Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
SWG News
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
Cultus Dispatches: Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey
Ten years of demographic data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey show consistencies in who reads and writes fanfiction, as well as a few key demographic shifts.
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Swelling from the Sea by annarobots
Tuor and Elwing’s recreational sailing excursion goes terribly awry when a carnivorous siren casts her gaze upon their vessel. With her song, she enchants the mariners and boards with evil intent. She kills and eats their crewman, she demands Tuor’s hand in marriage, and for dessert…
[Writing] A Song Amidst His Torment by Elrond's Library
Of course it was a trap.
Maitimo has to survive. He must. But what price is too high to pay for survival?
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. But beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a…
[Reference] "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to…
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
Current Challenge
Building Middle-earth
Receive a prompt of an architectural style or a location on Arda—or both!—to inspire your fanworks. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Many Meetings
Create a fanwork centered on a nonviolent conflict. Read more ...
New in References
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows demographic changes in participant gender, age, and education and new revelations about neurodiversity.
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Silvergifting Week 2026
A week dedicated to Celebrimbor/Mairon | Annatar | Sauron pairing, aka Silvergifting. August 10-16, 2026
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Swelling from the Sea by annarobots
Tuor and Elwing’s recreational sailing excursion goes terribly awry when a carnivorous siren casts her gaze upon their vessel. With her song, she enchants the mariners and boards with evil intent. She kills and eats their crewman, she demands Tuor’s hand in marriage, and for dessert, she plans to eat Elwing. A vile, terrible creature is she!
And then things take a turn for the worse.
A fill for the 2026 Rare Kink Buffet, a Bad Guys Made Them Do It story.
| Major Characters: Tuor, Elwing, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Elwing/Tuor |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 318 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Song Amidst His Torment by Elrond's Library
Of course it was a trap.
Maitimo has to survive. He must. But what price is too high to pay for survival?
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Sauron, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Maedhros & Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Horror, Hurt/Comfort, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Child Abuse, Domestic and Partner Violence, Expletive Language, In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 22 | Word Count: 51, 524 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new life and finds he has a queer connection with Maedhros, Himring's lord. As their intimacy grows, however, so do the dangers surrounding them, both without and within. What secrets are hidden inside the depths of Anniavas's lost memories--and how will those with whom he is forging and deepening bonds react, when those secrets are at last revealed?
| Major Characters: Sauron, Maedhros, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Original Female Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Fingon/Maedhros, Celegorm/Finrod, Original Character/Original Character, Fingon/Maedhros/Sauron |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 38, 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (37) |
From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I have much else to do. I need to build something new there,” he said after a few moments. “To do that, I must first clear away the old and broken things.”
Decades out of Mandos, too many things in Fëanor's life remain broken. He can't do anything except wait for his sons to come to him, but he can do something about the old and crumbling house where they once lived.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Findis, Lalwen, Original Character(s), Celebrimbor, Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingolfin, Fëanor & Lalwen, Fëanor & Finwë, Fëanor & Findis, Curufin & Fëanor, Celebrimbor & Fëanor, Fëanor & Maedhros, Fëanor & Maglor, Caranthir & Fëanor, Amras & Amrod & Fëanor, Fëanor/Nerdanel, Fëanor & Original Character |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 98, 297 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. But beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a devastating trauma and a well of deep, guarded secrets. His demons, kept at bay by his unyielding intensity that is both his greatest gift and his biggest curse.
Little does our Noldorin prince know that a chance encounter with a terrified young girl of men will set him on a collision course, igniting an extraordinary bond wrought with challenges, sacrifices, and intense love that threatens to unravel his guarded heart, and all he keeps within it.
Brace yourself for Part I of this captivating tale, where the primal power of love and devestating loss will tear lives apart forever.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Angrod |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 59, 915 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Celegorm, Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Eluréd & Elurín, Celegorm & Daeron, Daeron & Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 29, 172 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the days between the Dagor Bragollach and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, meets the sons of Feanor, Thingol and his ilk, many Laiquendi, many Dwarves, and Men besides, and THEN decides to solve the drowning of Beleriand himself. This has nothing to do with his personal problems. Nope. Not at all. Erestor is having regular feelings.)
| Major Characters: Erestor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Erestor & Maedhros, Erestor & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 21, 396 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
i am not there, i do not sleep by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Daeron, Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Daeron, Celegorm & Eluréd & Elurín, Daeron & Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Laws and Customs (Cover and Art Edition) by AdmirableMonster
While searching for a series of his lost notes on Gondolin, the scholar Pengolodh is taken by bandits and used cruelly.
Rescued by a friend and taken to the remnants of Melian's Girdle, he begins a slow road to recovery that will lead to the apprehension of the attackers, the judgement of the king, and unexpected friendships and cultural exchanges.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Elros, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Living Stars, Living Bright by Elrond's Library
She shook her head, quietly reveling in the physicality of having her wife’s hands on her. “How can I hold you at fault for the events of the past centuries when you have not been here, able to act?”
