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] Changing Styles by StarSpray
“What did you do to your hair?”
[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] 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] Star of Hope by Fuin
A new star shines in the sky. They claim it brings hope.
[Writing] The Message by Flora-lass
Borondir carries Steward Cirion's urgent request to Eorl the Young, with the help of his horse but at great personal cost.
[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.
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. 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 Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
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.
Melian’s Lament by LadySternchen
I’ve written this lament for the Hungarian Tolkien Society’s 2024/25 Annual Mailing Competition. Requirements were as folllows:
- a lament (or song, but I chose the lament) not more than 20 lines long
- it had to deal with an event mentioned in canon, but with nothing written about it
So I’ve written Melian’s lament I imagine she sings after her return to Lórien
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 282 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
I Will Remember You at Moonrise by Isilme_among_the_stars
Argon, my sweet, foolish, impetuous youngest brother, ran ahead. I found him, you know, before he died.
Fingon remembers the first rising of the Moon and Sun, mourns his youngest brother and resolves that his cousin will not share Argon's fate.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Argon & Fingon, Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 026 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Truth in Tragedy by AdmirableMonster
A short and very personal essay that is a mix of defense-of-genre-fiction and processing my relationship with my dad. Not intended to tell anyone else how to feel about the fiction they consume, just trying to sort myself out.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eöl, Denethor (Steward of Gondor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 403 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
August Instadrabbling by elennalore
Two drabbles about re-embodied Elves in Valinor. Chapter 1: Maeglin. Chapter 2: Celebrimbor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Celebrimbor, Frodo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 203 |
| 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) |
Only Get Through by Zdenka
Two elderly hobbit-ladies find ways to get through the time of Saruman's rule over the Shire.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Hobbits, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 790 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Different Sort of Grond by AdmirablePrecious
Order is his goal, something Morgoth only uses to create chaos later, but there is a sliver in Morgoth only Mairon sees.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 808 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bend Over Boyfriend by averytinylizard
Fingon makes a small request to Maedhros. She obliges.
featuring Trans Fingon and genderbent Maedhros.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 748 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
and I take the big plunge by averytinylizard
Two of Finwë's granddaughters spend a few nights together.
feat: genderbent maedhros
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 8, 262 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
your servant, don't forsake him by averytinylizard
Fingolfin and Maedhros both have particular needs. They find fellowship over this.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 969 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Their Long Homes by Isilme_among_the_stars
By the time the Silmarils find their long homes, their tale has passed from the high and beautiful to darkness and ruin. But the story does not end there, for even ruined things crave the light. The bearers of the gems turn their faces from the darkness and embark upon the long road to redemption.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Fanwork Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Future's In Our Hands by StarSpray
Well, Fëanor frightened him. Fëanor frightened them all, still, in one way or another.
Fëanor's sons receive letters from him, and try to decide what to do.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin, Caranthir, Amras, Amrod, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Curufin & Fëanor, Amras & Amrod, Amras & Amrod & Fëanor, Caranthir & Fëanor, Celegorm & Fëanor |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 26, 994 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
the marriage of true minds by averytinylizard
They marry in a field, years after leaving the halls.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 244 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
to die in two places at once by averytinylizard
Ósanwë gives an intimacy to relationships that is almost unmatched.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 623 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
we three together by averytinylizard
After the Dagor Aglareb, Maglor and Fingon help Maedhros relax.
Distant sequel to this fic, also featuring Maedhros as a trans woman.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Fluff, Poly, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 237 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
That Forlorn Lover by Elrond's Library
Fingon's rescue of Maedhros in An Attempt at poetry
For the July 2025 Challenge Swinging 40s
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 124 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
a thief in the night by averytinylizard
Fingon steals Maedhros away a hundred times during the long peace.
Double drabble
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 201 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
their fathers' sons by averytinylizard
Findekáno, son of Fëanáro, and Maitimo, son of Nolofinwë, have always been close. A pity, then, that their fathers' relationship trickles down to them.
A role reversal fic
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 326 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
white on red by averytinylizard
Fingon knows that it is reasonable for Maedhros to go east, good, even. That doesn't mean he's happy about it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Saltation by pandemonium_213
Per his notes in HoMe XI, The War of the Jewels concerning the tale of the Awakening of the Elves by Cuiviénen, Tolkien wrote the following: "Actually written (in style and simple notions) to be a surviving Elvish 'fairytale' or child s tale, mingled with counting-lore."
Clearly, this leaves room for alternative origin stories. This is one.
Written for Grey Gazania's birthday.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ulmo, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 499 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
sweet hours from love’s delight by averytinylizard
How long ago had he realized his sister was who he belonged to? In their childhood, when the entire world seemed to be just their parents, and the two of them? Or maybe when they first spent time apart, her absence breaking his heart like nothing else? But most likely it had been during those latter years of youth, when Maedhros had first told him that she was in fact a maiden, giving him the courage, nay, the knowledge to be a man. Were they not linked together from then on, as a man and a woman, even more intertwined than husband and wife? What a pleasure it had been, to first kiss her.
t4t maemag with transfem maedhros!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 069 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A reputation for rakishness by averytinylizard
It is an unfortunate fact that Findekáno has a reputation for making girls think he is courting them. Maitimo, as his friend, knows that this is simply a miscommunication, a disconnect between Findekáno's easy affection and the norms of Tirion. Knowing all this does not help him at all.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 759 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Helmapellopë by averytinylizard
The mood in Maitimo's house has been dark these last few years, and his father's eyes have been following him.
Inspired by the fairytale Donkeyskin
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fëanor, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Maedhros, Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Folktales/Myths/Legends | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Animal Abuse |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 11, 970 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Land Was Fair by polutropos
Frustrated by Maedhros' failure to answer entreaties to join in an assault upon Angband, Fingolfin comes to Himring himself. Negotiations start poorly, but Maglor is quick to propose a solution: a riding trip through the blooming plains of Ard-galen.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Maglor, Fingolfin/Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, General, Poly, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 443 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
My Son by polutropos
After his exile to Formenos, Feanor locks himself in the vault with the Silmarils. Makalaure goes to him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 896 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Unmarred by polutropos
Maglor falls in love. Maedhros lets him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Daeron, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 593 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
