Tolkien Meta Week Starts December 8!
Join us December 8-14, here and on Tumblr, as we share our thoughts, musings, rants, and headcanons about all aspects of Tolkien's world.
SWG News
We are currently accepting proposals to present your meta, research, and scholarship! Learn more about presenting your meta, research, and scholarship here.
Artists Needed to Create 2025 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Silhouettes of Doom by Ecthelion
"At least we have learned that the sons of Fëanor can die too."
Nine POVs on the kinslaying at Doriath.
[Writing] Stream of Clashing Ice by Himring
Maglor and his companion almost drown in the River Lune.
[Writing] Kiss the ground / then turn from it by Elleth
After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, a figure from Maedhros' past comes face-to-face with him one last time.
[Writing] Mercy, Love by Elleth
Maedhros' rescue from Thangorodrim left him deeply scarred. But how did it impact Fingon as his rescuer? A drabble sequence from Thangorodrim to the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
[Artwork] Aredhel at Eithel Ivrin by Anérea
Painting of Aredhel at the Pools of Ivrin
[Writing] Many Journeys by Elleth
A gathering place for ficlets of varying length written in response to prompts, prods and as gift ficlets.
New (added December 2024):
Instadrabbling fics from the SWG server event on February 17, which I never uploaded here, as well as a couple of shorter ficlets…
[Writing] Merry Midwinter by Aprilertuile
Snippets of life of a midwinter in Fëanáro and Nerdanel's household in Valinor, during the Age of the Trees.
Prompts will be as follow, taken from the Midwinter Bingo card (board by AdmirableMonster) :
Family ; Carols and Singing ; Death and rebirth ; Candles ; Sledding
…
Current Challenge
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. Read more ...
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Of All That Remains
Create a fanwork that features a memory from a character's childhood. Read more ...
New in References
Libraries at the Edge of Middle-earth: Fanworks, Archives, and Communities as Heritage by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien fanfiction archives both preserve the "libraries of Middle-earth" in the form of keeping Tolkien's original words alive and promote conversations around heritage as community and fan identity that keeps those central texts relevant to diverse fans in a rapidly changing world.
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
[Multimedia] Entwined {text + podfic} by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains, west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four perfect drabbles.
[Writing] Homage to the Song of Durin by Flora-lass
Legolas is inspired by Gimli's song - and by Gimli himself.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
Around the World and Web
Thorin's Spring Forge 2025
Sign-ups are open for Thorin's Spring Forge, a minibang-style event where writers and artists come together to create fanworks centred on Thorin Oakenshield.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: Dead Dove December
Tolkien Pinup Calendar is hosting a December event for non-con smut fanworks.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: 8 Nights of Smut
Tolkien Pinup Calendar and Hanukkah Bingo are teaming up for eight nights of naughty prompts.
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
Fluffcember 2024
Fluffcember is a Tumblr event with daily fluffy prompts during the month of December.
Kings & Queens
Tolkien's legendarium, with its roots in medieval Europe, displays all the royal drama of history: arguments over succession, regicide, kidnapping, and secret kings dashing back at the heroic last minute to rise to greatness. (Yeah you, Aragorn!) Amidst this royal rumble are kings and queens simply doing the job they were born to do. The annals of Middle-earth are filled with rulers who improved (even saved!) their people's lives, turned their realms into a disaster zone, or—most commonly—simply disappeared into the pages of history.
This month, we challenge you to create a fanwork about a king or queen in the legendarium, whether dramatic or dull, brilliant or disastrous, renowned or forgotten. Below, you will find a list of kings and queens listed in the indices of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to create fanworks about kings and queens not listed. In some cases, it may be questionable whether a character counts as a king or queen, and if you decide they do, we trust your judgment. Fanworks about kings and queens who are textual ghosts or original characters are welcome as well. Finally, remember that the "Silmarillion" is much more than just the First Age. If you're not sure if a Third Age idea would fit on our site, our FAQ on "Silmworks" is here.
Because this challenge falls during Akallabêth in August, there will be a special stamp for anyone who creates a fanwork set during the Second Age.
Thanks go to Zdenka for this month's lovely banner and stamps!
This challenge opened in .
Prompts
Choose your prompt from the collection below.
