New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
SWG News
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 Challenge: Orctober
Orcs on a quest for freedom seek a place sheltered and safe from the Dark Lord. Fulfill prompts to gather the clues needed to bring them to freedom.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Reference] Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Varda delle Stelle, Anérea
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] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] Getting Dirty by Elleth
A collection of NSFW ficlets for the "Keep It Clean" bingo card of the 2024 Potluck Bingo.
[Reference] 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.
[Artwork] 2024 Potluck Doodles by silmalope
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
[Artwork] A Collection of Maps Exhibiting the Changing Political Landscape in Beleriand by Artano
Created for the 'Geography/Maps/Places' prompt on the "Tolkien meta" bingo board, this is a collection of maps marked with the various people groups showing how they arrived and moved about Beleriand. This collection focuses specifically on the time from the arrival of the Teleri, Vanyar, and…
[Writing] On the Nature of the Sindar’s Hunting the Petty-dwarves by Artano
This is an analysis on whether the Sindar ate the Petty-dwarves during the years they hunted them, completed for the 'Literary Analysis' prompt on the "Tolkien Meta" bingo card.
Current Challenge
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Heroes
Create a fanwork about a hero, whether the typical saves-the-world type or the unlikely, unsung, and accidental, those who have been forgotten or perhaps were never noticed at all, who made their worlds a better place. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Varda delle Stelle, Anérea
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
[Artwork] Long-tressed Wingildi by Anérea
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
[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
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.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
November challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The challenge for November has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic prompt: refuge. Formal challenge: include imitation of a sound. As always, these can be filled independently and also freely combined with SWG and other challenges. New participants welcome!
November 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Calls for papers and proposals for conferences and publications that are open during the month of November 2024.
The Son of Curufin by Caranthol
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Chapter 1: The Departure of Finrod
Disclaimer: I do not own anything J.R.R. Tolkien wrote whatsoever. The characters in this story are his creations, excepting Ovorluin and others not mentioned in Tolkien's published works.
Chapter 1: The Departure of Finrod
The Man was haggard and his clothes were tattered, but he looked noble nonetheless as he proudly stood before the King. Celebrimbor watched when he was brought before the throne, wondering this. Finrod rose to greet the man.
”Well met, Beren son of Barahir! The renown of your deeds has spread to my halls from the North. Indeed your tale must be grim and dark, deeming from your appearance. I invite you as my guest. Rest from your toil and may your heart be glad soon!”
Beren bowed.
”O King Finrod Felagund, the Friend of Men, I thank you for your words. But my heart knows no rest before it has what it desires.”
”And what may that be, honoured friend?” Beren looked Felagund into his eyes.
”That could be better discussed without too many ears hearing us.”
Finrod nodded.
”Very well, let us retire to my chambers. But before that you will be given new clothes and a bath will be prepared. Let no one say that Finrod Felagund treats his guests badly.”
The King gave orders to servants and sat down. With a gesture of his hand he signalled to the looking crowd to leave the hall. The Elves streamed out of the great doors and Celebrimbor said to Curufin:
”Father, do you know what that means and what this Beren desires?” Curufin shook his head.
”No, but there are rumours that he caused some trouble in Doriath. That at least is where he is coming from, though I wonder how he ever could penetrate the Girdle.”
With a slight frown he went on:
”But hear my words: Finrod is not wise to love the Men so much. They are weak, and soon they die, like leaves of forest in autumn. They are of limited use as allies. I do not say they are useless, but the reliance some like Finrod and Fingolfin put upon them is beyond me.”
Celebrimbor looked at his father, disapproval in his eyes.
”Do not think that I am rude or disobedient, but I must say this: The Men die like the leaves, it is true, but like flowers in spring their race blossoms ever anew. Father, just remember the valour of the Third House. Mighty are their warriors and their lords are noble. Have you not seen Hador Lórindol?”
Curufin stroked his chin slowly with his slender fingers.
”You are partly right, my son. I spoke like this only because my dreams have been dark of late and a strange restlessness is on me. Great things will happen, before the year has ended. Mark my words.”
They came to a crossing of corridors and parted, for their chambers were far from each other. Such had been the influx of refugees to Nargothrond after Dagor Bragollach that there was little choice when it came to apartments. Celebrimbor bade his father good night and strode towards his rooms.
------
Surprise and confusion was great the next day, when Finrod announced that he would leave with Beren to aid him in his quest. He told the full purpose of this desperate venture to his shocked people. It was too much, for Celegorm rose, drawing his sword. The son of Fëanor cried:
”Be he friend or foe, an evil spirit of Morgoth, an Elf, a child of Men or whatever creature of Arda, no law, no love, no alliance with evil, not the might of the Valar, no sorcery will protect him from the eternal hatred of the sons of Fëanor if he takes or finds even one of the Silmarils and keeps it. For we claim the Silmarils as ours alone until the end of the world.”
