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.
SWG News
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
Cultus Dispatches: Communities Do Comment
Comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Instadrabbling Sessions for July, August, and September
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Shepherd Princess by Himring
A princess and her sheepdog. (Drabble featuring a young Ancalime.)
[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.
[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] 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] 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…
[Playlist] 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…
[Writing] 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…
Current Challenge
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Secret Gate
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are based on the common plot points and tropes from mystery novels. Read more ...
New in References
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.
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.
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
Celedriel Week 2026
A Tumblr event week focusing on the relationship between Celeborn and Galadriel.
Esoteric Tolkien Week 2026
A fandom event dedicated to the strange, otherworldly, and inexplicable in Middle-earth and beyond.
Tolkien Disability Pride 2026
This Tumblr event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
discarded by Fernstrike
Celebrimbor learns a horrible truth.
Written for the December 2020 Instadrabbling event on the SWG server.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 211 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
the war to come by Fernstrike
A moment of foreboding between a Maia and an Elvenking during the funeral of Thorin Oakenshield.
Written for the December 2020 Instadrabbling event on the SWG server.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 194 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Numenor That Was by Himring
An anthology for stories set in Numenor or involving Numenoreans.
Latest added: Became Estranged from the Eldar (drabble set in the time when the Shadow fell on Numenor)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Númenóreans, Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Elendil, Tar-Míriel, Tar-Telperiën, Tar-Vanimeldë, Vardamir, Yávien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, International Day of Femslash, Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 5, 063 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Three Golden Hairs by Idrils Scribe
"From her earliest years Galadriel had a marvellous gift of insight into the minds of others, but judged them with mercy and understanding, and she withheld her goodwill from none save only Fëanor."
Unfinished Tales
What the hell happened between those two? The Hair Incident, told in all its sordid glory.
A Holiday gift for Anoriath and Dawn Felagund, the greatest betas any writer could wish for. Many thanks to Grundy for the beta!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Galadriel, Quennar i Onótimo, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 890 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eat, Drink and Be Merry by Narya
Oropher's Yule festivities are disturbed by a message from Lindon, but his wife Sírdal is determined not to let him brood the night away. A gift for Tolkien Secret Santa 2020.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 218 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Not by the Hand of Man by eris_of_imladris
Glorfindel ponders the past as he meets the one who fulfilled his ancient prophecy. Written for Tolkien Secret Santa 2020 and the Postcards from Middle-earth challenge!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 360 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Upon a Midnight Clear by Narya
One dark, frozen night in 19th century Massachusetts, Maglor picks up an unexpected passenger.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 571 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Light in the Storm by Himring
Maglor lights the way for ships in the storm.
A Maglor-in-history ficlet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 370 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Accidental King: Five Reasons Why Finarfin Deserves More Appreciation by Dawn Felagund
An essay and commentary looking at the canonical facts about Finarfin in contrast to the neglect and hostility that his character is given by the Silmarillion fanfiction community.
Under candlelight by firstamazon
Fingolfin wants to give Maedhros something after his rescue from the Thangorodhrim.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Liquid Fire by Narya
At the winter solstice celebrations in Cuiviénen, Ingwë’s brew goes to Finwë’s head…
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finwë, Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 364 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Turtles by Elsane
Argon manages to get both into and out of trouble for reasons he doesn't completely understand.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Argon, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 842 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into the Mountains by StarSpray
Ohtar and his companion make their way into the Misty Mountains.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ohtar, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 626 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Laughter as light as a feather by firstamazon
Every summer, Macalaurë’s entire family takes a trip to the woods and sets up camp for a few days, enjoying the nice weather and each other’s companies.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Anairë, Angrod, Aredhel, Argon, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Írimë, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Sons of Fëanor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 595 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The City Over the Mountains by Narya
A midwinter dalliance grows into something neither Elemmakil nor Voronwë expect. Duty, family and the ghosts of their past lie between them, and beyond the Hidden City, the shadows lengthen and grow deep...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elemmakil, Idril, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth, Pride |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 758 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Now and Evermore by Katie Tran
The journey through the life of the legendary balrog-slayer, Glorfindel and a mortal woman as they pass through the ages of the world.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 142 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The King of Flames by Katie Tran
After relinquishing his Silmarils to the Two Trees and Yavanna, Fëanor had returned from Mandos to Arda Remade. Swarmed with past haunts and wounds, he was in need of a personal healer.
Khánh, a mortal woman and friend of the wisewoman Andreth, had grown bored of her current work with herbal lore in a small children's school and wanted expand her career.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 095 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Imprisonment by Elsane
Morgoth hangs Maedhros on Thangorodrim.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 914 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Different beat of the heart by firstamazon
Maitimo suffers an accident and can't quite understand if it's him or his head that it's making him think funny. In other words, Maitimo slowly realizing.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amrod, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 323 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Guarded Heart by Narya
Gwindor's attention is not where it should be, and his brother has noticed.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gelmir (Nargothrond), Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 96 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Out Over Open Waters by Himring
The first of the great seafarers of Numenor is inspired by the tales of Elvish mariners of the First Age.
Update: another chapter / drabble added
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erellont, Vëantur, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 199 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Bëor and the Faërie King by Aerlinn
The humans have their own story of how they met the Faërie King, what they gained and one they lost.
The story of Finrod and Balan later named Bëor, as told by an old woman in a mountain cabin.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 023 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Natatorium by Gabriel
All Tyelkormo wanted was time to himself, away from his parents, his brothers and his obligations. But circumstance deemed otherwise.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finrod Felagund, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 890 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Trouble in Tirion by lightofthetrees
Maitimo’s heart thudded in his chest with the finality of a falling hammer. We. Had the Valar pronounced this sentence upon all of them, or did Fëanáro assume the unwavering loyalty of his family in accepting his Doom as their own?
The unrest of the Noldor, and the aftermath of the confrontation between Feanor and Fingolfin, told from Maedhros' perspective.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 559 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Photosynthesis by Himring
Elrond and Bilbo discuss the importance of light.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| 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 (6) |
