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
Book by Its Cover
Go ahead and judge a book by its cover! Prompts are vintage book covers. 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.
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
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) |
Cataclysm by chrissystriped
Melkor returns
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Bollywood, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 98 |
| 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) |
Happy Begetting Day by Ecthelion
The tale of how the sons of Fëanor were conceived and named, and how the daughters came into being in the other two houses.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel, Fingolfin, Anairë, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel, Anairë/Fingolfin, Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 912 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Obstinate Spirit Of A Dying House by Gabriel
After an attempt on the High King's life, Celebrimbor realizes his priorities.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Erestor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Erestor, Celebrimbor & Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Pride |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sprinkles of Snow by Tamatoa
Instadrabbling from the discord event in January 2025.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 14 | Word Count: 1, 687 |
| 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) |
Portraits of Elves by between_thepages
A collection of my portraits of various elves and the headcanons that lead to their depictions
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Character/Portrait, Clothing, Drawing/Painting | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Portrait of Indis by between_thepages
A portrait of Indis in her wedding dress
| Major Characters: Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: Jubilee, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Jubilee 2025 Instadrabbling by elennalore
Three 100 words drabbles I wrote during the Jubilee 2025 live instadrabbling event on the SWG discord server.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron, Elros, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron, Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee, Revolution |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 308 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
All Hues and Honeys by Dawn Felagund
This is my latest collection of pieces too small to stand alone, often written for events on the SWG Discord.
The Latest:
"Fly." Fingon's faith in his friendship with Maedhros leads him to the decision to rescue him.
"Salt." Uinen discovers the kinslaying.
"Sunship." Nerdanel places the final cog in the sunship as an act of resistance.
"No One Heard That." The histories withheld some details of Fëanor's muster of the Noldor.
"Cracked." Námo explains death to a young Fëanor.
"Sunship, Reprise." The sunship's launching, from the perspective of the other side of the sea.
"Shadows beyond a Campfire." The sons of Fëanor build a campfire after the Nirnaeth.
"The Neologist." Pengolodh on language and history at three points in Gondolin's history.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Curufin, Elrond, Elwing, Fëanor, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Orodreth, Pengolodh, Salmar, Thorondor, Uinen, Arien, Mandos, Avari, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fëanor/Nerdanel, Curufin/Original Character, Maglor & Salmar, Eärendil/Elwing, Arien & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Block Party, Holiday Party, It Comes in Threes, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics, Restoration and Rebuilding, Revolution, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 38 | Word Count: 6, 595 |
| 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 (67) |
Morning Mist and Silver Sun by StarSpray
A place to store drabbles and ficlets, mostly written for various prompts.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Arien, Arwen, Beren, Bilbo Baggins, Celeborn, Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Daeron, Dior, Eärendil, Eärwen, Elemmírë, Elrond, Elros, Elu Thingol, Eluréd, Elurín, Elwing, Findis, Frodo, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Goldberry, Idril, Lalwen, Lindir, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maglor, Melian, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nimloth, Samwise Gamgee, Tom Bombadil, Tuor, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Het, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, Block Party, Holiday Party, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 44 | Word Count: 15, 918 |
| 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 (19) |
Instadrabbles (delayed dribbles) by 0ur_Ouroboros
A selection of brief writings (mostly conforming to drabbles but some veer into dribble territory) from the SWG events on January 18-19, 2025.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor, Orcs, Elves, Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Celebrimbor, Sauron, Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor, Beren/Luthien, Celebrimbor/Sauron, Fëanor & Fingolfin |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee, Restoration and Rebuilding, Revolution, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 1, 233 |
| 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) |
Changeling by Zara BalrogBalls
An epistolary series of unsent letters from Celeborn to Celebrían after her departure, chronicling the construction of a memorial garden in Lothlorien.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Elrond, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn & Celebrian & Galadriel, Celebrían/Elrond, Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 472 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Jubilee Drabbles by Elrond's Library
Some drabbles from the 1/19/2025 instabrabbling event
| Major Characters: Eöl, Amrod, Maeglin, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 915 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Hot Chocolate by Artano
Short interaction between Maedhros and Caranthir, written during an instadrabbling session.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Revolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 120 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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January 2025 Instadrabbling writings: Olwë, Tuor, Illuvatar, Finrod, Dior, Gil-galad by Quente
Short fanworks for the following prompts:
• hurt, delusions, tandem, fly
• The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.
• Oh, this spacious sky/Is not poetry enough for our swelling lungs
• Smells like teen spirit generator: annoying siblings
• From a random page of On Fairy-Stories: beauties, terrors, sun, power
• Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy.
| Major Characters: Dior, Tuor, Eru Ilúvatar, Finrod Felagund, Olwë, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 1, 240 |
| 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 (3) |
At a distance by bunn
Cirdan watches and waits, while the world goes down into the dark.
| Major Characters: Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 214 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
That's how the light gets in : a double drabble. by bunn
In the halls of the Maker, the Children sleep, until a bell sounds.
| Major Characters: Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 208 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Competition by Artano
Finrod answers a tutor's question before Caranthir can
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir & Finrod |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Teen Spirit |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 110 |
| 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) |
Jubilant Potluck by Grundy
Drabbles written for Jubilee, fulfilling prompts from Potluck and other previous challenges.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Block Party, Bollywood, Holiday Party, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Pride, Restoration and Rebuilding, Revolution, Soundtrack, Strength and Beauty, Teen Spirit, Times of Bliss, Turgon's Rock Opera, Zingers |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 23 | Word Count: 2, 462 |
| 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 (1) |
Jedi Maglor & Singer Daeron by Independence1776
The adventure(s) of Jedi Maglor and Singer Daeron.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Daeron |
| Major Relationships: Daeron & Maglor |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | crossed with Star Wars | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Maglor and Daeron's Not-So-Excellent-But-Kind-Of-Fun Adventure by Independence1776
Maglor, a Jedi, gets roped into investigating the theft of the Silmarilli and some Sindarin treasures. His partner? The Singer Daeron.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Daeron |
| Major Relationships: Daeron & Maglor |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | crossed with Star Wars | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 194 |
| 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) |
