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 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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
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
10th Birthday Celebration
In honor of our 10th birthday, we introduced our Silmfic prompt generator and solicited fanworks made using it. 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
A Rougher Sea, a Deeper Gulf by Himring
After the Fall of Numenor, the Elves of Lindon try to find out what happened to the ships of Isildur and Anarion. A pair of drabbles featuring Galdor and Anarion's wife.
| Major Characters: Galdor of the Havens, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 204 |
| 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) |
One Flesh, One Soul. Part 2 by FellFireFan
The fate of lovers has been sealed. After Aegnor pledges his love to Andreth, he seeks out council one last time from his wiser and more grounded eldest brother. However, his hopes that Finrod would join him in this newfound happiness are quickly dashed and it does not go well between the brothers. Finrod finds himself forced to navigate his ferocious and unhinged younger brother with extreme caution, plunging even his own safety into uncertainty. Aegnor finds himself faced with an agonising decition, one that will rip his entire being asunder. Yet hope may remain, and it rests in the palm of none other than Illuvatar himself who, through the sheer force of Aegnor's undying love for one mortal, takes notice. Bending the very stars in the heavens..
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 46, 523 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Daughters of the Great by Himring
Araglas inherits the chieftainship of the Dunedain of Arnor upon his father's death. But Araglas has been living in Rivendell all this while. Meanwhile, his second cousin Arthiel has been acting as his father's right hand in the Angle.
Araglas comes up with a plan that stuns Arthiel and her lover.
| Major Characters: Dúnedain, Original Female Character(s), Araglas |
| Major Relationships: Female/Female |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Jumble Sale, Kings & Queens, New Year's Resolution, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 127 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Light and the Sea (Steampunk Númenor) by AdmirableMonster
Largely focused on Númenor, its fall, and the aftermath, as seen from the perspective of two Mannish scientists, bit players in some ways, but who nonetheless cast their shadows across the history of Middle Earth.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Unnamed Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Unnamed Canon Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Needst Thou Ice for that Burn? by AdmirableMonster
The publication of a scandalous new novella takes the world of Númenorean literary circles by storm. But who *is* the mysterious author 'Anna'? And why did she pen such a risqué romance? Is it, as some claim, a disgusting piece of dreck that displays the degeneracy of the times? Or is it a clever social commentary hidden behind a front of taboo titillation?
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: Experimental, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 341 |
| 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) |
Mairon: 30-Day Character Study by elennalore
Ficlets and drabbles on Mairon written for 30-Day Character Study.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron, Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 748 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Tidings by Himring
In Gondor, late in the Second Age, an inhabitant of Pelargir hears the tidings of the fall of Minas Ithil to Sauron's surprise attack.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Birthday Bash, Jumble Sale, New Year's Resolution, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 852 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Way That She Died by AdmirableMonster
Last night, the King’s Men put to death a large group of dangerous radicals in the Artists’ Quarter of Armenelos. Caught only a few hours before their planned assassination attempt on Tar-Míriel, they forced our heroic enforcers to battle for their very lives. Unfortunately, the splinter group of Faithful fanatics were unwilling to surrender peacefully. A large number of weapons, including incendiary devices, were recovered from the basement of the house in which they had been planning their cowardly and devious attack. Although all of the royal guard survived, one of their number was carried to the local hospital with severe injuries; he is expected to recover.
Citizens are asked to report any unusual activity to the King’s Men. Now, more than ever, Númenor must stand together against those who would destroy her.
—Short Bulletin in the Armenelos Times, Year 11 of the reign of Ar-Pharazôn
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Experimental, Poly, Science Fiction | Challenges: Musicals, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, In-Universe Intolerance, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 656 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Fire of Life by StarSpray
“What if,” said Manwë, regarding Maedhros with star-bright eyes, blue as sapphires and piercing as blades, “you were sent from these Halls for a purpose, son of Fëanáro?”
“I suppose, my lord,” Maedhros said slowly, “that would depend upon the purpose.”
Maedhros is sent back to Middle-earth, in the company of the Maia Olórin.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Gandalf, Elrond, Erestor, Lindir |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Maedhros, Gandalf & Maedhros, Elrond & Erestor, Elrond & Gandalf |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 26, 114 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
The Great Wave by elennalore
Mairon hates all endings.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beneath the Ever-Bending Sky by Isilme_among_the_stars
Before Círdan can sail West he has one last task to complete: find Maglor Fëanorion and bring him home. Aided by the capricious maia of the sea, Ossë, it does not prove difficult to find him. The trouble is, Maglor does not want to come.
