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
Gates of Summer
Create a fanwork based on prompts about summer taken from Tolkien's life, canon events, and quotes from his letters and stories. 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.
Flight Through The Dark by Tyelca
In the form of a swan Elwing flies over the Sea, carrying a Silmaril and looking for her husband.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 391 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
"both the Seen and the Unseen" by hennethgalad
Melian takes Galadriel on a farewell trip
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 507 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
We Cry The Same Tears by just_jenni
The three most important people in Aredhel's life try to come to terms with her death.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Curufin, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 011 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Council of Finrod by hennethgalad
More of Laurëlot.
Glorfindel attends his first council meeting.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Gildor, Glorfindel, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 961 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Praise of the Feast at Ivrin by Himring
Of the Feast of Reuniting at the pools of Ivrin it is said that the joy of that feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Noldor, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 169 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Her Father's Daughter by Grundy
Findis was the only one who stayed.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Findis, Lalwen, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 230 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Never Shall I See The Place by LadyBrooke
Never shall I see the place,
Where Enel woke and Enelyë roamed.
A poem of a Sindar/Silvan elf in Valinor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 127 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Excession by hennethgalad
Celeborn falls under the shadow, and is drawn back to the light by Galadriel.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Celeborn, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 367 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Jewel of Hope by lindahoyland
Galadriel muses on the past and finds hope for the future.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 712 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Robes. by hennethgalad
more Laurëlot.
Glorfindel and Finrod learn more about each other over breakfast.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 958 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Hammock of Finrod by hennethgalad
More of Laurëlot. Lounging in a hammock...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 216 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Looking Up by Lyra
Andreth muses on the present, the past, and a potential future.
Contains incredibly unsubtle allusions to the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth and implications of character death.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Andreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 498 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Soldier by heget
The story of the sixth companion of Finrod and Beren to die in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 447 |
| 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) |
Waste Paper by Himring
Maedhros has been re-embodied and is living in Findekano's house in Tirion. But where is Nerdanel?
Maedhros is suffering from the worst kind of writer's block. In some ways, it turns out, he is not so very different from his mother.
[Now added: a fourth chapter]
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 076 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Pavilion of Finrod by hennethgalad
More of Glorfindel and Finrod.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 572 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of the Coming of Fingolfin to Mandos and his meeting with Fëanor by bunn
How *do* dead elves get to the Halls of Mandos anyway? And once they get there, what do they say to one another?
Fingolfin could feel his temper rising, predictable, and yet he could not stop it. His years of kingship vanished in the mist. He was the younger, less talented, less cherished brother again, but one with a list of grievances that had grown very long.
“What more did you want of me?” he said. “I gave my word. He is my father too, and he was king of all of us!"
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 10, 388 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Golden Light : Hador in Hithlum by bunn
"All his life, he would remember that moment: the silver bells of Hithlum greeting the rising sun, and then, as if in answer to the bells, voices raised in song, the voices of the Eldar, impossibly clear, impossibly beautiful. "
In which Hador Lórindol comes to Hithlum, swears fealty to Fingolfin, and follows his lord to the end. And doesn't regret a thing. (Well, maybe that one embarrassing misunderstanding about the Feanorians....)
Thanks to pp for beta reading.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Hador, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 778 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Under Bright Stars by just_jenni
Finrod shares tales and songs around the fire with Beor's son Bregor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Bregor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 952 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
(the rings of) Power by just_jenni
Celebrimbor laments, in confession style, the part he played in creating the Rings of Power.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 459 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Ghost of Malice by just_jenni
Sauron turns elves into orcs
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elves, Orcs, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 272 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Pride by just_jenni
Immediately after the darkening of Valinor, Anaire and Fingolfin have a conversation about Feanor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 533 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of the Last Alliance by just_jenni
Elendil and Gil-galad exchange their thoughts at the end of the seven-year siege before the Gates of Mordor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elendil, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 793 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the Dark Mansion of the White Lady by just_jenni
Before Aredhel decides to leave Eol she dreams about her first love.
Written for the B2MEM 2017 prompt: "I love the silent hour of night,For blissful dreams may then arise, Revealing to my charmed sight, What may not bless my waking eyes." - Anne Bronte.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 294 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Greycloak's Foster-Sons by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Takes place after "The Fosterling Prince Arrives". Lord Brandir of Doriath (OC) - Oropher's maternal grandfather, Elu's foster-son, and royal loremaster, meets his new 'brother'.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Elves, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 478 |
| 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) |
There Will Be Singing by StarSpray
"So the great darkness fell upon Valinor. Of the deeds of that day much is told in the Aldudénië, that Elemmírë of the Vanyar made and is known to all the Eldar. Yet no song or tale could contain all the grief and terror that then befell." - Of the Darkening of Valinor
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elemmírë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 679 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
