Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
New Challenge: Bollywood This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
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…
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Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Dear Irmo
Historians trace the first advice column to 1690, and in the three centuries hence, the heartsore, woebegone, and perpetually puzzled have turned to these "agony aunts" (and uncles) to solve their most debilitating dilemmas about family, work, and of course, love. Choose one of our real advice columns, tweaked just slightly, for your prompt. Read more ...
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
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.
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.
Elrond Week 2024
Elrond Week is a fandom event dedicated to Elrond Peredhel that will run from July 10th to July 16th on Tumblr.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
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Comments
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
Thank you! Maglor had definitely returned expecting to be imprisoned, but now that\'s mitigated slightly. He won\'t ever not regret. *grins* I hope you\'ll enjoy the ride.
A promising beginning! The guilt and the despair and the expectation of condemnation and then suddenly, pardon. I look forward to seeing where this goes from here!
The punishment actually seems reasonably merciful, and the movement restrictions seem like they're at least partly for his own safety. Elrond's concern certainly seems well-founded!
I like to think the Valar have mellowed a bit (or at least understand the Eldar better) over the Ages. As for the safety thing: remaining mum. :) Yes, Elrond *definitely* has reason to be concerned.
Your portrayal of Maglor is very sympathetic and I honestly nearly cried. I actually expected him to start singing along with the Noldolante and I wasn't disappointed! I'm really enjoying this story. *adds to favourites*
I really like the part about him singing! I am so predictable. So sad. Read the next chapter already also. But I have to get off the computer now. This story is very interesting.
I'm really glad you're enjoying RAFA so far, Oshun! And there's nothing wrong with being predictable. :) I figured him singing would be the best way to reintroduce him to Elvish society.
*laughs* You know, when I read Chapter 1 and came across the shower, I thought something along the lines of "... a SHOWER? really? Do they have bycicles too?" Now I have my answer. :)
A very intriguing look into the future of Maglor (and Valinor) - I'm looking forward to the next instalments!
(And I wubbled at the Noldolante. That gets me every time. *sniffs*)
*cackles* I couldn't imagine Valinor remaining the same millennia after millennia. There had to be at least some progress, even if not to the level that mortals have. (I just can't see Elves driving cars in Valinor.) I'm *really* glad you're looking forward to the rest.
Woohoo! Coninuing on! I thought I went pretty far in extending the logical results of Elven craft and skills in Valinor, but you are going farther. It is entertaining to see what you will describe next.
Hee! I couldn't see the Elves at the horses-and-swords level twelve thousand years later. Slow and considered tech growth, yes, but not complete stagnation. (And they have different priorities tech-wise, too, which I didn't really cover.) I'm glad I'm entertaining you. :D
This story continues very interesting! I look forward to reading more about the different cultures in Valinor and ways Elrond finds of mediating between them--as well as to learning how Maglor's new teaching career develops!
I'm really enjoying this. You hitting on some of my favorite prejudices here.
“You would be amazed how little the Ainur understand us, but they have learned over the long Ages.”
How little they understood is hard canon as far as I am concerned. It was confirmed for me as did the reading for the Miriel bio this month. I'd be happy to think that they did learn something over long Ages.
I like the idea of Maglor providing some welcome competition for Lindir. Very nice how you handle Maglor the Feanorian and the warrior as well as simply the musician and the "good" brother of common fanon. A lot of elements in the story that are often neglected in a lot of stories.
It's canon for me, too. If I'd written RAFA now, I think I'd be a bit harder on them, but yeah, I can't seem them not learning something, if not from the Elves, from their observations of mortals. Because while the Kinslaying are awful, I think a lot of the things that have gone on in the past are moreso.
I couldn't write a story and not make Maglor as 3-d as possible. But then, you know that. :)
Well, THAT was unexpectedly easy! Or so it seems at the moment... I doubt Maglor's going to find it so past this beginning. Released from the Oatrh doesn't mean released from all the consequences fthat flow from swearing it in the first place.
Mandos decreed a harsh doom indeed - it's not going to be easy for Maglor to adjust to being Elrond's charity case (which is no doubt how he's viewing his current position). But the discussion between those unnamed Elves in the dining hall holds out some hope. Not much, but some...
I love the glimpses of a high-tech Elven society in Valinor you give us in Elrond's speech. and the relatively light tone of this chapter makes a nice break from what could easily become an over-angsty tale.
So Tolkien's works can be found in Elrond's library? That was a cute (and fun) throwaway bit! I'm not sure placing Maglor in a house so far away from the main buildings is such a great idea, but i guess we'll see how that works out in later chapters.
It isn't quite throwaway-- I work round-world, so saying they're Mannish myths is my nod to that. Yeah, there's conflict about his housing situation, and valid points on both sides.
