Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
SWG News
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] A Very Fire by Deborah Judge
Feanor and Fingolfin, from their youth to their fall.
"I will do this gladly," Fingolfin said, whispering into Feanor's mouth, grasping for reasons and sense. "Gladly, if it will bring peace between us. If it will end the madness."
"The madness will not end," Feanor…
[Writing] After the Kinslaying by Deborah Judge
A Teleri fishing boat captain turns to farming on abandoned Noldor lands after her ship is stolen. A Noldor farmer returns with Finarfin to find that his land belongs to the Teleri now.
[Writing] Add Another Stone by StarSpray
The thing about forgiveness, he thought, was that it was so much easier when the object of it was far away—or dead. It was so much easier to let it all go when those responsible were far away and unable to do any more harm.
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
[Writing] Blessed are the Leave-takers by Isilme_among_the_stars
As prince Curufinwë Fëanáro makes an historical speech from the high court of the King upon Túna, those at the back of the crowd strain to hear.
A silly little scene inspired by Monty Python's "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" scene from The Life of Brian, written for …
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
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.
[Writing] Until the Stars are All Alight by Dagstjarna
Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Zingers
Prompts for this challenge include zingers and insults from literature and pop culture. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
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.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
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
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Chewing The Fat by Grundy
During a lesson, Elrond is puzzled by the name of an animal.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 805 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The Owl Who Would Sing. by hennethgalad
once upon a time there was an owl who wanted to sing...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lórien, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 652 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Burning Iron by Lferion
Tales say that iron burns the flesh of elves.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Maudits silmarils : maudit AU by Dilly
Recueil de mini-épisodes et drabbles dans un univers alternatif moderne de la fanfiction Maudits Silmarils. Nouveaux chapitres.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Elenwë, Fingon, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 35 | Word Count: 54, 052 |
| 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) |
Owling by lightofthetrees
One night in early spring, a young Celebrían hears a scream outside. She and her father go looking for its source.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 581 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
People of the Ice by Fadesintothewest
The Fëanorians find that their kin who crossed the Ice have been utterly changed. Fingon is utterly changed. All of them are.
This Fingon-centric story is an exploration of Fingolfin's host and the impact of the Grinding Ice on who they became as a people once they arrived to MIddle Earth. They are often portrayed as not being changed much by the Helcaraxë. This story presents a different interpretation, exploring the darker edges of elven psyche. In attempt to reconcile some gaps between canon and the length of time it takes Fingon to go out and rescue Maedhros this story explores why that time elapsed. Get ready for a not so nice Fingon, hardened by the many losses of his People and the betrayal Maedhros.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 18 | Word Count: 120, 966 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Asëa aranion by firstamazon
The Grinding Ice. Findekáno makes a discovery and wants to share it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 655 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Maglor in the Middle by Dilly
Elf children are more precocious than human children, says Tolkien. But some elf children are even more so.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Brandir, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maglor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Family, General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 419 |
| 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) |
NOLDOLANTË by bluehair
I happened to be watching Saving Private Ryan. So I decided that this looks bright and shiny...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 602 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Service to the Dead by heget
“But why are you here, M’lord? And not in thine Halls or reborn o’er the seas?” Gorlim asked.
“There is no peace for me there,” answered the armored phantom. “I vowed never to be reborn, and spoke this oath before the Doomsman. He accepted, loathe though he was at my resolve. I am not my cousins, to ever rest from this war against the Great Foe. So he sends me thither, to fight Morgoth once more, in the manner of the servants of Mandos.”
The Team-up Fic You Never Knew You Needed: the Ghosts of Gorlim and Aegnor Have Adventures (While Somebody Steals a Silmaril)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Beren, Gorlim, Original Male Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 15, 572 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Maglor in the Middle by Dilly
Les enfants elfes sont plus précoces que les enfants humains, nous dit Tolkien. Mais certains enfants elfes le sont plus encore.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 446 |
| 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) |
The Gallant Gravedigger by Lyra
Atanacalmo of Armenelos, main censor, has to decide what to do about a political play. To make matters more complicated, Princess Vanimeldë is highly interested in the play's success...
A sort of spin-off to The Embalmer's Apprentice, probably only makes sense if you're already familiar with the characters. Written for August 2020's Utopia/Dystopia challenge. Contains no actual spoilers for TEA. No gravediggers or embalmers were (further) harmed in the making of this narrative.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 604 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Gentle yearning of the heart by firstamazon
"Then the waves hunted us like living things filled with malice, and the lightnings smote us; and when we were broken down to a helpless hull the seas leaped upon us in fury." (The Fall of Gondolin, pp. 118)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 177 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Man of Constant Sorrow by NelyafinweFeanorion
Summary:
Modern AU where Maglor lives and works in New York City as a bartender and musician. He fills his days with work and live music but the advent of a new exhibition at the library near his home brings back memories of more than his lost family. An unexpected encounter with a familiar looking stranger sets him on a different path.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 740 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
An Unexpected Friendship by StarSpray
After strange music is heard in the woods near Tuckborough, young Belladonna Took goes to investigate, and strikes up an unlikely friendship over tea and music with a lonely wandering elf minstrel.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 16, 064 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 496 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Chosen by Gadira
As Middle-Earth lies under the yoke of the greatest tyranny in the world since the days of Morgoth, a woman from an unnamed mountain village is chosen. This is her story.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Men, Númenóreans, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 367 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Place, the People by Himring
Turgon, who failed to evacuate Gondolin in time, will eventually become a driving force behind the successful evacuation of Tirion when Pharazon's army invades Valinor.
But the story begins with his return to Tirion from Mandos.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 704 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Here, Where We Are by Lferion
Elrond muses on the idea of Elves being 'for the world'. A triple drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 304 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Lay of Luthien by Himring
A drabble sequence about Luthien Tinuviel.
Mainly in appreciation of her!
(Although perhaps not entirely without questions.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 582 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Preparation by StarSpray
After Gil-Estel appears, Círdan takes council with Ossë.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Círdan, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 599 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In Guarded Lands and Sunlit Glades by Lindariel
Young Galadriel has a strange encounter with her uncle.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Galadriel, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Archetypes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 825 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Eye Deal. by hennethgalad
for the Utopia/Dystopia challenge.
- "But for long the crews of the great Númenórean ships came unarmed among the men of Middle-earth; and though they had axes and bows aboard for the felling of timber and the hunting for food upon wild shores owned by no man, they did not bear these when they sought out the men of the lands."
- J.R.R. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Ar-Pharazôn accepts the 'surrender' of Sauron.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 335 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In My End Is My Beginning by Lilith
A collection of works written for B2MeM 2020.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Draugluin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Isildur, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 17 | Word Count: 19, 620 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Crystal Clear. by hennethgalad
tolkien crack week day 3: ridiculous detail.
a young wood elf learns the ways of the wider world
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 453 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
