New Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King
Cross "The Silmarillion" with a second text or fandom in this month's crossover challenge.
SWG News
A Sense of History: Thálatta! Thálatta!
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
Choose a Name for Our New Column!
Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
New Challenge: Tengwar
Each day for thirty-six days, we feature a randomly chosen letter from the Tengwar as a prompt.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] On a night of stars, a bird by Quente
Nimloth and Dior meet, and he is naked.
Alternatively,
Melian travels south to visit her daughter, and meets a familiar looking bird.
Written for the Tengwar prompt, Quessë (feather).
[Writing] Apprentice by Quente
Dior is in Menegroth learning to be his grandfather's heir -- but his grandmother decides to take him as apprentice too.
Written for the Tengwar Challenge, May 15: Súlë (spirit).
[Writing] Tengwar: To The Letter by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge.
All 36 prompts plus bonus chapter
[Writing] A blip on the radar by daughterofshadows
Humanity took to the skies. Eärendil and Ilmarë adjust.
[Writing] History abandons us by AdmirableMonster
During his incarceration in Roderick Burgess' basement, Dream receives a strange, ancient visitor.
[Writing] Tengwar Acrostics by Himring
Responses to the Tengwar Challenge in which first letters spell out the name of a tengwa.
1) Early Encounter (Nerdanel, Indis)
2) Numenorean Lullaby (Almarian, Aldarion)
[Writing] Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
Current Challenge
Crossroads of the Fallen King
Create a fanwork that crosses with a second text or fandom. Read more ...
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Postcards from Middle-earth
Receive a postcard from an unnamed character and create a fanwork using the image, the message, or both. Read more ...
New in References
Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
[]While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
[]
With Gildor Inglorion we finally climb the stairs of Elostirion and look on the view, and what we see appears to reveal a hidden thread in the story of Frodo Baggins. This post reads two annotated translations of two Elvish songs to step through a crossroads in the narrative to arrive at the tower on the margin of the story, wherein is a stone that is a window onto Valinor.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Waybread (The Waybredlik) by Himring
[]Lembas speaks out.
[Series] Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
[]Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
[Writing] Crossing Forest River by Dawn Felagund
[]Bilbo recounts, in verse, the attempt of Gandalf, Beorn, and him to cross the Forest River after the Battle of Five Armies. Written for the Hungarian Tolkien Society's 2024 Mailing Competition.
Around the World and Web
Mythcon 53: Fantasies of the Middle Lands
Mythcon 53 will be held 2-5 August 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the theme "Fantasies of the Middle Lands."
Teitho May/June Challenge: Joker
For the May/June Teitho challenge, you can pick ANY of our past challenges that stir your imagination and write a story or create art for it.
Monstrous May 2024
Monstrous May is a Tumblr event where, for each day of the month of May, there is a prompt involving and invoking the monstrous.
Fellowship of the Fics: Modern AU May
During May, Fellowship of the Fics offers modern AU prompt lists for setting, character occupation, and dialogue on Tumblr.
May challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The May challenge has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic challenge: name; formal challenge: acrostic. As usual, these can be filled independently and freely combined with other prompts such as the SWG challenges. New participants welcome!
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Oh Maedhros, don't look back in anger by Varda delle Stelle
A moodboard retelling the major events in Maedhros' life from Valinor to his death in Beleriand
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 October 2023 | Updated on 15 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (9) |
Wayward Daughter, Carry on by Himring
The story of a young eagle: how and why she made her way from Valinor to Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Eagles, Manwë, Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 911 |
| Posted on 11 October 2023 | Updated on 15 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Candles and Moths by cuarthol
"What has so shadowed thy spirit? What is this wound thou bearest which I can neither bind nor soothe?"
“The cruelest wound, from which I shall never heal."
