Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Cindy Gates by Grundy
Cindy Gates' upcoming Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation "Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation" considers the ethics of science in the legendarium. Grundy spoke with Cindy about her research, her own experience as a professional scientist, and her long-running fascination with the Manhattan Project.
SWG News
So You Want to Present at a Tolkien Conference? Actually Presenting!
Part of our ongoing series to support fans who want to present at Mereth Aderthad and other Tolkien conferences, this session will share strategies for delivering a presentation at a conference.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Azh, Admirable Monster by Shadow
As a physicist themself, Azh confronts the issues around the ethical use of science in both the professional and creative realms. Shadow spoke with Azh about their story "Lightborn," written to accompany Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation,” its real-life inspirations, and the importance of fallibility in Tolkien's world.
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with bunn by Shadow
Bunn's work is beloved in the Tolkien fandom, where they are both an author and an artist. Along those lines, they will be creating both a story for Mereth Aderthad 2025 and a work of art for a different presentation. Shadow spoke with bunn about their Mereth Aderthad works, the appeal of Dwarves, and the many fruitful connections between Beowulf and Tolkien's own work.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] One In the Fires of the Heart of the World by Isilme_among_the_stars
Maedhros finds that regret and pain do not end with death. But it does at last bring release from the oath and he can at last embark upon the long, hard road toward redemption.
[Artwork] A Bedu Hobbit tent-hole by Anérea
A Hobbit home in the desert of Harad
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Writing] The Root of Light by Anérea
In the years before Arien bore the fruit of Laurelin aloft, just how did Yavanna's olvar grow?
[Reference] Interview with Kai by Shadow by Kai, daughterofshadows
Kai is the featured artist for Maglor's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the last High King of the Noldor." Shadow spoke with Kai about his wide range of interests and inspirations in the legendarium and why Maglor's presentation so…
[Writing] Athrabeth Eönwë ah Elros by Hiranya
Melkor was once the mightiest of the Ainur. Why then was he unable to mar the stars of Varda, whom he hated most? Eönwë explains.
[Writing] All That Was Not Lost to the Fire by Isilme_among_the_stars
Little moments of connection that Maedhros finds with his family. A collection of drabbles and other short writings to accompany One in the Fires of the Heart of the World.
Current Challenge
Period Drama
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are inspired by common tropes found in period dramas and historical fiction. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Within the Pages of Lore
Get your Silmarillion off of the shelf. Close your eyes, let your book fall open at random, and put your finger down on the page. Your challenge is to create a fanwork using that quote. Read more ...
New in References
Interview with Kai by Shadow by Kai, daughterofshadows
Kai is the featured artist for Maglor's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the last High King of the Noldor." Shadow spoke with Kai about his wide range of interests and inspirations in the legendarium and why Maglor's presentation so intrigued him that he finished the art for it the first night.
Interview with Cynthia Gates, a.k.a. pandemonium_213 by Grundy by pandemonium_213, Grundy
Cindy Gates' presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation," explores the ethics of refusal in the (mis)use of science and technology. A retired scientist herself, Cindy spoke to Grundy about her upcoming presentation and its inspiration in Cindy's fascination with the Manhattan Project.
Interview with Azh, Admirable Monster by Shadow by AdmirableMonster, daughterofshadows
As a physicist themself, Azh confronts the issues around the ethical use of science in both the professional and creative realms. Shadow spoke with Azh about their story "Lightborn," written to accompany Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation,” its real-life inspirations, and the importance of fallibility in Tolkien's world.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] Floating through the Forest River by Varda delle Stelle
Bilbo and Thorin's Company are arriving to Lake Town floating through the Forest River with the barrels
[Writing] The Wondrous Tale of the Bee-wolf by bunn
Once upon a time, JRR Tolkien wrote a fairy-tale retelling, an attempt to reconstruct an alternative version of the ancient poem called Beowulf, and he called it Sellic Spell: 'strange tale' or 'wondrous tale'.
Once upon a time, on the long road home from the Lonely…
[Writing] Dáin's Saga by bunn
The tale of Dáin Ironfoot, told loosely in the style of a saga of Iceland (in English translation).
Around the World and Web
Celebrimbor Week 2025
A Tumblr event celebrating Celebrimbor as he is depicted in all books and media.
June challenge at tolkienshortfanworks on Dreamwidth
The June challenge has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth: thematic prompt: reward - regard; formal challenge: alliteration. As always, these prompts can be filled separately or combined freely with other challenges that allow it.
Joyful June 2025
Joyful June is a fanworks event on Tumblr and AO3 where the goal is to let our favourite characters be happy.
