Cultus Dispatches: Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft
Concern about craft and improving as a writer is so common in the Tolkien fanfiction fandom that it can be assumed universal. But Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data suggests that a growing subset of authors may be pushing back on this assumption.
SWG News
New Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King
Cross "The Silmarillion" with a second text or fandom in this month's crossover challenge.
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 & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The road to the Estolad by clotho123
A kind of follow up to "The Debate of Finrod and Andreth". Finrod left a few things out of his talk with Andreth, which led me to wonder what a member of a different Noldorin House might have to say.
[Writing] Truth to tell by clotho123
Maeglin tells of his role in the Fall of Gondolin. His version is rather different from the histories.
[Writing] Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
[Writing] All The Heart's Orthographies by sallysavestheday
A perfect drabble for each of the Tengwar, for the Tengwar challenge.
[Writing] "Tengwar" ficlets by chrissystriped
Fics written for the "Tengwar" challenge.
[Writing] March of the Noldor by Himring
A poem about the Noldor. (See Story Notes.)
[Artwork] Uin's Delivery Service by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Uin ferries the Elves to Valinor because Ulmo asked. If he has to hear "are we there yet" one more time, he might just dump the lot of them off the island. Or maybe not.
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
New in References
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
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.
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
Scribbles & Drabbles 2024
A chill Tolkien event, where artists make art, and authors write little stories in response. Begins in June and ends in November.
Gen Work June 2024
Gen Work June is a month-long event on Tumblr and AO3 that encourages the creation and celebration of gen fanworks.
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.
Taboos Were Made To Be Broken (January 2017) by Kaylee Arafinwiel
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The (In)Justice of the King
Nimloth and Neldiel share their anger at Luthien's plight - but Elu isn't having any of it.
Nimloth followed swiftly, her hand catching in Neldiel's. She looked into Neldiel's eyes anxiously. "Please stay," she said quietly.
"I will not," Neldiel repeated.
"Stay for your sons, if not for me," Nimloth said quietly. "They need you, too. We do not understand."
"I will speak with my sons later," Neldiel said after a moment, taking her hand back from Nimloth. "But I will not stay. Not for this.”
"That is your right, of course," Nimloth said quietly. "I will remain with Adar and Naneth, then, where the King can see in my eyes that I disapprove, where he will understand that I have not turned my back on Princess Lúthien. I will remain for her." Dipping a curtsey to Neldiel, she returned to stand between Galathil and Aglarwen, slipping her hand into her brother's.
Amdir squeezed Nimloth's hand lightly, feeling quite as distraught as she did, and both young elves turned defiant looks on Aran Elu, though he ignored them.
Anger sparked in Neldiel's eyes. How dare Nimloth act so very superior, and intimate that she was doing the better thing for Luthien. Neldiel had no inclination to waste her anger on Nimloth, so she turned to leave, but the King's guards were blocking her way.
"With respect, my lady," Captain Mablung said firmly, "it is best you follow Lady Nimloth's example. Whether you think our King's decree is just or not, we have been commanded not to let anyone pass until Aran Elu is ready to return."
Ordinarily, Neldiel might have charmed or flirted her way past a guard, but she was in no mood to even attempt a smile. "I am ready to return now," she said instead.
"I have my orders, Lady Neldiel, and you have yours," Mablung said tersely.
"Orders that I cannot, in good conscience, obey," Neldiel replied.
"I understand, my lady. But it is my duty to see you do obey," Mablung replied. He wasn't entirely unsympathetic to Neldiel's plight; he'd been just as upset at the thought of Lúthien imprisoned, and not much shocked him. That had. Still, orders were orders.
"Then I am sorry, Captain, but you will have to do your duty," Neldiel said, and she stepped past Mablung.
Mablung grasped Neldiel firmly by the arm, and marched her back through the group of Elves to stand before Elu and Melian. Lúthien had been slowly climbing up the ladder toward her new-made prison, and was nearly to the top.
Elu's gaze fell on Neldiel and Mablung. "What is this, Neldiel?" he demanded. "You would dare disobey me with this example before you?"
"Clearly," Neldiel said coldly.
"If you persist, We will be forced to lock the four of you up as dissenters," Elu said, equally as coldly. His gaze took in Celepharn, Oropher and Vehiron as well. "We will not stand for this."
"The four of us? But they didn't..." Neldiel stopped, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a contemptuous smile. If the only way that Elu could control her was by threatening her, making her fear for those she loved more than herself...well. She had experienced that before, from other ellyn.
"Very well. But in this, neither you nor the Queen have my loyalty," she said, her eyes on the King. "Princess Luthien does. Captain Mablung, release me."
Mablung looked to Elu, who gave him a brief nod. He let Neldiel go.
Neldiel took a moment to smooth her skirt and straighter her sleeve where Mablung had gripped her arm, and then she returned to her family. She stood wordlessly next to Celepharn, staring straight ahead with clenched fists.
Celepharn took Neldiel's clenched fist in his hand, stroking the back of her fingers with his thumb. He looked at her, not at Elu or Melian. Above them, the door of the house in Neldor's crown opened, Luthien passed through wordlessly, and it shut behind her. With a wordless gesture, Elu indicated the ladder should be removed. Melian did so, and Mablung took his place beneath the tree to begin his watch.
Elmo stepped forward, his heart heavy and his voice showing a slight tremor, though he tried to keep it steady. "The justice of the King is done. Let all depart in peace."
Some left right away. Baraves was one of them, at Galadhon's side. Others left more slowly, with lingering glances up at the house in the tree. Neldiel stayed right where she was, unmoving.
Celepharn looked at Oropher and Vehiron. "Go, hil-nin, ion-nin," he said quietly. "Your naneth and I will come soon." He was gratified that they obeyed him, at least. Before long, they were the only ones left.
