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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: To The Letter by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge. To be updated as new prompts are completed.
Current up through 'Malta'
[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
Taboo
What is taboo? Use a bingo card of taboo-related prompts to inspire your fanwork. 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.
Fanworks Tagged with Elrond & Gil-galad
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.
A Dalliance Uncommon by Gwanath Dagnir
Sequel to 'Tinker, Tailer, Bromance, Spar' (itself sequel to 'Duty, Wine, Gossip, and Buoys') - so, I guess it's a 'verse now?
Two months, three weeks, and four days after returning home from an eventful/misfired/unrequited sojourn at the Guard Academy, Gil-galad and Elrond finally consummate their fast friendship turned mutual attraction.
Graphic, shameless, partially telepathic elf smut.
Tinker, Tailor, Bromance, Spar by Gwanath Dagnir
A wine-fueled faux pas has left a rift between Gil-galad and Elrond, maybe. If a week out of town and a new wardrobe can't set things right, there's always the sparring ring.
Duty, Gossip, Wine, and Buoys by Gwanath Dagnir
Newly arrived in Lindon but fast to the High King's confidence, Elrond is officially announced to Gil-Galad's court. He learns what these formal affairs are really all about. Content warning for consensual hair-braiding and maybe one drunken kiss or two.
Woven with Ribbons by StarSpray
Ereinion sat on his bed holding up a mirror; its frame was ornate and heavy, but he kept it steady as he watched his father’s slender fingers twist his hair into braids befitting a Prince of Noldor. Into the braids Fingon wove ribbons—not golden threads like he wore himself, but yellow silk, bright and sunny.
A New Home by Elwin Fortuna
Elrond and Gil-galad discuss Elrond's reasons for building and staying in Rivendell.
Surfacing, Into Light by Maggie Honeybite
On the night before he sails to Númenor on his mission, Erestor has a dream that sends him to Gil-galad's room in search of some sexual healing. Inspired by Keiliss' Answers in the Dark series, fits in right after Tea and History (or chapter 7 of Answers in the Dark). Alternatively, could be read as just a hot PWP. A gift for Keiliss.
Candles and Confidences by grey_gazania
Elrond and Gil-galad play a game and discuss some painful truths about their families.
Water Music by grey_gazania
Elrond, newly arrived to Balar, has a brief conversation with Gil-galad that makes him reassess his situation.
The Last Heir of Fëanor by Astrance
This is the tale of the surviving child of Celebrimbor of Eregion and how she fared through the Ages of the world. From the Fall of Ost-in-Edhil to Imladris and the vastness of Second Age Eriador, the fight against Sauron seems never ending.
Warning for slightly adjusted timeline according to the story needs, but not too noticeable as the structure stays intact. Also, poetry.
Salt on His Lips by chrissystriped
Elrond and Ereinion spend an afternoon at the beach and Ereinion makes a involuntary confession.
Five Gil-Galads Walk Into A Bar by herenortherenearnorfar
The Halls of Mandos are known to be strange but there's no precendent for running into other people who claim to be you.
Gil-Galad meets some other Gil-Galads and reflects on the essence of Gil-Galadness.
The Tale of Gull-galad by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elrond brings a new friend to a council meeting. His foster-brother the King is somewhat amused. But will everyone be?
Master of My Blood by Cheeky
A boy loses his father then spends a lifetime trying to find him. When Finrod walked out of Nargothrond what exactly did he leave behind?
Jewellight Express by herenortherenearnorfar
Eärendil
(Embracing the SILMARIL OF AIR)
Let followers of the patroneʃs of stars
Wear the mantles of their mighty host
Whilʃt I, a sailor of beaches and bars,
Tremble before beauty that makes all else toaʃt
Princes of elves have slavered o'er light
And jealous women caʃt away their frame
But it’s I, a man of little might
Who sits in jewellight, triumphs over flame
“Yikes,” said Gil-Galad, High King of the Noldor.