Finrod signed him to be silent, but Celegorm went furiously on, almost threatening the King himself. Of the Oath of Fëanor he spoke, calling the wrath of Ilúvatar upon anyone who dared to break it or help someone to do it. Some of the audience trembled, such was the hatred and force of the words. Many were hesitating, not sure if they should believe Celegorm or follow their King. When Celegorm finally stopped, Curufin rose and spoke:
”O honoured King, forgive my brother the rashness of his words. In his fury he does not think what he says. But he is right nonetheless. For we cannot see the Silmarils in any hands save our own. Does not the law of the Noldor say that father’s works belong to his sons if he goes to Mandos? Is Thingol a son of Fëanor?”
He gazed around the hall, smiling as he saw the crowd listening him in attentive silence. He continued with a melodious voice, very unlike the harsh cries and exclamations of Celegorm.
”People of Nargothrond! I do not tell you to be cowards or to let your beloved King down. But this venture is, I do not say folly, but at least desperate, and leads only to grief for those who take part in it. Would you risk your lives trying to gain a jewel to a greedy Avar, who in his pride thinks his daughter is more valuable than the Silmarils? Would you risk the wrath of the sons of Fëanor? Our oath binds us and as my brother said we would not tolerate anyone to steal our heritage. I do not threaten you, but keep in mind that our friendship is not lightly cast aside.” He paused, smiling again. He could see that now was the time for the final blow.
”And there could be even worse than that. What if you give aid to this quest and succeed? Morgoth’s hand is long and he does not forget any injury or wrong. Even if you give the Silmaril to Thingol, the Enemy would have his revenge on you.”
Curufin’s voice had been calm, but now he raised it a little. Raising his hand, he spoke with a tremulous voice:
”Think about what could result! The gates of Nargothrond broken, the Orcs and Glaurung plundering and destroying at will! You and your beloved slain, your wives and children taken in chains to slavery or a fate worse than death. No songs would be made of the last battle, for no bard would be left alive, no one of you would! Hear me, o wise Noldor of Nargothrond and stay in your halls in bliss and peace! For the alternative would be death and darkness.”
Curufin wiped sweat from his brow, bowed to Finrod and sat down beside his son. He whispered:
”I succeeded, I know it. See how they tremble!”
Celebrimbor only nodded. He accepted the thoughts of his father and admired the skill with which he could make a speech without any preparation. But he didn’t like the way Curufin and Celegorm treated the King. They were guests, after all, and without Finrod’s friendliness they would be in sore plight. He remained silent, however, for it would have been disrespectful to oppose his father publicly.
Celebrimbor looked at Finrod and pity flooded him. The King’s eyes clearly showed his disappointment of his people. He stood before the throne like a statue, only his knotted fists and a slight red on his cheeks betraying the storm which raged in him. The people in the hall muttered to each other and Celebrimbor heard comments like:
”Felagund is no Vala to command us! If he wants to throw his life away, let him do it, but I am no thrall of his.”
”You are right, I am even not of his people originally.”
Seemingly the King heard the whispers, too, for he took his crown from his head. He threw it before his feet with a great clatter. The crowd was suddenly silent, and Finrod said, his eyes blazing:
”You can break your oaths to me, but my own promises bind me. If amongst you there is someone over whom the shadow of the curse has not fallen yet, I can have even someone as my companion and do not leave like a beggar, who is driven out of the gates.”
Ten of the Noldor rose and strode before the King, bowing low to him and offering their swords. One of them, Edrahil by name, picked up the crown and gave it back to Finrod, saying:
”Lord, give this to a steward until you return. For you are my king, and theirs, come what may.”
Finrod took the crown and gave it to his brother, saying:
”Orodreth, to you leave I my realm. I trust you will rule wisely and that all is well when I come back. If I fall during the Quest, however, the crown belongs to you, for I have no son.”
Orodreth bowed gravely, tears rolling down his cheeks. Celebrimbor watched this with growing emotion. His eyes were moistened, too. His heart raced as the pity for the valiant King took him over. He hardly heard Orodreth’s reply:
”Brother, your trust is not in vain! May the Valar protect you on your journey and may you succeed and return soon!”
Finrod placed the crown on his brother’s head and came down from the pedestal where the throne was. The crowd silently divided as he strode through it, not looking right or left nor speaking. His face was hard as steel, and many bowed their heads in shame, including Celebrimbor. Only the ten companions and Beren followed the King.
Chapter End Notes
Read and review, please. In the last scene I have taken much material from the Silmarillion, translating from my Finnish copy, for I don’t own the English one. But I guess it is only better that it isn’t a hundred-percent copy. Curufin’s speech and the conversation between Finrod and Orodreth, however, are completely my own writing. In the next chapter Lúthien will be featured. I will post this story one chapter at a time, since I must check possible errors in the story.
