Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow
Dragons are one of the most familiar creatures in Tolkien's world and one of the least understood. In this interview, Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his Mereth Aderthad presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," the nature of dragons and their connections with Dwarves, and the musicality of Tolkien's works.
SWG News
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Series] I made loving you a blood sport by atlantablack
In which Fëanor & Fingolfin are re-embodied in 4th age Aman, are nowhere near as healed as everyone believes them to be, and decide to pretend that sleeping together will fix their relationship instead of causing more problems.
[Writing] evidence of a love that transcends hunger by atlantablack
Fëanor does not even get a chance to finish being annoying before Fingolfin’s eyes flash with something far too dark to be only fury and his hand snaps out to grab a handful of Fëanor’s hair. He wrenches Fëanor’s head back in a move that is so surprisingly painful it throws him off balance. In…
[Writing] Not Going Without You by StarSpray
Daeron is caught by orcs in the shadow of the Ephel Dúath, but is rescued by someone entirely unexpected.
[Series] Instadrabbling by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions.
[Writing] April Fancies by AdmirableMonster
A series of short responses to instadrabbling prompts on Sat, Apr 5, 2025.
[Writing] She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
[Writing] And Love Grew by polutropos
As a host of survivors makes the journey from Sirion to Amon Ereb under Maglor's leadership, old bonds unravel and loyalties crumble. But from the scraps and ruins, new and unlikely bonds take shape. A story of perseverance through suffering.
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
New Beginnings
Create a fanwork that celebrates new beginnings. Read more ...
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
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
[Writing] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
ziggy's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
A Fragile Chalice by pandemonium_213
This is a smashing bit of writing. Love the way you weave the future and the past, and curvë as science/technology together and somehow it's not magic at all. Just what I have always thought. And the wit and humour of your writing always shines through the heavier themes- masterful as always.
Fanwork Information
In spite of weariness and stress, Tyelperinquar (a.k.a. Celebrimbor) hosts a gathering in his home: a supper followed by what we might call a salon for the elite of Ost-in-Edhil. Musicians, rival poets, and lively conversation among the guests, which includes Erestor, the visiting emissary from Gil-galad's realm, provide the evening's entertainment. An elven poetry slam causes Tyelpo to become immersed in deep memories -- some poignant, some painful, and one dark and strange yet vaguely familiar.
MEFA 2011 Winner: First Place, Elves, General
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Erestor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on 12 November 2010 | Updated on 12 November 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Bits of Elven Glass by Himring
Fanwork Information
This is an attempt to weave the different accounts of the making and the history of the Elessar into a coherent narrative.
Now added: intervening chapter on Gil-galad.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Enerdhil, Eärendil, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gandalf, Gil-galad, Idril, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 12 April 2012 | Updated on 29 September 2019 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Discrete Elements by pandemonium_213
As always, wonderful- a real sense of Himing as a busy place where people actually live. Looking forward to more.
Fanwork Information
A catch-all for short ficlets, largely centering on yet another OFC in the Pandë!verse, namely Culinen (referenced in various fics, including The Elendilmir and The Writhen Pool), who eventually becomes the master of the Guild of the Heart (healers' guild) in Ost-in-Edhil, and who contributes to the "eldritch alleles" of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Hypatia of Alexandria, and Hedy Lamarr (among others!) in the alternative history of the Pandë!verse.
Ratings will be given per chapter.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 January 2016 | Updated on 3 January 2016 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Maps by grey_gazania
I am so pleased to see updates for this! I have stopped checking SWG and this will bring me back. That moment of Fingon wakening and his fear is SO palpable, and convincing. I have a very vivid image in my head from just those few lines and I love Caranthir in this- that connection he has, the sacrifice he i smaking, his impateince with the superficial - so very very well written. I seriously hope you are going to be regularly updating this please! The closeness and intimacy of it is so well written- all within Maitimo's room which emphaises secrets, intimacy and intensity.
Fanwork Information
Fingon, Caranthir, and the aftermath of Maedhros' capture by Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Caranthir & Maedhros, Fingolfin & Maedhros, Caranthir & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 7 February 2016 | Updated on 25 July 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
The Departure by Keiliss
Wonderfully sinister without being at all heavy.
Fanwork Information
Departure, to be followed by a return.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 January 2009 | Updated on 3 January 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Stars over Aglon by Himring
longing and lust.
Fanwork Information
Fingon on his way to Himring--and in Himring--and on his way back.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 6 October 2013 | Updated on 6 October 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
To Build a House from the Ground Up by Nibeneth
THe most wonderful content Maedhros/Fingon story ever- so lovely to see an uncompromising but happy ending. The details in this are fabulously written and compeltely textured, visual and sensual. The sexual details are loving and erotic. Fingon delightful and strong and Maedhros pentitent but not abject or depressed. A really great story.
Fanwork Information
After six thousand years in Mandos, Fingon and Maedhros rejoin the world. Nothing will ever be the same as it was, but a remote plot of land, a cabin, a garden, and a few animals are all they need.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 13 August 2016 | Updated on 13 August 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
