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Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
SWG News
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
[Writing] Blessed are the Leave-takers by Isilme_among_the_stars
As prince Curufinwë Fëanáro makes an historical speech from the high court of the King upon Túna, those at the back of the crowd strain to hear.
A silly little scene inspired by Monty Python's "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" scene from The Life of Brian, written for …
[Writing] After the Kinslaying by Deborah Judge
A Teleri fishing boat captain turns to farming on abandoned Noldor lands after her ship is stolen. A Noldor farmer returns with Finarfin to find that his land belongs to the Teleri now.
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
[Writing] Until the Stars are All Alight by Dagstjarna
Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
[Writing] a riot of shadow and shine by Elrond's Library
These were simply flashes, a hint of a wider, greater world. A tantalizing glimpse of more, always at the edge of awareness, never within reach. Míriel would grasp it, if something as intangible as the concept of color could overflow in bounteous wonder over her hands.
But…
[Writing] The Exchange by Elrond's Library
An exchange is made during the Great Journey
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Parting's Sorrow
Create a fanwork about the separation of friends and family. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
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
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Song of Lake Linaewen by Zdenka
Brief scenes of the love between a Sindarin Elf of Nevrast and a Noldo follower of Turgon: meeting and parting in the midst of loss, betrayal, and war. (A double drabble poem, a prose-poem, and four ficlets.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 3, 436 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
At the Havens of Sirion by Zdenka
Scenes from the Third Kinslaying, from different points of view.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Arrow For Its Swiftness: Misadventures of a Fëanorian by Zdenka
This series contains scenes from the life of Feredwen, an original character who served the House of Fëanor. I reorder the series when I add something new to keep the sequence approximately chronological, but individual parts skip around in time so that isn't always possible.
Like any character I write, Feredwen is not a stand-in for my own views. She only represents herself.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
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.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Arathorn, Gilraen |
| Major Relationships: Arathorn/Gilraen |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 753 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Long Arm of the Law by Elrond's Library
Turgon cannot be above the law.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Turgon, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Maeglin & Turgon |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Haleth |
| Major Relationships: Haldar & Haleth |
| Genres: Family, General, Horror | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 464 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In Continuance of Me... by Ellie
King Finwë of the Noldor was not the only one who died that day.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
More than Memory by StarSpray
"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory." - The Return of the King
Stitched for the Famous Last Words challenge for the prompt: "And with that, they stepped into the gateway, together." - Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, Wole Talabi
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Magnolia Tree by Gabriel
Celegorm is on his way to do something that only his closest and trusted has knowledge of.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 533 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 137 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Seven Devils by Artano
A glimpse of Maedhros' and Dior's thoughts during the Second Kinslaying
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dior, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 419 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Last Night: An Elros and Elrond Tale by ninerosepetal
As Elros awaits the coming of night, when he will set sail for Elenna, he and his brother Elrond speak about their earliest memories, what happened to their foster family, and how they learned the truth of their father and mother’s fate.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros, Círdan & Eärendil |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 534 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
One in the Deep Waters by Isilme_among_the_stars
Maglor finds himself alone with only sorrow and song for companions. But lamentation can neither undo the sorrows of which it tells, nor turn new hardships aside.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Suicide, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 22, 046 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
He chanted a song of wizardry by elennalore
Sauron defeats Finrod in their song battle.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Heroes and Monsters (Season One Now Streaming) by AdmirableMonster
Miranda Otto, lead writer on the docudrama Heroes and Monsters, has major writers' block. A chance encounter at her local coffee shop might be just the thing she needs to pen her Season Two opener.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Éowyn, Original Female Character(s), Mouth of Sauron, Tar-Míriel, Witch-king of Angmar, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Éowyn & Tar-Míriel |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 056 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Ancient friendship by wisteria53
Maedhros and Fingon from the Years of the Trees to re-embodiment, across five pieces of Maedhros' calligraphy (hand-lettered, with decorative elements) [artworks for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (TRSB) 2025]
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Azaghâl, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Graphic/Banner/Icon |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Valar by wisteria53
The Valar - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Craft, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The House of Finwë wives go shopping by wisteria53
The House of Finwë wives - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Craft, Illustration |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Celebrimbor by wisteria53
Celebrimbor - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Craft, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
House of Fëanor star by wisteria53
House of Fëanor star - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amras, Amrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Craft, Illustration |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Fire of Life by StarSpray
“What if,” said Manwë, regarding Maedhros with star-bright eyes, blue as sapphires and piercing as blades, “you were sent from these Halls for a purpose, son of Fëanáro?”
“I suppose, my lord,” Maedhros said slowly, “that would depend upon the purpose.”
Maedhros is sent back to Middle-earth, in the company of the Maia Olórin.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Gandalf, Elrond, Erestor, Lindir |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Maedhros, Gandalf & Maedhros, Elrond & Erestor, Elrond & Gandalf |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 30, 504 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Sea Birth by Isilme_among_the_stars
The sea has called to Elwing all her life, and beside its waters is where she wishes her sons to be born. It is not an easy birth. The sea takes, and the sea gives.
Thank you to AnnaRobots for beta-ing!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 077 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
One Flesh, One Soul. Part 2 by FellFireFan
The fate of lovers has been sealed. After Aegnor pledges his love to Andreth, he seeks out council one last time from his wiser and more grounded eldest brother. However, his hopes that Finrod would join him in this newfound happiness are quickly dashed and it does not go well between the brothers. Finrod finds himself forced to navigate his ferocious and unhinged younger brother with extreme caution, plunging even his own safety into uncertainty. Aegnor finds himself faced with an agonising decition, one that will rip his entire being asunder. Yet hope may remain, and it rests in the palm of none other than Illuvatar himself who, through the sheer force of Aegnor's undying love for one mortal, takes notice. Bending the very stars in the heavens..
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 46, 519 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After the Cataclysm by Himring
In Eriador, rumours of the recent Downfall of Numenor are spreading. In a small town inland these rumours are confirmed by the arrival of Elendil and his companions. Still inwardly reeling with shock, Elendil is confronted here with an aspect of Numenor he finds difficult to deal with.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elendil, Númenóreans, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 713 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Wrath by Elrond's Library
Arafinwë attempts reconciliation.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
