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] Dibbly Fresh, an Elfling-Sitters Club Story by annarobots
Need an elfling-sitter? Save time! Call The Elfling-Sitters Club and reach seven six experienced sitters.
Fingon, President
Daeron, Vice-President
Pengolodh, Secretary
Finrod, Treasurer
Maglor…
[Writing] The Orphan Princess and the BFG by octopus_fool
Elwing is fleeing towards the Havens of Sirion when she spots a nightly visitor.
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?
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
Revolution
Create a fanwork using a quotation, artwork, speech, or song concerned with protest and revolution as your inspiration. 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.
Old Friends by hennethgalad
Olórin introduces Erestor to Glorfindel, they climb Taniquetil for their coming of age ceremony.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gandalf, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With the Stars in the Darkness, and Love in the Light by Zdenka
At Nienor's request, the women of Brethil share stories and songs about Haleth, the river's daughter, and those they loved. (Goldberry/Haleth, Goldberry/Nellas, Haleth/OFC)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Goldberry, Haleth, Nellas, Nienor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Exiled and The Exiles by LadyBrooke
The Exiles are coming to Lórien, though Oropher and Amdír have been exiled for far longer than these Noldor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amdir, Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 359 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Defiant Hope, Take Wing by Lordnelson100
Caranthir the Dark does business with an Edain, and unwittingly gives rise to the hope of Middle-earth. Maedhros forms a plan.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Haleth, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 602 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After Gladden Fields by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The first Crown Prince of Arnor comes to Mandos.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aratan, Ciryon, Elendil, Elendur, Mandos, Valandil (Arnor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Song of Exile |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 650 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Horse Theft by heget
Horses are both a dire necessity in the fledgling war against Morgoth and a pressing grievance among the Noldor during those initial years in Beleriand.
Simply, Prince Fingolfin and his followers need them. And they don't have them.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Noldor, Original Character(s), Sindar, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 291 |
| 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) |
Outrun, Outlast by StarSpray
Stay alive until this horror show is past
Eregion has fallen; Sauron is closely pursuing Elrond and Celeborn’s forces, who desperately need somewhere to hide.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elrond, Eluréd, Elurín, Elves, Galadriel, Men, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 5, 848 |
| 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) |
The Lucky One by grey_gazania
A young Nandorin woman is saved from death by Amras and taken in by his people.
Part 1 of a series.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 9, 398 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Sharpen your swords, O Elves of Nargothrond by maeglin
Sundry tales of Elven politics.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Finarfin, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 9, 917 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Two months by maeglin
Short tales that should have remained untold.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amroth, Andreth, Arvedui, Arwen, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Elrond, Elros, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Eöl, Finarfin, Finwë, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Legolas Greenleaf, Maedhros, Rog, Tulkas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 17 | Word Count: 40, 514 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
The Black Room. by hennethgalad
Mithrandir protects Thranduil from a new weapon of Sauron.
(reading 'Dol Guldur' first will add to this)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Sauron, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 976 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Rustle in the Underbrush by Lordnelson100
Of the Petty-Dwarves, the Elves, and first encounters. What they told themselves, and others.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Avari, Dwarves, Elves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: Noegyth Nibin |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 072 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Hunting by feanorusrex
Larnach's daughter kills her would-be rapist.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Larnach's Daughter |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 038 |
| 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) |
Waiting by feanorusrex
Fëanor in the halls of Mandos has one request for Nerdanel.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 773 |
| 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) |
Invisible Suspenders: Sometimes Elves Write Songs by feanorusrex
Fingon and Maedhros write a song.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 7, 067 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Darkness Wandering by feanorusrex
Morwen and Hurin's final meeting.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 498 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hope and Healing by feanorusrex
The closest thing to Bradir/Niniel fluff that has ever been written.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Brandir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 840 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Flames by feanorusrex
Idril watches Gondolin burn.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 245 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Whispers In The Stream by just_jenni
A tragic story of love between elf and mortal with some political issues that may be offensive to some readers.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 13, 046 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Candle for the Hollow City by Lordnelson100
About the Nauglamír and the other side of the story. Of culture clash, betrayal, and lost art.
We have our teaching, and the Elves have theirs. Through countless years, they have continued to tell their own version of events about the Nauglamír. Ever they turn the story against us, saying it reveals the greed of the Dwarves, and our treachery.
They say that Elven memory is perfect. And yet it seems not so.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Celeborn, Dwarves, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Elves, Elwing, Finrod Felagund, Gimli, Historical Character(s), Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 39, 223 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Hold Each Other by Grundy
Carnistir had been curious about the firimar for a while, but he hadn’t seen them for himself until now.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Elves, Haleth, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 230 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
I've Hungered for Your Touch by oshun
Caranthir is offered a chance to read an unpublished diary entry. It’s a copy of a recently discovered ancient manuscript apparently written by Haleth the Hunter. It’s a follow-up to my previous story The Manly-hearted Woman, but can be read independently of that one. It is also an entry in the SWG Challenge Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song. (“...use a popular love song as a prompt to inspire a fanwork about romantic or sexual love. You will choose your own prompt from the list of love songs below.” I chose "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers: video | lyrics).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Nerdanel, Noldor, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 10, 517 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (28) |
New Directions. part two. by hennethgalad
In part one, the crew of Eärendil were sent back to Beleriand from Valinor in a new ship.
In this part, the wind changes for the Ainumanä and the crew meet some strangers.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Erellont, Falathar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 221 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Far From The World We Know by Himring
At the top of Elwing's white tower.
Earendil has landed, back from traversing the pathless sky, and Elwing has flown to meet him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 168 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
