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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
Wish upon a Star
Create a fanwork where a character wishes upon or muses on the stars. 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
When the Hurly-Burly's Done by sallysavestheday
Elrond and Gil-galad and Celebrimbor picnic on the edge of the world.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 878 |
| Posted on 7 January 2024 | Updated on 7 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Caused Fire to be Set by Narya
Maglor, on Losgar, and what might have been.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 282 |
| Posted on 7 January 2024 | Updated on 7 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Mind Your Back and Don’t Look Behind by Adoraincerta
Middle Earth, as a new land was no safer than the old Beleriand. There were people he shouldn't meet on his way of exploration, but Elrond catched the chance.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 430 |
| Posted on 6 January 2024 | Updated on 6 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Where No Moonlight Shines by Adoraincerta
Elrond made a choice and needed someone to fullfill it.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 456 |
| Posted on 6 January 2024 | Updated on 6 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Interview with Artist Mirra Kan by Anérea
Blue Wizards, Faithful Haradrim, Black Númenóreans; I chatted with Mirra about her evocative—and somtimes provocative—art drawing attention to some of Middle-earth's Oriental cultures and the Western perception of them.
Children of Aulë by cuarthol, Zdenka
A moment between those known by others as Petty Dwarves. Their name for themselves is unknown.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 5 January 2024 | Updated on 5 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 833 |
| Posted on 2 January 2024 | Updated on 2 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Marsh Where the Dead Sleep by Narya
“They lie in all the pools, pale faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead...”
- 'The Passage of the Marshes' from The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| Posted on 1 January 2024 | Updated on 1 January 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sunwarmed by StarSpray
The more he thought about it the more he realized he was not quite missing the Tirion of his childhood, but Nargothrond at its height. His own city, that he’d planned and helped to build with his own two hands, where his friends among the dwarves had visited so often, and where he had earned his favorite epessë. No one in Valinor called him Felagund.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 954 |
| Posted on 31 December 2023 | Updated on 31 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Penumbra by Rocky41_7
Maedhros presents himself as a...diplomatic guest to Doriath, certain he can convince the king to do as Maedhros wishes him to if he only had the chance. It is possible Maedhros is less than prepared for Doriath than he expected.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 18, 238 |
| Posted on 31 December 2023 | Updated on 31 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Many Meetings by Gwanath Dagnir
Years after the Great War and the sinking of Beleriand, Elrond arrives in Lindon and meets Gil-Galad the High King, along with many other important figureheads in his company.
Chapter 1:
Elrond is greeted at the Gray Havens with a case of mistaken identity, and a delicate fact of his heritage arises in the king's hall. Later, Gil-galad learns the fate of the Silmarils and the unexpected motivation for Elrond's absence since the War.
Chapter 2:
Círdan returns to Mithlond with special guests at the king's behest. But Elrond's arrival is not a surprise to everyone, and one detail of his introduction to Gil-galad's court is of particular interest to Celeborn.
Chapter 3:
Galadriel steals some alone time with Elrond and learns more about his strange fate, while Elrond learns some Elvish history that isn't in the printed copy. Later, a guest with a surprising relationship inadvertently brings ghosts of the past to a dinner party, because Trauma.
Chapter 4:
Gil-galad summons a totally not secret council to formalize Elrond's placement in his court. No one could possibly have other machinations in mind, unless of course they always had.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 16, 019 |
| Posted on 13 October 2022 | Updated on 29 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Namesake by Gwanath Dagnir
One winter night, Maedhros has his work interrupted by an uninvited visitor and an unwelcome guessing game.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 082 |
| Posted on 29 December 2023 | Updated on 29 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
HC Nandoran Family Tree by UnicornsInSpace
Here is a family tree of the Nandoran nobles and some Sindarin nobles that I filled out with HCs. I gave names to lots of textual ghosts (including Celeborn and Amdir's moms) and connected them to Denethor so it makes sense they are in charge of the Silvan elves in the 2nd and 3rd ages. Also so they are not in charge because they are Sindarin. I did not like that. I used FamilyEcho to make the family tree after someone in the Tolkien OCs discord mentioned using it.
| Major Characters: Amdir, Amroth, Celeborn, Celebrían, Denethor (Nandor), Galadhon, Galadriel, Galathil, Lenwë, Nandor, Nimloth, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 29 December 2023 | Updated on 29 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Like a Morning of Pale Spring by Idrils Scribe
Ardil of Doriath and Glorfindel Of Gondolin have much in common, and yet they have always kept each other at a frosty arm’s length.
