Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] the forest will keep you safe by Harp_of_Gold
Little Maeglin is hunting rocks in Nan Elmoth. Something is hunting him.
Written for Tolkien Horror Week 2026 day 5
[Writing] The Fall of Arnor; Book One "Out of the Bree-land" by Diane Finnis-Robb
The first of six books covering the fall of the kingdom of Arnor
[Writing] Slain at Swanhaven by annarobots
But if of ships I now should sing, what ship would come to me,
What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?
The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel’s Song
After Alqualondë, Artanis looks only forward.…
[Writing] Somebody Else's Rescue by Susana_R
Maedhros had given up all hope of escaping from Angband himself. They never leave him lightly guarded when he is hale enough to run. But that doesn’t keep him from plotting to help somebody else.
Lirulin didn’t know what to think when the red-headed…
[Writing] Save Gwindor Only by Secondborn
An elven thrall who had been a devoted friend of Gelmir’s in the mines of Angband decides to look out for Gelmir’s little brother when he, too, shows up in the mines one day. Written for the Angband prompt of Tolkien Horror Week 2026.
[Writing] And death would be his reward by Myrcella1
Step 1: Drink way too much wine.
Step 2: Try to sleep with Finno.
Step 3: Watch your brilliant plan turn into an absolute, heartbreaking disaster.
[Writing] Stars in Her Veins by StarSpray
Sometimes, if Elwing slipped away from the Havens to the meadows beyond the river mouths, she could lie in the tall grass and close her eyes and imagine two others lying with her, one on either side, warm and full of bright laughter.
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This stand alone novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026. It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an old feud between the Bucks and the Tooks.
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
New and Updated Poetry
Maedhros | Elwing by Dawn Felagund
The third kinslaying and its aftermath, from the perspective of Maedhros and Elwing: a shape poem.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 0 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Of Thingol and the Silmaril: a sonnet by Flora-lass
The Silmaril addresses Elu Thingol.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Silmarils |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 115 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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A Measure of Tears by Himring
About the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
| Major Characters: Idril, Azaghâl, Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Gates of Summer |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 412 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Our Doom Descends by tnlaw415
A Noldo follower of Fëanor laments the First Kinslaying and the Flight of the Noldor
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 737 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Sing, was geschah by Himring
Adaptation of the lyrics of a German song to the Legendarium: Zogen einst fünf wilde Schwäne. (With English translation).
| Major Characters: Sons of Fëanor, Elwing, Arwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 189 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Philosophia to Philomythus and Misomythus by pandemonium_213
For The Duel of Songs challenge: a counterpoint to Tolkien's Mythopoeia.
MEFA 2008: First Place, Poetry, General.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Duel of Songs |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 315 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Twinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril by Anérea
A reworking of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Dark Matter |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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A Promise Lives Within You by Himring
Egalmoth has his fears, when Earendil sets sail, but also pins his hope on him.
| Major Characters: Egalmoth, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 263 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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A Stolen Gift by Flora-lass
Maglor's inevitably sad thoughts, with a very young Elrond asleep on his lap after a nightmare. Maedhros and young Elros are nearby.
(Updated a year and more later, with a link to a painting, and a new 'chapter' with the thoughts of Maedhros in the painting scene).
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 174 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Seasonal Deliverance by Iced Latte
A poem for the first born sons in the House of Finwe, each one attributed a season - Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 343 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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I Stood Aside by Flora-lass
Maedhros' horror at the burning of the ships. Inspired by a painting (see notes).
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 534 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Mirrormere by Flora-lass
O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Jubilee, Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 74 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Atanatari: Of the Three Houses of the Edain by Himring
A collection for stories about the Edain.
Recently added: The chair (Sador Labadal)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Aerin, Beldis, Beleg, Brandir, Dírhavel, Finduilas, Galdor (Edain), Glóredhel, Haleth, Handir, Hareth, Hathaldir, Hunleth, Hunthor, Huor, Húrin, Imrahil, Lalaith, Men, Morwen, Rían, Sador Labadal, Tuor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2015, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 7, 348 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Those Merry Young Folk by Flora-lass
A cheerful song for the new year season.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 138 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Amroth's Lament by Flora-lass
Amroth is in the sea. A 100-word poem.
| Major Characters: Amroth |
| Major Relationships: Amroth/Nimrodel |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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On the bonnie banks of Ivrin by Himring
Ye'll take the high road / and I’ll take the low road, / and I’ll be in Aman afore ye; / but you and I will never meet again / on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Ivrin.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 687 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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The Fall of Felagund by cuarthol
The song battle between Felagund and Sauron
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 315 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Ode to Findaráto by Flora-lass
In praise of a painting of a young Finrod in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 91 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Berion's Song by Himring
Berion, captain of Barad Eithel under King Fingon, laments Fingon's death and the loss of his home.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 149 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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A Tree Named Celeborn by Himring
After the War of Wrath, what was originally planned as a temporary stay (a kind of moral quarantine) on Tol Eressea turns into a permanent settlement. And so we also get another chapter in the history of the White Tree(s).
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 129 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Funky Haikus by Himring
Haikus for prompts of the Funky 70's challenge.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 39 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 70 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Cosmological Poems of Arda by AaronAzrael
I would like to share my revelations of Tolkien's Universe in the form of narrative and emotional poems.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Ainur, Angrod, Aredhel, Aulë, Barahir (First Age), Bregolas, Celebrimbor, Elu Thingol, Eöl, Eru Ilúvatar, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Gil-galad, J.R.R. Tolkien, Maeglin, Maglor, Manwë, Melian, Melkor, Noldor, Oromë, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Tulkas, Turgon, Ulmo, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 35 | Word Count: 16, 823 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Tengwar Acrostics by Himring
Responses to the Tengwar Challenge in which first letters spell out the name of a tengwa: 1) Early Encounter (Nerdanel, Indis); 2) Numenorean Lullaby (Almarian, Aldarion); 3) Tink-Tink (Telchar); 4) Such lamps as once shone in Khazad-dum (Celebrimbor).
| Major Characters: Almarian, Celebrimbor, Indis, Nerdanel, Tar-Aldarion, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 334 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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March of the Noldor by Himring
A poem about the Noldor. (See Story Notes.)
| Major Characters: Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 64 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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