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
It Comes in Threes
Choose a prompt from a list of 130 different things that "come in threes." 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
Who is the tallest? More Heat than Light on Height in Tolkien’s World by oshun
I beg your indulgence for this, my entry for the "Solve a problem" challenge. I realize the problem is all mine. Who IS the tallest? Or does it matter? What was Tolkien thinking?
| Major Characters: Ancalagon, Aredhel, Azaghâl, Beleg, Celeborn, Dwarves, Edain, Elendil, Elves, Fëanor, Galadriel, Galdor (Edain), Glaurung, Húrin, Indis, Legendary/Mythical Character(s), Maedhros, Melkor, Nerdanel, Noldor, Númenóreans, Other Fictional Character(s), Real Person(s), Turgon, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 446 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 401 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Future Set In Stone by Tyelca
The truth behind the Mirror of Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 028 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Neither Linguist Nor King by eris_of_imladris
There is no word for what he is now.
Written for the "Solve a Problem" challenge for the Silmarillion Writers Guild.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 098 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Hairy Situation by eris_of_imladris
A young Celegorm questions his hair color after a remark from his older brother.
Written for the "Solve a Problem" challenge on the Silmarillion Writers Guild.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 271 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Playing With Fire by liruinielfeanoriel
Some happy and sad times of Findarato's romance to oc "I"; some hints to Findarato's relationship with Amarie; throw in a few comments from Celegorm and Curufin; it became a short story.
And it all started with a poem.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 443 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maeglin. by hennethgalad
Maeglin is delighted with Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 351 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Water. by hennethgalad
Turgon sends Idril away, but Tuor follows her.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 406 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Non fiction: the problem of orcs by hennethgalad
some observations concerning orcs
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 353 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nan Dungortheb. by hennethgalad
The Ride of Aredhel Ar-Feiniel through the Vale of Dreadful Death.
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 505 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Ant and the Wall. by hennethgalad
A drunk Fingon is questioned about the rescue of Maedhros.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 508 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A half-life, a cursed life by Lyra
Anárion discusses the specifics of Maedhros' and Húrin's captivity with his brother, and comes to a chilling conclusion.
Rated Adult for some discussion of torture.
| Major Characters: Anárion, Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 144 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Elostirion by hennethgalad
Gildor Inglorion invites Merry and Pippin to ride to Elostirion with him, in the second year of the fourth age.
| Major Characters: Gildor, Merry, Pippin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 364 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Fair vs Fair: A Meta by StarSpray
A look at Tolkien's use of the word "fair" as a descriptor in The Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 057 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Solve a Problem |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 754 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
Herenya by hennethgalad
Following Ingwë’s orders, Glorfindel interviews guards for Aistalar.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 527 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Carriage held but just Ourselves by StarSpray
Melian cannot know death. Of her daughters, one embraces it, one rejects it, one accepts it, and one does not understand.
| Major Characters: Arwen, Elwing, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Sirens and Songstresses |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 357 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
no other star by arriviste
“You would be dead to a man if I had not come,” said Caranthir. “To a woman!”
Haleth meets three Elven-Kings as the Haladin search for a homeland in Beleriand, and deals with mourning, survival, and culture clash.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 557 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
the dawn from on high by arriviste
“I have an errand to attend to, but I will join your party at the Havens in good time,” said Gandalf before the great convoy set out from Imladris.
Elrond gave him a sideways look. “Indeed? I had thought your business in Middle-Earth was at last at an end, Mithrandir.”
| Major Characters: Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 215 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Legacy. by hennethgalad
It is year 15 of the fourth age. King Elessar, having forbidden Men to enter The Shire, is camped beyond the Brandywine Bridge to greet his friends.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Merry, Pippin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 885 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
'his eyes unclosed' by hennethgalad
in the year of Sauron’s return to Middle-earth, Gil-galad replies to a letter from Celebrian.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 277 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The River. by hennethgalad
Gwindor comes to Tol Sirion to propose to Finduilas.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 550 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Boundaries by Dawn Felagund
Fingon is constantly pushing Maedhros's boundaries, but this time, he has gone too far. Put on mandatory sick leave after an injury, Maedhros decides to spend his three weeks recuperating alone, setting Fingon on a chase across Aman to find and make amends to his lover ... and yes, transgress one more boundary, one more time. Maedhros/Fingon. Written for Oshun, for the occasion of her 100th character biography.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Caprice and Chance |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 13, 627 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Time and Tide by Keiliss
Early in the second age, Celeborn and Galadriel take a walk on the beach and talk about the future.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 007 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Seahorses. by hennethgalad
Finarfin first meets Eärwen in Alqualondë.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin, Írimë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 393 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
