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
It's All in the Numbers
Create a fanwork focused on numbers: how they were invented or used by a culture or character. 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
Imladris lost by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor (or someone else but in my head it was maglor) walking through what is left of what was once Imladris.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Caught in the maelstrom by ford_of_bruinen
Written for Around the fire challange :
I would like a story of Maedhros and Nerdanel before he leaves for Middle-earth or Formenos. Does she demand an explanation or might he offer one?
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 644 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Where have they gone? by ford_of_bruinen
Caranthir has been reembodied and is thinking of, and missing, his brothers.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 619 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Circus by hennethgalad
Sauron's early recruits and trainees head to Mordor.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 910 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sauron by hennethgalad
Sauron tries to enter Lindon.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 952 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Luthien Tinuviel by ford_of_bruinen
Thingol bonds with his newborn daughter
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 85 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The doom of Elwe by ford_of_bruinen
Elwe/ Thingol enters a magical wood on his journey to the west, nightingales sing and you know the rest ;)
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Around the Fire |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 78 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Mordor by hennethgalad
Elrond tries to improve the morale of Gil-galad.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 181 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Love? by ford_of_bruinen
A question from Beren makes Finrod consider the nature of love.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 562 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Werewolves by hennethgalad
A letter from Beren to Galadriel concerning Finrod's death.
| Major Characters: Beren, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture, Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 848 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Dragon Helm of Dor-Lomin by NelyafinweFeanorion
A fluff breakfast conversation in Himring, between Maedhros and Fingon, because they deserve some happiness. Mild Maedhros/Fingon slash.
The Dragon Helm was the most meaningful gift Maedhros could have given Fingon. It always bothered me that he gave it away when it could have saved him at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 001 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Finding Home by Independence1776
A loosely related collection of stories about Elrond and Celebrían in Aman.
Final two chapters: Elladan and Elrohir bring gifts and memorializing Arwen.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het | Challenges: 10th Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 166 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Cuiviénen by hennethgalad
Coming to consciousness at Cuiviénen.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | 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) |
Ëonwë by hennethgalad
The final theft of the Silmarils.
| Major Characters: Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 903 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Secrets by Zdenka
Two cousins on opposite sides of a river, and a shared secret. (Two drabbles. Celebrimbor/Maeglin.)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 402 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Happy Thingol by hennethgalad
Thingol finds a kind of treasure during the excavation of Menegroth.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 274 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Warmth He Gave by Urloth
It was an elf, his horse fallen near him and dead by a snapped neck, struggling despite how thoroughly Nan Elmoth had wrapped him in her most poisonous children.
He was shining, Maeglin thought, like a star that had fallen straight out of the sky. His hair like the mercury his father used, skin like the hazelnuts that his mother devoured when in her better moments.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm, Eöl, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 16, 536 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
What Is Lost by NelyafinweFeanorion
Maedhros and Maglor in the immediate aftermath of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Flashbacks to Tirion. Maedhros and Fingon first realizing about their relationship and feelings for each other.
My thanks to Alpha Ori for being my beta on this.
Many thanks to Dawn Felagund for creating the culture and atmosphere of Tirion and Fëanor's family in her brilliant story "Another Man's Cage." It influenced my thoughts on this and the family of Fëanor
| Major Characters: Erestor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 448 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
And Last of All by Elleth
Tar-Míriel's handmaiden on the final day of Númenor.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 037 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
No Flame Burns Forever by Lotrfan
Borrowed the general idea from nyx thranduillon's 100 short one-shots on fanfiction.net This is not 100 one shots--my goal is a series of one shots each consisting of less than 100 words. Tryng to see how concise I can be and still set a scene. These are all entirely from Maedhros' point of view. Could not keep it less than 100 words for the last one shot.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 36, 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A song of welcome (Aya Findekano) by Himring
There is a scene in "Children of Hurin" in which Turin watches Fingon ride over the bridge near his home.
I believe, in canon, this is meant to be about Elves being remote and elusive--but, personally, I can't image Fingon on that bridge in white and silver with his knights unless he were actually dropping in to visit Hurin (or Morwen), even if it was on the way to somewhere else.
So--in my Gloom cycle--he does visit Hurin. ( Turin, I suppose, may be just too young to be in on most of the proceedings.)
Now, maybe Rian was there, too--and what more natural than that, as a maker of songs, she would make a song to welcome him?
And this bit of song here would have sounded a lot better when Rian herself sang it to the tune she had made up--all spontaneously, of course!
| Major Characters: Fingon, Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 98 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Singing to an Ocean by Lotrfan
Set at the very end of the Third Age, just before Elrond sails. He meets someone unexpected on the shore at the Havens. Written for August 2016 Teitho Contest "Oaths" where it received 1st place.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 785 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Fight Me, You Thieving Bastard by Nibeneth
It is twenty-eight years, three months, one week, and six days from the date of Maedhros' rescue, meaning that starting today, he has been free for longer than he was a prisoner.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 826 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Writ in Water by Zdenka
A series of seven drabbles about Nargothrond and those who became involved with its fate, based on a set of river-related prompts from Tolkien Weekly.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Finduilas, Finrod Felagund, Gwindor, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Original Female Character(s), Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 436 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Choices Seal Our Fate by Lotrfan
Maedhros (Maitimo) receives Morgoths's message of parley. He and his brother Maglor (Makalaurë) debate their choices. Takes place just before my story They Chiose the Path.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 837 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
