New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[Writing] The Last of the Old Gods by AdmirableMonster
Two members of the crew of the starship Vérië land on the planet Andúnië, investigating a location of interest called The Sleeping Garden.
(Introducing: a Space Opera Númenor AU. Let's be real, it was only a matter of time.)
[Writing] Amid the Wrack by Isilme_among_the_stars
After Ancalagon is cast down Eärendil seeks out his sons and Elrond grapples with the feelings the meeting brings.
Written for Tolkien Sea Week 2026: Day 5 - family
[Writing] The Tale of Tar-Ciryatan's Daughter by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Ailinel, orphan of Numenor, is one of the poor girls dowered by Tar-Ciryatan and titled a "King's Daughter", encouraged to sail East to his colonies and find herself a husband.
It doesn't take her that long.
But even after she and Shipman Gaerondur find love, life in the colony isn…
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
[Writing] A Gift by Elrond's Library
Findekáno sets out to retrieve Maitimo.
[Reference] 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…
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Anniversary Contest
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of <em>The Silmarillion,</em> we hosted a writing contest for Silmarillion-based fiction. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
Feanorian Week 2026
A week dedicated to celebrating to the Sons of Feanor (and their parents) on Tumblr
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
A Place for Such Joy as Theirs by Himring
Embittered by Aldarion's departure on a long overseas journey against her will, Erendis dismisses the pair of wonderful Elven-birds that were given to her by visitors from Tol Eressea during her honeymoon. The birds briefly visit Erendis's parents on their flight back to Tol Eressea, but will not let themselves be touched and afterwards, it seems, they are not seen or heard again in Numenor.
"Sweet fools, fly away!" Erendis said. "This is no place for such joy as yours."
I have written a fix-it for the loss of the Elven-birds, sort of.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 265 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Heavy and Squat - So What? by Himring
Compared to Salgant and Bombur, and even compared to Fredegar Bolger, Forlong seems to have the least problems in the Legendarium with being duly respected despite his girth.
But maybe even he had a less good time of it when he was younger.
Set during Aragorn's time in Gondor as Thorongil.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Lily white and poppy red by Anérea
A slightly different take on Maedhros' end in half a drabble.
Plus half a drabble of Maglor's.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Heavy is the Crown by Artano
Finarfin struggles with the weight of his authority during the War of Wrath
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (14) |
Interview with JazTheBard by Maglor by JazTheBard
Lúthien, Maeglin, and Arwen all share a reference to "twilight" in their names. In our latest interview for Mereth Aderthad 2025, Maglor spoke with JazTheBard about her paper "Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel," the role of gender in the legendarium, and setting parts of her presentation to music.
Interview with Savannah Horrell by Anérea by Savannah Horrell, Anérea
Although he considered Germanic literature some of his key inspirations, Tolkien's work deviated in its tendency to prefer the perspective of the humble over the privileged. Anérea spoke with Savannah Horrell about her upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf" and how Tolkien's depictions of thieves differ from the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf."
A Stolen Gift by Flora-lass
Maglor's inevitably sad thoughts, with a very young Elrond asleep on his lap after a nightmare. Maedhros and young Elros are nearby.
(Updated a year and more later, with a link to a painting, and a new 'chapter' with the thoughts of Maedhros in the painting scene).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 174 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Only then can you belong to me by elennalore
Years of the Lamps. Mairon has come home early from the celebrations to some alone time, but Melkor’s visit destroys both his plans and the peace of his mind.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 244 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A World Reborn Without Them by Himring
Valandil, Isildur's fourth son and successor, re-enters Annuminas, some years after the victory of the Last Alliance.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Valandil (Arnor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Saying Goodbye by StarSpray
Frodo spent his last summer in the Shire much as he had the one before he’d gone on his journey.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Frodo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 152 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fireflies by StarSpray
The night was warm and the breeze balmy; night-blooming flowers covered the hillside, glowing in the light of hundreds, thousands of fireflies that flitted about and winked in mesmerizing patterns as Smith climbed to the top
| Canon Source: Smith of Wootton Major |
| Major Characters: Smith Smithson |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Breathing in New Life by Elrond's Library
Yavanna renews the land with the rising of the Sun and Moon
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 156 |
| 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: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Interview with Zhie by Shadow by Zhie, daughterofshadows
There are rewards in considering the scientific roots of aspects of the legendarium typically considered mythic or folkloric. Shadow spoke with Zhie about the challenges of investigating such a topic as a non-scientist for Zhie's upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper "How to Make a Star from a Tree: The Science of Telperion and Laurelin."
Let Him Find Honey by StarSpray
Grief awaits you outside these halls, Fëanáro, Nienna told him, her voice like the gentlest fall of rain upon spring leaves.
Grief haunts me inside them, Fëanor replied.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mandos, Nienna, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Míriel, Amras & Amrod & Caranthir & Celegorm & Curufin & Fëanor & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 067 |
| 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) |
a hunger still unraveling like silk by atlantablack
Fingolfin does not look up from his book when he hears footsteps approaching and pays no attention to Fëanor walking into the room. What he emphatically does pay attention to is Fëanor going to his knees in front of the chair he is sprawled sideways across and burying his face against Fingolfin’s stomach, both of his hands clenching tight around Fingolfin’s shirt. He blinks down at Fëanor’s head in confusion and runs a hand over his head, dragging his fingers through Fëanor’s hair. “Náro?” he asks quietly. “Has something happened?”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Erotica, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 573 |
| 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) |
A Songbird in a Cage of His Own Making by Elrond's Library
Uinen and Ossë have lost track of the Noldor's Songbird, his laments gone silent. When they do, Uinen nurses him back to health, and then some.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Uinen, Maglor, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: Maglor/Uinen |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 836 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Interview with Paul D. Deane by Himring by Rhunedhel
Himring spoke to Paul about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Love, Grief, and Alliterative Verse in Tolkien’s Legendarium," his deep study of alliterative verse, and how that entwines with his understanding of Tolkien and creation of his own Tolkien-based alliterative poems.
The Bedu Hobbits of Far Harad by Anérea
Speculations on Hobbit pre-history - a brief illustrated headcanon.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Hobbits |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
2025 Birthday Bash Prompt Fills by silmalope
Sketches inspired by the 2025 Birthday Bash challenge prompts!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (32) |
Seasonal Deliverance by Iced Latte
A poem for the first born sons in the House of Finwe, each one attributed a season - Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 343 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Celegorm by Aprilertuile
"And a hunter also was Celegorm, who in Valinor was a friend of Oromë, and often followed the Vala's horn." The Silmarillion, chapter 5
Celegorm started his life, trusting Oromë, having faith in a Vala.
What does it mean for the rebellion? What happened?
And his life in Beleriand?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The monster in the mirror by Aprilertuile
This is a treat for art N°4 : There's a monster inside of me, by Lidoshka.
Celegorm could see things he was the only one to see, from the corner of his eyes. He could see his reflection mocking him in the mirrors.
His brothers couldn’t know. No one could know!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 434 |
| 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) |
A private talk in the light of Telperion by Aprilertuile
Treat for art 45 of TRSB : Telperion Quenta Silmarillion by Wisteria53
Tilion takes Celegorm with him to visit Telperion
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 264 |
| 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) |
