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
You Can't Go Home Again
What would happen if one of Tolkien's characters returned to a beloved home after a long absence? 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
And his heart bade him haste by ethanray
Eärendil thinks about his family while sailing home
For April 2026 Instadrabbling
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| 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) |
Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
| Major Characters: Hobbits |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. Beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a devastating trauma and a well of deeply guarded secrets. His demons, kept at bay by his unyielding intensity that is both his greatest gift and his biggest curse.
Little does our Noldorin prince know that a chance encounter with a terrified young girl of men will set him on a collision course, igniting an extraordinary bond wrought with challenges, sacrifices, and intense love that threatens to unravel his guarded heart, and all he keeps within it.
Brace yourself for Part I of this captivating tale, where the primal power of love and devestating loss will tear lives apart forever.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Angrod |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 13 | Word Count: 60, 137 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Echo the Mountain by Elrond's Library
Argon falls, and Turgon screams.
| Major Characters: Turgon, Argon |
| Major Relationships: Argon & Turgon |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Code Red by Scribe of Mirrormere
Aredhel runs into trouble after leaving Gondolin. Luckily, she is prepared. The Walking Dead fusion/zombie AU.
| Major Characters: Amras, Aredhel, Curufin, Dwarves, Egalmoth, Eöl, Galadriel, Idril, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Maglor, Meleth (Elf), Nellas, Original Character(s), Rog, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover, Horror, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 31, 659 |
| 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) |
Gli ultimi momenti di Fingon by sh3rry95
Gli ultimi pensieri di Fingon
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 190 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The last moments of Fingon by sh3rry95
Fingon last thoughts...
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 180 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Soltanto Vento by sh3rry95
Dopo la Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Maedhros rimane solo a Himring, circondato dal silenzio e dai ricordi.<br />
Tra presente e passato, ripercorre ciò che Fingon è stato per lui — e ciò che non potrà più essere.
Ha partecipato all'EAC nel gruppo Hurt/Comfort Italia
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 833 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On the Edges by Elrond's Library
The overlooked son, Carnistir was, with such strong personalities among his kin.
| Major Characters: Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 310 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Other Fictional Character(s), Aredhel, Galadriel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Maeglin/Other Fictional Character |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: But I Won't Do That, Gates of Summer, Jumble Sale, Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song, Laws and Customs, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 44 | Word Count: 137, 593 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
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: 6 | Word Count: 849 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Something More Than Flesh and Bone by Isilme_among_the_stars
In the interludes between Eärendil's voyages, he is wholly Elwing's and she is wholly his. They share a languid afternoon together.
Written for the Famous Last Words Challenge Prompt: I'm gonna take it with me when I go - Take It With Me, Tom Waits
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Erotica, Fluff, Het | Challenges: Famous Last Words |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 292 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Riflessioni by sh3rry95
Riflessioni
- Helcaraxë
- Cuiviénen
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 697 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 557 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously thought on the matter who the Ainur are, who Eru is, how he matches our own religious pantheon, and this has been conducted after serious research of many esoteric teachings of our own planet's heritage.
| Major Characters: Ainur, Eru Ilúvatar, Melkor, Sauron, Manwë, Varda, Yavanna, Aulë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 21 | Word Count: 5, 902 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
no vela, no orion by arafinweanappreciation
“Can I ask you a question?” Her voice was jarringly loud.
“Of course,” Nóm replied. He didn’t look worried. He thought this was one of her philosophical quandaries. Well, it was one in a roundabout kind of– never mind that, she was probably about to ruin his morning. Both of their mornings.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 464 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Melkor's Bad Day by Deborah Judge
All Melkor wants to do is turn everyone against each other. Why is it so hard?
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 032 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into Grief and Beyond It by StarSpray
“Then,” Frodo said, “if I were able to, I should be thanking him. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those Rings. And—well, Sam said once recently that we’re really all just part of the same story as the one about you and your brothers, and Beren and Lúthien, and Eärendil, and all the rest. I’ve got this star-glass that Lady Galadriel made for me, and it’s got the light of Eärendil’s star in it, which is the light of the Silmaril that your father made, isn’t it? And Sam and I never would have made it without this glass—so I’ve got Lady Galadriel and Eärendil and Fëanor to thank too."
Frodo speaks with Maglor in Minas Tirith.
Some years later, in Valinor, he meets Celebrimbor.
| Major Characters: Frodo, Maglor, Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Frodo Baggins & Maglor, Celebrimbor & Frodo Baggins |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 070 |
| 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) |
Stone by Anne Wolfe
A poem of a stone from the ruins of Hollin. Inspired by the prompt "The Hills Are Old".
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Way That She Died - Afterlife by Jonathan Gee, AdmirableMonster
An illustration of what happens not long after the final scene of AdmirableMonster's The Way That She Died
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
The Way That She Died - End of Life by Jonathan Gee, AdmirableMonster
The opening scene from AdmirableMonster's story The Way That She Died, illustrated
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Though All Things Fail and Come to Naught by Artano
In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, an elf searches for survivors amongst the ruins of a town. The horrors he sees make him struggle to find hope in an ever-darkening world.
| Major Characters: Elves, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 423 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Constellation Called Gondolin by sh3rry95
Eärendil does not remember Gondolin. As he grows up, he tries to reconstruct it through the stories of those who once lived there; yet every memory is different, shaped by the grief of those who lost it. Thus the city becomes a constellation of versions that can never truly be held together.
Written for the Title Track challenge with the prompt “Fall of Gondolin.
This is a translation.
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 837 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Una costellazione chiamata Gondolin by sh3rry95
Eärendil non ricorda Gondolin. Crescendo cerca di ricostruirla attraverso i racconti di coloro che vi dimorarono; ma ogni memoria è diversa, segnata dal dolore di chi l’ha perduta. Così la città diventa una costellazione di versioni impossibili da tenere insieme.
Scritto per Title Track con prompt "Fall of Gondolin".
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Title Track |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 788 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
in the ranks of death you will find him by arafinweanappreciation
You have no idea there are two hearts within your chest until one of them stops beating.
| Major Characters: Turgon, Finrod Felagund, Anairë |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Turgon, Anarië & Finrod |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 786 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
