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] 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…
[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 meeting at the Trees by ethanray
Nerdanel goes to the Two Trees after Fëanor is banished and meets Indis there
For March 2026 Instadrabbling
[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] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
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
Inventions
Consider an item or technology and use a fanwork to describe or explain its invention by the people of Arda. Read more ...
New in References
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.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
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
The Queen and Her Consort by The Wavesinger
The Ruling Queen of Numenor and her Consort discuss Council politics.
(Finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories)
| Major Characters: Herucalmo, Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 432 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Noldolantë by The Wavesinger
Maedhros and Fingon: how they fight, and how they lose.
(Finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 578 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dust Clouds by The Wavesinger
Luthien rides in search of Beren.
I am finally cross-posting my B2MeM stories
| Major Characters: Beren, Húrin, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 378 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Nocturnal Rapport by Cirth
Elrond remembers Sirion, and learns the art of the sword.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 652 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Motionless in Time by The Wavesinger
#5: Aredhel, trapped in Gondolin.
A collection of fixed-length fic(let)s, each based on a line (or lines) of a poem/play.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Beren, Elrond, Fingon, Gil-galad, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Nessa, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 322 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
'Star People' & 'Orc' by Himring
A short scene from the dungeons of Angband.
No actual gore, but Angband is Angband...
Now added: 'Orc' - an orc escapes from the Fall of Angband.
| Major Characters: Elves, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Beginnings |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 359 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The green stone by sullhach
Enerdhil' s green stone
| Major Characters: Enerdhil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 429 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Pins by heget
The story of the seventh companion of Finrod and Beren to die in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
| Major Characters: Noldor, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 132 |
| 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) |
Rain and Drought by Cirth
The ups and the downs, and the things that lie between. A series of drabbles.
| Major Characters: Bor, Borlach, Borlad, Uldor, Ulfang, Ulfast, Ulwarth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 355 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Where Dragons Come From by Tyelca
About Smaug and how he passed the Ages since his Master's defeat in the War of Wrath.
My personal view on the origins of Smaug, the last of the Great Firedrakes of the North, from his flight from Angband to his death in Esgaroth, because I don't believe such great Dragons appear out of nowhere.
Warning! Melkor is kind-of a good father-figure here ;)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | 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) |
A Love Song to Middle-Earth in Spring by Himring
A song that could have been sung by anyone after the first rising of the Sun, really-- but maybe particularly by Beren himself, from whose song this piece is adapted, or by Aragorn, since he seems to have liked the Lay of Leithian, from which Beren's song is taken?
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 89 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Girls of Minas Tirith by heget
These are the girls of Minas Tirith before Sauron comes.
(Character study to Release from Bondage)
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 330 |
| 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) |
Deeds of Small Hands by StarSpray
Lúthien is not the first Elf to discover Beren wandering the forest.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Beren, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Nellas, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 452 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Clouds of Steam by Luxa
Many people spoke of Himring for many reasons. Fingon thought of it only for the Elf who ruled it. Maedhros/Fingon
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 023 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Whatcha Gonna Call It? by heget
In an alternative universe Aegnor and Andreth do marry. That does not stop the philosophical debates. Or more mundane questions. Where Angrod's worries about his family are a little more prosaic and involve Beleriand's version of baby name books.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Angrod, Boromir (House of Bëor), Bregor, Eldalótë, Finrod Felagund, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 010 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Maudits silmarils : maudits bonus du livre 1 by Dilly
Bonus nawak à "Maudits silmarils". Bonus 13 : Le massage
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Fingon, Glorfindel, Idril, Maedhros, Original Character(s), Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 18, 179 |
| 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) |
Dance on the Thunder by Cirth
In the woods, Sam encounters a very old elf. He's not sure how he feels about it.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 425 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Aredhel and the Marring of Bliss by just_jenni
Aredhel, Celegorm and Curufin used to play together as youngsters and were great friends. This story concerns that friendship and Aredhel's desire to leave Gondolin and meet her cousins again after much time and many events have passed.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 528 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Heard it Through the Grapevine by Levade
Somewhere in Aman there's a pub and from time to time a few musicians like to gather there to 'discuss' human songs.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Lindir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 419 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Sea-Queen's Touch by Elwin Fortuna
Tar-Míriel, beyond all hope, is rescued.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 139 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Voices of the Departed by heget
Maglor has a discussion with his younger brothers.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 739 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The knife Angrist by Himring
So, Curufin, son of Feanor, is conveniently walking around with a dwarf-made knife at his waist that just happens to be suitable for cutting a Silmaril out of Morgoth's iron crown and he just happens to give Beren enough provocation to rob him of his possessions, including the knife.
Here is a slightly AU gapfiller on the subject of the early history of Angrist, the knife that would cleave iron as if it were green wood.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Curufin, Fingon, Lúthien Tinúviel, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 511 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thanksgiving by My blue rose
Aragorn ascends Mount Mindolluin to fulfill his obligations as King for an ages old tradition. There he meets someone he does not expect and finds something he was not looking for.
| Major Characters: Aragorn, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 19, 681 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Spin Songs for the Sea by heget
Eärwen as a young maiden of the Swan-haven, surrounded and supported by family, and the intersection of song and spinning thread.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 10, 744 |
| 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) |
Finellach by Agelast
Gil-galad learns to face his destiny -- but he isn't alone. Written during Ardor in August 2015 for LuxaLucifer.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 8, 336 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