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Finrod |
| Genres: Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 494 |
| Posted on 12 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
You better you bet by daughterofshadows
A moodboard for a Celegorm/Lúthien Modern AU inspired by the song You better you bet by The Who.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Lúthien |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
a blissful state by Noldotári
Upon his return from Númenor, Eönwë has memories to face, conversations to have, and old companions to meet.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Finarfin |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 279 |
| Posted on 13 October 2023 | Updated on 14 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rising to Meet You by yletylyf
Celebrimbor offers himself to Sauron in exchange for the safety of his city and his people. He is resigned to any number of fates, but what Sauron actually wants from him is a mystery.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 215 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Left you so mournful by yletylyf
While Celebrimbor learns how to live again, the remnants of Sauron's destroyed spirit are drawn to his presence. But when Sauron realizes who and where he is, Celebrimbor doesn't react at all how he expects.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 000 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I should tell you by yletylyf
Mairon is an enigma - but a beautiful one. Eönwë has never wanted anything so much in his life.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 421 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sweet Vision of Mine by yletylyf
Lindon and Eregion clash over how to handle Númenórean deforestation. Ost-in-Edhil is buiding up to its own internal strife. But for Elrond and Celebrían, for this one moment in time, everything is perfect.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond |
| Genres: Family, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 618 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
do you remember when by yletylyf
During the War of Wrath, Sauron encounters an Eönwë down on his luck and lends a helping hand. At the end of the war, their positions are reversed. Eönwë only wishes a helping hand would be enough for Sauron.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Sauron |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 397 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Entwining by yletylyf
Instead of merely hiding the Three Rings, Celebrimbor decides to destroy them. This places him directly in Sauron's path again, for better or for worse.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 32, 787 |
| Posted on 10 October 2023 | Updated on 10 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Snakes and Ladders by polutropos
It is the night of Tirion's masked ball. Fëanáro is after Artanis' hair, Artanis is after a distraction, Macalaurë is deploying all his wiles, and Findaráto is just trying to have a nice time.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Finrod/Maglor, Galadriel/Maglor |
| Genres: Het, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 779 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Solace by polutropos
Orodreth finds comfort and renewal in the arms of Adanedhel.
| Major Characters: Orodreth, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Orodreth/Túrin |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 410 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Underhanded by polutropos
"Heat crawled over the side of Celegorm’s body where Finrod’s shoulder brushed it, but he smirked. He had no wish to wrest the crown of Nargothrond from his cousin, not yet. Finrod was a competent leader, and beloved. Better to leave the Kingdom in his hands — and for Celegorm to hold Finrod in his."
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Finrod |
| Genres: Erotica, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 404 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beacon by polutropos
Eärendil returns to Sirion after his latest sea voyage, and Elwing's anxieties about her pregnancy are soothed in the loving arms of her husband.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Erotica, Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 369 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rising as if Weightless by StarSpray
“Oh,” Elwing said faintly. She felt the need to sit down, but locked her knees against it. “Then—have they been released from Mandos, my lord? I had not heard that you came in person to deliver such news.”
“They have not, not yet,” said Námo, and to Elwing’s surprise his mouth softened into a small smile, there and gone again in the blink of an eye. “Your brothers are still very young; Mandos is not a place for children to grow. They are ready to return to the world, but unlike most others who pass through my halls they cannot make the journey across Valinor alone. Come to the gates of my halls with all swiftness, and you will find your brothers there.” He inclined his head, and was gone.
| Major Characters: Dior, Eärendil, Elrond, Elros, Eluréd, Elurín, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Nimloth, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Eluréd & Elurín, Dior & Elwing, Elrond & Elros & Elwing, Eluréd & Elurín & Elwing |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 23, 621 |
| Posted on 17 September 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Light To You In Dark Places by cuarthol
Andreth opens up to Aegnor, sharing something of her people and their past.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 235 |
| Posted on 9 October 2023 | Updated on 9 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Fly Like An Eagle by Flora-lass
Fingon rescues Maedhros from Thangorodrim.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 277 |
| Posted on 8 October 2023 | Updated on 8 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
I climbed a mountain by Himring
At the time of the Darkening, widowed Indis, having left Tirion, asks her daughter Findis to accompany her to Valmar.
| Major Characters: Findis, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For the Last Time, Laughter by Himring
Lalwen's last stand and her defiance.
| Major Characters: Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
History, Snatched from the Jaws of Defeat by Himring
The historian Pengolodh, faced with the destruction of his city, rescues what he holds most dear.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Pengolodh |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Latest Edition by Himring
There may be an afterlife, but there is no final version of the Silmarillion.
Neither its in-universe author nor its IRL author are the kind of writers that just finish a work and then move on...
| Major Characters: Celebrían, J.R.R. Tolkien, Pengolodh, Real Person(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 163 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maedhros' Good Report Card by Rocky41_7
Maedhros gets a reward for a job well done.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Erotica, Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 448 |
| Posted on 7 October 2023 | Updated on 7 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I hate you, I love you by between_thepages
Andreth should hate him, and yet they end up in each other's arms once again.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 256 |
| Posted on 6 October 2023 | Updated on 6 October 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Talking amongst Ourselves: Tolkien Fanfiction and Fanon by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Fan-generated details and theories, also called fanon, are a conversation among fans about Tolkien's world. Although fanon has a fraught history in many corners of the fandom, it is growing in acceptance.
