Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with bunn by Shadow
Bunn's work is beloved in the Tolkien fandom, where they are both an author and an artist. Along those lines, they will be creating both a story for Mereth Aderthad 2025 and a work of art for a different presentation. Shadow spoke with bunn about their Mereth Aderthad works, the appeal of Dwarves, and the many fruitful connections between Beowulf and Tolkien's own work.
SWG News
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with chrissystriped by Dawn
In our series of interviews of creators for Mereth Aderthad, Dawn spoke with chrissystriped about her story, written for Shadow's "The Aromantic in Tolkien" presentation, her process as a writer, and the importance of representing aro-ace characters in fanfiction.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Dr. Zara Ashkenazi-Khan by Saelind
The third kinslaying is one of the Silmarillion fandom's favorite topics of discussion because of its moral complexity. In our latest interview for Mereth Aderthad 2025, Dr. Zara Ashkenazi-Khan discussed her paper "Exile, Ruin and Resistance: Beleriand as Postcolonial Palimpsest" with Saelind, the application of postcolonial theory to the most challenging and violent moments in "The Silmarillion," and where scholarship and fanworks each take their place in understanding them.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Silmalope by Dawn
Silmalope is the featured artist for Shadow's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "The Aromantic in Tolkien." Dawn spoke with Silmalope about their approach to making art, what inspires their work, and the importance of diverse representation in fanworks.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] i'll do anything you say // if you say it with your hands by atlantablack
“You said,” Fëanáro says quietly, taking a step forward, “that I shall lead, and you shall follow.”
Ñolofinwë bites down the urge to take a step back as Fëanáro takes another step forward. “I said those words and I meant them. You are my brother and now my king, why should I…
[Writing] A Huntress Among Fools by Isilme_among_the_stars
If Aredhel had to listen to one more person heap praise on her brother while she stood right beside him, completely disregarded, she might scream. The praises were well deserved, she must admit. But was it only Fingon who scouted ahead over the treacherous shifting ice of the Helcaraxë? Didn…
[Artwork] Eärendil in the Bay of Eldamar by Varda delle Stelle
Eärendil on Vingilótë arrives in the Bay of Eldamar; in the bottom right corner it says: "Vingilótë" and "Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima!"
[Reference] Interview with Azh, Admirable Monster by Shadow by AdmirableMonster, daughterofshadows
As a physicist themself, Azh confronts the issues around the ethical use of science in both the professional and creative realms. Shadow spoke with Azh about their story "Lightborn," written to accompany Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation…
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Multimedia] Song for a Heartsick Soul by Isilme_among_the_stars
A poem inspired by the story of Maglor
[Series] I made loving you a blood sport by atlantablack
In which Fëanor & Fingolfin are re-embodied in 4th age Aman, are nowhere near as healed as everyone believes them to be, and decide to pretend that sleeping together will fix their relationship instead of causing more problems.
Current Challenge
Period Drama
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are inspired by common tropes found in period dramas and historical fiction. 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
Interview with Azh, Admirable Monster by Shadow by AdmirableMonster, daughterofshadows
As a physicist themself, Azh confronts the issues around the ethical use of science in both the professional and creative realms. Shadow spoke with Azh about their story "Lightborn," written to accompany Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation,” its real-life inspirations, and the importance of fallibility in Tolkien's world.
Interview with Dawn Felagund by Shadow by Dawn Felagund, daughterofshadows
In our series of interviews of creators for Mereth Aderthad, Shadow spoke with Dawn about her story, written for Savannah Horrell's "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf" presentation, the balance of planning an event and creating for it at the same time, and the intersection of Tolkien and Beowulf.
