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.
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.

A March-Warden assists the last of the refugees from Doriath to the Falls of Sirion after the sons of Feanor assail Menegroth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Mystery | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 303 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |

| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | crossed with Elder Scrolls | Challenges: Epic 80s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |

The Halls of Nienna are infinite, for so is grief. Within it lie the waters of the Ekkaia, the sea that surrounds the world, fed by Nienna's tears and the tears of her children. Finarfin is not like his brothers, not wise or brave or clever, but when he cried the Valar did not shut him out.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Olwë, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin/Olwë, Finarfin & Nienna |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 698 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |

Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Arwen, Celebrimbor, Curufin, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Arwen & Elrond, Celebrimbor & Curufin, Curufin & Fëanor, Celebrimbor + Elrond |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 616 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |

Aerin is miserable and bitter under the domination of Brodda and his people.
A horrible ficlet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aerin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet, Horror | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 365 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |

In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ohtar, Unnamed Male Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Ohtar + Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: Everyman |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 23, 338 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |

...everyone here seemed to think Daeron should return to them equally unchanged, the same merry minstrel he had been long ago before the Girdle had been breached. He was yet a minstrel, and he was often merry, but he had seen and done so much that so many here could never even imagine. He had come very close to death more than once, and yet survived. He did not care what others might think of him, really—except for a select few—but it would be tiresome to be always catching them off guard, and his love for one of the sons of Fëanor would catch many very much off guard, he knew.
Daeron settles back in among his own people, travels to Tirion--and meets Fëanor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Mablung, Fëanor, Curufin, Caranthir, Celebrimbor, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Daeron & Lúthien, Curufin & Daeron, Caranthir & Daeron, Celebrimbor & Daeron, Daeron & Mablung, Celegorm & Daeron |
| Genres: Drama, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 22, 075 |
| 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) |

Elwing waits.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |

In Tol Eressea, in the late Second Age, Voronwe looks back on his shared past with Numenor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 393 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |

This is the test account and test story for the site. If you see this, Dawn and/or Russa are building or fixing something.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 512 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |

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.

Eventually they arrived, and Echeleb and Dernodhos ushered Anniavas in. Dernodhos found an old thin pallet somewhere and unrolled it on the floor, made him lie down with Limral—who had immediately perked up and started sniffing the air—and went and found them a heavy piece of cloth to use as a blanket. The frayed and ragged edges and complex, cut-off pattern made it look as if it had once been part of a larger tapestry. It was beautifully woven, but singed dark in places, where fire must have touched it.
“What’s this?” Anniavas asked, sleepy and curious—at least it was something to focus on other than his current fears.
Dernodhos paused, running her fingers along it, with an expression on her face he hadn’t seen before. “A memory,” she said.“Of a story from long ago.” She ruffled his hair gently. “I’ll tell you about it another time.”
-- The Mirror Crack'd, Chapter Seven, Without the Hands of a Healer
A series of perfect drabbles about Dernodhos's blanket.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character & Original Character, Lórien/Vairë |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Folktales/Myths/Legends | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 713 |
| 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) |

Stories set in and around the universe of The Mirror Crack'd.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron, Maedhros, Original Female Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s), Finrod Felagund, Celegorm, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Sauron & Original Character, Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |

After the fall of Dorthonion, Edhellos (originally named in Quenya Eldalote), Angrod's wife, has chosen to move to Barad Nimras, the tower that Finrod built in the Falas on a headland west of Eglarest.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 781 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |

a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s), Daeron, Finwë, Beleg, Finrod Felagund, Curufin, Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Original Character, Daeron/Maglor, Finwë/Indis/Míriel, Beleg & Túrin, Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 2, 420 |
| 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 (0) |

The fate of lovers has been sealed. After Aegnor pledges his love to Andreth, he seeks out council one last time from his wiser and more grounded eldest brother. However, his hopes that Finrod would join him in this newfound happiness are quickly dashed and it does not go well between the brothers. Finrod finds himself forced to navigate his ferocious and unhinged younger brother with extreme caution, plunging even his own safety into uncertainty. Aegnor finds himself faced with an agonising decition, one that will rip his entire being asunder. Yet hope may remain, and it rests in the palm of none other than Illuvatar himself who, through the sheer force of Aegnor's undying love for one mortal, takes notice. Bending the very stars in the heavens..
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 46, 519 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |

A series of half-drabbles using the one word prompts for the March/April 2025 Birthday Bash Challenge, looking at the perception of time through the eyes of Maiar (in general), Maedhros (specifically), and Aragorn and Arwen (specifically).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar, Maedhros, Aragorn, Arwen |
| Major Relationships: Aragorn/Arwen |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 510 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |

Finrod ponders on the mortality of Men and how few he has met, and Bëor is there to pull him back to reality.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Bëor |
| Major Relationships: Bëor & Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Scavenger Hunt |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 563 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |

A young Celegorm and Curufin befriend an old Spruce tree.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Curufin |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 192 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |

In the aftermath of the third kinslaying and the death of Amrod and Amras, Maglor needs to reassure himself that Maedhros is still there with him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |

Ereinion Gil-galad wants desperately to sail. Being king gets in the way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Gil-galad |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 226 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |

Celebrimbor reunites with his family in the Halls of Mandos, hoping to reconcile with them.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Curufin, Celebrimbor & Sons of Fëanor |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |

In an effort to worm his way into the ranks of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, Annatar makes moves to seduce Celebrimbor and his partner Narvi, hopefully without the other's knowledge. Things don't go according to plan... or do they?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron, Celebrimbor/Narvi, Celebrimbor/Narvi/Sauron, Narvi/Sauron |
| Genres: Erotica, Poly, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 155 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |

Here's one of my art pieces for TRSB 2025! This cosplay photo set was so evocative, I was wondering what I could use it for, and then I realized that TRSB would be a perfect fit. The circlet and halo crown were made by me; the circlet has an Eye of Sauron design and the halo crown lights up. This is one of my favorite cosplays and I'm so overjoyed to share it as part of TRSB!
tyelperintal has written a fanfic for this art which can be read here.
Cosplayer: skywardstruck
Halo crown and circlet: skywardstruck
Costume: voldadivnaya
Photo: stargirlpictures
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Cosplay |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |

I had this cosplay photo taken of my Maglor and my friend moodrose's Galadriel at Katsucon 2025, and we managed to get set up just in time for the sunset! The rocky shore outside the convention center was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for this shot. This was a last-minute idea I had, but it really paid off, because we knew this photo would be perfect for TRSB, leaving plenty of room for the author to develop Maglor and Galadriel's relationship. starspray wrote a beautiful fanfic for this work which can be found here.
Maglor: skywardstruck
Galadriel: moodrose
Photo: aerlinn.cos
Maglor cosplay made by lady-creations-and-co, designed by me
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel & Maglor |
| Artwork Type: Cosplay |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |