Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] House of Finwë by softmoonlightmelody
One drabble per Finwëan. Currently finished, ending with Eärendil but excluding Elwing, Elrond, and Elros.
[Artwork] Shadow's Scribbles 2026 by daughterofshadows
This is the collection of my art submissions for Scribbles & Drabbles 2026, featuring four art works.
[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] In Those Days by Dagstjarna
Young Nerdanel and Fëanor’s friendship blossoms.
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
An elven prince stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother of Galadriel, Aegnor is as beautiful as he is deadly. A fierce warrior with a reputation to match, who commands the respect of all the Noldorin princes and all who look upon him. However, beneath his iron shell, lies a…
[Writing] The Heart Finds its Morning by StarSpray
Then the door opened. Celebrimbor sat up—and blinked. Whoever he had expected, it was not his cousin Finduilas, who closed the door gently behind her and turned to him with a smile. “Hello, Cousin. Am I intruding?”
“No, of course not.” Celebrimbor rose to take her hand. “I’m always glad…
[Writing] A falling star by Novenoe
Eärendil and Elwing have some trouble with a shooting star in the sky
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
Dip the Ladle
Tolkien had many tales, places, and artists who inspired his work. For this challenge, prompts invite creating a fanwork using one of Tolkien's influences. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and…
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
The Land Was Fair by polutropos
Frustrated by Maedhros' failure to answer entreaties to join in an assault upon Angband, Fingolfin comes to Himring himself. Negotiations start poorly, but Maglor is quick to propose a solution: a riding trip through the blooming plains of Ard-galen.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Maglor, Fingolfin/Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, General, Poly, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 443 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
My Son by polutropos
After his exile to Formenos, Feanor locks himself in the vault with the Silmarils. Makalaure goes to him.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 896 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Unmarred by polutropos
Maglor falls in love. Maedhros lets him.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Daeron, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 593 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
for love of the wide world by Perching
Gildor is visiting the Grey Havens when Glorfindel arrives on a ship out of the West. They talk about choosing Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Gildor & Glorfindel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 167 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The kind of love I've been dreaming of by chrissystriped
Maeglin slips away after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad to find the sons of Fëanor and maybe a happier life away from Gondolin. When he stumbles into Celegorm their first meeting, it is entirely different from what he expected.
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Maeglin |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 818 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Walked the Long Way by Himring
Maglor sings the blues.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Swinging 40s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
And Love Grew by polutropos
As a host of survivors makes the journey from Sirion to Amon Ereb under Maglor's leadership, old bonds unravel and loyalties crumble. But from the scraps and ruins, new and unlikely bonds take shape. A story of perseverance through suffering.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Original Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 59, 981 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Twilight, Child Of by sesamenom
Three different characters, all named as children of twilight, their pasts, and their presents.
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Aragorn/Arwen |
| 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 (4) |
His Young Son Ereinion by Perching
After a drunken night at Minas Tirith, Fingon and Orodreth wake up married with a baby on the way.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Orodreth |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 910 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cosset by Perching
Maedhros will always take care of Maglor. Maglor learns this, and he uses it.
For Maedhros & Maglor Week Day 7: Partners (Intimacy and Entanglement).
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 060 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Offering by Perching
The Lord of the Eagles would not take them anywhere near where men lived. "They would shoot at us with their great bows of yew," he said, "for they would think we were after their sheep. And at other times they would be right..."
~ The Hobbit, Chapter VI
An Eagle of Manwë is stealing people's sheep. Fingon investigates.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Lightborn by AdmirableMonster
Happened to come across this record while helping Círdan clear out his basement. Yes, I know I’m supposed to be taking a break. I find organization relaxing. Anyway, I’m sending it your way because I know what you’re like about any kind of Númenorean historical records, and this is an interesting one. Seems to be a first-person testimony, originally in Adunaic and translated into Westron, then later transcribed, with some notes from a Mannish historian post-Fall. Be warned: it isn’t light reading.
I’ll be returning in a week or two. Try not to let the library become impossibly disorganized in my absence.
—Erestor
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character, Celebrimbor & Sauron |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 015 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The First Age 503 Football Finals by myrtaceaae
F.A. 503 Aussie Rules Football finals season. Doriath is on the top of the ladder, but will they be victorious against the other strong contenders?
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 10, 642 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lover of Trees by Zdenka
Rían sitting on the arm of her Entwife girlfriend.
| Major Characters: Rían, Entwives |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Femslash, Romance | Challenges: Birthday Bash |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
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 (2) |
“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 (13) |
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) |
