New Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King
Cross "The Silmarillion" with a second text or fandom in this month's crossover challenge.
SWG News
A Sense of History: Thálatta! Thálatta!
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
Choose a Name for Our New Column!
Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
New Challenge: Tengwar
Each day for thirty-six days, we feature a randomly chosen letter from the Tengwar as a prompt.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Tengwar: To The Letter by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge.
All 36 prompts plus bonus chapter
[Writing] A blip on the radar by daughterofshadows
Humanity took to the skies. Eärendil and Ilmarë adjust.
[Writing] History abandons us by AdmirableMonster
During his incarceration in Roderick Burgess' basement, Dream receives a strange, ancient visitor.
[Writing] Tengwar Acrostics by Himring
Responses to the Tengwar Challenge in which first letters spell out the name of a tengwa.
1) Early Encounter (Nerdanel, Indis)
2) Numenorean Lullaby (Almarian, Aldarion)
[Writing] Tengwar Drabbles by cílil
A collection of Silmarillion-centric drabbles written for the Tengwar Challenge. Short and sweet!
[Writing] If i get home before daylight by BloodwingBlackbird
a traveler meets a stranger at a crossroads.
Current Challenge
Crossroads of the Fallen King
Create a fanwork that crosses with a second text or fandom. Read more ...
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Breaking Boundaries
Create a fanwork that shows a meeting between characters of two or more cultures. Read more ...
New in References
Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
[]While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
[]
With Gildor Inglorion we finally climb the stairs of Elostirion and look on the view, and what we see appears to reveal a hidden thread in the story of Frodo Baggins. This post reads two annotated translations of two Elvish songs to step through a crossroads in the narrative to arrive at the tower on the margin of the story, wherein is a stone that is a window onto Valinor.
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.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Waybread (The Waybredlik) by Himring
[]Lembas speaks out.
[Series] Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
[]Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
[Writing] Crossing Forest River by Dawn Felagund
[]Bilbo recounts, in verse, the attempt of Gandalf, Beorn, and him to cross the Forest River after the Battle of Five Armies. Written for the Hungarian Tolkien Society's 2024 Mailing Competition.
Around the World and Web
Mythcon 53: Fantasies of the Middle Lands
Mythcon 53 will be held 2-5 August 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the theme "Fantasies of the Middle Lands."
Teitho May/June Challenge: Joker
For the May/June Teitho challenge, you can pick ANY of our past challenges that stir your imagination and write a story or create art for it.
Monstrous May 2024
Monstrous May is a Tumblr event where, for each day of the month of May, there is a prompt involving and invoking the monstrous.
Fellowship of the Fics: Modern AU May
During May, Fellowship of the Fics offers modern AU prompt lists for setting, character occupation, and dialogue on Tumblr.
May challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The May challenge has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic challenge: name; formal challenge: acrostic. As usual, these can be filled independently and freely combined with other prompts such as the SWG challenges. New participants welcome!
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
Tale of the Crebain by Anne Wolfe
An origin story for the crebain, following a Dunlending OC. Written for the second B2MEM 2024 Drabble Race, for the prompt "bird nest".
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 005 |
| Posted on 17 March 2024 | Updated on 13 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In the House of the Fairbairns by Simon J. Cook
The first of some posts on the Elf-tower on the western margin of The Lord of the Rings attempts to frame the relationship between the narrative and the appendices of The Lord of the Rings and an analysis of Frodo's dream-visions.
Ready, Aim, Fire by Tehta
Or, Three Attempts to Get Out of Archery Practice
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Egalmoth, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 624 |
| Posted on 11 April 2024 | Updated on 12 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
It comes in Threes by cílil
Three triple drabbles written for the It comes in Threes challenge, featuring various Ainur.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arien, Eönwë, Lórien, Mandos, Melkor, Nienna, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron, Eönwë/Sauron, Arien/Eönwë, Arien/Sauron |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Poly, Romance, Slash | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 915 |
| Posted on 8 April 2024 | Updated on 12 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Unrest of the Noldor by StarSpray
Minyelmë comes to Tirion to see Lalwen, arriving just in time to see things come to a head.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Lalwen/Original Character |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Femslash | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 181 |
| Posted on 8 April 2024 | Updated on 8 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Wingfeet: Racing across Ard-galen by Himring
A Dwarf, a Man, and an Elf race across a grassy plain... Except that these three are original characters of the First Age racing across the plain of Ard-galen and their plight is rather different.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 400 |
| Posted on 7 April 2024 | Updated on 8 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Cliffhanger by Tehta
Climbing partners get very accustomed to saving each other's lives. The habit can prove hard to break, as Findekáno and Maitimo discover.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 534 |
| Posted on 8 April 2024 | Updated on 8 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Betting on Family by Tehta
We are told that Galadriel was “the only woman of the Noldor to stand ... tall and valiant among the contending princes” upon the summit of Túna, when Feanor made his Oath. But why? What about Aredhel: what was she up to?
