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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
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
History of Tradition
Choose a festival or tradition observed in the modern world and create a fanwork that includes that festival or tradition as it might have been celebrated in Tolkien's mythological world. Read more ...
New in References
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.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
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 Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. Beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a devastating trauma and a well of deeply guarded secrets. His demons, kept at bay by his unyielding intensity that is both his greatest gift and his biggest curse.
Little does our Noldorin prince know that a chance encounter with a terrified young girl of men will set him on a collision course, igniting an extraordinary bond wrought with challenges, sacrifices, and intense love that threatens to unravel his guarded heart, and all he keeps within it.
Brace yourself for Part I of this captivating tale, where the primal power of love and devestating loss will tear lives apart forever.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Angrod |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 59, 788 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Beating Fate by Paul Williams
Lúthien, a woman who has spent her entire existence being acted upon — desired, directed, possessed, mourned, celebrated, but never truly seen — reaches the end of her borrowed life and discovers that death is not an ending but the first free choice she has ever been permitted to make.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 058 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Memory of Gold by Flora-lass
Gelmir (the brother of Gwindor) arrives in Mandos, hurting and bewildered and still blind. But there is help and comfort to be found - and to give.
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Gelmir (Nargothrond), Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Gelmir, Fingon & Gelmir (Nargothrond) |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Swinging 40s |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 632 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
hear the sirens calling by Elrond's Library
Tar-Míriel dreams of the sea, and finds no comfort.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel/Uinen |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Horror, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Domestic and Partner Violence |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 158 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Wander No More by Elrond's Library
The second time Haleth found her way to the glade full of white and yellow flowers, she wasn’t hunting game. She was, however, looking for the stranger.
Haleth meets a stranger in the woods who changes her life forever.
| Major Characters: Haleth, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Haleth/Lúthien |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 922 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dancing In The Dark by Grundy
History remembers Curufin as the villain. There are a few who think better of him.
Written for the Taboo challenge - will give warnings on chapters as appropriate.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Curufin & Galadriel, Finrod & Gildor |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kids These Days, Taboo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 46 | Word Count: 148, 640 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (31) |
everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned by Elrond's Library
The falcon joined her on the second day of watching. And stayed with her, watching her … Galadriel would say surreptitiously, if birds could do more than blankly stare. It was unnerving. The falcon preened its dark feathers occasionally, but otherwise watched the disembarking Elves with the same keen gaze as Galadriel.
Under the moonlight of the third night the falcon shivered, stretched, and shifted to become one who had been thought lost.
Elwing reunites with Galadriel before the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elwing/Galadriel |
| Genres: Femslash, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 826 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Faithful by Elrond's Library
It was Írissë who caught Elenwë’s final breath.
Aredhel tries to save Elenwë.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Elenwë |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Little Shadows by Elrond's Library
Thuringwethil is entranced by Luthien's Song.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: Lúthien/Thuringwethil |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 257 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sanctury Revisited by Anérea
Set in Keiliss' Sanctuary 'verse, where Erestor, Gil-galad, and Elrond road trip around modern day South Africa, looking for a missing Glorfindel. This takes place after they find him but before they return to Europe. I guess he wanted to take them to a special place special he knew, before they left.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Elrond, Gil-galad, Real Person(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 226 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
we carry our lives around in our memories by Elrond's Library
Anairë and Nerdanel have their own thoughts about going to Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 207 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
She Hath My Love (Drabbles about Women) by Elrond's Library
A collection of drabbles about women in Tolkien's Legendarium.
| Major Characters: Uinen, Elwing, Nienna, Eärwen, Míriel Serindë, Galadriel, Melian, Nerdanel, Anairë, Aredhel, Haleth, Iminyë, Tatië, Findis, Elemmírë, Celebrían, Lalwen, Goldberry, Elwing, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 20 | Word Count: 2, 133 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
And leaps the laughing crystal rill by Elrond's Library
Vána greets the coming spring.
| Major Characters: Vána, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: Vána/Yavanna |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
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 thought on the matter who the Ainur are, who Eru is, how he matches our own religious pantheon, and this has been conducted after serious research of many esoteric teachings of our own planet's heritage.
| Major Characters: Ainur, Eru Ilúvatar, Melkor, Sauron, Manwë, Varda, Yavanna, Aulë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 3, 828 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Snake's Lesson by octopus_fool
On a walk with Findaráto, Findis learns about her nephew's fear, and decides to do something against it.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Findis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, The Only Thing To Fear |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 717 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Do Not Remember by Zdenka
A Petrarchan sonnet on the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: Birthday Bash, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 113 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Shadows of Long-Forgotten Summers by octopus_fool
Faramir makes his way through the Dead Marshes to find the Éothéod and is reminded of past summers with their leader, Marhgals.
| Major Characters: Faramir (son of Ondoher), Unnamed Male Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Faramir (son of Ondoher)/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gates of Summer, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 736 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, The Only Thing To Fear |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
A Glimpse of Túrin by Anérea
Abstract sketch from Tuor's pov of Túrin running through the dead trees at Eithel Ivrin after it was despoiled by Glaurung.
| Major Characters: Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Tuor & Turin |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern, Character/Portrait, Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kids These Days, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
As Easy as Baking Bread by octopus_fool
Hunleth returns to her people after receiving an education (and getting into a bit of trouble) in Nargothrond, only to realize that she doesn't even know the easiest practical skills, like baking bread.
| Major Characters: Hunleth, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Hunleth/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash | Challenges: Great Beleriand Bake-Off, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 886 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
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, Daeron/Maglor, Amras & Amrod & Caranthir & Celegorm & Curufin & Fëanor & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Nor Bid the Stars Farewell by StarSpray
He turned to find a pair of kittens, one white with black socks and the other black with white-tipped ears, chasing a piece of string around as an elf dragged it across the flagstones. He sat cross-legged on the ground, rather than on the bench beside him; when he looked up his eyes were bright, and his smile was easy. “Good afternoon!” he said. “You must be Master Samwise. Are you lost?”
“I beg your pardon!” Sam said, hurriedly bowing. “I seem to have gotten turned around somewhere.”
Sam meets Maglor, first in Rivendell and again in Minas Tirith.
| Major Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Samwise Gamgee |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 960 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Other Fictional Character(s), Aredhel, Galadriel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Maeglin/Other Fictional Character |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: But I Won't Do That, Gates of Summer, Jumble Sale, Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song, Laws and Customs, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 43 | Word Count: 134, 103 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
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.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
