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
B2MeM 2011
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. 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.
The Sleeping King by Rocky41_7
Elves really do sleep like the dead, and Thranduil probably should have warned Thorin about that ahead of time.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thorin Oakenshield/Thranduil |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 944 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hearken Still Unsated by polutropos
When the Noldor return to Middle-earth to make war on Morgoth, only rumours reach Menegroth of their reasons for coming, but Doriath's minstrel experiences their loss and longing through his connection to Music and the gift of his Queen. Years later, he is sent to the Feast of Reuniting and meets the Elf whose grief he felt.
A story about the Eldar returning home, their connection to the land and to each other, and their relationship to Music and fate, love and free will.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Daeron & Melian |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 16, 256 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Cold Falls the Night by StarSpray
Gilraen reaches the end of her life.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Gilraen |
| Major Relationships: Aragorn & Gilraen |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 925 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For Morning Came by StarSpray
The Gates of Minas Tirith are broken, but the wind is changing.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Bergil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 515 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Don't forget the Light by chrissystriped
Sharû is an orc, a soldier of Morgoth, and he should feel nothing but hatred and contempt for elves. But there are his parents who teach him differently, (his brother who looks like an elf), and there's also his superior who has sympathy for the slaves.
When the Valar come to fight, he helps to free the slaves instead of killing them, the deed earning him and his men a place in Aman.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Meeting the Past by chrissystriped
Mablung is back in Aman and both Ecthelion and Sharû have things to apologise for. Glorfindel, who was asked by Ecthelion to approach Mablung about it, is there to wittness their conversation.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 878 |
| 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) |
A Boy in the Snow by chrissystriped
Melkor, imprisoned in Aman and frustrated, calms his emotions with as snowstorm. Afterwards he realises there was an elf caught in it.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| 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) |
Hunting the Hunter by chrissystriped
Beleg and Mablung only meant to hunt for food, but they find something in the forest that leads them on the trail of a more dangerous quarry.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Mablung |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 987 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gil-galad, son of... by chrissystriped
Kashnai died when she tried to bring her son to safety. Now she is reborn and her greatest wish is to see him again.
Ereinion has wished for all his life to be able to meet his mother, but given that she was an orc, he hadn't thought it would ever be possible.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Gil-galad, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 177 |
| 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) |
The Joining of Two Families by chrissystriped
Shai is the first orc to be reborn and Sharû is overjoyed to have his mother back. When Shai hears that her husband can't be reborn because both she and Arasiel, his wife from when he was an elf, are alive, she is not prepared to accept that. Shai and Arasiel team up to get their husband back, coming closer to each other in the process.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Ecthelion/Original Character, Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 15, 381 |
| 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) |
Before the Darkness by chrissystriped
Mablung has a crush on Glorfindel, so he is quite happy (although baffled) when the older elf seeks him out. Everything could be perfect, if Glorfindel weren't so conscious of his age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Original Character |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 16, 174 |
| 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) |
Restore and Rebuild by polutropos
Instadrabbles for the August-September 2022 SWG Challenge, Restoration and Rebuilding.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dior, Elros, Maglor, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Elros & Maglor, Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 303 |
| 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) |
Tinfang Warble by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tinfang Warble is a character who fits best in the early, whimsical fairy-story mode of the Lost Tales before receding to a figure of folklore and legend and finally disappearing altogether.
The Emperor's Goodbye by Himring
Before his death, Elros has a near-death experience.
Featuring Numenorean bears, just because.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Major Arcana |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 533 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Trinkets by Independence1776
A collection of unrelated drabbles and ficlets too short to post on their own. Each story has a separate rating and all are under a thousand words.
Newest story: Chapter 48: Aulë, Finarfin, and Maglor's ignored return to Aman. Crackfic. Rated General. Ficlet.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrían, Elenwë, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Indis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienna, Oromë, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Horror, Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Competition, International Day of Femslash, Middle-earth Olympics, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 48 | Word Count: 12, 113 |
| 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 (99) |
My Greatest Joy and Deepest Sorrow by Rocky41_7
A brief history of one of the more noteworthy relationships of Noldor history.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Classical, Pop, 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) |
Willow by Anérea, Narya
A willow-spirit: some places she went and the people she met.
Story by Narya, painting by Anérea.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elrond, Farmer Maggot, Finrod Felagund, Goldberry, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
inundated with the fated thought of you by hanneswrites
Nerdanel finds love in the wake of her grief and slowly but surely builds a new life for herself.
Set Many Years Post-Flight of the Noldor, Nerdanel/OMC, Romance and hurt/comfort with a good bit of family bonding and female friendships.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Indis & Nerdanel, Nerdanel/Original Character, Nerdanel & Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 171 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
of roots and where they lie by hanneswrites
Thranduil catches the eye of Melian during his youth in Doriath and she takes him on as one of her apprentices. Over time, he learns both how to control his innate magical potential and the cost of protecting those you care about. Genfic with Magic!Thranduil, focus on Thranduil & Melian and Thranduil & Legolas.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Melian, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Melian & Thranduil |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 915 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Carved in Bone by Maggie Honeybite
Elenwë tries to protect her daughter. A story about the connection between mothers and daughters which neither time nor distance (or death) can erase.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Idril |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 261 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Aching Wings by Narya
Of Yavanna, Melian, birdsong, and birds.
Written for TRSB22, for Grundy's wonderful moodboard.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Melian, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Melian & Yavanna |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 203 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Who Are We? Tolkien Fanfiction and Demographics by Dawn Walls-Thumma
When you picture a Tolkien fanfiction writer, who comes to mind? The Tolkien Fanfiction Surveys of 2015 and 2020 provide insight on who is present in the fandom and which fans are missing.
Through the Snowy Wood by StarSpray
Thranduil, Oropher, and Elwing have escaped Menegroth and must make their way through the forests of Doriath.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 199 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After the Fall by Lferion
The aftermath of the Fall of Numenor, from two different shores and three perspectives. Three drabbles.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Littleheart |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 307 |
| 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) |
Her Gift to the Secondborn by Ellynn
In the ancient time before the Children of Iluvatar and all other beings of Arda woke up, Yavanna thinks about men and their vulnerability, and uses her power to help them – even if only in an indirect way.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 875 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
