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
Inspiration
Your characters inspire you--but what inspires them? Consider what inspires your characters to act and create. 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 Thief in Valinor? by Iavalir
Is there a theif in Valinor?
Written for Tolkien Weekly drabble challenge.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 99 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Noldolante by Elvewen
Maglor's thoughts as he played the Noldolante for the first time.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Songs of Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 773 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Elemental Spirits by Beatrisu
Maedhros likens some of his loved ones to the elements.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Four Elements |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 176 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Surrender after the War of Wrath by Uvatha the Horseman
This story explores Sauron's motives for surrendering after the War of Wrath, and for failing to show up for trial. It also explores Eönwë's, for letting him.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 3, 890 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lending a Hand - Redux by Erulisse
I wanted this to be sharper and to explain Isildur's feelings towards the elves with greater clarity. So I refined this a bit more. This is what I came up with.
What thoughts are passing through Isildur’s mind after his defeat of Sauron? A bit of gallows humor in response to the prompt “lend”.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 111 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fall of Sauron by xxxVilda
Sauron the bad guy was good in the end, wasn't he? A take on Sauron's kin's feelings about his fall.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 079 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Just and Equitable Government by Himring
In Mithrim, during Maedhros’s time of recovery, Maglor appears one evening at Fingolfin’s camp and asks Fingon to return to Maedhros’s side. On his way back to the Feanorian camp, Fingon remembers the incident that made him stay away. When he finally reaches his cousin, it turns out that there was something Maglor had failed to mention.
With a vignette of Fingon on the quays of Alqualonde.
Warnings for aftermath of torture (Thangorodrim) and violence (Alqualonde) as per canon.
(Fingon/Maedhros; not explicit)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 6, 833 |
| 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) |
You Live Your Life in the Shadow of the Mountain by darthfingon
At the end of the First Age, religious feuds and civil unrest threaten Valmar and Tirion. A 'What-If' AU.
New in Chapter 20: Sidaizon sets out to begin his new duties as Oraistar of Oichimyaiva, and learns some disturbing news from Vedezir.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Ingwë, Ingwion, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Another Place in Time |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 78, 920 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (35) |
Isles of sleep by Aerlinn
And in the twilight a great weariness came upon mariners and a loathing of the sea.
Some will sleep until the very end of the world. Not every Valinorean explorer returns.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lórien, Noldor, Original Character(s), Teleri |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Experimental, General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 671 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Temptation of Knowledge by Erulisse
In response to the prompt “borrow”, what did Celebrimbor think about when he was facing Annatar for the first time? Did he think he was borrowing trouble?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Season of Hope by Keiliss
Midwinter in Sirion, a young king and a traumatized child: Gil-galad offers Elwing a new way of looking at Yule.
MEFA 2011: Second Place: Character study, House of Finwe
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 918 |
| 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) |
The Burning Cold of Snow by Erulisse
Mordor was not only used by evil in the Third Age. It had been used by Morgoth in the First Age. Brushkût, an orc from Mordor is trained to join the troops at Angband and sets off with his regiment, walking through the dead of winter towards the far north.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 662 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Warping Arda by Clodia
A collection of drabbles, mostly written for the LJ comm Tolkien_Weekly. Some of these drabbles received awards in MEFA 2010; see inside for details.
10. Good as New. Glorfindel, his father and a piece of the past. One drabble.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beren, Celeborn, Celebrían, Daeron, Dior, Dwarves, Eilinel, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Erestor, Glorfindel, Goldberry, Idril, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Original Character(s), Sauron, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 5, 689 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Unexpected Gratitude - Re-examining Exile by Erulisse
It is told that Fëanáro was exiled to Formenos for threatening his half-brother with a sword. But what was Fëanáro’s true feeling when seeing his place of exile? A response to the prompt “Unexpected Gratitude”.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 104 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Light from Afar by Erulisse
A series of drabbles centered around the theme of different types of light and featuring Earendil and Elwing. I hope that through these small stories some light may be cast on the personalities of these characters.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 981 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Strange Fire by Dwimordene
Melkor meets humanity: a theological romance with Haradrim.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 912 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Every Fire is a Lesson Learned by Agelast
Over the ages, Nerdanel has a lot of time for reflection.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 696 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Morning People by Huinare
Yet none ever guessed Sauron's true reason for turning to the will of Melkor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aulë, Maiar, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 482 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Menelvagor's Chase by Kimberleighe
The tale of Menelvagor, and how he came to the skies.
Second story in the "Legends of the Stars" series.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Storyteller |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 492 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Gwilwileth's Folly by Kimberleighe
The tale of Gwilwileth
First in the "Legends of the Stars" series
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: Storyteller |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 249 |
| 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) |
Lesion by pandemonium_213
Something is rotten within the heartwood of Nimloth.
Written in response to the prompt "Second Age — Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn — under the White Tree of Númenor" for the Comment!Ficathon for the LOTR World.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 897 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Unconscious Arithmetic by grey_gazania
To his great surprise, Caranthir makes a friend.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 005 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Darkest Season by Elleth
In early winter 506, three Fëanorian soldiers are drawn into the events surrounding the Silmaril of Doriath.
Written for adventchallenge on LJ.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 7, 714 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Once upon Amon Hen... by Rhapsody
As the Fellowship reach the shores of Amon Hen and Boromir makes a fatal mistake, Frodo flees from this man and races towards the ruins where he will encounter a stranger.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 710 |
| 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) |
Telpetari's Tapestry: Tales of a Silver Queen by Kaylee Arafinwiel
What was Celebrian, daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, wife and cousin of Elrond, the Lady of Imladris like? We really don't get to see her, but these (mostly previously unrelated) stories will feature her along with her family.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Elrond, Elwing, Erellont, Estë, Eärendil, Falathar, Galadriel, Original Character(s), Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 574 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
