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
[Playlist] Yacht Rock Silmarillion by Dawn Felagund
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the characters in The Silmarillion were smoooooth like they were sippin' a Sex on the Beach on a party barge in the harbor at Alqualondë? The "Yacht Rock Silmarillion" retells The Silmarillion as though the characters all had perms…
[Writing] and let's be winners by mistake by atlantablack
"Move farther north," Caranthir says to her a month after the attack, gaze steady on her even as his hands continue briskly gutting fish. "There is plenty of land closer to my fortress, and my people can help protect yours if there is another attack."
Haleth looks up from her…
[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.
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
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.
O, How I Have Missed Our Scholarly Debates by sallysavestheday
Pengolodh and Erestor resolve some differences of opinion, deliciously.
| 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: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 444 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tender Morsels by sallysavestheday
Fingon and Maedhros and the bittersweet taste of love.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 576 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Long, White Knives by sallysavestheday
Finrod is not the only Arafinwean with very sharp teeth. A little Galadriel for Finwean Ladies Week 2023.
| 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: 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mercy of the Fallen by AdmirableMonster
Rather than killing him, Dior curses Celegorm with his dying breath. Someone that Celegorm once helped helps him a little in turn.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Nonbinary Character(s), Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Original Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 919 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Release by Rocky41_7
Melkor's servant Thuringwethil is turned from her dark path by Luthien Tinuviel
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Lúthien/Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Rock) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Long Live the King by Rocky41_7
From prince in Valinor to high king of the Noldor in Middle-earth to martyr: Fingolfin Finwion!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Ambient/Soundscape, Instrumental, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Instrumental, Rock, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Volver a empezar by firstamazon
Fëanáro era Rey. Nolofinwë lo había aceptado mucho antes del asesinato de su padre.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingolfin, Fëanor/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 523 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Damnable Spot by Rocky41_7
Elwing is dead, but she will not let Maglor alone, no matter how he pleads.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Maglor |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12, 042 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Hunter and the Hare by cuarthol, polutropos
Tirion's masked ball offers decadent delights, mistaken identities, insatiable yearnings, and inescapable philanderings.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Angrod, Caranthir, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: Angrod/Caranthir, Angrod/Eldalótë, Angrod/Fingon |
| Genres: Het, Humor, Slash | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 361 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Unforseen by cuarthol
For a "trick or treat" 3-setence story prompt on tumblr. Thank you to shrikeseams for the request.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dior, Galathil |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 54 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
We Made Our Own by cuarthol
Finduilas has accompanied Finrod on a visit to Doriath, but she is soon drawn out into the forest to explore the land of hidden enchantments.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nellas |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 306 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Pages from the Archives of Cîr Imladris by Lferion
Elrond took his library with him to Valinor. In that archive are many things, and the librarians and archivists of Cîr Imladris (New Rivendell) are kept delightfully busy.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fingon, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry | Challenges: Crackuary, Experimental, Laws and Customs, Middle-earth Is Multitudes, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, On a Different Page, Postcards from Middle-earth, Rejects, True Leader, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 5, 393 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (32) |
Himring by between_thepages
A visit to Himring, castle in the snow.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Nenlindalë by Anérea
A love letter between Daeron and Maglor in the form of musical notation.
(Asemic music notation and song lyrics)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern, Calligraphy, Word Art |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (20) |
Documents from Doriath in Rivendell's Library by UnicornsInSpace
Small pieces of the Silm told through documents from Doriath.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elu Thingol, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Galadriel |
| Genres: Experimental, Family, General, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 922 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Drabble Collection: Experimental Challenge by mairoff
11 Drabbles for the Experimental Challenge.
- Melkor x Fluithuin
- Maglor x Daeron
- Mairon & Melian
- Eönwë x Arien
- Galadriel x Luthien
- Mairon x Arien
- Sons of Fëanor
- Maedhros x Mairon
- Fëanor & Nolofinwë
- Maiar of Ulmo
- Aulë & Tevildo
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Arien, Aulë, Daeron, Eönwë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Melian, Melkor, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Tevildo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 151 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
White Flowers by StarSpray
The first and last time Turgon sees Aredhel
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Turgon |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 841 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Beautiful like Starlight by between_thepages
During a ball in Ingwion's manor, Turukáno meets the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 145 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
First Brick in the Wall by Simon J. Cook
Jane Chance's interpretation of the tower analogy in Tolkien's lecture-turned-essay "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics" dismisses historical inquiry as a valid reading of the poem.
A Star Shines by cuarthol
A new beginning cannot erase the past, but it can soften the blow.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Míriel |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 250 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Making Plans by StarSpray
A conversation between Tuor and Idril concerning their plans for escape from Gondolin.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, Het | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 212 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Autumn Crown by Flora-lass
An attempt at a sonnet for the Experimental challenge.
Thranduil returns to Greenwood the Great, with a diminished army and without Oropher.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Experimental |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 113 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (20) |
Empty Streets by StarSpray
Fingon comes to Nevrast and finds it empty.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon, Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 313 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Across the Dance Floor by StarSpray
Anairë, newly come to Tirion, gets her first look at Prince Nolofinwë.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Ficlet, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 597 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