Teitho May/June Challenge: Weddings
The theme for Teitho's May/June contest is "weddings."
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Interview with bunn by Shadow by bunn, daughterofshadows
Bunn is the featured author for for cloudyhymn's presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of Dwarves" and the featured artist for Savannah Horrell's presentation "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf." Shadow spoke with bunn about the mystery of dragons, the appeal of Dwarves, and the many ways Tolkien's work connects to Beowulf.
The First Age 503 Football Finals by myrtaceaae
Nogrod vs Doriath, in the first match of the F. A. 503 finals season. Will Doriath at the top of the ladder beat Nogrod, currently at third on the ladder, or will Nogrod's strong side be victorious?
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 997 |
| Posted on 1 May 2025 | Updated on 24 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Elrond's Dream by bunn
A dream that Elrond never mentioned to Maglor son of Fëanor.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 180 |
| Posted on 22 May 2025 | Updated on 22 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
One in the Deep Waters by Isilme_among_the_stars
Maglor finds himself alone with only sorrow and song for companions. But lamentation can neither undo the sorrows of which it tells, nor turn new hardships aside.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 957 |
| Posted on 22 May 2025 | Updated on 22 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Interview with chrissystriped by Dawn by chrissystriped, Dawn Felagund
Chrissystriped is the featured author for Shadow's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "The Aromantic in Tolkien." Dawn spoke with chrissystriped about her story for Mereth Aderthad, her process as a writer, and the importance of representing aro-ace characters in fanfiction.
consider the hairpin turn by atlantablack
The footsteps come to a stop in front of him and he does not have a moment to wonder at his brother’s intentions before fingers are sliding into his hair and tugging his head back. He glares up at Fëanáro, tears on his cheeks, heart racing like a plea. Fëanáro stares back, expression strangely blank as he studies Ñolofinwë’s face. And despite his thoughts, despite his belief, he still finds himself smiling mirthlessly and asking, “Well, have you come to kill me in truth? Make your exile worth it?”
Something flickers through Fëanáro’s eyes too fast for him to catch and the fingers in his hair tighten painfully. “I would have thought that upon successfully usurping the crown you would be far more pleased,” Fëanáro says darkly, lip curling in disgust.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 326 |
| Posted on 19 May 2025 | Updated on 19 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Interview with Dr. Zara Ashkenazi-Khan by Saelind by Dr. Zara Ashkenazi-Khan, Saelind
In her upcoming paper for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "Exile, Ruin and Resistance: Beleriand as Postcolonial Palimpsest," Dr. Zara Ashkenazi-Khan considers why the third kinslaying stands apart in a book filled with violence. Saelind recently spoke with Zara about her paper, postcolonialism and The Silmarillion, and how fanfiction and scholarship each contribute in important ways to our understanding of Tolkien.
Finarfin Moodboard by Artano
Moodboard focused on Finarfin before and near the beginning of the War of Wrath
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 May 2025 | Updated on 15 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
History has its eyes on you by daughterofshadows
Gil-galad, Hamilton lyrics and three poignant events in his life.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 15 May 2025 | Updated on 15 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Interview with Silmalope by Dawn by silmalope
Silmalope is the featured artist for Shadow's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "The Aromantic in Tolkien." Dawn spoke with Silmalope about their approach to making art, what inspires their work, and the importance of diverse representation in fanworks.
The Children of Angband by AdmirableMonster
This is a history that has never been told. Those whom it concerns most deeply are dead now, even those who chose or otherwise received the lifespans of Elves. It is a story that has been kept hidden for more than six thousand years. Now, I believe it is past time it should be revealed.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Gil-galad & Pengolodh |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 252 |
| Posted on 22 October 2024 | Updated on 14 May 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
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 13 May 2025 | Updated on 13 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Why by Aprilertuile
Fëanáro was sitting on the floor, his back against the grave marker his father had had made for his mother when her spirit fully settled into Mandos’ Halls.
He was alone on Estë’s island, deep within Lórien’s gardens. Of course he was. When was he not?
Even his father didn’t bother coming anymore.
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 944 |
| Posted on 13 May 2025 | Updated on 13 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
you're in the wind, i'm in the water by atlantablack
Fingolfin feels like part of him is still stuck in Beleriand, blood on his teeth and an all-consuming anger splintering out of control. Like he'll blink and once again see Morgoth's foot coming down. He wants. What does he want? He does not wish to be dead. He is, he supposes, grateful for this chance to fix things as much as they can be fixed. But he wants.
