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] 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…
[Series] Instadrabbling, 2026-Present by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions beginning in 2026.
[Writing] A few moments in Gondolin by Quente
Instadrabbling prompts that took the shape of a few perspectives on Turgon's great city.
[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] Grief is not the only geography I know by Himring
Indis explains how she took to wandering around Valinor.
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
Season of Change
Create a fanwork about seasons in Tolkien's world. 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
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.
New and Updated Fiction
Sealed Together in Death by ingoldamn
Celegorm's musings before, during, and after the Battle of Menegroth.
Warning for: incest (referenced), non-graphic violence, major character death, and Celegorm's IssuesTM
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 910 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Turn All Your Flesh As Gold by anthropologyarda
Aulë's expertise does not lie in lungs and sinews. Mairon teaches his Master more than he intends.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 344 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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And She Slept by LadyBrooke
As Valinor is created, there are those who stay behind in the darkness to wait for those that come.
| Major Characters: Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Young Gods by Fernstrike
It began in Almaren - when the world was new, and the gods were young, and the World seemed full of possibilities. It began beneath the earth, under great halls, inside a dark mirror.
| Major Characters: Arien, Melkor, Saruman, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 520 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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In the Beginning by Lordnelson100
Aragorn reads to his children about the creation of Arda. His daughter has a lot of questions. (One-shot)
| Major Characters: Aragorn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 187 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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The Unanswerable Question by lindahoyland
Elrond explains evil to a young Estel. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 194 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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Sauron: Ugliness and Magnificence by Fernstrike
Sauron makes the One Ring.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 375 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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The Making of the Second Elessar by Elwin Fortuna
Celebrimbor makes the famed Elfstone.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 271 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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Tapestries of Shimmering Thread by LadyBrooke
Everyone sees something different in the tapestries of Vaire. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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Making the Gift by Lyra
The Valar create the realm of Numenor. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Aulë, Vána, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 540 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Yavanna Kementári by hennethgalad
Maglor relinquishes the Silmarils. (One-shot)
| Major Characters: Maglor, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 271 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Daeron the Bard by Elwin Fortuna
Once the favorite of his king, Daeron the wanderer remembers. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 617 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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If their skill were great enough by Lyra
The Dwarves decide how to go about setting a Silmaril in the Nauglamír. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 490 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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| | |
The Stone of the Hapless by Elwin Fortuna
Glirhuin sings a song ... but not what he expected. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Glirhuin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 735 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Finrod Fashions a World by oshun
Finrod shares his notion of the creative process with his sister. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 628 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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Nerdanel: The Creations of Grief by Elwin Fortuna
Nerdanel's creations reflect her passage through the stages of grief. (Ficlet series)
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 989 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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To Voyage in Their Courses by Vulgarweed
The choosing of Arien and Tilion. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 247 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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| | |
Inside the Fire by Lyra
Feanor ponders the price of his gift. (One-shot)
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 932 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Míriel Þerindë: The Art of the Needle by Elwin Fortuna
The art of Miriel stitches together key moments in the legendarium. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 190 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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| | |
A Purpose Beyond Beauty by just_jenni
Melian realizes that she has a higher purpose of creation in the world. (One-shot)
| Major Characters: Estë, Lórien, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 510 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
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Varda by hennethgalad
Ingwe learns hope and inspiration from Varda. (One-shot)
| Major Characters: Ingwë, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 997 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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The Prancing Pony by hennethgalad
Gandalf reveals his origins to Bilbo. This short story was for "Subcreation: A Collection" for Silmarillion40.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 998 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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It Came into the Heart of Melkor by Elwin Fortuna
Melkor creates rebellion and chaos. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 050 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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The Re-Creation of Arda by Angelica
The Ainulindale. (Ficlet)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 172 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Star Kindler by feanorusrex
Varda creates the stars. (Art)
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 736 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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