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
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.
Three Sentence Fics: Tolkien by Zdenka
A collection of fills written for rthstewart's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2013 and 2015, for Tolkien-based prompts. (Mostly Silmarillion, with one for Farmer Giles of Ham and Sir Orfeo, and one non-Tolkien crossover.)
Chapters 2 & 3: More Tolkien-based fills written for caramelsilver's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2016 and 2017.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Beren, Celebrimbor, Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Eärendil, Finarfin, Galadriel, Huor, Húrin, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maglor, Melkor, Nazgûl, Other Fictional Character(s), Rían, Sauron, Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Míriel, Túrin, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 192 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Walking in the Gardens by Raiyana
A Hero's Journey Matryoshka challenge story, featuring the head gardener of Indis' home in Vanyamar.
Set in Aman, post War of Wrath, when the arrival of Indis and Findis turn the lives of the household upside down - and leads one maiden to lose her heart to another.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Findis, Indis, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Hero's Journey, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 13, 002 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Spell of Silence by Zdenka
Daeron discovers Lúthien's love for Beren. In jealousy and grief, he casts a spell of silence over Doriath.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 450 |
| 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) |
Heron. by hennethgalad
Belen, son of Beor, speaks of his youth.
(For 2018 B2MeM. Music of the Waters.
Also a story I was going to use for Breaking Boundaries.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Belen, Bëor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 930 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
So Wide a Sea by StarSpray
While exploring Tol Fuin, Eluréd meets an albatross. They chat.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 652 |
| 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) |
Luthien's Choice by Grundy
Short snippet of Luthien in Mandos, originally a quick Tumblr fic.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 581 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After the Storm Ends by Independence1776
Maglor and Alatar discuss rumors and Sauron.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Alatar, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 043 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Precious by Sasha Honeypalm
It had been in his hand when he'd fallen into the fire.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gollum, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 591 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Silver and Black by feanorusrex
Queen Berúthiel goes south, home.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Berúthiel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 059 |
| 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) |
Stand Your Ground by Zdenka
Emeldir in the Battle of Sudden Flame.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Barahir (First Age), Emeldir, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 409 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fire and Deep Water by Nienna
Maglor is reunited with Maedhros, after a sundering of many centuries.
Written for B2MEM 2018.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 508 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Time Present, Time Future by Narya
In Valinor, Findaráto has a vision and Tyelkormo tries to comfort him. Rated Teen for mild gore.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 418 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
A Kinslayer and A Queen by LadyBrooke
Amras knows who the elf in his lands is, if only because her children do not understand that why they fled Doriath when their father kept the Silmaril.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: B2MeM 2018, Breaking Boundaries |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 424 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Arrival Of A King by Tyelca
A few years after the War of the Ring, the new King visits Umbar for the first time.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Men, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Breaking Boundaries |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 379 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Waterlily. by hennethgalad
A sailor of the Avari, from the distant South, has a vision of the War of Wrath.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gildor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Breaking Boundaries |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 305 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Seventh Avenger by ElrondsScribe
This is the tale of how an Elf became an Avenger, and what exactly that means to him. AU, obviously. From just before The Avengers to Civil War, probably through Infinity War eventually.
Strictly bookverse Tolkien, strictly movie-verse Avengers.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 25, 548 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Lost Trees by feanorusrex
What happened to the Entwives.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 858 |
| 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) |
This Hard Earth by feanorusrex
Emeldir leads her people. It is not always easy.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Emeldir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 526 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Love Unfulfilled in Dorthonion by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Andreth, called Saelind by the Elves, had her heart broken by Aegnor...
...but Aegnor was no less wounded by his actions. He poured out his heart to his beloved twin, Nerwen, just before flame engulfed Dorthonion...
...and later, remembering his death, he relates his last moments to Findis.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod, Boromir (House of Bëor), Bregolas, Bregor, Celeborn, Findis, Galadriel, Gundor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2016, B2MeM 2018, Breaking Boundaries |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 295 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Estinto by eris_of_imladris
The Noldolantë and its creator, moments after the loss of the final silmaril.
B2MEM Prompt: “Then I thought in my heart that we drew near to the Sea; for wide was the water in the darkness, and sea-birds innumerable cried on its shores.” (Return of the King, “The Last Debate”)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 141 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Lonely Isle of Himling by StarSpray
Eluréd and Elurín go exploring on Himling, and find someone rather unexpected.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Eluréd, Elurín, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| 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 (1) |
"A Greater Still": The Importance of Song in Tolkien's Creation Myth by Dawn Felagund
Tolkien's creation story the Ainulindalë includes many archetypal elements. This essay explores the deus faber or god-as-maker element and why creation from vocal song is vitally important to legendarium.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 876 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
One Moment Changes Everything by Lotrfan
Namo and Vairë become aware of events unfolding in Alqualondë. Written for the Teitho Contest Joker challenge Jan 2018-Life and Death prompt-where it placed 2nd.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Mandos, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Faith in our Hearts by Narya
After the Dagor Aglareb, Fingon has a secret, and Maedhros has a confession to make...
Written for My Slashy Valentine 2018 as a gift for Fadesintothewest, who requested a Maedhros/Fingon story. Thanks for giving me the excuse!
Many thanks to the wonderful Ignoble Bard for beta-reading.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 196 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
~ The Thread Spinner ~ by Spiced Wine
In her flight from imprisonment in Mordor, Mélamírë encounters a strange storm and meets some-one from another Middle-earth.
Written for Pandemonium_213 for B2Me Month 2018
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 19, 591 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (23) |
