It Comes in Threes

SWG It Comes In Threes challenge banner - a photo of three complimentery geometric shape bottles with colored liquids; text "It Comes in Threes: SWG Challenge March 15 - April 15, 2024"

Pythagoras called the number three the noblest of all digits. Certainly, language, religion, myth, history, literature, and popular culture are littered with things that come in threes. The legendarium is no exception. Three is a powerful number in Tolkien's world, and like the Primary World, there are many examples in Middle-earth that come in threes. (The word "three" is mentioned fifty-nine times in The Silmarillion!)

For this month's challenge, we gathered 130 prompts that occur in sets of three. You can select any prompt (or prompts!) from our list to inspire or incorporate in your fanwork. Note that some prompts may have multiple meanings or interpretations. When this is the case, you can choose whatever interpretation you want to use.

We also craft our March challenge to integrate with other challenges and events (traditionally Back to Middle-earth Month!), so this is a good time for a reminder that our challenges can be combined with other events.

Thank you to Independence1776 for this month's lovely stamps and banner!

This challenge opened in March 2024 .

Prompts

Choose your prompt from the collection below.

View Prompts

Fanworks Tagged with It Comes in Threes

This is a Writing fanwork

If Time Run True and Away by Anne Wolfe

In Tol Eressëa, Celebrían and Galadriel talk about Arwen. Written for the "It Comes in Threes" challenge, inspired by Maiden, Mother and Crone.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Stranded by Flora-lass

Maglor sits by the sea, and thinks about hair. A sequel to 'Strands'.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Waltzing with you by daughterofshadows

It's a nice evening and Laurendil is trying to teach Rog to dance.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Three Strands in a Braid by between_thepages

Ecthelion tries to braid Glorfindel's hair.

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This is a Multimedia fanwork

Atmospherics by Anérea, sallysavestheday

The three atmospheres of Arda celebrated in three drabbles and three photos...

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This is a Writing fanwork

Ready, Aim, Fire by Tehta

Or, Three Attempts to Get Out of Archery Practice

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This is a Writing fanwork

The Unrest of the Noldor by StarSpray

Minyelmë comes to Tirion to see Lalwen, arriving just in time to see things come to a head.

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This is a Writing fanwork

It comes in Threes by cílil

Three triple drabbles written for the It comes in Threes challenge, featuring various Ainur.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Wingfeet: Racing across Ard-galen by Himring

A Dwarf, a Man, and an Elf race across a grassy plain... Except that these three are original characters of the First Age racing across the plain of Ard-galen and their plight is rather different.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Gilded Knife by elennalore

Ar-Pharazôn takes part in the first ceremony of the new Temple, and Zigûr is there to help him.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Blend, Bond, Blaze by sallysavestheday

Fingon, Angrod, and Aegnor wish to be more alike.

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This is a Writing fanwork

Grey Ships Sailing by Lferion

Grey ships depart Mithlond

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This is a Writing fanwork

Dreivierteltakt by chrissystriped

Maeglin questions his decision to come to a party, but when Celebrimbor introduces himself to him, everything starts to feel so much better.

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