And now the doubts come. I don't envy Maglor's position; he doesn't know enough about current-day Valinor to even hazard a guess about what he'll need to do to find a real place there. Not an easy situation to be in!
It's good to see Glorfindel knocking some of Maglor's self-pity away with his very sensible speech. And it's good that Maglor's going to have teaching duties. It would be all to easy for him to give in to his fear and coop himself up in that litle house to avoid meeting people. He's got to forgive himself first if he's going to receive the forgiveness of others.
Glorfindel's a good man. Yes, it would be too easy to avoid everyone. Well, I'd assumed that he had forgiven himself, just all the circumstances and problems have pulled the guilt, etc. back to the forefront. I don't think Maglor would have returned if he hadn't forgiven himself. But that's just my characterization of him. :)
I missed all the updates since the Prologue, so that today I had the treat of reading several chapters one after the other. You have made me feel very sorry for Maglor, isolated an ignored by all, it is hard enough making a new home in a strange land, but even more when he is considered an enemy, someone not worth compassion. I am glad you have given him Glorfindel at least. Luckily, too, Elrond has realised the problem.
Maglor's experiences feel realistic and very moving. I hope to read more soon!
Isn't it wonderful being able to read several chapters at once? It *is* very difficult making a home in strange places, and it's definitely worse for him. I'm glad you think his experiances are realistic. :D
They've got the chance to hear Maglor play a Stradivarius, and they're not queuing all the way from Tirion? Yes, I know you've explained why not, but still...
Very interesting description of the behavior of the Avari Maglor had encountered. I was surprised that he reacted so strongly in light of Elrond's obvious desire to support him. Fascinated to see what comes next.
I already have the story written, but it's not ready to post. Well, Maglor's used to running from things he thinks are threats, simply because it's how he had to live on Middle-earth. (I'm not talking First Age, but later Ages-- witchburnings, fear of anything different, unscrupulous science, modern tech, etc.) He's not quite back to being able to confront things openly. I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Enjoying the story. A dog! Great idea, Maglor! Now there is one way to cut through a lot of complicated stuff. Let the dog worry about it. At least he won't try to make the problem political or get confused either by guilt or old resentments. (Well, I suppose he could if we've stumbled across a mutt who has the advanced sensibilities of Huan.)
You did throw me a curve ball with the stuff about the Nandor and the Avari. I am not good at keeping track of the sundering of the Elves. I thought the Eldar included the Teleri and therefore the groupings which split off from them. Nevermind me--not trying to be an annoying canatic or expecting you to do my research for me either. I just need to figure it out to my satisfaction for my own story line.
Nah, Tirn isn't like Huan. More intelligent than dogs on Middle-earth, possibly, but he's no Maia. (Which is what I think Huan is.)
Hmm... Okay. In my story, the tribes I call the Avari *are* Avari. They only came to Valinor sometime after the Ring War, in order to escape from mortals encroaching on their lands and becoming increasingly intolerant toward them. Many of the Avari died, too, and came to Valinor that way. That help?
That was an entertaining chapter. So the dog appears to be working well for him. Not only as protection but also a companion under less than idea circumstances.
Awww! That's a tear-jerker for me. I'm hooked on the story. You're kicking in an open door with me: the choice of subject matter and Maglor. Looking forward to reading more. Love it everytime you mention his music.
As I've said elsewhere, I 've been adoring this story since you began posting it, but now I have a question that I can't post as an anonymous reviewer, so I finally registered here specifically in order to ask it!
If Elrond hadn’t glossed over the truth-- and I trusted he hadn’t-- this would be how I repaid Frodo for his faith in me.
I don't get the reference to Frodo's faith in Maglor, as I'm not nearly as well-informed as others here in SWG. When did Frodo express this?
Thank you: am anxious for the next chapter to come!
As for your question, it's something I wrote, not something in canon. I only mentioned it once, so I tracked down the quote: "I think the Ringbearers would be proud to have you sing this. I know Frodo wished there was a way for you to return home." Did that help?
Oh, in asking the question, I was hoping that you'd perhaps written a prequel to this that I might have missed. But that explanation is perfectly satisfactory, thank you.
Aw, evil cliffhanger! Can't wait to learn how his talk with Eärendil will go. At least Maglor finally understands the nature of his pardon/punishment a bit better now... go Elrond for explaining the obvious! (And for his patience, too. I love Maglor, but he can be a little frustrating... ;)) I'm very curious to see where this leads :)
It isn't the only cliffhanger, but I don't think there's another one until a few chapters down. Sometimes, people (including me) need the obvious explained. Human nature, I think.
Comments
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.