New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
SWG News
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.
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.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
[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] 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] Those Lost Yesterdays by Himring
In Tol Eressea, in the late Second Age, Voronwe looks back on his shared past with Numenor.
[Reference] Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
[Writing] A memory of a story from long ago by AdmirableMonster
Eventually they arrived, and Echeleb and Dernodhos ushered Anniavas in. Dernodhos found an old thin pallet somewhere and unrolled it on the floor, made him lie down with Limral—who had immediately perked up and started sniffing the air—and went and found them a heavy piece of…
Current Challenge
Scavenger Hunt
Solves clues to find your prompts for this Matryoshka challenge. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Strength and Beauty
Create a fanwork using the Melville quote about the relationship between strength and beauty. Read more ...
New in References
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
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.
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
Tolkien Native Language Appreciation Fest 2026
A Tumblr event to celebrate the linguistic diversity of the Tolkien fandom.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
New and Updated Writing
Coming of the Lindar by jamcake_muses
The last group of Elves journey to Aman, but their path is treacherous.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 046 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Glimpses of a Life in Ennore by Lferion
Maentâl Sílorion appeared in chapter 7 of Pages from the Archives of Cîr Imladris. He insisted on having more of his story told. Each chapter is intended to be able to stand alone.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Times of Bliss, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 726 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
A Septad of Silvestris Variables by Lferion
Fingon and inexplicable kittens
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
The Eagle. by hennethgalad
Olwë witnesses Estë soothing an injured eagle.
back to middle earth month 2021
day 2: Valar.
| Major Characters: Estë, Gandalf, Manwë, Olwë, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 195 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Aurora: What Cold, Clear Air May Show by Lferion
Having traveled North and up a mountain in Aman, Fingon builds himself a house, and works on putting himself back together. A drabble sequence. Follows Aurora: Seeking the Northern Sky.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Archetypes, Block Party, Crackuary, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 473 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
A Return is Heralded by Lferion
Eönwë makes an announcement. Four drabbles.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eönwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 404 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Intimate Adventures in Arda and Aman by Lferion
Ficlets of an intimate nature set in various places and times, generally with minimal angst.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Crackuary, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Reflection, Refraction, Release by Lferion
A view from two sides of a mirror, and what happens when those trapped are freed.
A Drabble sequence: 1,2,2,1.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Crackuary, New Year's Resolution, True Leader, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Adventures in Arda and Aman by Lferion
Ficlets of Valinor, Beleriand, Ennor, and Middle Earth through the Ages.
| Major Characters: Lindir, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Crackuary, Laws and Customs, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 400 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Drabble Poems by Lferion
Poems that are drabbles, drabbles that are poems.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 502 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Superheroes by Lferion
Fulfilling a promise, Fingon and Celegorm discover they are remembered as Superheroes by the circus children.
A King Fingon's Menagerie quintuple drabble/ficlet.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fingon, Huan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Crackuary, Laws and Customs, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 504 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Graven on Stone. by hennethgalad
Daeron devises the Cirth.
for back to middle earth month 2021
day 1: Music.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 164 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
B2MEM 2021 Daily Prompt Fills by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Written for the B2MEM 2021 Daily Prompts. I have no idea where this is going, if it will be a cohesive story once it kicks off or it will be a random thing a day...will adjust as necessary, when necessary.
| Major Characters: Belegund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 635 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
Kingly Advice? by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elros seeks out his great-uncle after receiving surprising news, asking advice from the head of his family.
| Major Characters: Elros, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 244 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters |
| | |