In this story, I attempt to answer that question, while Írissë and Artanis discuss family matters.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 963 |
| Posted on 8 April 2024 | Updated on 8 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gilded Knife by elennalore
Ar-Pharazôn takes part in the first ceremony of the new Temple, and Zigûr is there to help him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Ar-Pharazôn & Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 737 |
| Posted on 5 April 2024 | Updated on 5 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Quick and the Dead by Tehta
Months have passed since the Nirnaeth, but Glorfindel and Ecthelion are not quite over it yet.
Contains dark themes, humour, and slash, mixed together pretty evenly, I hope.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 773 |
| Posted on 7 November 2013 | Updated on 5 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Symmetry by Tehta
The Silmarillion states that the entire Dwarven race is descended from the seven Dwarves Aule made: the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves.
...Seven Fathers? Really? And Zero Mothers?
I have attempted to explain this absurdity here. In a deeply scientific and scholarly way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë, Pengolodh, Rúmil (Valinor), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 305 |
| Posted on 5 April 2024 | Updated on 5 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Firstborn of the Firstborn by Tehta
Set in Cuiviénen. The future kings of the Eldar discuss Oromë's invitation. There is cake, and tea.
Very canon-ish, sorry.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë, Ingwë, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 014 |
| Posted on 5 April 2024 | Updated on 5 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Swaying, to Music by Tehta
Fëanor is not always the easiest person to talk to, not even for a powerful Vala like Melkor. Luckily, one of the Fëanorions has better taste in conversation.
As a result, Melkor gets to indulge in two of his favourite pastimes: stirring up trouble, and discussing his creative process.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 711 |
| Posted on 5 April 2024 | Updated on 5 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Blend, Bond, Blaze by sallysavestheday
Fingon, Angrod, and Aegnor wish to be more alike.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Angrod & Fingon |
| Genres: | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 302 |
| Posted on 31 March 2024 | Updated on 4 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Seven Gates by Laerthel
The impossible happened – a Silmaril has been stolen from Morgoth’s crown. Maedhros decides to reunite the People of Beleriand against the Enemy and attack him while he is still unprepared (which is by no means less impossible). Meanwhile, in the hidden city of Gondolin, Lord Glorfindel of the Golden Flower pursues the meaning of his recurring nightmares, only to find himself in the centre of a secret ploy against the ever-growing power of Maeglin Lómion in the King’s Council.
The People of Beleriand are astir; and as the strings of our heroes’ fates tangle, a dark shadow creeps above the North – the Fifth Battle approaches. And to what end, no one could dream...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Curufin, Erestor, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros, Ecthelion & Glorfindel, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Character Death, Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 32 | Word Count: 143, 444 |
| Posted on 22 April 2021 | Updated on 3 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Silent Lake by SonOfMandos
At the dawn of the Fourth Age, Maglor leaves Gondor. He hopes that his pilgrimage leads him to Cuiviénen.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 679 |
| Posted on 3 April 2024 | Updated on 3 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Feanorian Week 2024 by StarSpray
Ficlets written for Feanorian Week
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 31 March 2024 | Updated on 31 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Doriath Aflame by StarSpray
Celegorm stalks through the halls of Menegroth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 152 |
| Posted on 27 March 2024 | Updated on 31 March 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Oathbound by StarSpray
Fëanáro came himself, fey, a blazing torch in the darkness. “No,” Nerdanel said. “I will not go with you.”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on 31 March 2024 | Updated on 31 March 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beyond Borders: Canon Deviations, Multifandoms, and Original Content by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2015 and 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Surveys shows to what extent Tolkien fanfiction writers push beyond the canon and toward or into the realm of originality, as well as whether trends exist in among the various ways authors venture beyond the borders of Middle-earth.
Of Finrod and Bëor by losselen
Here is a song called Of Finrod and Bëor as was sung in Rivendell in the Third Age of the world. It is but a fragment from the Lay of Felagund, which told the story of Finrod Felagund in full. It was first cast into Sindarin in Imladris by some of the High Elves who dwelt there for a time, and later into Westron.
I: Of Finrod tarrying in Ossiriand
III. Of Finrod spying Men in the woods
III: Of Finrod's song of Valinor
IV: Of the waking of Men and the conversation of Finrod and Bëor
V: Of the disquiet of the Green-elves and the passing of Men into Beleriand
VI: Of the death of Finrod Felagund and the deeds of the House of Bëor
Coda
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 4, 040 |
| Posted on 17 December 2014 | Updated on 31 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Hunters by StarSpray
Ambarussa entered the forests together, but soon parted, clasping hands and grinning at one another.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod |
| Major Relationships: Amras & Amrod |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 30 March 2024 | Updated on 30 March 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Fall of Eregion by StarSpray
The dead have no mouths, and cannot scream. That does not stop Curufin from trying as he watches Vairë’s tapestries ravel before his eyes
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Curufin |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 154 |
| Posted on 29 March 2024 | Updated on 29 March 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Burst of Sweetness by StarSpray
“Have you an interest in gardening, Carnistir?”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 309 |
| Posted on 28 March 2024 | Updated on 28 March 2024 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Grey Ships Sailing by Lferion
Grey ships depart Mithlond
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 51 |
| Posted on 27 March 2024 | Updated on 27 March 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
