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] 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.
[Writing] A few moments in Gondolin by Quente
Instadrabbling prompts that took the shape of a few perspectives on Turgon's great city.
[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] Grief is not the only geography I know by Himring
Indis explains how she took to wandering around Valinor.
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. Beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a devastating…
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
Period Drama
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are inspired by common tropes found in period dramas and historical fiction. 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
Threads of Gold by Zdenka
Finduilas, recovering from her wound among the folk of Brethil, finds a young woman on Haleth's grave-mound, and fate is changed. (Finduilas/Nienor; canon divergence AU.)
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Flame of Swords by Zdenka
A conversation with Thorin Oakenshield; Glorfindel knows more of Orcrist's history than he wishes to tell. (Triple drabble.)
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| 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: 922 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
50 Prompts: AU Silmarillion by Urloth
50 Prompts resulting in 50 AU Silmarillion based or related drabbles or ficlets.
| Major Characters: Beren, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Dior, Draugluin, Elu Thingol, Elwing, Eärendil, Eöl, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Glorfindel, Haleth, Indis, Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maeglin, Maglor, Maiar, Manwë, Melkor, Míriel Serindë, Noldor, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Tar-Míriel, Tata, Tatië |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Drama, Erotica, General, Het, Horror, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 29 | Word Count: 29, 138 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The hunter's heart, the hunter's mouth by Urloth
There was a wound in his heart. Ingwion felt it tear; tear up his eyes and drench his mind in dark resignation and despair. Belatedly he realised the wound had been there an achingly long time and by forcibly involving himself in this he was reopening it. Or widening it.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis, Ingwë, Ingwion, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 823 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lost and Found by Zdenka
With the Silmaril lost, Maglor is driven by Elwing’s words to look for her children.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 255 |
| 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 Last Temptation (Rewritten, Again) by Fireworks
Heavily rewritten, again:
This story first appeared in The Silmarillion Writer's Guild's Akâllabeth in August.
Summary, from the Akâllabeth in August page:
Sauron has been taken prisoner by Pharazôn but nurtures an ever-growing influence. In the midst of a Númenor increasingly divided, a young Anárion works quietly after rebellion, discovering both love and betrayal in its midst.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Anárion, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General, Mystery, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 51, 650 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hope For No Safety by Zdenka
Elwing's defiance at the Havens of Sirion.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 487 |
| 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) |
A Theoretical Impossibility by Zdenka
The learned scholar Rúmil of Tirion meets a Hobbit and shares his opinion about Dwarves.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 503 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
How Far Away by Zdenka
Fingon and Maedhros try to overcome what separates them, even death.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 675 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Trust Not Blindly by Zdenka
Idril has a troubling encounter with her cousin Maeglin on the morning of her betrothal to Tuor.
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hammer and anvil by Nuredhel
Young Fëanor is working in his masters forge when he gets an unexpexted visitor, with a very naughty idea. Now how is he to prevent Mahtan from discovering that his daughter loved to play with the apprentice's...hammer.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 586 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nox est Perpetua by Zdenka
Morgoth's victory approaches, but Arien will still choose her own fate. (Arien/Ungoliant)
| Major Characters: Arien, Tilion, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 011 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tale of the Phantom Ship by Zdenka
The women of Erendis's household tell each other stories on a rainy day. (Or, a tale from New England retold in Númenor.)
| Major Characters: Erendis, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Het, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2016 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 097 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Add Salt to the Sea by Zdenka
Míriel has always loved the Sea. After the Downfall of Númenor, the Lady of the Seas offers her refuge and comfort. (Tar-Míriel/Uinen)
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Tar-Palantir, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 328 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
River Calls Me Home by Zdenka
Bits of memory from Elrond's early childhood. (Double drabble.)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 511 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Thaw by swampdiamonds
Gwindor and Túrin on the shores of Ivrin. Things lost, things found, and some basic math.
| Major Characters: Gwindor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 499 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Song of the Laughing Maiden by Zdenka
The Aldudénië was Elemmírë's formal, public lament after the Darkening of Valinor, but she also had private feelings which she put into her poetry. (Three poems by Elemmírë about the Darkening, the First Kinslaying, the Flight of the Noldor, and above all, her love for Lalwen.)
| Major Characters: Elemmírë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 296 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Song of Myself by Beansidhe
How did Maglor pass Age after Age, never returning to the Elves or coming to their attention? My own musings on what might have happened.....
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 413 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Night Oft Brings News to Near Kindred by Zdenka
Celebrimbor sees his father for the last time.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 115 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Walk No More in Shadow by Zdenka
After her death, Nienor is found by the ghost of Finduilas, who has been watching over Brethil, and offered a new existence.
(I tagged for suicide and character death to be safe, but the character deaths are all canonical and take place before the beginning of the story.)
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide, Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 241 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Snaring of Gorlim by Zdenka
Gorlim searches for Eilinel.
| Major Characters: Gorlim |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 8, 417 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Grief of Cold by StarSpray
and now there was nothing left except Elwing, and Vingilot, and his mariners, and the Silmaril, and one last wild, desperate chance.
| Major Characters: Aerandir, Elwing, Erellont, Eärendil, Falathar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 041 |
| 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) |
Morwen and Gilraen by Zdenka
Two women in mourning and defiance. (Two half-drabbles.)
| Major Characters: Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 755 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I Will Sleep No More But Arise by Elwin Fortuna
Nolofinwë goes to Formenos in an effort to repair things with his half-brother.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 45 |
| 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) |
Sleeping I Dreamed Love, Dreamed Love Of Thee by Elwin Fortuna
Nolofinwë is dreaming. This must be a dream. If so, it is a very good dream.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 669 |
| 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) |