Elrohir does not know it, but his return heralds an unexpected thaw.A missing scene from Northern Stars as a Christmas present for Grundy, who wanted to know what Ardil thought of it all. Thank you so much for all your hard beta work! Without your sage advice and encouragement this entire series wouldn’t be half as good.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 794 |
| Posted on 29 December 2023 | Updated on 29 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Leafless Winter by StarSpray
Though Elwing did not speak, Nienna seemed to know her thoughts. "Few of the Eldar come to stay long in my halls," she said, "but they are open to all. Will you come there?"
| Major Characters: Elwing, Fingon, Gandalf, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Suicide |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 410 |
| Posted on 14 August 2022 | Updated on 27 December 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Blood Ties by AdmirableMonster
A close friend of Lómion's has gone missing, and a dark creature stalks the forests of his home. When he is summoned by Nan Elmoth itself, Lómion will have to draw upon all the powers he possesses to get himself and his friend home again.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Anguirel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Anguirel & Maeglin, Maeglin & Original Character |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on 27 December 2023 | Updated on 27 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Your Face in the Water by Himring
At the Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reunion, plenty is always going on: so many people, so many encounters and interactions, tensions and forging of friendships .
That night, in this moment, in this little corner of Mereth Aderthad, nothing happens. Almost nothing. But it fails to happen with some intensity.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 104 |
| Posted on 25 December 2023 | Updated on 25 December 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Doom, Gloom and Maedhros by Himring
Banner made for the series by Lingwiloke (Fandom Stocking 2016)
The main story arc of this series goes from just after the rescue from Thangorodrim to Maedhros's death. However, the narrative is not strictly chronological - there are flashbacks, flashforwards and recounted memories. These span from Maedhros's childhood in Tirion to his release from Mandos just before the end of Arda. The individual stories are told from different points of view: Maedhros himself, Fingon, Maglor and Elrond. Although the upshot of the series is that it is pretty tough being doomed all the time, some bits are a lot more gloomy than others. All the dialogue was even wittier before being clumsily translated from Quenya. Considering the subject matter, very little blood and gore (I think). The ratings and warnings for individual sections differ greatly from the overall rating: see the individual stories.
ETA: Since I wrote this description of the series, it has snowballed in all directions. I feel that the description ought to be revised, but it is difficult to know exactly how to tweak it. You may wish to compare the more recent description of the series (with notes) on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/series/36091
Other links that might be helpful are these: a fragmentary timeline (https://hhimring.dreamwidth.org/61360.html), and a listing of original characters: http://hhimring.dreamwidth.org/69187.html (both on my Dreamwidth journal)
Illustrations to the series by Alasse now separately posted on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20456276/chapters/48536480
| Major Characters: Elrond, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 25 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Duel of Surveys: Comparing Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW Survey Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A (rough!) comparison of the Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW 16th Anniversary Surveys, looking at time active in fandom, attendance at fan conventions, and platform use.
A Stolen Gift by Flora-lass
Maglor's inevitably sad thoughts, with a very young Elrond asleep on his lap after a nightmare. Maedhros and young Elros are nearby.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 166 |
| Posted on 16 December 2023 | Updated on 16 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Keeping Watch by Lferion
There had been war-camps in Beleriand, purposeful and deadly serious, as well as full of song and camaraderie. There had been the Mereth Aderthad.
This tournament camp was, oddly — or perhaps not — most like that.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 296 |
| Posted on 16 December 2023 | Updated on 16 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Elegy for Númenor - Volume 1: Journey to Umbar by elfscribe
The Númenórean King Ar-Pharazôn thinks he has won an easy victory when Sauron surrenders to him and becomes his prisoner. But the march back to Umbar with the conniving Dark Lord turns out to have many unanticipated twists and turns through a nest of politics and intrigue, including Sauron's attempted seduction of Ar-Pharazôn's favorite male courtesan.
This is volume I of a planned trilogy. An epic tale of political intrigue, the desire for immortality and love, sorcery, hubris, loyalty, lust, and catastropic amounts of water.
MEFA 2009 First Place winner in Genres: Longer Works: Incomplete (Vol. I is now complete)
This fic was recommended in USA Today, May 20, 2015! (They have a fanfiction section. Who knew?) Thank you to Uvatha the Horseman for the rec!
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Númenóreans, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 32 | Word Count: 197, 820 |
| Posted on 22 April 2009 | Updated on 13 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (131) |
Uncovering The Hidden City: Depictions of the Siege of Gondolin in Popular Culture by Rocky41_7
An exploration of the various interpretations of the fall of the ancient Elven stronghold of Gondolin as told through popular culture.
KEY WORDS: Gondolin, Hidden City, Turgon, Idril, Tuor, Maeglin, First Age, Morgoth, Earendil, siege, theater, literature, radio, cinema, pop culture
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 899 |
| Posted on 10 December 2023 | Updated on 11 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Holly by Himring
An exchange between Celebrimbor and Celeborn before the Fall of Eregion and its aftermath.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 179 |
| Posted on 9 December 2023 | Updated on 9 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
"Extracts from the Noldolante as played by a small chamber orchestra in a seaside pavilion at teatime" & "No more laments for me" by Himring
Set after the First Age, probably during the Second Age: Finrod is invited to a small private concert in Alqualonde by members of the Falmarin music academy. Introduced to a piece of music he had no idea existed, he is taken aback.
Now with a related poem: "No more laments for me" posted as second chapter.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Elulindo, Finrod Felagund, Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Roaring Twenties |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 127 |
| Posted on 6 September 2023 | Updated on 9 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
