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] A Very Fire by Deborah Judge
Feanor and Fingolfin, from their youth to their fall.
"I will do this gladly," Fingolfin said, whispering into Feanor's mouth, grasping for reasons and sense. "Gladly, if it will bring peace between us. If it will end the madness."
"The madness will not end," Feanor…
[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.
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
Meet & Greet
For our annual Matryoshka challenge, we add an interactive component. Receive your first prompt and track down the rest by interacting with other SWG members or finding prompts posted online. 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.
Summoned to Council by Lindariel
A road trip in six drabbles.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Book by Its Cover, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 615 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
nightmares by Fernstrike
In which Legolas has a bad dream.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 320 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
letters from the front by Fernstrike
Isildur contemplates what to to tell his wife as he writes home from the siege of Barad-dûr.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: Isildur/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| 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) |
Limits of Defiance by Himring
Finduilas considers the question whether she ever had a rebellious phase and remembers an episode from her childhood.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Finduilas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Pack the Parcel by daughterofshadows, Idrils Scribe, Grundy
A collection of stories for the Pass the Parcel prompt for the Holiday challenge!
If anyone else would like to join, contact Grundy to be added to the list of authors so you can add your chapter.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Nellas, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Nellas & Túrin, Elwing & Nellas |
| Genres: | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 333 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Winterwonderland by daughterofshadows
The first snow of the year has come! Time to go outside and have some fun!
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Rog, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fluff | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 413 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Letters to Irmo. by hennethgalad
Glorfindel struggles to write his letter.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Estë, Glorfindel, Lórien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 402 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Holiday Party Instadrabbling by elennalore
Two drabbles written at the Holiday Party instadrabbling event.
1. Maedhros almost (but not quite) makes his little brothers cry. Russingon. Valinor, Years of the Trees.
2. Sauron does something genuinely nice to someone. Tol Sirion, First Age.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 259 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Holiday Party Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Instadrabbling session on the SWG Discord server, 2 January 2022.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Eärendil, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 811 |
| 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 (4) |
The Precious Baby Phenomenon Unpacked: A Treatise on Obstetric Care in The Returned by I.L. Finwiel and the Istar Institute by herenortherenearnorfar
He didn't marry Sauron the Deceiver for the peace and quiet. A baby before noon still feels like a step too far.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 870 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Traitor's Issue by herenortherenearnorfar
Ulfang's daughters(in-law) seek aid in the aftermath. Reckoning with their own grief and choices (or lack thereof) they navigate Angband, the nightmare they grew up with, now the only place they can turn for help.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Easterlings |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 17, 496 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fun and Games... by Grundy
It's all fun and games (until someone gets hurt...)
Drabbles written for the Holiday Party Instadrabbling, Never Have I Ever and Truth or Dare prompts.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 1, 766 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
archaic and content by Fernstrike
A collection of stories concerning the Númenoreans, primarily the Faithful and Elf-friends. Some are standalones, while others crossover with larger fics and other series. Think of it as the Númenorean corner of Fern's Middle-earth Cinematic Universe.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
his vision darkened by Fernstrike
A collection of stories concerning Thranduil, the Silvan Elves, and even the Doriathrim. Some are standalones, while others crossover with larger fics and other series. Think of it as the Greenwood's corner of Fern's Middle-earth Cinematic Universe.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Galion, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The War of the Last Alliance by Fernstrike
A collection of stories featuring characters from across my "his vision darkened", "archaic and content", and "old path to a new hell" series, all leading to "Defiance" that will depict the war itself, and which will be followed by a final fic as a coda. Think of this series as the Infinity War/Endgame of Fern's Middle-earth Cinematic Universe.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Aratan, Elendur, Isildur, Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Nowhere Man by Lotrfan
What happened to Maglor after he cast the Silmaril into the sea? Modern setting AU with Maglor in our times, after ages of wandering the earth.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 379 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Mírdain New Year's Eve Party by elennalore
Happy New Year 1230 S.A.! At the New Year’s party, Celebrimbor and Annatar are intoxicated with each other, among other things.
Written for SWG Challenge Holiday Party. Prompt: A Long-Expected Party.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 211 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Fraiwen's Flowering by Anérea
First Age 122: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains—west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand
A little girl discovers a little of her own magic.
(The second in my Hildórien to Beleriand series exploring the early life of the Edain ancestors.)
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Maiar, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 159 |
| 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) |
(Of What Might Be, Or Should Be) by Anérea
circa FA50, Lórien, Aman
A half-baked pseudo-philosophical conversation between Ulmo and Irmo on Life, the Universe, and the reliability of dreams as a form of Unbiased Communication in aiding the Secondborn Children of Eru.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Lórien, Ulmo, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 526 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
the old path to a new hell by Fernstrike
A collection of stories concerning a dark lord of many names and many guises. Some are standalones, while others crossover with larger fics and other series. Think of it as Sauron's corner of Fern's Middle-earth Cinematic Universe.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Brown Lands by Fernstrike
As the Last Alliance marches east through desolation, Oropher learns of what befell the Entwives.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| 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) |
silent night by Fernstrike
Elendil and his wife ruminate on the fragile space between what is seen and what is true, as Númenor slips silently into shadow.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Elendil |
| Major Relationships: Elendil/Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 526 |
| 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 three laws (or, a means to an end) by Fernstrike, Lyra
In which a certain silver-tongued prisoner worms his way into Ar-Pharazôn's mind.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 141 |
| 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) |
memento mori by Fernstrike
In which the winds of change are sweeping through Númenor, and Míriel does her best to stand steady in the storm.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Tar-Palantir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 860 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Diplomacy by Fernstrike
Elendur awakes one morning as the Alliance prepares to march for Mordor.
| Canon Source: The Silmarillion and Related Works |
| Major Characters: Aratan, Elendur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hidden Figures |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 387 |
| 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) |
