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] 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…
[Series] 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.
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
From Evil Comes Good
Create a fanwork about how something evil gave rise to something good. 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
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
Enemies to Sons by eris_of_imladris
Gil-galad’s relationship with Elrond and Elros from beginning to end. A prequel, midquel and sequel to Fourth Father from Gil-galad's POV, as requested by Tamuril2 on ao3. Written in the spirit of the Differing Perspectives challenge.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Differing Perspectives |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 782 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
The Words You Left Me by eris_of_imladris
Ten words that influenced Fëanor and Fingolfin’s relationship and drove them down their paths to doom. Inspired by the concept and lyrics of Milim from Eurovision 2010 as part of SWG’s “Competition” prompt.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 4, 879 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Dramatic Arts by Raiyana
Erestor learns a new thing about his lover... and likes it ;)
Glorfindel rather enjoys it, too, in the end...
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 617 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Stargazing by Grundy
Celebrimbor needs to get away from it all from time to time. He stumbles across someone he did not expect in his favorite spot.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 035 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Shipwright and the Elm Tree by Raiyana
The first time Círdan visited Hithlum... and met Irimë
| Major Characters: Círdan, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 962 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Poems As We Said Them by LadyBrooke
At the beginning of the Third Age, Doriath is long gone with most of its people. Fëanor, Fingolfin, and their children are long gone as well.
Elrond might never know how these words were originally spoken, for all they are written down in his library.
Celebrían wants to keep anyone in the future from wondering how their poems are meant to be spoken.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 834 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Sorceress’ Apprentice by oshun
Lúthien encourages Galadriel to approach Melian for tutoring.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 324 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
An Ongoing Research by Tyelca
A new prisoner is brought to Angband, and in her ever-ongoing pursuit of knowledge, Thuringwethil spends some time with him.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Melkor, Sauron, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 233 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The last word by Raiyana
In Nargothrond, Curufin leaves behind the last remains of the heart that was once filled with fire... and a letter.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 929 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Forced Perspective by Grundy
Findis has to re-evaluate a friendship in light of fresh information.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Findis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 588 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Such marks we leave by Morcondil
Raising a child of the house of Finwë is no small task, and Elenwë is plagued with doubts as Idril grows to become much like her father’s family. She sets out to give her daughter a gift worthy of a Noldorin princess.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 559 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
All That We're Fighting For by Zdenka
Feredwen copes badly with the aftermath of the Third Kinslaying and sees the new star rise for the first time. (With cameos by Maedhros, Maglor, and a Silmaril.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2018 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 447 |
| 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) |
Tirisórnë No More by Caranthol
A tale of how a Maia got seduced by Melkor to his side and of the price she had to pay for her fall.
| Major Characters: Maiar, Melkor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 706 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Olórwendë by Caranthol
A Man of Númenor is brought into Aman by a mysterious being. He spends a day there, and in that time learns an important truth about the nature of paradises and that there is some danger even in bliss.
| Major Characters: Maiar, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 833 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
leave me restless, leave me hung by kimaracretak
Light dies, and the web endures.
| Major Characters: Melian, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Meanings We Give, The Light We Find by Nienna
In a world newly wrought, Yavanna ponders all the ways in which the world is being brought into being, and her place in it.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Valar, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 457 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Shadows and Whispers by StarSpray
Annatar comes to Eregion
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 422 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
History and Conspiracy by Himring
In the Fourth Age, young Barahir comes up with a conspiracy theory about a Numenorean queen and explains his theory to Ivriniel of Dol Amroth.
| Major Characters: Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 558 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Rings by eris_of_imladris
A look into the dreams and ambitions of Curufin’s wife.
| Major Characters: Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 815 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Ainu Ficlets by Raiyana
A collection of ficlets and drabbles all revolving around the Ainur!
Most of these are Ainu POV ;)
| Major Characters: Aulë, Eru Ilúvatar, Estë, Mandos, Manwë, Oromë, Ossë, Sons of Fëanor, Uinen, Ulmo, Valar, Varda, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 1, 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Palantíri. by hennethgalad
Nerdanel devises a way to make Palantíri.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 068 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Queen Comes To The Mountain by Lyra
In the last hour of Númenor, Tar-Míriel attempts to gain ground with a final prayer.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 340 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Scattered Stars by Raiyana
Why doesn't Nerdanel have a mother?
This grew a little based on my Rise Above Prompt :o
Nerdanel gets accepted as a student of Aulë's... ;)
| Major Characters: Aulë, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Rise Above |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 071 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Laze on the Grass by StarSpray
Nellas takes a break in the Old Forest.
| Major Characters: Goldberry, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 342 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Light Wraps You by Narya
A moment between Celebrimbor and Orodreth after the news of Finrod's death. Written as a birthday gift for Gabriel.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 582 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