He wants for Fëanor to know him. Wants to work through all the ugly words and acts of violence that had divided them and come out the other side better for it. He cannot throw all the scathing anger in his chest at a brother who does not understand. Cannot scream at this Fëanor for burning the boats, for leaving them to the ice, for Elenwë, for Arakáno, for the countless others who had followed him and paid for it. And so what is he meant to do with the anger? He cannot swallow it all down forever and also salvage his relationship with Fëanor in this new song.
He wants, he thinks, watching a potter unmake a bowl that was marred, to un-sing himself as well.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingolfin, Fëanor & Finarfin & Findis & Fingolfin & Lalwen, Fingolfin & Finwë, Fingolfin & Indis |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 38, 954 |
| Posted on 15 March 2025 | Updated on 12 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Go On Aching Still by StarSpray
Nerdanel ran her fingers along one, and turned her thoughts to her son, hoping for a glimpse of more than a misty shore, or of the ragged hem of his cloak. She wished to see his face, wished to see that he was somewhere safe and warm and perhaps not still alone after so long. But even a glimpse of him lonely but whole upon the shore would be a relief, and enough to banish the dreams that had troubled her, knowing them for just dreams and nothing more.
Troubled by dark dreams, Nerdanel picks up a palantír to seek for Maglor. She finds him.
After, Maedhros has returned to life and also seeks for his brother--and also finds him.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Nienna, Maglor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Nerdanel, Finrod & Maedhros, Maedhros & Maglor, Maedhros & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Bollywood, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 6, 281 |
| Posted on 14 February 2025 | Updated on 12 May 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
meanwhile the world goes on by StarSpray
Following Maglor as he suffers through captivity in Dol Guldur, and his journey to healing afterward.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond, Nerdanel, Maedhros, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 16 February 2025 | Updated on 12 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Chain That Snaps by StarSpray
He opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the lantern light. He stared at Elrohir with a strange look—horror and helpless fear mixed with longing and perhaps…recognition? But Elrohir did not recognize him, he was sure. And there was something else in his eyes too—a Light that Elrohir had seen before only in a handful of people, dimmed by pain and fear, but not extinguished. “It’s all right,” Elrohir said. “We’re going to take you away from this place.”
The Necromancer is driven from Mirkwood, and Elladan and Elrohir find someone altogether unexpected in the pits of Dol Guldur.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elladan & Elrohir & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 369 |
| Posted on 12 May 2025 | Updated on 12 May 2025 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sparks Amid the Dark by Isilme_among_the_stars
"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
-The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 6 "Lothlórien"
A collection of drabbles exploring the beauty of mingled joy, hope and sorrow in Tolkien's world.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 11 May 2025 | Updated on 11 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Place for Such Joy as Theirs by Himring
Embittered by Aldarion's departure on a long overseas journey against her will, Erendis dismisses the pair of wonderful Elven-birds that were given to her by visitors from Tol Eressea during her honeymoon. The birds briefly visit Erendis's parents on their flight back to Tol Eressea, but will not let themselves be touched and afterwards, it seems, they are not seen or heard again in Numenor.
"Sweet fools, fly away!" Erendis said. "This is no place for such joy as yours."
I have written a fix-it for the loss of the Elven-birds, sort of.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 265 |
| Posted on 1 May 2023 | Updated on 11 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Heavy and Squat - So What? by Himring
Compared to Salgant and Bombur, and even compared to Fredegar Bolger, Forlong seems to have the least problems in the Legendarium with being duly respected despite his girth.
But maybe even he had a less good time of it when he was younger.
Set during Aragorn's time in Gondor as Thorongil.
| Major Characters: Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 11 May 2025 | Updated on 11 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lily white and poppy red by Anérea
A slightly different take on Maedhros' end in half a drabble.
Plus half a drabble of Maglor's.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 9 May 2025 | Updated on 11 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Heavy is the Crown by Artano
Finarfin struggles with the weight of his authority during the War of Wrath
| Major Characters: Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Musicals |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 10 May 2025 | Updated on 10 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (11) |
Interview with JazTheBard by Maglor by JazTheBard
Lúthien, Maeglin, and Arwen all share a reference to "twilight" in their names. In our latest interview for Mereth Aderthad 2025, Maglor spoke with JazTheBard about her paper "Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel," the role of gender in the legendarium, and setting parts of her presentation to music.
Interview with Savannah Horrell by Anérea by Savannah Horrell, Anérea
Although he considered Germanic literature some of his key inspirations, Tolkien's work deviated in its tendency to prefer the perspective of the humble over the privileged. Anérea spoke with Savannah Horrell about her upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf" and how Tolkien's depictions of thieves differ from the Anglo-Saxon poem "Beowulf."
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: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 174 |
| Posted on 16 December 2023 | Updated on 4 May 2025 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