- View Prompts
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Adûnakhôr
Aldamir
Aldor the Old
Amlaith
Amroth
Anairë
Anardil
Anárion
Ar-Adûnakhôr
Aragorn
Arantar
Araphant
Araphor
Araval
Argaleb I
Argaleb II
Ar-Gimilzôr
Ar-Pharazôn
Ar-Sakalthôr
Arvedui
Arvegil
Arveleg I
Arveleg II
Arwen
Ar-Zimrathôn
Atanatar I
Atanatar II
Bain
Bard
Bard II
Berúthiel
Brytta
Calmacil
Castamir the Usurper
Celebrindor
Celepharn
Cemendur
Ciryandil
Dáin I
Dáin II Ironfoot
Denethor
Déor
Dior
Durin I-VII
Eärendil (King of Gondor)
Eärendur
Eärnil I
Eärnil II
Eärnur
Eärwen
Eldacar of Arnor
Eldacar of Gondor
Eldarion
Elendil
Elfhild
Elfwine the Fair
Elros
Elu Thingol
Éomer
Eorl the Young
Eru Ilúvatar
Fëanor
Fengel
Finarfin
Fingolfin
Fingon
Finrod Felagund
Finwë
Fíriel
Folca
Folcwine
Fréa
Fréaláf Hildeson
Fréawine
Gil-galad
Gimilkhâd
Glóin (King of Durin's Folk)
Goldwine
Helm Hammerhand
Hyarmendacil I
Hyarmendacil II
Indis
Ingwë
Inzilbêth
Isildur
King of the Dead
Lenwë
Lothíriel
Maedhros
Mallor
Malvegil
Manwë
Melian
Melkor
Meneldil
Minardil
Míriel Serindë
Morwen Steelsheen
Náin I
Náin II
Narmacil I
Narmacil II
Nimloth
Olwë
Orodreth
Ostoher
Rómendacil I
Rómendacil II
Sauron
Siriondil
Tar-Alcarin
Tar-Aldarion
Tar-Amandil
Tar-Anárion
Tar-Ancalimë
Tar-Ancalimon
Tar-Ardamin
Tarannon Falastur
Tar-Atanamir
Tar-Calmacil
Tarcil
Tar-Ciryatan
Tar-Elendil
Tar-Meneldur
Tar-Minastir
Tar-Míriel
Tarondor
Tar-Palantir
Tar-Súrion
Tar-Telammaitë
Tar-Telperiën
Tar-Vanimeldë
Telemnar
Telumehtar Umbardacil
Thengel
Théoden
Thorin I
Thorin II Oakenshield
Thorin III Stonehelm
Thorondor
Thráin I
Thráin II
Thranduil
Thrór
Turgon
Valacar
Valandil
Valandur
Varda
Vardamir
Vidugavia
Vidumavi
Walda
Witch-king of Angmar
Fanworks Tagged with Kings & Queens
Amroth's Lament by Flora-lass
Amroth is in the sea. A 100-word poem.
The Last Queen of the North by Flora-lass
Arvedui is gone, and Firiel reflects.
Ode to Findaráto by Flora-lass
In praise of a painting of a young Finrod in Valinor.
Like his Father in Valour by chrissystriped
Eärnur fights the Witch-king and is offered a choice.
Our son and king by daughterofshadows
Three perspectives on Ereinion Gil-Galad.
I Will Hold Your Hand Forever by LadySternchen
A course through time with my most beloved king and queen.
Queen of Fire and Water by Himring
Tar-Miriel, still plagued by foresight when nothing can be prevented anymore.
Queen's Gambit by Grundy
A chance find while tidying up Indis' rooms leads to revelations no one was expecting.
The Son Still Shines by cuarthol
The War brings Finarfin close to the ruins of Nargothrond where Finrod once ruled.
It is dark one inch ahead of you by TexasDreamer01
They needed to move on, to settle - to weather this tentative peace. Looking upon this valley, he thought that perhaps it could be done.
The Question of Succession by elennalore
After hearing the Doom of Mandos, Arafinwë returns to Valinor where the remaining Noldor need a new ruler. It appears that the Valar have already made their choice.
The Kingsword by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the young King Thranduil steals away for an evening of solace at The Mysterious Deer, hoping none will disturb him. He listens to a minstrel singing a legend that strikes rather close to home.
Berion's Song by Himring
Berion, captain of Barad Eithel under King Fingon, laments Fingon's death and the loss of his home.
Much Sorrow and Many Lives of Men by sallysavestheday
Arvedui in Forochel.
All Unquiet by mouse
Idril disagrees with the king’s decision to execute Eol. Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens.
Shards of a Line Unbroken by polutropos
At the gates of Edoras, Aragorn tells the guard that Narsil was forged by Telchar, the great dwarven smith of the First Age. How did this ancient heirloom come into the hands of Elendil, king of the Realms in Exile?
Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens (as well as Akallabeth in August), and part of my Weapons series, the rest of which is on AO3.
Far is the high gods' song and low by AdmirableMonster
As Númenor convulses in its death throws, Tar-Míriel converses with a friendly soul before she climbs the Meneltarma to her fate.
