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
Great Beleriand Bake-Off
Ready? Set? Bake! Our two-month daily prompt calendar includes sweet- and savory-themed prompts as well as weekly comment challenges. 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
More Light by Grundy
Erestor learns about a new holiday, and thinks on an early memory.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 127 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Tolkien, His Gnarly Canon, and His Authority by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data from 2015 and 2020 shows that Tolkien fans have diverse views on Tolkien's authority but suggests that adherence to his authority is decreasing over time.
Triptych, II by Grundy
Three vignettes, three times Luthien thinks about Treelight and Silmarils.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Celegorm, Dior |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: It Comes in Threes, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 459 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Unhappy Into Woe by StarSpray
Maglor's wanderings take him up the Anduin, where orcs find him and take him to Dol Guldur--where the Necromancer dwells.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Jubilee, Orctober |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 11, 089 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
Nienor and the Golden Fish by Anérea
An illustration for a very loose crossover concept with Nienor and the magic golden fish from the Chinese fairytale of Ye Xian, a Cindarella tale predating the European version by over 1000 years.
| Major Characters: Nienor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Fairytale | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
It is not a word by AdmirableMonster
In the wake of the fall of Eregion in the Second Age, the loremaster Pengolodh comes to the newly-founded refuge of Rivendell. Although Elrond has never seen eye to eye with the reserved loremaster, can they work through the pain of their pasts and come to a common understanding?
| Major Characters: Elrond, Pengolodh, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Pengolodh, Glorfindel & Pengolodh |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Jubilee, Words of Wit and Wisdom |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 890 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Finding Peace by StarSpray
“You seemed so unhappy when you arrived yesterday, but today you are so much more relaxed. Did you quarrel with Nolofinwë? Or with Fëanáro?”
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 312 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Insight by polutropos
While practicing their jumps, Angaráto confesses to being distracted after a rather embarrassing quarrel in the marketplace. Artanis listens and offers her insight.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Angrod |
| Major Relationships: Angrod & Galadriel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 939 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Silmarillion: Who Speaks? by Dawn Felagund
On ongoing project to analyze who speaks in The Silmarillion and who is silent.
| Major Characters: Túrin, Fëanor, Melian, Elu Thingol, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 3, 266 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
So You Want to Present at a Tolkien Conference? Writing the Proposal by SWG Newsletter Staff
Video and materials from our session on how to write a proposal for a Tolkien conference. The session covers how conferences work, the different types of sessions, and how to structure and write a proposal.
Children's Game by Elleth
First tidings of the ruin of the Union of Maedhros come to Eglarest. Written for B2MeM 2014.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2014 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 640 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Mîm: 30-Day Character Study - Artwork by Artano
Artwork created for prompts for the 30-Day Character Study Challenge.
| Major Characters: Mîm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawble/Finished Sketch, Drawing/Painting, Landscape, Word Art |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Healing and The Blessing by Ecthelion
A Tale of Two Elessars: Fëanor's and Enerdhil's, and the story of how they became intertwined.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Enerdhil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 349 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Those Merry Young Folk by Flora-lass
A cheerful song for the new year season.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 138 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Writing Celebrían by Zara BalrogBalls
Writing — mostly ficlets, meta, creative non-fiction and maybe a little bit of art, for the 30 day character study challenge on Celebrían my beloved! These are going to be out-of-order, but each chapter will make it clear which day it applies to.
| Major Characters: Celebrían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 635 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Spirit of the Mountain by Elrond's Library
The mountain has always been a place of growth and safety and memory. It will stand in the face of war and water, fated to last until the end of Arda. The spirit of Himring will watch, and remember.
Or - the history of Arda through the eyes of Himring personified.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 2, 220 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The story of Njal who was burned by clotho123
Nellas, long after the fall of Doriath, is again a witness to tragedy
This is a very geeky crossover between The Silmarillion and Njal’s Saga, the longest and arguably best of the early medieval Icelandic Sagas which Tolkien knew very well.
| Major Characters: Nellas, Historical Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Drama | crossed with Icelandic Sagas | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 701 |
| 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) |
We Were as in a Dream by Zdenka
Lalwen has known the bliss of Valinor unmarred, but this is sweeter.
| Major Characters: Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Lalwen/Elemmírë |
| Genres: Femslash, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 106 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Women of Beleriand by clotho123
Stories written to explore women of the First Age, whose histories I wanted to explore further. Otherwise unconnected.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| 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) |
Hurting Tyelpë by elennalore
Sauron has taken Celebrimbor as a prisoner in Ost-in-Edhil. Whump happens.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 187 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Forest of Brethil by Anérea
Created for the Storied Places bingo board
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Landscape |
| Genres: | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (13) |
Crossroads by Gwanath Dagnir
Of Elros and Elrond growing up in the First Age during the War of Wrath.
Chapter 1: circa 562 F.A. - the long winning streak of Finarfin's renowned Liberators comes to an end when an orc raid does not go according to plan, and the twins must accept a new path
Chapter 2: circa 546 F.A. - winds of change reach the Feanorians' remote encampment in Ossiriand, and an unexpected messenger brings news from Valinor
Chapter 3: circa 567 F.A. - years have passed since the Peredhil assumed their new role, when an unexpected detour brings them closer to familiar territory
Chapter 4: circa 547, F.A. - Finarfin has an ultimatum if the Feanorians wish to retain a place in his host during the Great War to come
| Major Characters: Elros, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 12, 713 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Silhouettes of Doom by Ecthelion
Completed.
"At least we have learned that the sons of Fëanor can die too." Nine POVs, one matter - a story about the kinslaying in Doriath.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Maedhros, Dior, Caranthir, Amrod, Celegorm, Amras, Nimloth, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 13, 263 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Back In The Valley by Grundy
Elrond trying to get a quiet morning in before his guests are up, about, and causing chaos. (Daughters of Celebrian 'verse.)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Other Fictional Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 355 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A True Lord of Gifts by Flora-lass
A remorseful Annatar wishes to live up to his name.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
