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
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. 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
Confidence Restored by Scribe of Mirrormere
When Haleth feels hope fades she reaches for light within and seeks her out.
| Major Characters: Haleth, Nessa |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 570 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sing You Home by The Wavesinger
The stream echoes Mithrellas' desperate search for Nimrodel.
| Major Characters: Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Haiku by The Wavesinger
I live under your/domain. You rule with gentle/kisses, golden smiles.
From Indis to Nerdanel.
| Major Characters: Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 131 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Grant for Tindómiel by Scribe of Mirrormere
"My problem is Meril, father,” Tindómiel said and took another deep breath, her heart pounding with the confession reaching her lips. “I love her deeply, and that is the source of my pain."
| Major Characters: Elros, Meril-i-Turinqi, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 475 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Long Years Numberless by The Wavesinger
In the Third Age, Varda and Galadriel reflect on change and love.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Middle-earth Poetry (Silmarillion version) by Zdenka
Tolkien-related poetry on various subjects, mostly written for B2MeM. (I've only cross-posted the Silmarillion poems here; the version on AO3 and MPTT includes the LOTR-related ones also.)
| Major Characters: Erendis, Inzilbêth, Maeglin, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Poetry, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 6, 366 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Dance, Oh Lover by The Wavesinger
A poem from Aredhel to Goldberry.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Goldberry |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 97 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To an absent lover by Himring
Two (female) Sindar before the return of Morgoth from Valinor--one of them looking back on that time.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 75 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Chain of Daisies by The Wavesinger
A moment with Finduilas and Níniel.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 369 |
| 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) |
Contrapunto by The Wavesinger
Ilmarë and her lover, before and after.
| Major Characters: Ilmarë, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 554 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lessons in Clay by The Wavesinger
Nerdanel fails to finish a sculpture, and admits to a defeat.
| Major Characters: Indis, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 149 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
and the song (forever) between us by Astris
Findis and Elemmírë meet in secret.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Findis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 415 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Lyric by IdleLeaves
A short visit in the gardens.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elenwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 653 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Not by Sea by IdleLeaves
Hope gives way to truth.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 218 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The sweet song of Poppies by Rhapsody
Morwen is summoned by Acca to fulfill the need of the latter.
| Major Characters: Morwen, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Édebar by Urloth
Édebar was a tidal island. It had been a resting place of the Lady Uinen who had gifted it to a group of those who had pledged devotion to her to create a sanctuary for those who were mentally distressed or unhappy to find peace again. It was a far more discrete option than the long trip to Lorien, and Lorien was usually reserved for extreme cases.
Girls crying about their marriage prospects was not considered extreme.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 22, 693 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Little father by Calendille
Nerdanel considers her children, and why Curufin was always special to Fëanor’s heart.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor, Finwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 463 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Oh Lift Me as a Wave by Zdenka
Elwing and the wind. (There are powers in Arda that are not told of in the histories.)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Dead Leaves and Beetles by Zdenka
Even before their fatal quarrel, Saeros is exasperated by Túrin's lack of grooming. (Triple drabble.)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I Have Found The One My Soul Loves by The Wavesinger
"They say that the Elven-lady, along with her companion, a beautiful Elven-woman, watches over the line of the Princes and weeps for every one of her children, and children-of-her-children."
A story about Mithrellas and Nimrodel, after they find each other.
(Written for Karari for Ship Swap 2016.)
| Major Characters: Gilmith, Mithrellas, Nimrodel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 380 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drinks in the Dark by Lingwiloke
Orodreth has been crowned king of Nargothrond. He's not taking it particularly well.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Golden Days by Lyra
Nerdanel recounts the development of her relationship with Fëanor - from their first proper meeting to married life. A fantasy of manners, pride, prejudice, love and craftsmanship.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Írimë, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 23 | Word Count: 93, 601 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (108) |
Distractions by Zdenka
Lalwen pays Elemmírë a sudden visit, trying to escape the growing divisions among the Noldor and her family. (250-word fixed-length ficlet.)
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 003 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Hidden City by Lady MSM
A kid from nowhere seeks out an old family friend...and that's when things get interesting. A retelling of the Fall of Gondolin set in the 1920s.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elwing, Eärendil, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Idril, Maeglin, Tuor, Turgon, Ulmo, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 5, 267 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A troubling epiphany by Harnatano - Lithenna
Curufin joins Celegorm for a hunt in Oromë's woods and will be touched by a sudden realization regarding the situation of the Noldor in Aman.
It takes place not long after the creation of the Silmarils, Celebrimbor is still a child and the feud with Fingolfin hasn't reached its peak yet, but Melkor's twisted murmurs have started to burn in the hearts of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Finwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 846 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
