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!
SWG News
New Challenge: Tengwar
Each day for thirty-six days, we feature a randomly chosen letter from the Tengwar as a prompt.
A Sense of History: Crossroads
In the ongoing series on towers in Tolkien's work, a thread runs through "The Lord of the Rings," revealing the divine assistance of Varda in the travails of the Fellowship.
Cultus Dispatches: Canon Deviations, Multifandoms, and Original Content
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data gives some insight into what connections, if any, exist between fanfiction and original fiction.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Tengwar (working title) by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge. To be updated as new prompts are completed.
Current up through 'Anca'
[Writing] I Stood Aside by Flora-lass
Maedhros' horror at the burning of the ships. Inspired by a painting (see notes).
[Reference] 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.
[Writing] Words of Wisdom by AdmirableMonster
One or more drabbles about Pengolodh and his babysitter Salgant.
[Writing] Les Mots de Sagesse by AdmirableMonster
Plusieurs petites histoires qui parle de Pengolodh et Salgant pendant des moments differents.
[Writing] "Tengwar" ficlets by chrissystriped
Fics written for the "Tengwar" challenge.
[Writing] Upon Cirith Thoronath by StarSpray
A horrid cacophony of cries erupts ahead of them, as orcs appear—up the cliff on hidden ledges, on the path, with bows and swords. And behind them rises a figure of darkness and flame. The heat rolls down the path over them, bringing the smell of burning flesh and bitter fear with it. Someone…
Current Challenge
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Holiday Feast
A multi-course "feast" of prompts for writing, artwork, reading, commenting, and meta. 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
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!
May 2024 Calls for Papers
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers in May 2024.
Angbang Week 2024
All new, unpublished fanworks about the Angbang (Melron) ship are welcome during this Tumblr event, running 6-12 May 2024.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Meet & Greet by cuarthol
Matryoshka inspired art for the Meet & Greet Challenge
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beren, Celebrimbor, Edain, Elu Thingol, Eöl, Finrod Felagund, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maeglin, Melian, Narvi, Oromë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 March 2024 | Updated on 14 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (12) |
The Last Dance by SonOfMandos
Harad, Second Age. Tar-Ardamin's favourite dancer comes back to him.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 877 |
| Posted on 14 March 2024 | Updated on 14 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Come Together, Broken Things, and Grow by UnicornsInSpace
Idril and Meleth (my OC) welcome Finduilas, Niënor, and other refugees into Havens after the Fall of Doriath, hoping they can start anew there. Finduilas's daughter is distraught about the situation. Also, how did Finduilas and Niënor make it to the Havens after the Fall of Doriath?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Finduilas, Idril, Mablung, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Mablung/Nienor, Oropher/Unnamed Canon Character, Finduilas & Original Character, Idril & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, General, Het, Poly, Romance, Slash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 067 |
| Posted on 12 March 2024 | Updated on 12 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Whatever Can Go Wrong, Will by sallysavestheday
A wet night in Rivendell has some of its residents in a bit of a snit.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 481 |
| Posted on 6 March 2024 | Updated on 12 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Strands by Flora-lass
Elrond asks Maglor to do his hair.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 128 |
| Posted on 11 March 2024 | Updated on 11 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Trial of a Dream by chrissystriped
A Maia arrives in Ost-in-Edhil. Maeglin cannot share Celebrimbor's excitement, he feels something is wrong with 'Annatar'.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Maeglin |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 158 |
| Posted on 11 March 2024 | Updated on 11 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Not yet weary are my feet by Quente
I read the Athrabeth and decided that Andreth was far too centered and wise to let a little thing like pity get in the way of true love.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 235 |
| Posted on 11 March 2024 | Updated on 11 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
That could have gone worse by daughterofshadows
Barhador was so not prepared for getting his period.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 11 March 2024 | Updated on 11 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
To Whatever End by Grundy
Interludes with Finwë, from before the Journey to after.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë, Indis, Ingwë, Míriel Serindë, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: Finwë/Indis/Míriel, Finwë & Ingwë & Thingol |
| Genres: | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 2, 538 |
| Posted on 10 March 2024 | Updated on 10 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Prelude by Independence1776
