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] 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] Add Another Stone by StarSpray
The thing about forgiveness, he thought, was that it was so much easier when the object of it was far away—or dead. It was so much easier to let it all go when those responsible were far away and unable to do any more harm.
[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] 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…
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
Postcards from Middle-earth
Receive a postcard from an unnamed character and create a fanwork using the image, the message, or both. 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.
As Rivers of Water in a Dry Place by Maggie Honeybite
During the siege of the Barad-dûr, Gil-galad struggles with the burden of leadership and the grim reality of war. Elrond helps.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 255 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the Bleak Midwinter by Maggie Honeybite
On a cold winter night in Lindon, things heat up between the High King and his herald for the very first time. PWP.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 556 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Spark by grey_gazania
A brief moment between a young Curufin and his future wife.
Started for a B2MeM prompt from a few years ago, "meeting your future spouse".
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 543 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Secret Looms Entwined by Lindariel
Episodes from the life Galadriel wove for herself in Middle-Earth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Loyalty by grey_gazania
Who were Ulfang's people, and why did they betray the Elves?
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Bor, Brodda, Caranthir, Dwarves, Maedhros, Uldor, Ulfang, Ulfast, Ulwarth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Glimpse of the Harbor by Rocky41_7
Elwing watched for the return of Earendil's ship.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 640 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Second Lives, Second Chances by chrissystriped
They meet again by accident and that could have been all that was, if Glorfindel's never-voiced feelings for Rog hadn't come alive again.
Rog does not want to get tangled up in the affairs of the Noldor again, but how could he decline when Glorfindel asks him to come back with him to Middle-earth? That's what he has wanted since he was reborn, after all.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Rog |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel/Rog |
| Genres: Adventure, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 15, 167 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Knocking on nameless doors by daughterofshadows
A fragment of a rohirric nursery rhyme, presumably about the death of prince Baldor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 50 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Illuminating Now and Dark Hath-been by polutropos
Two great bards meet during the Sack of Sirion. Written for the SWG Challenge "On a Different Page."
Prompt from Mythopoeia:
“Such isles they saw afar, and ones more fair,
and those that hear them yet may yet beware.
They have seen Death and ultimate defeat,
and yet they would not in despair retreat,
but oft to victory have turned the lyre
and kindled hearts with legendary fire,
illuminating Now and dark Hath-been
with light of suns as yet by no man seen.”
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Dírhavel, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Dírhavel & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 823 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Improbable Beautiful & Afraid of Nothing by StarSpray
The body wanted to look forward, however accustomed the spirit was to looking back.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Dior, Eärendil, Elwing, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth, Dior & Elwing |
| Genres: Family, General, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 361 |
| 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) |
Telchar of Nogrod by Lindariel
Telchar emerges in some of Tolkien's early writings but remains elusive, despite his status as a great Dwarven smith. However, some of what is known about his character is revealed in his creations.
The Love of Their Mothers by Rocky41_7
Anaire and Earwen discuss the upcoming births of their children on a mild summer afternoon.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Anairë & Eärwen |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 333 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Pet from Next Door by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel and Earwen disagree about free-roaming pets.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Family, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 658 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Horseman Wild in Windy Clouds by Himring
Annael tells his fosterling Tuor about the rides of Orome in Beleriand, before the Darkening of Valinor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Annael, Oromë, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 553 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Sleepless in Lórien by elennalore
Elwë is one of the three Elven ambassadors in Valinor. Melyanna is a Maia, and their guardian. Their story did not begin in Nan Elmoth. It first began here, in the gardens of Lórien, when Elwë could not sleep.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol, Finwë & Thingol |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 178 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 231 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Cruellest Month by Himring
Gwindor has returned after years of imprisonment and thralldom in Angband, but true homecoming continues to be difficult, a year on.
Finduilas, his betrothed, has tried to support him. Gwindor foresees that the strain will have an impact on their relationship.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Gwindor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 222 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Concerning Hobbits by Grundy
Gandalf may have known a fair bit about the origins of hobbits, but he didn't know it all.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Making a King by chrissystriped
Fingon witnesses Maedhros giving the High Kingship to Fingolfin.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: On a Different Page |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 981 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Depths of Moria by hennethgalad
Durin, after the discovery of Mithril in Moria. Elvish names used.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Durin I |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 351 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Rings of Pride; Rings of Ruin by Aiwen
Celebrimbor discovers that Annatar has betrayed them all, and has to take responsibility for the situation before total disaster can result.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Durin III, Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 7, 208 |
| 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) |
Aulendil, Lover of Aule by Cirdan
Celebrimbor convinces Durin to join the War of Wrath. Celebrimbor decides to fight under the standards of the Dwarves instead of those of the Elves.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Durin III |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 117 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Ulmo and The Balrog. by hennethgalad
for Tolkien Crack Week: day 1; chance encounters.
Ulmo and the Balrog...
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Durin VI, Dwarves, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 174 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Abide with Me Amidst the Flame and Stone by heget
During the fall of Khazad-dûm, a piper unseen plays beside his king.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Durin VI, Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 378 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Song of Souls by Raiyana
On an ordinary day in SA 1697, Narvi is - as often before - losing herself in work.
On that same day, standing in a chamber of torture and looking at the battered body of the Elf he once proclaimed a friend, Annatar - better known as Sauron - realises that the Noldo is as stubborn as his grandfather, and will not reveal the location of the Three Rings.
Delirious with bloodloss, desperate to thwart the evil he naively helped create, to make the pain stop, Celebrimbor remembers a snippet of an old bedtime story, the calm voice of his uncle speaking.
He knows the Songs of Power, knows how his House could do fantastical things through song, but he never really believed in the Song of Souls... until he is standing in an unfamiliar workshop, staring at a heart-breakingly familiar face.
On an ordinary day in SA 1697, Narvi begins hearing voices... well, one voice.
Save them
Featuring Ghost!Celebrimbor, No-nonsense-Narví, Pining Glorfindel, Oblivious Erestor, and gratuitous use of Dwarf Culture.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Durin III, Erestor, Glorfindel, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 21, 706 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
