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
Three Silmarils
Create a fanwork concerning one of the three selected quotes about Fëanor (although your fanwork can be about any character). 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.
New and Updated Writing
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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 628 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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The Labours of Varda by Elwin Fortuna
Varda makes the stars. (Poem)
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 005 |
| 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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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: No challenge listed |
| 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. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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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: No challenge listed |
| 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: No challenge listed |
| 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 |
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Star Kindler by feanorusrex
Varda creates the stars. (Art)
| Major Characters: Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| 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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Tra la la. by hennethgalad
The actor Melairë writes to his lover to tell of meeting Glorfindel.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 511 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Fill My Heart With Fire by The Wavesinger
Turgon dies on the Ice instead of Elenwë. This is the story of what happens after that.
Written for Solanaceae for Ardor in August 2017.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 12, 884 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Written In Blood by hennethgalad
Glorfindel tells Aragorn of the attempted return of Húrin to Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Glorfindel, Húrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 280 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Survivor by Tyelca
A creature-something between Elf and Orc flees from the Shadow, only to realize the Shadow has been inside him all along.
| Major Characters: Elves, Orcs, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 785 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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The Last Exile by Grundy
Celeborn had never properly understood exile before Galadriel sailed. He knows better now.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: No genre listed | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Cutting Ties by Himring
Anarion, son of Elendil, on his way into exile.
| Major Characters: Anárion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 197 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Upon these shores by Lyra
The fate of Maglor, after he cast away the Silmaril, is pretty much open for speculation. Here are some glimpses at his adventures throughout human history, in no particular order.
Newly added: Exiles. In the Roman province of Macedonia, two exiles meet. Written for the August 2017 challenge, Song of Exile.
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Around the Fire, B2MeM 2009, B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2016, Song of Exile |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 16, 270 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
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Echoes by grey_gazania
Galwen encounters two figures from her past.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Song of Exile |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 758 |
| 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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