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
Ancestors
Create a fanwork in which a character's resemblance or connection to an ancestor plays a central role. 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
| Major Characters: Fingon, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 310 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Flower Song by StarSpray
As Lúcellë entered the courtyard, which was missing the fountain that had been there previously, instead sporting a much less attractive hole in the ground—clearly awaiting a new creation, whenever Fëanáro or Nerdanel managed to finish it—a young voice called out to her from above. “Aunt Lúcellë!” She looked up to find Macalaurë hanging out of a window, waving, with his dark hair falling over his shoulders and into his eyes.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Original Character |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 019 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Echo of Ancient Song by StarSpray
Maglor, music, and the Sea.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 402 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Resilience by Independence1776
A Jewish Maglor escapes with twins.
Two double drabbles, set several decades apart.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 419 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Through Shadow, to Morning by Idrils Scribe
What went on in Rivendell after Elrond rushed off on his mission to save Elrohir?
Celebrían and Elladan each have their own way of dealing with the fearful wait. Erestor does what he can to help.
This story takes place during the events of 'Northern Stars'.
A Christmas gift for my wonderful beta Grundy.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Celebrían, Erestor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían & Elladan, Elladan & Erestor, Celebrían & Erestor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 609 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Door of Night by wroniec
Art for Potluck Bingo. B1 -' gloomy hush of night' from the board by Himring
| Major Characters: Manwë, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Growing Wisdom by Anérea
Andreth's childhood in Estolad, and her relationship with Adanel.
| Major Characters: Adanel, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Adanel & Andreth |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Jubilee, X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 868 |
| 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 (2) |
Stream of Clashing Ice by Himring
Maglor and his companion almost drown in the River Lune.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 087 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
| Major Characters: Elwing, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Suicide, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 238 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tipping the Scales by Elleth
After Maedhros has yielded the crown of the Noldor to Fingolfin, he and Fingon must negotiate the new power dynamics between them. Written for the Porn Battle XIV: Fiery Fourteen. Prompts used: Scars, love, fierce, heartbeat, pride, anger, darkness, flame, defeat
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 424 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Once by Elleth
Haleth and Caranthir meet in the forest of Thargelion, both with a particular itch to scratch. The encounter goes quite different than expected, for one of them. Written for the Porn Battle XIV, for the prompts "angry, red, once".
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 956 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Overcoming by Elleth
Years after the Darkening, Anairë rides to Alqualondë to seek comfort with her friend Eärwen. Written for Porn Battle XIV, for the prompts 'friendship, loss, forgiveness'.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 983 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Broken Things by Elleth
Sauron was not always wholly evil, and after he was freed from Morgoth, he turned from the darkness for a while. But meeting a wandering minstrel proves too much for his newfound convictions, and leaves Maglor in grave danger. Written for Iavalir at My Slashy Valentine 2013.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 537 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Ab Initio by Elleth
After the Dagor Bragollach Curufin seeks refuge in Nargothrond, setting in motion events that do not always work in his favour.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 303 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Beechen Green and Shadows Numberless by Elleth
One night in Doriath, Melian seeks to teach Galadriel something of her magic.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: International Day of Femslash 2013 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 975 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
String of Pearls by Elleth
Anairë comes to Alqualondë to visit Eärwen, and things are not quite as they seem.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 395 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Carven Throne by Elleth
The court of Menegroth has moved into the forest for the summer, leaving the throne room empty - and just the right place for Lúthien and Galadriel's games.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kiss the ground / then turn from it by Elleth
After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, a figure from Maedhros' past comes face-to-face with him one last time.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Drama, Poly | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 876 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mercy, Love by Elleth
Maedhros' rescue from Thangorodrim left him deeply scarred. But how did it impact Fingon as his rescuer? A drabble sequence from Thangorodrim to the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Suicide |
| Chapters: 12 | Word Count: 1, 218 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Aredhel at Eithel Ivrin by Anérea
Painting of Aredhel at the Pools of Ivrin
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Merry Midwinter by Aprilertuile
Snippets of life of a midwinter in Fëanáro and Nerdanel's household in Valinor, during the Age of the Trees.
Prompts will be as follow, taken from the Midwinter Bingo card (board by AdmirableMonster) :
Family ; Carols and Singing ; Death and rebirth ; Candles ; Sledding
Promps taken from the Fluffy Bingo Card (board by DaughterofShadows):
Falling Asleep ; Hot Chocolate
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel, Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras |
| Major Relationships: Amras & Amrod & Caranthir & Celegorm & Curufin & Fëanor & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Potluck Bingo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 4, 131 |
| 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) |
A Winters Tale by Glorified
Elrond on a winters night
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 576 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Fics that Hooked Me: a rec list by Anérea
These are the first fanfics I ever read, and they are all truly fabulous and absolutely timeless and 100% recommended!
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Sauron, Celebrimbor, Aragorn, Legolas Greenleaf, Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor, Nerdanel, Galadriel, Celeborn, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Maglor, Halbarad |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Celebrimbor/Sauron, Celeborn/Galadriel, Fëanor/Nerdanel, Maglor/Halbarad, Aragorn & Legolas |
| Genres: Recommendation List | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Andreth and Aegnor Reunite Beyond the Circles of the World by Anérea
An abstract sketch: After the ending of Arda v1, Andreth and Aegnor feär reunite and they are free to experience the whole of Eä together.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Aegnor |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Artwork Type: Abstract/Pattern, Drawble/Finished Sketch |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
{podfic} Two Journeys by Lferion by Anérea
In the First Age, Fingon traveled to Rerir after discovering Turgon's disappearance. In the Fourth Age, he travels to Rerir again in Beleriand Risen.
A tale told in drabbles.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Caranthir, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
