his bed before he laid his head on the pillow and slowly drifted to sleep.
End chapter 2
Chapter End Notes
Hirvegil - Swordmaster (hopefully, my memory's not good in the mornings)
Don't have much to say but thanks for reading - Li
