Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
SWG News
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
[Writing] Blessed are the Leave-takers by Isilme_among_the_stars
As prince Curufinwë Fëanáro makes an historical speech from the high court of the King upon Túna, those at the back of the crowd strain to hear.
A silly little scene inspired by Monty Python's "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" scene from The Life of Brian, written for …
[Writing] After the Kinslaying by Deborah Judge
A Teleri fishing boat captain turns to farming on abandoned Noldor lands after her ship is stolen. A Noldor farmer returns with Finarfin to find that his land belongs to the Teleri now.
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
[Writing] Until the Stars are All Alight by Dagstjarna
Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
[Writing] a riot of shadow and shine by Elrond's Library
These were simply flashes, a hint of a wider, greater world. A tantalizing glimpse of more, always at the edge of awareness, never within reach. Míriel would grasp it, if something as intangible as the concept of color could overflow in bounteous wonder over her hands.
But…
[Writing] The Exchange by Elrond's Library
An exchange is made during the Great Journey
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Soft Underbelly
Create a fanwork that shows how a character failed due to a weakness. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Childhood Comrades: Russo & Finnu at Kozhikode Youth Festival by Zara BalrogBalls
Maedhros and Fingon, ie Russo and Finnu from Prayers to Broken Stone, 19 years old and up to no-good at all. If you want to know why they’re dressed up like a Mecca pilgrim and a Roman cardinal, check out the snippet in the notes!
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Death of Bëor the Old by Zdenka
Finrod is confused and distraught to learn that Bëor will die of old age.
| Major Characters: Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor & Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 404 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Star in Truth by Elleth
Inspired by Jaz's Mereth Aderthad presentation Twilight, Child of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel and the idea of reversing or exchanging the roles of these three, plus the chat's insistence that there needed to be Arwen/Idril, with Arwen taking on something resembling Maeglin's role.
| Major Characters: Arwen, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Arwen/Idril |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 734 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sirion by Tang Wen Xi
Two scenes from the third kinslaying: the sack of Sirion and the adoption of Elrond and Elros by Maglor and Maedhros.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros, Círdan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Heart and Stomach by janeways
As a very young child, Gil-galad arrived on Círdan's doorstep with no memories and nothing but a brief letter containing two things: a request to foster him, and a name, Ereinion. Silver-haired scion of kings, he always suspected his lineage was more vexed than anyone, Noldor or Sindar alike, was comfortable admitting, especially in those fragile last days before the War of Wrath.
Parents as well as kings must make difficult decisions. After the Third Kinslaying, Gil-galad learns this the hard way.
Title is a reference to Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad, Círdan, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 061 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
“Collected Materials Regarding the Sons of Elwing and the House of Fëanor.” by halethleia
Searching for documents related to her father's life, Aragorn's daughter instead finds a jumble of conflicting documents about the nature of Maglor and Maedhros's fosterage of Elrond and Elros.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond, Elros, Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: General, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 250 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In me thou seest the Twilight by maglor-my-beloved
Arwen contemplates three people who share her name.
Fic for Jaz' MA presentation (Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel)
| Major Characters: Arwen, Maeglin, Lúthien Tinúviel, Tindómiel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 690 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
All the Space that Remains by cloudyhymns
What then, auntie, separates us from the ones who left them here, save for the reasons behind our cruelty?
| Major Characters: Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Folktales/Myths/Legends | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 32 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Found Family Lost by Independence1776
Maglor, Elrond, and families.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 221 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Neither Speak Nor Answer by Idrils Scribe
A nameless, kinless messenger brings terrible news about the newly arrived Noldor that is slowly poisoning the Doriathrim against their kin. Thingol must drag the truth into light before Morgoth's machinations further sunder the Eldar from each other.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 049 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Different Green by Quente
As Frodo sails West, he recalls lessons taught to him by Bilbo that gave him strength through his ordeals.
| Major Characters: Frodo, Bilbo Baggins |
| Major Relationships: Bilbo & Frodo |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 216 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Light of the World by daughterofshadows
Across the ages of the world, darkness was always overcome by Light.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 210 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Arisen by daughterofshadows
Ereinion becomes Gil-galad, the king, but never disappears. Three episodes from the life of a king.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 315 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thieves' Triptych by Dawn Felagund
A Númenórean loremaster writes new meaning into the story of Lúthien Tinúviel, and this tale of theft carries forth across the centuries, inspiring a burglar, who as the story shifts again, stops the Geatish people from reaching for what is not theirs to have.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Lúthien Tinúviel, Bilbo Baggins, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 231 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Witnesses by cloudyhymns
The hounds of the legendarium loyally serve the song of their masters: an alliterative poem.
| 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: 234 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Visions by Elleth
With the cry of a stolen child, Maglor sees the future in all of its possibilities and makes a choice regarding Elrond and Elros.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 140 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world by bunn
A silver treasure shows the stories and even more coveted treasures of the past.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Still Life/Objects |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
A Spectrum by silmalope
Four characters show the broad spectrum of aromanticism across the ages.
| Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë, Aredhel, Boromir (Fellowship), Bilbo Baggins |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Creative fantasy may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like cage-birds by bunn
The mind of Tolkien freed the fantastical to become a part of our world.
| Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Banner of Stars by Kai Janik
Gil-galad was an Elven-king whose past is a complex tapestry of history.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Child of Twilight by sesamenom
Three children are born under vastly different circumstances and yet receive the same name: Child of Twilight.
| Major Characters: Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Comic/Cartoon |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Earth, the Dragons and the Dwarves by Varda delle Stelle
An illumination of the entwined natures of Dwarves and Dragons.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Dragons |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Light Among the Stars by elennalore
On his way to meet his friend, Elwë strays from the path, and his life will never be the same again.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol, Finwë & Thingol |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 781 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
