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] 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…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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.
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
B2MeM 2011
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. 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
Celebrimbor: 30-Day Character Study by cloudyhymns
Notes and writings on Celebrimbor, following the 30-Day Character Study challenge prompts.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 30 | Word Count: 18, 091 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
Interview with Acha Rezak (Quente) by Shadow by Acha Rezak (Quente), daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke to Acha Rezak about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, which reads Tolkien less as a Catholic Christian work and more as a world inclusive of many religions, especially in its focus on nature and landscapes
That Bard from Doriath by Flora-lass
Maglor, Fingon and Finrod go for a picnic, and Maglor is in a bad mood. Written for the Dark Matter challenge prompt: 'the letter E'.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: Dark Matter |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 269 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
The Warrior and the Stone by 0ur_Ouroboros
“They left everything behind? All of their families?” Elrond asks.
“Yes.”
“All for a magic stone?” he asks.
“Yes. A very special, very magical stone,” Maglor says, unsure why he should have to justify his deeds to a child.
~~~
Maglor tells Elrond and Elros a story. Maedhros listens.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 010 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
What lips my lips have kissed, and why by AdmirableMonster
The king's natural philosophers are an elite group of men of science in Armenelos. When one of them is discovered to be (apparently) a woman in disguise, he is expelled from their ranks. Unfortunately, his youth and beauty draw the interest of the king, and there is no one with the power to protect him, not even the High Priest himself, although to the philosopher's surprise, Tar-Mairon tries...
A possible origin story for the Mouth of Sauron.
| Major Characters: Mouth of Sauron, Original Male Character(s), Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn |
| Major Relationships: Sauron/Original Character, Ar-Pharazon/Sauron, Mouth of Sauron/Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Domestic and Partner Violence, Expletive Language, In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 6, 705 |
| 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) |
Menneen Talven Lumia "Snows of Winter Past" by Anérea
After the Dagor Bragollach, Hiril contemplates past and future, despair and acceptance: an illustrated drabble and a half.
| Major Characters: Hiril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Hidden Figures, Idiomatic, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 164 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Light in Gloom, or An Unexpected Find by Anérea
A teeny tiny illustrated poem about Beleg unexpectedly finding Gwindor with his blue lamp in Taur-na-Fuin, Forest of (Gloomy) Night.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Decorative, Word Art |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Funky 70s, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (7) |
Many Journeys by Elleth
A gathering place for ficlets of varying length written in response to prompts, prods and as gift ficlets.
New (added February 15/16, 2025): Instadrabbling fics from various SWG server sessions in early 2025 (marked in the respective chapter notes) as well as a few spontaneous drabbles.
| Major Characters: Aerin, Amarië, Amras, Amrod, Anairë, Aredhel, Arien, Aulë, Belen, Brodda, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Daeron, Dwarves, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elemmírë, Elenwë, Elwing, Erendis, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Finduilas, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Gwindor, Haleth, Idril, Indis, Lalwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maedhros, Maglor, Mahtan, Mandos, Meleth (Elf), Melian, Meril, Míriel Serindë, Mithrellas, Morwen, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nienna, Nienor, Nimloth, Nimrodel, Númenóreans, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Rían, Sons of Fëanor, Tar-Míriel, Thuringwethil, Uinen, Vairë, Valar, Varda, Yavanna, Manwë, Andreth, Vána |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover, Drama, Erotica, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Het, Horror, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash, Tolkien Femslash Week Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 120 | Word Count: 31, 639 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (72) |
Bring All of You Inside Me by Elleth
Alphangil lives in Eglarest following the Dagor Bragollach, while Fingon remains in Hithlum. During a visit by Maedhros they find a way to bridge the distance.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Erotica, Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 397 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Elf Queens and Hammocks by Elleth
Alphangil surprises her wife Fingwen and their lover Maedhris in the gardens of Barad Eithel. Fluff and smut ensue.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Erotica, Femslash, Fluff, Humor, Poly, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 008 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Butterflies and Flutes by Flora-lass
A short tale exploring young Thranduil's arrival in Greenwood the Great, and how he came to consider it home.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 807 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
{podfic} Lúthad "Enchantment" by Anérea
Melian and Thingol stand enchanted for two hundred years. Why could no one find them in all that time? And what did they see in each other to keep them entranced for so long?
| Major Characters: Melian, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: Jubilee, Kings & Queens, Love Actually |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Lúthad "Enchantment" {story + podfic + illustration} by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they silently stared at each other for two hundred years. What actually happened between them during that time? And why could no one find them?
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Romance, Podfic | Challenges: Arda on Ice, Jubilee, Kings & Queens, Love Actually |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Lúthad "Enchantment" by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they stood enchanted, staring at each other for two hundred years. Why could no one find them in all those years? And what actually happened between them during that time?
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 447 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Methed e-Lúthad "Enchantment's End" by Anérea
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (19) |
{podfic} Entwined by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains—west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four 100-word drabbles
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Gorthaur by elennalore
Artwork created for Mairon 30-Day Character Study
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Dreams Fade at Dawn by Zdenka
Annatar sets off on a journey, challenging Celebrimbor to create something in his absence. Later, Celebrimbor uses the Ring of Air for the first time.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Sauron |
| Genres: Experimental, General | Challenges: Competition, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 624 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mirrormere by Flora-lass
O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Jubilee, Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 74 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Burning in the Darkness by Artano
Series of snippets focusing on Finrod and written for the Restoration & Rebuilding and Jubilee challenges
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren & Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 181 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Chronology of Arda's Light-forms by Anérea
An illustrated infographic timeline of the various sources of illumination of Arda from its creation to the sun.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Graphic/Banner/Icon |
| Genres: | Challenges: Jubilee, Secret Gate, Tolkien Meta Week |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (7) |
The Songs of the Stars by Flora-lass
A meeting between a visually impaired singer and a flute-playing future king.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: Jubilee, Orctober |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 436 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With a Shiver, Without a Word by IdleLeaves
Maedhros closes the shutters, one by one. "You're late," he says, voice low but not unkind.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 784 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gnome Tome Linguistics Meme by Artano
A meme created for the prompt: ''It is false to make Dwarves [?uncreative] or poor linguists.'' for the Gnome Tome and Jubilee challenges
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Comic/Cartoon |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Gnome Tome, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
The Songs: A Story of East Beleriand by Himring
In the early days of the Noldorin settlement in East Beleriand, an ominous arrival disturbs the peace of mind of Maedhros and his people.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Maedhros, Noldor, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Breaking Boundaries |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 7, 512 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
