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
Of All That Remains
Create a fanwork that features a memory from a character's childhood. 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 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.
Of Modern Girls by Perching
Like any good modern girl in Middle-earth, Natalie joins Thorin and Company on their quest to take back the Lonely Mountain. She bonds with Bilbo along the way.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Bilbo Baggins |
| Major Relationships: Bilbo & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 644 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
for love of the wide world by Perching
Gildor is visiting the Grey Havens when Glorfindel arrives on a ship out of the West. They talk about choosing Middle-earth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Gildor & Glorfindel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 167 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In June Under the Stars by Perching
After an evening dealing with rowdy dwarves, Lindir longs for his normal peace and quiet. But there's no rest for him yet, because in this strange Rivendell, the elves cannot. Stop. Singing.
Or: serious Hobbit movie elf meets silly Hobbit book elves: the fic.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Jackson Hobbit (films) |
| Major Characters: Lindir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 197 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The kind of love I've been dreaming of by chrissystriped
Maeglin slips away after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad to find the sons of Fëanor and maybe a happier life away from Gondolin. When he stumbles into Celegorm their first meeting, it is entirely different from what he expected.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Maeglin |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 818 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Walked the Long Way by Himring
Maglor sings the blues.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Umbels Tall and Fair by Himring
Umbels, such as those among which Luthien danced.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's Poetry |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Photography |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (9) |
And Love Grew by polutropos
As a host of survivors makes the journey from Sirion to Amon Ereb under Maglor's leadership, old bonds unravel and loyalties crumble. But from the scraps and ruins, new and unlikely bonds take shape. A story of perseverance through suffering.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Original Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 59, 981 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Twilight, Child Of by sesamenom
Three different characters, all named as children of twilight, their pasts, and their presents.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Aragorn/Arwen |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
His Young Son Ereinion by Perching
After a drunken night at Minas Tirith, Fingon and Orodreth wake up married with a baby on the way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Orodreth |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 910 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cosset by Perching
Maedhros will always take care of Maglor. Maglor learns this, and he uses it.
For Maedhros & Maglor Week Day 7: Partners (Intimacy and Entanglement).
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 060 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Offering by Perching
The Lord of the Eagles would not take them anywhere near where men lived. "They would shoot at us with their great bows of yew," he said, "for they would think we were after their sheep. And at other times they would be right..."
~ The Hobbit, Chapter VI
An Eagle of Manwë is stealing people's sheep. Fingon investigates.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lightborn by AdmirableMonster
Happened to come across this record while helping Círdan clear out his basement. Yes, I know I’m supposed to be taking a break. I find organization relaxing. Anyway, I’m sending it your way because I know what you’re like about any kind of Númenorean historical records, and this is an interesting one. Seems to be a first-person testimony, originally in Adunaic and translated into Westron, then later transcribed, with some notes from a Mannish historian post-Fall. Be warned: it isn’t light reading.
I’ll be returning in a week or two. Try not to let the library become impossibly disorganized in my absence.
—Erestor
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character, Celebrimbor & Sauron |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 015 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The First Age 503 Football Finals by myrtaceaae
F.A. 503 Aussie Rules Football finals season. Doriath is on the top of the ladder, but will they be victorious against the other strong contenders?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 10, 642 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lover of Trees by Zdenka
Rían sitting on the arm of her Entwife girlfriend.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Rían, Entwives |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Femslash, Romance | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Childhood Comrades: Russo & Finnu at Kozhikode Youth Festival by Zara BalrogBalls
Maedhros and Fingon, ie Russo and Finnu from Prayers to Broken Stone, 19 years old and up to no-good at all. If you want to know why they’re dressed up like a Mecca pilgrim and a Roman cardinal, check out the snippet in the notes!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Mim's Memories by Anérea
In his youth, Mîm, the Petty Dwarf, was enamoured of the beauty of nature, and poured his very being into the fine sculptures of flowers that he forged from gold and silver and gemstones.
| Canon Source: Tolkien's Poetry |
| Major Characters: Mîm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Manip/Photomontage, Moodboard/Collage, Photography |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
The Choices of Lady Éowyn by Zdenka
Éowyn decides to join the Ride of the Rohirrim to Minas Tirith. A poem in alliterative verse.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's Poetry |
| Major Characters: Éowyn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 190 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Shieldmaiden and the Witch-king by Zdenka
The fall of the Witch-king of Angmar, as told in the meter of Hiawatha.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 498 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Death of Bëor the Old by Zdenka
Finrod is confused and distraught to learn that Bëor will die of old age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor & Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 404 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Star in Truth by Elleth
Inspired by Jaz's Mereth Aderthad presentation Twilight, Child of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel and the idea of reversing or exchanging the roles of these three, plus the chat's insistence that there needed to be Arwen/Idril, with Arwen taking on something resembling Maeglin's role.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Arwen/Idril |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 734 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sirion by Tang Wen Xi
Two scenes from the third kinslaying: the sack of Sirion and the adoption of Elrond and Elros by Maglor and Maedhros.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros, Círdan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Heart and Stomach by janeways
As a very young child, Gil-galad arrived on Círdan's doorstep with no memories and nothing but a brief letter containing two things: a request to foster him, and a name, Ereinion. Silver-haired scion of kings, he always suspected his lineage was more vexed than anyone, Noldor or Sindar alike, was comfortable admitting, especially in those fragile last days before the War of Wrath.
Parents as well as kings must make difficult decisions. After the Third Kinslaying, Gil-galad learns this the hard way.
Title is a reference to Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Círdan, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 061 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Great Stories by janeways
"I wonder what sort of tale we've fallen into?" asked Sam.
"I wonder," said Frodo. "But I don't know."
Frodo reflects on greatness, and stories, after Galadriel shares a memory.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Frodo, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 022 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
“Collected Materials Regarding the Sons of Elwing and the House of Fëanor.” by halethleia
Searching for documents related to her father's life, Aragorn's daughter instead finds a jumble of conflicting documents about the nature of Maglor and Maedhros's fosterage of Elrond and Elros.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond, Elros, Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 250 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In me thou seest the Twilight by maglor-my-beloved
Arwen contemplates three people who share her name.
Fic for Jaz' MA presentation (Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arwen, Maeglin, Lúthien Tinúviel, Tindómiel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 690 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
