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
Building Middle-earth
While Tolkien is known for his vast natural landscapes, those expanses are populated by people—and the buildings they construct. Whether a cottage tucked into the forest or the soaring spires of a grand city, the architecture of Arda can send the imagination adventuring through settings ethereal and astonishing. This month's challenge uses architecture to inspire fanworks. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Teen Spirit
In honor of the SWG becoming a teenager, create a fanwork about an adolescent character or adolescence using our prompt generator. 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.
The Batman. by hennethgalad
Sauron, called Zigûr in Númenor, makes a winged creature to spy for Ar-Pharazôn.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 089 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Conduct Unbecoming... by hennethgalad
sex pollen in Valinor: Olórin summons a council.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gandalf, Ingwë, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 545 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I Know Better Gods by AnnEllspethRaven, Spamberguesa
The M Universe fever-dreams in backstory to the fanfic At the Edge of Lasg’len twisted by The Lost Tales. Mostly. Gods help everything. Which Gods? You decide.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 589 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
every dirge fades to silence by Fernstrike
How the Songs of a Maia and a Vala harmonised - and then, as all corrupted things are wont to do, fell to discord and chaos.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Gothmog, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 567 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Their Hour Was Not Yet Come by Kaylee Arafinwiel
From Numenor to Imladris, the stories of the past are handed down, culminating in a momentous occasion.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Sakalthôr, Aragorn, Elves, Erestor, Inzilbêth, Lindir, Lindórië, Men, Númenóreans, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 761 |
| 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) |
Kana MacLaure: Elves in Space. by hennethgalad
an investigative journalist travels to a private space station to interview a famous musician.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 982 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Waiting for the Thaw by Narya
Annatar takes a brooding Celebrimbor for a walk in the snow.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 225 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The fair pallor of the hands upon her harp by Himring
Finduilas has a rare opportunity, a harp lesson with both her aunt and her uncle, Galadriel and Finrod.
But during the session, there is a point she feels she needs to raise...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 622 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Elvish Singing by StarSpray
An elf walks into a bar, meets an old friend, and almost gets arrested. Par for the course in 1920s NYC, really.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 464 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Kaylee's Crackuary Collection by Kaylee Arafinwiel
A number of drabbles written for the "Crackuary" challenge as well as Femslash February.
1. Sex Pollen - Nerdanel comes to bemoan Feanaro's lack of knowledge to Indis.
2. Unexpected Road Trip - Indis and Nerdanel go one way while all their loves go the other.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"oh t'have a courtin' beau, an' have him crown me queen of May" by heget
A cute outing early on in the courtship of Finduilas Faelivrin and Gwindor during the Long Peace.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 542 |
| 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) |
And I'll Bloody Up My Hands (As Long As You Don't Have To) by electroniccollectiondonut
Celegorm is injured in Dagor Bragollach. When he wakes in Nargothrond, he remembers things that haven't happened yet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 16, 748 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Grey Rain-Curtain by Lindariel
Galadriel returns to Valinor only to find it has changed beyond her imaginings.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Galadriel, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Beren Raps by hennethgalad
'crack': "Rap or song battles gone horribly wrong or right - Finrod learned it somewhere"
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: Crackuary |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 261 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Olwë's Home for Wayward Elves by Morcondil
A series of misadventures has left Galadriel in disgrace; Finarfin thinks a summer with Olwë might help his daughter find her way. After all: nothing exciting ever happens in Alqualondë. A story of questionable fashion choices, growing up, and finding one's place.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eärwen, Finarfin, Galadriel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 20, 942 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Melkor: Null and Void by Chilled in Hithlum
A revisit to the site and reworking of an earlier submission. Melkor considers his life before his final defeat at Angband during the War of Wrath
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 594 |
| 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: Duilin, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 322 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sweeping past the minutes of its face by Himring
A mechanical clock is imported from The Shire to Valinor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Frodo, Quennar i Onótimo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Nost-na-Lothion by Grundy
Sometimes little things make a big difference. Flowers, for example.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Season's Greetings |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 371 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Lord by Lferion
Fingon, Returned, still holds the fealty of many, unlooked-for. He's not sure what to do with it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Caprice and Chance, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 555 |
| 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 second song by Morcondil
Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same. But it was not the will of Ilúvatar that like should always cleave to like. // A story of Nienna and Nessa before the Trees.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nessa, Nienna, Tulkas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 757 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Liegeman by Lferion
Ilverin Littleheart has a story he does not tell, a fealty he cannot acknowledge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Littleheart |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 638 |
| 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) |
A tale of grief and hope by Sognante
A twin, an uncle and a distantly future father: Elrond on sorrow, hope, family and love, at a time of mourning for him and Númenor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 460 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Crossing the Helcaraxe by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Artanis (Galadriel) and Itarille (Idril) make their way across the Grinding Ice with their kindred. They bond with each other over the shared horror they're experiencing, and observe local flora whenever it crosses their path.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Idril, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 605 |
| 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) |
A New Tradition by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Thranduil, King of the Greenwood, receives a gift one autumn, and a new tradition is begun.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 734 |
| 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) |