Interview with bunn by Shadow by bunn, daughterofshadows
Bunn is the featured author for for cloudyhymn's presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of Dwarves" and the featured artist for Savannah Horrell's presentation "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf." Shadow spoke with bunn about the mystery of dragons, the appeal of Dwarves, and the many ways Tolkien's work connects to Beowulf.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] Floating through the Forest River by Varda delle Stelle
Bilbo and Thorin's Company are arriving to Lake Town floating through the Forest River with the barrels
[Writing] The Wondrous Tale of the Bee-wolf by bunn
Once upon a time, JRR Tolkien wrote a fairy-tale retelling, an attempt to reconstruct an alternative version of the ancient poem called Beowulf, and he called it Sellic Spell: 'strange tale' or 'wondrous tale'.
Once upon a time, on the long road home from the Lonely…
[Writing] Dáin's Saga by bunn
The tale of Dáin Ironfoot, told loosely in the style of a saga of Iceland (in English translation).
Around the World and Web
Joyful June 2025
Joyful June is a fanworks event on Tumblr and AO3 where the goal is to let our favourite characters be happy.
Numenor Week 2025
Numenor Week is a Tumblr event created for fans of the tragic and beautiful story of the Land of the Gift, from its birth to its downfall.
Monster Fucker May 2025
This is an 18+ Tumblr and AO3 event for smutty fanworks involving monsters from the legendarium, put on by the Tolkien Pinup Calendar.
May Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks on Dreamwidth
The May challenge has been posted at the tolkienshortfanwork community on Dreamwidth. This month it is a number of prompts containing "may", including "May It Be", by Enya.
Teitho May/June Challenge: Weddings
The theme for Teitho's May/June contest is "weddings."
Truly All Fanworks
This page includes all fanworks from the main SWG archive and the Beyond the Silmarillion section.
The Downfall by clotho123
A short story addressing one of The Silmarillion's most famous open ends: What happened to Maglor?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 749 |
| Posted on 30 November 2008 | Updated on 30 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
This Distant Shore by Raksha The Demon
When much is lost, there still remains much to do. A Thanksgiving-inspired look at some special immigrants in the late Second Age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 633 |
| Posted on 29 November 2008 | Updated on 29 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Ulmo's Wife by pandemonium_213
It was written that Ulmo was alone, but delving deeper into the nature of the Valar and their adopted world reveals otherwise.
MEFA 2009: Third Place - Races: Other Beings: General
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 749 |
| Posted on 29 November 2008 | Updated on 29 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
Lintaran by Los Gloriol
Celegorm (Tyelkormo for those picky like me), goes forth to hunt in the Forest of Orome. On this particular day he encounters the mighty stag, Lintarin, whom he battles. This story is in the style of a folklore. At least that is what I was trying to convey. Celegorm is not always cooperative.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 666 |
| Posted on 27 November 2008 | Updated on 27 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Retrospective by Los Gloriol
Glorfindel has been released from Mandos. His past is starting to merge with his present. You can assume this is not a sudden realisation, but progressive over a long period of time. He tells of his thoughts concerning the Balrog battle, once it is remembered
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Inspiration |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 684 |
| Posted on 27 November 2008 | Updated on 27 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Release the Bonds of Winter by Dawn Felagund
Ficlets written for March's challenge "Within the Pages of Lore." Please see the Table of Contents for summaries and specific warnings for each.
Added Love by Moonlight: Tilion observes two kinds of love in Beleriand. Implied Maedhros/Fingon.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Lórien, Maedhros, Orodreth, Tilion, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Within the Pages of Lore |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 190 |
| Posted on 12 March 2008 | Updated on 26 November 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (44) |
The Ice in the North by Moreth
Suggested by Dawn's addition to her 'Release the Bonds of Winter' series, Death of Cold, this is the Helcaraxë from an alternative view point to the grim travail of crossing the ice...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 286 |
| Posted on 25 November 2008 | Updated on 25 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (25) |
Cultural Differences by Keiliss
Cultural differences, a young king, an arrogant Maia, and rather too much wine.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 346 |
| Posted on 12 November 2008 | Updated on 12 November 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Of Sauron and the Lesser Rings by Anlashaq
To an old Friend
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 497 |
| Posted on 11 November 2008 | Updated on 11 November 2008 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Do You Believe in Ghosts? by oshun
Happy 2008 Halloween Birthday to IgnobleBard, dear friend, generous and stalwart Beta, who loves scary stories. Credit goes to DarthFingon for the prompt from a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon of the same name. Warnings: language you might expect from a house filled with testosterone-challenged males; references to sexual intimacy, both het and slash, but no explicit content.
