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
During a visit to Círdan, Finrod discovers a new hobby involving tying ropes around various objects. Now, he's ready to take it to the next level, but there is a small kink in the plan - he wants a spotter to make sure everything goes well. Fortunately, Edrahil is available.
[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…
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
Behind the Scenes
Choose a major event from The Silmarillion and create a fanwork that shows what a character who was not involved was doing at the time it was taking place. 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.
History and Conspiracy by Himring
In the Fourth Age, young Barahir comes up with a conspiracy theory about a Numenorean queen and explains his theory to Ivriniel of Dol Amroth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 558 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Rings by eris_of_imladris
A look into the dreams and ambitions of Curufin’s wife.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 815 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Ainu Ficlets by Raiyana
A collection of ficlets and drabbles all revolving around the Ainur!
Most of these are Ainu POV ;)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë, Eru Ilúvatar, Estë, Mandos, Manwë, Oromë, Ossë, Sons of Fëanor, Uinen, Ulmo, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Palantíri. by hennethgalad
Nerdanel devises a way to make Palantíri.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 068 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Queen Comes To The Mountain by Lyra
In the last hour of Númenor, Tar-Míriel attempts to gain ground with a final prayer.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 340 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Scattered Stars by Raiyana
Why doesn't Nerdanel have a mother?
This grew a little based on my Rise Above Prompt :o
Nerdanel gets accepted as a student of Aulë's... ;)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 071 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Laze on the Grass by StarSpray
Nellas takes a break in the Old Forest.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Goldberry, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 342 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Light Wraps You by Narya
A moment between Celebrimbor and Orodreth after the news of Finrod's death. Written as a birthday gift for Gabriel.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 582 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
All Shall Fade by Narya
An old dwarf gloats and grieves in Nargothrond.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Mîm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 99 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Proposal by feanorusrex
An offer, an answer, and what it means for both of them.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 439 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
where ebb and flow meet by kimaracretak
Three gifts Miriel gives the Lady of the Seas over the years, and one the Lady gives to her in return.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Tar-Palantir, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 670 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"...the very treasures you seek..." by hennethgalad
Galadriel crosses Ered Luin.
for Legendarium Ladies April 2018.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| 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 (0) |
Shatter on the Sharp-edged Horizon by Independence1776
A bittersweet Nerdanel/Nienna poem.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 532 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Root and All by grey_gazania
Elrond, still fairly new to Amon Ereb, learns some botany and gets to know Maedhros a little better.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 509 |
| 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) |
Chess game, difficulty: Valar level by Cirilla9
Valar play a chess game which has consequences in the real lives of the folk below them.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Aulë, Ents, Eru Ilúvatar, Frodo, Galadriel, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas Greenleaf, Mandos, Manwë, Nazgûl, Orcs, Saruman, Sauron, Tom Bombadil, Valar, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Sinister Drama by Harnatano - Lithenna
From the Halls of Mandos, Curufin is made to see what is happening in Eregion.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 800 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Of Lapwings, Hares and Speckled Eggs by Narya
The Ambarussa play a trick on their younger cousin and unwittingly create a springtime legend. An Easter-themed one-shot featuring the House of Finwë - plus a few guest stars.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Elrond, Elros, Gandalf, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s), Pippin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 246 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
a thousand little wings upon the ground by kimaracretak
(surely you weren’t unaffected by the seasons change / and i’m estranged): On magic mirrors and voyeuristic star-goddesses
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 110 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Scandal in Pants by LadyBrooke
After Nimloth's rebirth, she plots to scandalize the elves of Valinor with clothes.
Anairë has worn this outfit before, and she knows it will not go over any better now than it did then.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 488 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Life of Glamdring by Nienna
Glamdring lives in Gondolin, throughout the years and to it's fall.
Poem.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 193 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Space Left Behind by Independence1776
Early in the Second Age, Elrond drags an orc-poisoned Maglor to Lindon. Hurt/comfort.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 722 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
dim ricochet of stars by kimaracretak
(you sleep in the light / yet the night and the silent water / still so dark): Here there is gold, here there is light. Silver light that sparks off her mother's ring, pale blue light that shimmers around Goldberry as she kisses Celebrían in the river over and over again. And if the shadows those lights cast aren't exactly where they ought to be, at least they can't consume the forest.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Galadriel, Goldberry, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 252 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Sunrise Over Ivrin by Narya
Vignette. Nargothrond's exiled King and his faithful captain share a quiet moment at dawn.
Written for B2MeM 2018, Music of the Waters - Daily Prompt 14.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 672 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nocturne by Narya
A chance encounter by moonlight takes an unwary student by surprise.
Written for B2MeM 2018, Music of the Waters. Initial Prompt List - no. 20, Nocturne. Rated Teen for one instance of mild language.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 206 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Open Up The Door by Tyelca
Shortly after arriving in Valinor, Elwing needs to understand. Taking her husband Eärendil with her, she enters the abandoned manor where Fëanor used to live.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, Finarfin, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Middle-earth Museum |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 364 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
