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
To Be Free
Use a fanwork to show a character working to achieve freedom. 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.
Streams of Time by Leithriel
Time is a tricky thing to play with. It can take everything away from you. Yet, if you play your hand right, it can give back everything it took too.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Lalaith, Melkor, Morwen, Nellas, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Het, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 592 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Failure by Lingwiloke
After the events that ended with his father's exile from Nargothrond, Celebrimbor struggles to find a sense of normalcy.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 769 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A hand outstretched by anriondrakonion
One-shot of Gil-galad's doomed unrequited love for Elrond, written at 1am.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 337 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Elegy for Boromir, Steward of Gondor by Himring
Elegy on the fate of Boromir, the eleventh Ruling Steward of Gondor, son of Denethor I., after whom Boromir, son of Denethor II, was named.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Boromir (Steward of Gondor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 164 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Doubts by Tilperiel
Aredhel's good at playing games, but Turgon isn't stupid
Written for day seven of Gondolin Week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 865 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eloped by hennethgalad
Hareth of the House of Haleth elopes with Galdor of the House of Hador.
also for Legendarium Ladies April
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galdor (Edain), Hareth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 665 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Who Killed King Finwe? by Lingwiloke
After his successful theft of the Silmarils, Melkor is in a very good mood.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
To many he appeared fair, to others terrible; but to some evil by Lingwiloke
Sauron through the ages.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 896 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Footnotes in History by Tilperiel
Personal pain doesn't need recording in history books.
Written for day six of Gondolin week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 902 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
No Harm Done by Tilperiel
There's something wrong with Maeglin and Idril's right to be concerned
Written for Day five of Gondolin Week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Idril, Maeglin, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 583 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lullaby by grey_gazania
A brief interlude between Fingon and his wife.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 408 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Kindness doesn't cost anything by Tilperiel
It doesn't do to judge others by your own standards, if your own standards involve looking down on people.
Written for Day 4 of Gondolin Week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Rog, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fate & Faith by Grundy
A glimpse of Tar-Elendil's daughter Silmariën at two key moments in her life.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Silmarien, Tar-Elendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 264 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Comeuppance by Tilperiel
If you're going to upset the lords of Gondolin and get caught, you should probably expect some retribution.
Especially if your name is Salgant.
Written for Gondolin Week Day 3
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Duilin, Glorfindel, Penlod, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 942 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Just a Trinket by Tilperiel
Some things are priceless, no matter the cost
Written for Gondolin week day 2
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 910 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Set Fire to the Stars by sian22
Théomund, Prince of Ithilien, has spent his life building a strong defense, caging his heart and coping with more challenges than most; always afraid to let another come in too close. Thalon, Legolas’ second-in-command, has seen Ages more, yet he too has resigned himself to being alone. One day, fate brings them together in a way neither can expect. What the fëa wants cannot be denied, yet courage, even for a warrior, is a difficult thing to muster.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Original Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 344 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Wax-sealed Letter by Independence1776
Veryë, wife of Arahad I, receives the invitation for Elrond's council about the orcs in the Misty Mountains.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 304 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Shadow and a Mist of Dreams by Lingwiloke
Lulled to sleep by Luthien's spell, Carcharoth dreams.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Carcharoth, Ilmarë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 927 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Wrestling by hennethgalad
scenes from the life of Glóredhel, eldest child of Hador Lórindol and Gildis.
married Haldir son of Hamdir, of the Haladin.
also Legendarium Ladies April.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Glóredhel, Haldir, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 560 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Unfinished Tales: A Review of Dome Karukoski's "Tolkien" by Dawn Felagund
In this review of Dome Karukolski's biopic Tolkien, I consider the role of fictionalization, dangling threads, and of course the power of fellowship in art.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 654 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Harts and Minds by Tilperiel
A small vignette between Galdor and Egalmoth as they leave to meet the Noldor in Nevrast for the first time.
Written for day one of Gondolin Week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Egalmoth, Galdor of the Tree |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 335 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Darkness Equals Falling by Lingwiloke
Finrod is very worried for his new friends. Edrahil is very worried for his king’s sanity.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 297 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Night Visions by Lingwiloke
But foresight came upon Felagund…
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 531 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Things Left Unspoken by Raiyana
The Halls of Mandos is both prison and place of healing... but not always.
In some walls, there are cracks.
And through cracks, enlightenment might find a way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 130 |
| 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) |
Flame Calls To Flame by Sasha Honeypalm
Feanor crashes and burns (not necessarily in that order). A crossover with Classical mythology.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Crossover | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 520 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
