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
Follow the Leader
Create a fanwork about a leader from "The Silmarillion" that shows why that character is a leader. 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.
Organum by mairoff
When Melkor approaches him it is not necessarily out of ill intents - he thinks. As Aulë’s second he enjoys a certain reputation - one that gives him the moniker Admirable.
No, Mairon does not start evil at all.
Though, perhaps it is in his nature to ever evolve, ever iterate, he is fond of empirical processes and his surroundings feel small and smothering sometimes. But Mairon laughs, Mairon cares, Mairon even loves.
And that is his own doom.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: Cheesy Corn Chips, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 513 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Twice He Answered by Adoraincerta
After the War of Wrath they were taken again.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 132 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Miriel Hath My Love by Rocky41_7
Indis knows that Miriel is the only one who understands their connection. This is why it should be Indis who looks after Miriel's body.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: Indis/Míriel, Finwë/Indis |
| Genres: Femslash, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 589 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Blood and Light by SonOfMandos
Mother, let me live to see the day go by
Save me from myself, for I will sacrifice
Anything and Everything, to feel Him one more time
--Sacrifice, Aleah.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron |
| Genres: Mystery, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 035 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shards Of Memory by LadySternchen
Written for Understory-challenge, inspired by StarSpray's story 'Rising as if Weightless'.
While his court is still enjoying the feast he gave in honour of the Princes of Doriath That Was, Olwë stands alone before the mosaic depicting him and his brothers.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 656 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In These Altered States, Rejoice by sallysavestheday
Fingon and Maedhros shape new lives after Mandos. One chapter from Fingon's point of view and one from Maedhros'.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 376 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Long Was the Way that Fate Them Bore by sallysavestheday
Elrond makes sense of his complicated family, and his complicated self.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Glorfindel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 583 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When the Hurly-Burly's Done by sallysavestheday
Elrond and Gil-galad and Celebrimbor picnic on the edge of the world.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 878 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Caused Fire to be Set by Narya
Maglor, on Losgar, and what might have been.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 282 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Mind Your Back and Don’t Look Behind by Adoraincerta
Middle Earth, as a new land was no safer than the old Beleriand. There were people he shouldn't meet on his way of exploration, but Elrond catched the chance.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 430 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Where No Moonlight Shines by Adoraincerta
Elrond made a choice and needed someone to fullfill it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 456 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Interview with Artist Mirra Kan by Anérea
Blue Wizards, Faithful Haradrim, Black Númenóreans; I chatted with Mirra about her evocative—and somtimes provocative—art drawing attention to some of Middle-earth's Oriental cultures and the Western perception of them.
Children of Aulë by cuarthol, Zdenka
A moment between those known by others as Petty Dwarves. Their name for themselves is unknown.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 833 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Marsh Where the Dead Sleep by Narya
“They lie in all the pools, pale faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead...”
- 'The Passage of the Marshes' from The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sunwarmed by StarSpray
The more he thought about it the more he realized he was not quite missing the Tirion of his childhood, but Nargothrond at its height. His own city, that he’d planned and helped to build with his own two hands, where his friends among the dwarves had visited so often, and where he had earned his favorite epessë. No one in Valinor called him Felagund.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Penumbra by Rocky41_7
Maedhros presents himself as a...diplomatic guest to Doriath, certain he can convince the king to do as Maedhros wishes him to if he only had the chance. It is possible Maedhros is less than prepared for Doriath than he expected.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 18, 238 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Many Meetings by Gwanath Dagnir
Years after the Great War and the sinking of Beleriand, Elrond arrives in Lindon and meets Gil-Galad the High King, along with many other important figureheads in his company.
Chapter 1:
Elrond is greeted at the Gray Havens with a case of mistaken identity, and a delicate fact of his heritage arises in the king's hall. Later, Gil-galad learns the fate of the Silmarils and the unexpected motivation for Elrond's absence since the War.
Chapter 2:
Círdan returns to Mithlond with special guests at the king's behest. But Elrond's arrival is not a surprise to everyone, and one detail of his introduction to Gil-galad's court is of particular interest to Celeborn.
Chapter 3:
Galadriel steals some alone time with Elrond and learns more about his strange fate, while Elrond learns some Elvish history that isn't in the printed copy. Later, a guest with a surprising relationship inadvertently brings ghosts of the past to a dinner party, because Trauma.
Chapter 4:
Gil-galad summons a totally not secret council to formalize Elrond's placement in his court. No one could possibly have other machinations in mind, unless of course they always had.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 16, 019 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Namesake by Gwanath Dagnir
One winter night, Maedhros has his work interrupted by an uninvited visitor and an unwelcome guessing game.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 082 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
HC Nandoran Family Tree by UnicornsInSpace
Here is a family tree of the Nandoran nobles and some Sindarin nobles that I filled out with HCs. I gave names to lots of textual ghosts (including Celeborn and Amdir's moms) and connected them to Denethor so it makes sense they are in charge of the Silvan elves in the 2nd and 3rd ages. Also so they are not in charge because they are Sindarin. I did not like that. I used FamilyEcho to make the family tree after someone in the Tolkien OCs discord mentioned using it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amdir, Amroth, Celeborn, Celebrían, Denethor (Nandor), Galadhon, Galadriel, Galathil, Lenwë, Nandor, Nimloth, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Like a Morning of Pale Spring by Idrils Scribe
Ardil of Doriath and Glorfindel Of Gondolin have much in common, and yet they have always kept each other at a frosty arm’s length.
Elrohir does not know it, but his return heralds an unexpected thaw.A missing scene from Northern Stars as a Christmas present for Grundy, who wanted to know what Ardil thought of it all. Thank you so much for all your hard beta work! Without your sage advice and encouragement this entire series wouldn’t be half as good.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 794 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Leafless Winter by StarSpray
Though Elwing did not speak, Nienna seemed to know her thoughts. "Few of the Eldar come to stay long in my halls," she said, "but they are open to all. Will you come there?"
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Fingon, Gandalf, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Suicide |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 410 |
| 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) |
Blood Ties by AdmirableMonster
A close friend of Lómion's has gone missing, and a dark creature stalks the forests of his home. When he is summoned by Nan Elmoth itself, Lómion will have to draw upon all the powers he possesses to get himself and his friend home again.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Anguirel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Anguirel & Maeglin, Maeglin & Original Character |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Your Face in the Water by Himring
At the Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reunion, plenty is always going on: so many people, so many encounters and interactions, tensions and forging of friendships .
That night, in this moment, in this little corner of Mereth Aderthad, nothing happens. Almost nothing. But it fails to happen with some intensity.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 104 |
| 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) |
Duel of Surveys: Comparing Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW Survey Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A (rough!) comparison of the Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW 16th Anniversary Surveys, looking at time active in fandom, attendance at fan conventions, and platform use.