MEFA 2009, First Place - Humor: Children
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror, Humor | Challenges: Ankle Biters |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 599 |
| Posted on 21 October 2008 | Updated on 21 October 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
No Traveler Returns by IgnobleBard
Namo confronts a newly dead Elf.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 886 |
| Posted on 21 October 2008 | Updated on 21 October 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Even Quicker Than Doubt by Keiliss
Set in the weeks before Elros departs for Númenor, Doubt explores the reason the twins chose different paths, Elrond’s emotional coming of age, the evolving relationship between Gil-galad and Glorfindel, and the reborn Elf’s adjustment to his new life in Second Age Lindon.
MEFA nominee 2007, my thanks to Oshun
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, All Good Beasts |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 101, 565 |
| Posted on 30 June 2008 | Updated on 13 October 2008 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (23) |
Moon of the Sea by pandemonium_213
There are any number of unnamed women in Tolkien's canon who surely played important roles behind the scenes. One of these women is Elendil's wife, the mother of Isildur and Anárion. She figures as a supporting character in my WIP, The Elendilmir, but this strong woman is taking on a life of her own. So, to keep the bunnies from gnawing my ankles raw, I have been writing ficlets about Isilmë, some of which may blossom into full-fledged stories in the future.
MEFA 2008: Second Place, Times, Second and Early Third Age, General.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elendil, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 3, 175 |
| Posted on 15 April 2008 | Updated on 1 October 2008 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (42) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 081 |
| Posted on 22 September 2008 | Updated on 22 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Love Not Wisdom by oshun
Drabble (or, more accurately, a drabble and a half - 150 words) written for Elfscribe, who asked for Beleg and Túrin. Follows in the same universe as my story "Will Overruled by Fate."
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: New Beginnings |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 159 |
| Posted on 20 September 2008 | Updated on 20 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Silence by Anu
Every year the Gate of Summer celebration comes, and with it, silence from midnight until dawn. Or…it should be silent, anyway.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Rog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Hot Summer, Hot Stories |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 901 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Three Year's Thrall by Anu
More about the Man that Idril married.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: Canon with a Twist |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 223 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shades of Glory by Anu
Glorfindel's return to Arda, and Elrond's salvation.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: It's Magic! |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 010 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden-Haired by Anu
Turgon's tale; briefly spoken.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Canon with a Twist |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 406 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
House of the Golden Flower by Anu
The story of Glorfindel's life, in his own terms. (Began 2003, Completed 2008)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Canon with a Twist |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 59, 732 |
| Posted on 18 September 2008 | Updated on 18 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The People of Akallabeth by Hamfast Gamgee
A tale set at time of the end of Numenor, involving original characters, Amandil, Elendil, some Elves a bit of angst and some of my own ideas thrown in, and a bit of poetry!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 16, 130 |
| Posted on 19 August 2008 | Updated on 13 September 2008 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cold light by Mantida
On the strange gift of the heirs of Azaghâl and the final fate of Maedhros the Kinslayer. A Third Age ghost story.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 183 |
| Posted on 26 August 2008 | Updated on 26 August 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Durin and Kibil-nâla by Mantida
A legend remembered by the dwarves, but never told by the elves.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Durin I |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 292 |
| Posted on 26 August 2008 | Updated on 26 August 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 802 |
| Posted on 25 August 2008 | Updated on 25 August 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Downfallen by pandemonium_213
Sauron recounts the first human sacrifice in the temple of Armenelos.
MEFA 2009: First Place - Races: Villains: General
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 812 |
| Posted on 15 August 2008 | Updated on 15 August 2008 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
