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] One Flesh, One Soul. Part II by FellFireFan
The fates of the lovers have been sealed. After Aegnor makes a promise to Andreth he seeks council one last time from Finrod to reveal the identity of the maiden who had stolen his heart and hopes Finrod will share in his newfound happiness. However, it does not go well between the brothers, and…
[Writing] Stream of Clashing Ice by Himring
Maglor and his companion almost drown in the River Lune.
[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] 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…
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
Secret Gate
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are based on the common plot points and tropes from mystery novels. 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.
longhairedspider's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
Dark Forge by Ithilwen
Maeglin
Fanwork Information
The events of Maeglin's life leading up to the betrayal of Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture |
| Posted on 11 June 2009 | Updated on 11 June 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Don't Explain by Gwidhiel
Fanwork Information
Galadriel's return to Aman prompts Indis to reflect on the state of her fragmented family and defunct marriage.
| Major Characters: Estë, Eärwen, Finarfin, Findis, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lórien, Melian, Míriel Serindë, Nienna, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 13 April 2008 | Updated on 1 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Golden Days by Lyra
Something I've always wanted more of - Nerdanel and Feanor :)
Fanwork Information
Nerdanel recounts the development of her relationship with Fëanor - from their first proper meeting to married life. A fantasy of manners, pride, prejudice, love and craftsmanship.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Írimë, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on 25 January 2009 | Updated on 26 June 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
How To Love Him by Rhapsody
Fanwork Information
On the eve of her wedding night, Amarië has a startling revelation about herself and her love for Finrod.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: From Evil Comes Good, Gift of a Story, Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 26 December 2007 | Updated on 26 December 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
One Last Wish by Dawn Felagund
Good emotions - feels right.
Fanwork Information
Shortly before the Darkening of Valinor, Fëanor returns briefly to Nerdanel to beg one last wish of her. MEFA 2008 nominee.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 12 May 2008 | Updated on 12 May 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Return to Me by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
Finarfin assists with the re-embodiment of his son Finrod.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Finrod Felagund, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Horror | Challenges: Nature of Fear, Halls of Mystery, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on 13 June 2007 | Updated on 13 June 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Broideress Arc by Gadira
Filling in the gaps.
Fanwork Information
Four-story arc, centered on Míriel the Broideress, queen of the Noldor. Those four stories have also been published separately.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on 14 July 2007 | Updated on 14 July 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Last Temptation by Gadira
Thoughtful.
Fanwork Information
Why didn´t Melian use her power? Why did she leave her kin to die? As Doriath falls to ruin, a Maia must come to a painful and controversial decision. Nominated for the MEFAs.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Melian, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Posted on 6 June 2007 | Updated on 6 June 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Message by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
Valinor has been left in darkness, and Finarfin is the new king of the Noldor. One night, he awakens with a strange vision: Someone has died in Middle-earth--but who?
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Posted on 15 September 2009 | Updated on 15 September 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