Jedi!Maglor, meet Daeron. A double drabble.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Daeron & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Crossover, Fixed-Length Ficlet | crossed with Star Wars | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 210 |
| Posted on 10 March 2024 | Updated on 10 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Fear the Thunder by between_thepages
Thunderstorms never bring good news, Anairë has noted. And the one keeping her up this night is certainly no exception.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 451 |
| Posted on 8 March 2024 | Updated on 8 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Water Is Fine by Gwanath Dagnir
Elrond, newest addition to Gil-galad's court, pays an unexpected visit to Mithlond's luxurious spa house for the first time.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Gil-galad |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 855 |
| Posted on 8 March 2024 | Updated on 8 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Seeing Stones in Dark Towers by Simon J. Cook
As inscribed above the western doors of the Mines of Moria, that magical illustration of Elf-Dwarf collaboration, the name of the game is treachery. From Frodo’s far-seeing dream of Orthanc in his first night in the house of Tom Bombadil, the post draws in the person of Frodo Baggins the image of the Stone by which the will of the Necromancer enters a Tower.
The Peaks of Taniquetil by Simon J. Cook
In 1946, two towers appeared in Tolkien's writings. The tower found in The Fall of Númenor may shed light on the meaning of the tower analogy of "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics."
Meet & Greet Challenge Drabbles by cílil
A small drabble collection for the 2024 Matryoshka Meet & Greet Challenge.
Ainur-centric, canonverse, various pairings.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Estë, Lórien, Manwë, Melkor, Sauron, Ulmo, Varda |
| Major Relationships: Manwë/Varda, Melkor/Sauron, Manwë & Melkor, Manwë/Ulmo, Estë/Irmo, Eönwë/Gothmog |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, Romance, Slash | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 904 |
| Posted on 5 March 2024 | Updated on 6 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Paradigm by Chestnut_pod
In Tirion, science advances one departure across an ice bridge at a time.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 921 |
| Posted on 6 March 2024 | Updated on 6 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden Lads and Girls All Must by sallysavestheday
Argon sees the world with an artist's eyes. All the way to the end.
| Major Characters: Argon, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Argon & Fingon |
| Genres: | Challenges: Meet & Greet |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 969 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 6 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
The Embalmer's Apprentice by Lyra
Faced with the choice between execution or working on the preservation of dead people, young Azruhâr finds himself drawn into an increasingly political struggle between faith and power, tradition and new ideas - and a journey beyond his wildest fears and dreams.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Herucalmo, Tar-Ancalimon, Tar-Telemmaitë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Arda Underground, Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Expletive Language, In-Universe Classism, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 69 | Word Count: 446, 654 |
| Posted on 4 February 2010 | Updated on 4 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (453) |
Are You Proud of Me? by MourningGlory
In his brother's final moments, Curufin must play an unexpected role.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Curufin |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 805 |
| Posted on 4 March 2024 | Updated on 4 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Awakening by MourningGlory
A very tired Maglor wakes in an unfamiliar place. There, a familiar voice gives his diminished spirit the strength to live again.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gandalf, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 696 |
| Posted on 1 March 2024 | Updated on 3 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Blue Line Between Sea and Sky by sallysavestheday
Voronwe drowns. And drowns. And drowns.
| Major Characters: Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor/Voronwë |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 947 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 2 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
From Clamor, Consonance by sallysavestheday
Maedhros and Maglor, singing.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 818 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 2 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Let Not My Love Be Called Idolatry by sallysavestheday
Orodreth and Túrin's fascination with each other leads them to delight, and then to disaster.
| Major Characters: Orodreth, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Orodreth/Túrin |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 007 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 2 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Incongruity by sallysavestheday
Anaire stayed behind.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 401 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 2 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Stasimon by sallysavestheday
How do the Speaking People end? Maedhros reflects, in the fading of the world.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on 2 March 2024 | Updated on 2 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
