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
Orctober
A mysterious map points to locations used by escaped Orcs who seek to live in freedom. For this month's challenge, use elements from that map and those quests to create your fanwork, with a bonus puzzle to solve for those who dare attempt the ultimate escape. 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
Solstice Shenanigans by Artano
Maglor prepares for the Winter Solstice celebration, but Elrond and Elros disagree with his choice of clothing.
Or: in which the Noldor invented waistcoats
| Major Characters: Maglor, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros, Elrond & Elros & Maglor, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Crackfic, Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 971 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Last Word by Alassante
Boys will be boys and the middle Feanorian brothers take it a step too far.
2nd place winner of ALEC's (A Long Awaited Contest) September challenge - 'Don't Tell Me, I Don't Want To Know'
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 514 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A pink flamingo by wisteria53
A drawing of a pink flamingo surrounded by yellow flowers.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| 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 (1) |
Still time by wisteria53
“We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.” – Henry IV Part II, William Shakespeare
Erestor really dislikes being late, and Glorfindel had agreed they would enter the Hall of Fire together. So why is his golden lover behind a curtain instead of by his side?
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Erestor |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Glorfindel |
| Genres: Fluff, General, Humor, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 491 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Telperion by wisteria53
A quote from the Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 1 for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (artwork number 45 for TRSB 2024).
| Major Characters: Telperion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Sun flowering by wisteria53
A quote from the Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 13 for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (artwork number 19 for TRSB 2024).
| Major Characters: Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Calligraphy, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
In Defense of Celebrimbor by AdmirableMonster
An essay on the subject of Celebrimbor, sin, and pity.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 854 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The Prisoner and the Hobbit by pandemonium_213, Dreamflower
A prisoner in the Halls of Mandos, although grateful to be alive, nonetheless finds his days to be monotonous, that is, until a most unusual person, and one whose life was affected greatly by the prisoner's masterwork, accepts an offer to begin a correspondence.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 62, 072 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (42) |
Promises by Erdariel
The night before the Last Alliance leaves Rivendell, Elendil has a conversation with Isildur's wife and leaves something in her keeping
| Major Characters: Elendil, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Elendil & Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 112 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Despair and Defiance by Zdenka
Celebrimbor comes to Galadriel with word of Annatar’s betrayal, and offers her a gift.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Galadriel |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 173 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Signs of Healing by AdmirableMonster
Pengolodh chances upon a young human girl who has been brought to Rivendell for healing. He soon discovers they have more in common than he expected.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Pengolodh & Original Character |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 488 |
| 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) |
Through the Long Night by IdleLeaves
Maedhros comes to Barad Eithel after the Dagor Bragollach and the fall of Fingolfin.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 996 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Shadow's Instadrabbles by daughterofshadows
The home of my insta-drabbling pieces!
(and the odd drabble of undetermined origin)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amarië, Anairë, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, Celeborn, Celebrían, Eärwen, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Finarfin, Gil-galad, Mahtan, Melian, Nerdanel, Thranduil, Rog, Eärendil, Celebrimbor, Ilmarë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Holiday Party, It Comes in Threes, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics, Orctober, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding, Strength and Beauty, Taboo, Teen Spirit, Vintage, Zingers |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 41 | Word Count: 4, 145 |
| 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 (21) |
Wise Hearts by Anérea
An evolving series exploring the life and times of the two wise-women of the Edain in Beleriand, Adanel and Andreth.
| Major Characters: Adanel, Aegnor, Andreth, Finrod Felagund, Zimrahin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Of Circles and Cycles by Anérea
A thoughtful young girl of about eight, Andreth comes to live with Adanel and begins learning her lore...
(part of a W in very slow P series)
| Major Characters: Andreth, Adanel |
| Major Relationships: Adanel & Andreth |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 308 |
| 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 (0) |
A Day's Journey through Minas Tirith by Himring
Ioreth has to endure some of the physical drawbacks of advanced age, but there are also people who accord her the kindness and respect she deserves. (Now with extra drabble.)
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Ioreth, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee, Middle-earth Is Multitudes, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 013 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Matters under Maiarin Investigation by Himring
Shortly after Thingol emerged from Nan Elmoth with Melian to rejoin the Sindar: Celeborn would very much prefer not to be asked some questions by Melian.
| Major Characters: Melian, Celeborn |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol, Celeborn & Melian |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee, Taboo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
An Urgent Matter by Ecthelion
Every morning, I leave you; every evening, you bring me back. An endless game—until the day it is not.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Eöl |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 245 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Jubilee Instadrabbling 2025 by Lindariel
Eight perfect drabbles (and one bonus accidentally AU one) from the SWG Discord instadrabbling session in January 2025.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Revolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 941 |
| 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) |
Moods of Tarn Aeluin by Anérea
Two moodboards depicting Tarn Aeluin
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Landscape, Moodboard/Collage, Photography |
| Genres: | Challenges: Dip the Ladle, Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
Even the Wisest Cannot Tell by Anérea
Galadriel sees something that yet may be.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Great Journey by Anérea
An instadrawble painting
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawble/Finished Sketch, Drawing/Painting, Landscape |
| Genres: | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Ages of Farewells by Anérea
Cirdan watches as Elrond, Galadriel and company sail into the West
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Block Party, Bollywood, Jubilee |
| 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 (2) |
Comforting Food by chrissystriped
Angrod has to comfort his son.
| Major Characters: Angrod, Orodreth, Aegnor |
| Major Relationships: Angrod & Orodreth |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Block Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 189 |
| 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) |
A Bright Winter's Night by chrissystriped
Estel enjoys the view of the starry winter sky
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 186 |
| 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) |