Indis has been summoned to the Halls of Vairë on behalf of one thought lost.
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Indis/Míriel |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Hurt/Comfort, Poly, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 177 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Foundations by AdmirableMonster
The Mouth of Sauron visits the Witch-King in her newly-founded kingdom of Angmar.
| Major Characters: Mouth of Sauron, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: Mouth of Sauron & Witch-king of Angmar |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Building Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eat, Pray, Love by AdmirableMonster
The Darkest Timeline AU for my Steampunk Númenor series.
In which the Mouth of Sauron is originally a Númenorean chemister rescued from Ar-Pharazôn's intimate attentions by Sauron himself.
| Major Characters: Mouth of Sauron, Original Male Character(s), Sauron, Witch-king of Angmar, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Mouth of Sauron/Sauron, Mouth of Sauron & Witch-king of Angmar |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Shaped From Rock by Fuin
A Dwarven merchant travels from Nogrod to the far south in search of greater wealth – and finds something else entirely.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Building Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 376 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Name of the Fire by Kios
Some journeys cannot be lightened, and some destinies cannot be commanded.
Fëanor rejects Mandos. He burns Halls and leaves ash behind him, as defiant in death as he was in life.
In the Void, he encounters something else.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Original Character, Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Experimental, General, Mystery, Poetry, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 8, 373 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Laws and Customs by Jonathan Gee, AdmirableMonster
Elros caring for Pengolodh after a terrible trauma.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elros/Pengolodh |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Retina Burn by annarobots
At the End, when Morgoth, cloaked in doom, came forth through the Door out of the Timeless Night and into the world, it was the Sun he sought before aught else.
An eclipse, thought Elwing, on the wing with her flock. What else could bring nightfall at noon?
Elwing and Arien, together in a little boat on the wide seas at the end of the world.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Arien |
| Major Relationships: Arien/Elwing |
| Genres: Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 950 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Silk Road by Artano
During a visit to Círdan, Finrod discovers a new hobby involving tying ropes around various objects. Now, he's ready to take it to the next level, but there is a small kink in the plan - he wants a spotter to make sure everything goes well. Fortunately, Edrahil is available.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Edrahil |
| Major Relationships: Edrahil & Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 548 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Love is Stored in the Written Word by Elrond's Library
Galadriel finally has room to breathe.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Dibbly Fresh, an Elfling-Sitters Club Story by annarobots
Need an elfling-sitter? Save time! Call The Elfling-Sitters Club and reach seven six experienced sitters.
Fingon, President
Daeron, Vice-President
Pengolodh, Secretary
Finrod, Treasurer
Maglor, Alternate Officer
Salgant, Snack Officer
Daeron has an important question to ask Maglor. And no, it’s not “can I get some more art supplies for my Kid-Kit?”
A Baby-Sitters Club fusion story, set in the 1980s.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor |
| Genres: Fluff, Humor | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 885 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Orphan Princess and the BFG by octopus_fool
Elwing is fleeing towards the Havens of Sirion when she spots a nightly visitor.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Drama | crossed with The BFG | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 030 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Shepherd Princess by Himring
A princess and her sheepdog. (Drabble featuring a young Ancalime.)
| Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Yacht Rock Silmarillion by Dawn Felagund
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the characters in The Silmarillion were smoooooth like they were sippin' a Sex on the Beach on a party barge in the harbor at Alqualondë? The "Yacht Rock Silmarillion" retells The Silmarillion as though the characters all had perms and had one too many buttons open, revealing too much chest hair, but hey, no one is killing anyone! This playlist follows the events of The Silmarillion through yacht rock songs.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Rock) | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
and let's be winners by mistake by atlantablack
"Move farther north," Caranthir says to her a month after the attack, gaze steady on her even as his hands continue briskly gutting fish. "There is plenty of land closer to my fortress, and my people can help protect yours if there is another attack."
Haleth looks up from her own fish, frowning a bit at the sight he makes. Even after a month, she hasn't grown used to the sight of this elvish prince so casually working with the rest of them. She opens her mouth to refuse, proud of her people and their independence, having no desire to be indebted to anyone, but the words catch in her throat as she meets his eyes. She thinks treacherously of his mouth against the inside of her wrist, and what comes out instead is, "How close to your keep are you trying to drag us? And what is the cost?"
Or: Caranthir asks and Haleth agrees. This does not mean they were prepared for what follows.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 245 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
it is not a sacrifice if you lose nothing in the giving by atlantablack
In which Fingolfin is tired and everyone else is just along for the ride, even if they would really rather not be.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Lalwen, Findis, Finarfin, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingolfin, Fëanor & Finarfin & Findis & Fingolfin & Lalwen, Fingolfin & Finwë, Fingolfin & Indis, Fëanor & Finwë |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
