Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
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
Arda Underground
Take the dark back streets of one of Arda's cities, explore an unsigned tavern or hovel, and meet the people too insignificant or unsavory to make it into the history books. 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.
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.
B2ME Day 6 - Light by Erulisse
Did Melkor truly love the dark?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 281 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Be A Man by oshun
B2MeM 2011, 3/1, Seduction: Write a story where seduction plays a central role. Celeborn/Elu Thingol. Celeborn accepts that he has lost Elu to Melian the Maia. This may be read as existing in the same universe as my story Will Overruled by Fate wherein Celeborn admits to Haldir that he had loved Elu Thingol in his youth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 633 |
| 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) |
The Dragon Helm of Belegost by oshun
B2MeM, March 7, 2011, Belegost, prompt: Overcoming prejudices is as hard in Middle-earth as in our primary universe. Write a story or poem or create artwork where the characters try to reach across racial or gender or any other barrier.
Summary: Maedhros gives Fingon a gift; Fingon holds a strong prejudice against certain forms of Dwarven aesthetics. A true drabble written in dialogue only.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| 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) |
B2ME Day 5 - Banishment by Erulisse
B2ME Day 5 - Isolation - What thoughts were Feanor's when he was banished to Formenos?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 519 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
B2ME Day 4 - Initiating Movement by Erulisse
B2ME Day 4 - Conquiring Fear - How did this elf feel after the Doom of Mandos had been spoken?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 354 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
B2ME Day 3 - Stubborn by Erulisse
B2MN Day 3 - Refusal to Change - What happened when the elves followed Orome to the West?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 352 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
B2ME Day 2 -Dreamtime by Erulisse
B2ME Day 2 - Defiance - A son returns to his roots.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 480 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
B2ME Day 1 - Excerpts From the Annals of the People by Erulisse
B2ME Day 1 - Seduction: Three were chosen to travel and see the Two Trees.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 437 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
About Losgar Again by oshun
Losgar Challenge, For March 2: Defiance is defined as the willingness to contend or fight. Write a story or poem or create artwork where the characters defy authority in some way.
Summary: Maedhros defied his father. Maglor did not.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 272 |
| 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) |
As Little Might Be Thought by Deborah Judge
The development of the relationship between Maglor and his foster-sons Elrond and Elros, from the sack of Sirion to the loss of the Silmarils.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 7, 237 |
| 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) |
Fearless and Full of Himself by oshun
Elrond doesn't fear the future; Maedhros doesn't fear the past. For B2Me challenge 2011, day 4, Mithrim. Prompt is: Write a story or poem or create artwork where the character conquers his or her fears.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 97 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Nest-Building by Himring
An episode early in the exploration of Eastern Beleriand by the Sons of Feanor: Celegorm talks to a bird--and to his brother Maedhros.
Mature Themes: Very discreet allusion to torture.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beren, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 251 |
| 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) |
Heavenly Dance by Ellynn
After long months of loneliness and separation, Tilion will finally be close to his beloved Arien for a few moments. 2011 MEFA Nominee.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 841 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Light Over the Mountain by pandemonium_213
Long before the Ainur entered the Circles of Arda, the Guardians, greatest of the Ainur, rescued an unusual group of children from a war-torn land. In this series of vignettes, one of those rescued recounts the terrible events of his childhood that set him on a path to control his destiny and the world around him, a path that would lead to infamy.
MEFA 2011 Winner. Second Place, Incomplete, Drama
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Gandalf, Melkor, Original Character(s), Radagast, Saruman, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 574 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
King Thingol's Codpiece by elfscribe
Oropher, a healer and son of the Lord of Nivrim, assists Finrod Felagund in a hunt for a saboteur who has prevented spring from coming to Doriath. In the process, Oropher finds himself increasingly attracted to his clever friend.
A Sherlock Holmes style mystery with a twist.
MEFA 2011 winner First Place in Mystery: General and also a winner of a Smaug's Treasure award.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Melian, Oropher, Treebeard |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 24, 458 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
My Grandfather's Cottage by oshun
2011 Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards - First Place, Elves General, and Smaug's Treasure award.
This is a story of tragic heroes of the First Age, while they were young elves in love in Valinor, inexperienced and foolish. Ecthelion, a half-Telerin nerdy musician who fancies himself to be rather worldly and fashionable, sets himself the task of seducing his best friend Glorfindel, a charming math prodigy. The story provides a glimpse at contrasts between Telerin, Noldorin, and Vanyarin cultures, which turns wildly AU in relation to the inclusion of the festival of the Gates of Summer. It’s but a little romp of a love story about growing up spoiled and privileged in Aman during the Years of the Trees.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elrond, Glorfindel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 025 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Labadal and Túrin by Dreamflower
A series of drabbles about the child Túrin, and his friend the lame woodwright, Sador Labadal. I have long been fascinated by their friendship. Why would a noble child's best friend be a crippled servant?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Sador Labadal, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 523 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Still Waters by Olorime
Finrod Felagund gets stranded in a storm, a mysterious elf comes to his rescue. His life will be forever changed.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Mandos, Manwë, Orodreth, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 999 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
On the Twilit Planet Below by darthfingon
"Now they begin their new lives."
A rigid society on a distant planet imprisons free thinkers. A vast ship transports prisoners across the galaxy to their new home colony.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 520 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Web of the World by Dwimordene
"Vairë the Weaver [...] weaves all things that have ever been in Time into her storied webs [...]" - "Valaquenta", Silmarillion
It is hard to love the world that is. Nevertheless, someone has to do it...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 358 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
No Way You Can Fall by Himring
Fingon braces himself to defy Namo for the sake of his love of Maedhros, but it turns out to be strangely unnecessary. Ages later in Tirion, there is a rather more dramatic confrontation, when Fingolfin finally suspects the reason why Fingon has immured himself in his house with the cousin he has recently retrieved from Lorien.
Mature Themes: Maedhros is gradually regaining his sanity under Fingon's care.
Nominated for the MEFAs 2011. Thank you very much, Lyra!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 129 |
| 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) |
Through a glass darkly by Aria
Finarfin enroute to the War of Wrath debates his family and their decisions but through darkened sky and darkened glass.
Around the coast, skirt the cliffs. Mind the hidden rocks in the dark surf. ....
When the last sword is drawn and then at last sheathed, I will welcome them home. May that day come soon, may all of our days come soon.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 042 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When Sorrow Sang by Ellynn
What did Mandos hear, see and feel while listening to Luthien's song?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 051 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
An Anthology of Middle-Earth by tinni
A collection of poems I wrote about various Silmarillion characters
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Gandalf, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 719 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
