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] Daughters of the Great by Himring
Araglas inherits the chieftainship of the Dunedain of Arnor upon his father's death. But Araglas has been living in Rivendell all this while. Meanwhile, his second cousin Arthiel has been acting as his father's right hand in the Angle.
Araglas comes up with a plan that stuns Arthiel and…
[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
Rise Above
Create a fanwork using a quote from a woman who made contributions in science. 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 Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Amrod and Amras (Seven in '07) by Dawn Felagund
In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Amrod and Amras are assigned roles that changed and evolved over the course of Tolkien's work on the legendarium.
Amdir by oshun
King of Lórien in the Second Age, Amdír invites questions of how the Light, Dark, and Grey Elves interacted in the early history of Middle-earth.
Amárië of the Vanyar by oshun
Who was this briefly mentioned woman, the beloved of Finrod Felagund? Much of what we know about Amárië must be inferred from the texts.
Ailinel by oshun
In honor of Legendarium Ladies April, this biography looks at the life of a woman who existed at the heart of the politics during Aldarion's reign in Númenor and yet remains voiceless. What do we know of Ailinel's character and what of the vast questions that remain?
Aerin by Himring
Like many women of The Silmarillion, Aerin receives little attention in The Silmarillion but plays a much-expanded role in other posthumously published texts. Aerin simultaneously fulfills the role of a victim and as an example of female agency.
Aegnor by oshun
Like so many Silmarillion characters, Aegnor has a complex and sometimes contradictory textual history. A fiery warrior and romantic with a heart of gold that could belong only to a son of Finarfin, Aegnor is one of The Silmarillion's many fascinating minor characters.
Rise Again From Ashes by Independence1776
After spending millennia wandering Middle-earth, Maglor returns to Valinor, where he attempts to adjust to both his Valar-imposed restrictions and living once more with the Eldar.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrían, Eärendil, Elrond, Glorfindel, Maglor, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 27 | Word Count: 61, 027 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (102) |
Silmarillion Time Travel by Leithriel
Time travel stories set in Silmarillion.
13th birthday insta-drabbles! by RaisingCaiin
insta-drabbles written in response to prompts on SWG Discord!
Alternative Perspective Character Studies by elvntari
Self-explanatory. And exploration of characters through telling the story through their eyes.
The Silmarillion : The Flight of the Noldor by R A Sharkey
The Simarillion: Flight of the Noldor is a dramatic retalling in script form of the events detailed in the Silmarillion and the Unfinished Tales. (Part One of Six) These scripts were written ten years ago after i read the earliest works of JRR Tolkien and became enamoured with them. Like most of you out there, I believe them to be the most powerful stories with the most memorable characters in all of Tolkien\'s world.
At the same time, I had seen the flawed but compelling films by Peter Jackson. Having been a fan of his since the Bad Taste days, I was excited but also concerned when he was announced as the director for the films, knowing of his penchant for slapstick comedy in his horror films. As I feared, there was as much to hate as there was to love about the movies. What I did love is the way they were put together, the music, the attention to detail, the action and the cinematogrophy. Lovingly crafted.
These scripts were meant to reflect the atmosphere and presentation of those fims but with greater respect for the source material, which is much more dark and tragic. I really wrote these to help learn my craft. They have sat in cyberspace for a decade. I welcome comments but I am not working on these other than to polish them for this site. I am working on my own original material so I do not have the time for anything other than correcting major mistakes in continuity if any are discovered.
Thanks to all, and I hope you enjoy!
Regards,
R A Sharkey
not love, but worship. by esquitor
he inspires in others what he feels within himself.
admiration. respect. love. worship. (for melkor.)
fear. regret. despair. (for the valar.)
betrayal. (his own.)
a collection of writings on mairon, and how he becomes what he will become.
(a fancy way of saying how i explore headcanon for the gazillion years of mairon\'s life until the end of the world)
Songs of Stone and Mountain by pandemonium_213
I have alluded to the deep friendship between Dísa, a noble Dwarf-woman of the House of Narvi, and Mélamírë, the Second Age elven-smith of Ost-in-Edhil, in previous stories of the Pandë!verse, e.g., Chapter 28 of The Elendilmir and Chapter 4 of The Writhen Pool. I figured I\'d gather their stories in one place as a series.
So. OFCs. Pandë!verse. Those should be ample warnings.
Songs of Stone and Mountain by pandemonium_213
I have alluded to the deep friendship between Dísa, a noble Dwarf-woman of the House of Narvi, and Mélamírë, the Second Age elven-smith of Ost-in-Edhil, in previous stories of the Pandë!verse, e.g., Chapter 28 of The Elendilmir and Chapter 4 of The Writhen Pool. I figured I\'d gather their stories in one place as a series.
So. OFCs. Pandë!verse. Those should be ample warnings.
The Oath of Fëanor - Multilingual version by Calendille, Angelica, Lyra, bluehair, firstamazon
The Oath of Fëanor, translated by the international cast of the SWG! Vocal versions to be added!
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 764 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fair Things Yet to Be by Lindariel
Alatáriel undertakes to learn an art long forbidden by her family.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 460 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Questionable Wisdom by Grundy
The Long Peace nearly came to a premature end when Finrod found Men.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 227 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Answers from Old Sources: What Does That Name Mean? by darthfingon
An investigation of the meaning of some of Tolkien's more elusive Elvish names.
Lámatyávë: If you have no idea what that word means, read this article by darthfingon
Why the "sound taste" of a name is often more important than the meaning when naming original characters.
All About Accents! by darthfingon
What do all those accents and symbols in Tolkien's languages mean? This column explains what they mean and how to pronounce them.
Fact, Interpretation and the Hard Business of Proof by darthfingon
Deciding what constitutes canon for the purpose of making fanworks relies partly on the words of the texts but also on the geographical and temporal vastness and diversity of Tolkien's world.
Not Just the Son of That Guy: Creating Effective Names for Original Characters by darthfingon
So you need an Elvish name for your OC? This article gives tips and strategies for coming up with believable names that sound good.
Elven Holidays and Festivals: What do we have to work with in the First Age? by darthfingon
A rundown of the holidays we know existed in the First Age, as well as tips on how to design your own holiday.
Everyday Elves and What They Do by darthfingon
Not every Elf was a prince or a smith. The word lists give insight into some of the more unglamorous professions available to everyday Elves.
'Sindarin' is a Quenya Word: how the clan names make Elvish more confusing by darthfingon
The clans of the Elves are almost always named in Quenya, and this month's column demystifies how various Elven people would have referred to themselves in their own languages.
