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
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
The darkness was fitting by Aprilertuile
Netyalindë was walking home slowly, after the Valar announced the horror that had taken place in Alqualondë, promising it would be the last time such a deed is seen in their lands.
Her eyes had gotten used to the darkness around her she thought. Or perhaps it was that she knew those streets like the back of her hand-stitched pocket that currently held in secret the brooch that Fëanáro had made for her for her wedding to his second-born son.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Maglor/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Hidden Figures, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 839 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sing before you can speak by Aprilertuile
Maitimo held his baby brother in his arms, and was surprised when the baby started to emit a melodious sound.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Gnome Tome, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 400 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Warm air but chilly water by Aprilertuile
Telperion’s light was bathing Oromë’s Wood in a quiet and eerie atmosphere that Tyelkormo loved. He alone among the elves was awake at this time of the night...
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Tilion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Jubilee, Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 275 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
In the deep dark forest by daughterofshadows
Escape attempt from Nan Elmoth
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Bestiary of Arda, Jubilee, Vintage |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 178 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Sign of Hope by chrissystriped
Barahir and his men find hope where they did not expect it.
| Major Characters: Barahir (First Age), Beren |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 156 |
| 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) |
It's about pride by Aprilertuile
The text below is born of a conversation I had with a friend irl, in which she said she'd love to have an epic love story the like of Beren and Luthien (We're both fans of Tolkien so...)
Only the way I read it, the story of Beren and Luthien is not about love, but about pride: It's an epic lesson on the subject of pride and greed.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Jubilee, Tolkien Meta Week |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 250 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Tomber dans les pommes by daughterofshadows
Celebrimbor fainted. Narvi worries about her friend.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Narvi |
| Genres: | Challenges: Idiomatic, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 187 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A bit of mischief by daughterofshadows
Elrond and Celebrían sneak out one evening. Set pre-relationship in Lindon.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Celebrían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 666 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Comparisons by Himring
Finduilas of Dol Amroth is not like Finduilas of Nargothrond at all, is she?
Or so she used to think.
| Major Characters: Finduilas of Dol Amroth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| 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) |
Valier & colours by daughterofshadows
Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern |
| Genres: | Challenges: Bollywood, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (18) |
Jubilee by polutropos
Ficlets for the Jubilee Challenge instadrabbling.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Caranthir, Maglor, Elros, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finwë & Thingol, Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Taboo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 565 |
| 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 (11) |
Unchangeable by Artano
After re-embodiment, Finrod struggles to adjust to Valinor and pick up the threads of his old life
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Amarië |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 244 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The King's Gift by françawën
The hands of the King are the hands of the Healer, it's said. The King's Gift though is far larger than that.
| Major Characters: Aragorn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 3, 862 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eau de Olórin by pandemonium_213
Olórin spies on the Doomsman of the Valar and the Master of Dreams, hoping to catch them in flagrante delicto. What he sees is terrifying yet oh, so compelling.
MEFA 2009: Honorable Mention - Humor: General
Update! Chibis by whitewave added! Please see her Gallery of Chibis on Photobucket. Many thanks, whitewave.
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Lórien, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 651 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (23) |
May you live in interesting times by 0ur_Ouroboros
There is no escaping guilt.
Or,
Maedhros finds another orphan in the woods.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Elrond, Original Male Character(s), Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maedhros, Maedhros & Original Character |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 2, 504 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Beyond your hope I will return to you, always by Himring
Beren has tried to leave Luthien behind and continue the quest alone. Together with Huan, Luthien tracks him down.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 105 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Bedtime Stories by Anérea
Just a few of my favourite podfics that I've found soothing for bedtime (or middle of the night, or any time really) listening.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi, Belladonna Took Baggins, Gandalf, Bungo Baggins, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Eärendil, Olwë, Númenóreans, Dúnedain, Elrond, Celebrían, Maglor, Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, Mandos, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Narvi, Aulë, Ilmarë, Thuringwethil, Fox, River-woman |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi, Celebrían/Elrond, Ilmarë/Thuringwethil, Daeron/Maglor, Eärendil/Elwing, Caranthir/Original Character |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection, Recommendation List | Challenges: In Rare Form, Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Freedom, Escape by StarSpray
“Elrond!” Elros screamed, and Elrond had time to see him being held back by Bregolon before everything went topsy-turvy, and the underbrush closed around him, branches and leaves slapping at his face. His head bounced against hard metal, and through the confusion he realized—too slowly—that it had not been one of their party who had grabbed him, but one of the orcs.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maedhros |
| Genres: Adventure, General, Hurt/Comfort, Suspense | Challenges: Idiomatic, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 929 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Atanatari: Of the Three Houses of the Edain by Himring
A collection for stories about the Edain.
Recently added: The chair (Sador Labadal)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Aerin, Beldis, Beleg, Brandir, Dírhavel, Finduilas, Galdor (Edain), Glóredhel, Haleth, Handir, Hareth, Hathaldir, Hunleth, Hunthor, Huor, Húrin, Imrahil, Lalaith, Men, Morwen, Rían, Sador Labadal, Tuor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2015, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 7, 348 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
| Major Characters: Orcs, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Orctober |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Vidumavi of the Northmen by Secondborn
A seemingly minor character, Vidumavi's story illustrates the themes of fellowship, the fading of faerie, and the dangers of racial hierarchy.
Brandir by Himring
Brandir was the leader of the Haladin when he became ensnared in the downfall of Túrin.
| Major Characters: Nienor, Nellas, Finduilas, Morwen, Aerin, Rían, Tar-Ancalimë, Uinen, Míriel Serindë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Jubilee, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 569 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Delicacies by sallysavestheday
Drabble and micro-fic responses to 2024 Potluck Bingo prompts.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 812 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
And Leave of Gold There Grew by StarSpray
Galadriel and the mallorn trees: three drabbles
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 307 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