Written for Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 Prompt #89: Guided by the Lonely Star by Maglor My Beloved, whose artwork can be found here.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Círdan, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 12, 540 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Diamonds & Silver by StarSpray
Princess Findis was resplendent, luminous in a silver gown shimmering with diamonds and pearls, and with diamonds in her long golden hair, so that she seemed to be a living embodiment of the Mingling Trees—an effect only made stronger by the bright emerald of her eyes. No matter where Elemmírë looked over the course of the night she saw the princess, and more than once she found the princess looking back.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Findis |
| Major Relationships: Elemmírë/Findis |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 694 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Growing Wild by Isilme_among_the_stars
A collection of works exploring Elrond and Elros growing up in the care of Maglor and Maedhros in Ossiriand.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Of Daub and Displacement by Isilme_among_the_stars
Spurred on by the tribulations of endless rain and a leaky tent, Maglor and Maedhros find a house for Elrond, Elros and themselves to live in. However, moving is complicated by the emergence of memories of home, and a scare from Elros.
Written for the SWG's New Year's Resolution Amnesty and March Challenge: Birthday Bash for the prompt word 'displaced' and the poem:
Yesterday I lost a country.
I was in a hurry,
and didn't notice when it fell from me
like a broken branch from a forgetful tree.
I Was in a Hurry by Dunya Mikhail, translated by Elizabeth Winslow
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Birthday Bash, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 721 |
| 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) |
The Court of Ardor by AliceNWonder000137
After his release from the Halls of Mandos, Melkor seduces many of the Noldor with honeyed words and accusations against the Valar. The Two Trees are ruined and the Sun and Moon arise. One of these elves, Ardana the Astrologer, leads her people to return the skies to their original form, nothing but stars. But she must destroy the Sun and Moon to accomplish that from her holds in the south of Middle Earth.
This is a non-canon story that is inspired by an MERP RPG series that was a gift from my aunt. Most of the characters and settings were from the series and some quotes and songs are taken from Tolkien's writing. It also ties in with the Wars in Beleriand and two my other two stories, The Dark Mage of Rhudaur and The Thieves of Tharbad. The story is designed to span three ages.
| Major Characters: Orodreth, Fingon, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, In-Universe Classism, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 51 | Word Count: 218, 226 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The One With All The Birds by alabasterapricot
Would it never end? Would there always be one more mother standing on the shore, looking out to sea, full of a grief made more terrible by hope?
Elwing and Nerdanel in Valinor in the Fourth Age; a story about children coming home.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Elrond, Sons of Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elwing, Elwing & Sons of Fëanor |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Suicide |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Kids These Days by Babblecat
Ungoliant's brood cause her annoyance as they grow up and turn into normies.
| Major Characters: Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: Shelob & Ungoliant |
| Genres: Crackfic, Humor | Challenges: Kids These Days, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 2, 305 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Spider Type by Babblecat
Eru banishes Melkor outside the world...very far outside the world.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: Melkor & Ungoliant |
| Genres: Crossover, Humor | crossed with Pokemon | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 422 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Amon Rûdh by Flora-lass
A rather emotional Beleg-comes-back-to-Túrin acrostic.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Beleg/Túrin |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance | Challenges: Musicals, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 65 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Animal Farm by Babblecat
Like Germany at one point or another, Melkor turns over a new leaf (for real, no jokes) and gets himself a tradwife.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: Melkor & Ungoliant |
| Genres: Crackfic, Humor | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 567 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bloom by Elrond's Library
Idril begins her courtship of Tuor with food.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Great Beleriand Bake-Off, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 611 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Escape by hennethgalad
Tuor meets the messengers of Círdan and passes through the mountains to the sea. At Vinyamar he comes face to face with Ulmo.
| Major Characters: Gelmir (Dorthonion), Tuor, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 257 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Of Ships and Sealing Wax by Grundy
Finarfin in a thoughtful moment on the way to the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: | Challenges: Musicals, New Year's Resolution, Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 970 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
to grow out of ashy soil by softmoonlightmelody
Indis, removing herself to a smaller household and resolving to raise her daughter Faniel alone, is suddenly besieged by someone she never expected: Míriel Þerindë, her husband's wife.
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Indis & Míriel |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 223 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
