New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
[Writing] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Idiomatic
Raining cats and dogs. A short fuse. Up a creek without a paddle. A piece of cake. Sometimes colorful, sometimes puzzling without backstory or explanation, these delightful turns of phrase enrich our language—whichever one it happens to be. Prompts this month are idioms from languages around the world.
Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
You Can't XXXX in Here, This is the War Room! by Rocky41_7
Blowjob diplomacy.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 075 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Until the final flicker of life’s embers by Quente
Dior did not see the arrow until it pierced his own flesh, a hard thrust of a point entering his back and blossoming out of his heart. The pain of the wound, and the feeling of his body in uncertain panic around it, was almost secondary to his curiosity.
Now what?
Dior felt strangely detached, as if he had stepped out of his body. He watched himself fall over the body of the Golodh he’d slain. Dior had worn no helm nor armor that day – and he saw his hair fan out to cover them both. They died together in the dark cloak of it.
Dior’s eyes closed, and all was dark.
~
And then Dior opened his eyes.
| Major Characters: Dior, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nimloth, Elwing, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth, Dior & Elwing, Dior & Lúthien |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 19, 207 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Meet Me In The Woods (We'll Make Beautiful Music Together) by cuarthol
Lúthien escapes Menegroth for a clandestine meeting in the woods.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Daeron, Nellas, Mablung, Beleg |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 507 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
On the Way Home by silmalope
Doriath Family Reunion AU: Túrin twisted his ankle in the woods, and big sister Lúthien is giving him a ride home. :)
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Túrin, Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Lúthien & Túrin |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (7) |
Orcs Are People by cuarthol
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
| Major Characters: Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | 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 (19) |
Themed Collections by SWG Newsletter Staff
Themed Collections are a periodic feature of our weekly newsletter and are intended to feature fanworks centered on a theme as a jumping off point for members to add their own recommendations to the collection. Themed Collections are open to new contributions. You can find out more about putting together your own Themed Collection here!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Dream of Legolas Greenleaf by clotho123
In which Legolas Greenleaf dreams he is in the First Age. Time is strangely haywire and there are a lot of Noldor royalty talking about ravens. More importantly nobody has offered him a drink.
Or: a medieval Welsh story adapted with Silmarillion characters (and Legolas)
| Major Characters: Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 580 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Summary of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields (Unfinished Tales) by elennalore
A summary of the events in J.R.R. Tolkien's text The Disaster of the Gladden Fields, written for the Third Age Sessions at Alliance of Arda.
| Major Characters: Isildur |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 604 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | 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 (6) |
The Ruling Queens of Númenor by Himring
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fanworks about the three ruling queens of Númenor: Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Telperiën, and Tar-Vanimeldë.
| Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Telperiën, Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fanwork Collection | 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 (8) |
The King Thrall by Gabriel
The meeting of the hosts of the West and of the North is named the Great Battle, and the War of Wrath. There was marshalled the whole power of the Throne of Morgoth, and it had become great beyond count, so that Anfauglith could not contain it; and all the North was aflame with war.
The Silmarillion
J.R.R.Tolkien
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Eönwë, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Gil-galad, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 301 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Divinity Braid by Gabriel
In the weeks leading up to the War of Wrath, one would be right to believe there would not be much to celebrate, with so much in the way of work to be done in preparation. But an unexpected visitor to High King Arafinwë’s pavilion brings with them renewed sense of hope for the future and intriguing tidings.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Galadriel |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 272 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sediments by polutropos
Elrond hears a call in the waters of the Bruinen and follows it to the sea. There he finds someone whose memory he has long ago put behind him, but whom he knows at once — only Maglor does not know him. As he revisits his past with Maglor, both painful and fond, Elrond must also reckon with Maglor’s loss of memory. How do you forgive someone who does not remember what he has done?
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 11, 865 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Behind God’s Back by silmalope
A short comic for the Sept-Oct 2024 Idiomatic challenge. The stifling environment of Eöl’s “dim halls, silent and secret” contrasts with young Maeglin’s idealized vision of Gondolin as a divine, sunlit paradise, home to the godlike Noldor.
| Major Characters: Maeglin, Turgon, Aredhel, Idril, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Comic/Cartoon, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Comic Strip, Family | Challenges: Idiomatic |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (14) |
Why People Don't Comment: Data and History From the Tolkienfic Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A reworking of the 2018 article for Long Live Feedback that includes data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, pointing to a lack of comments as related to skill, confidence, and community connection.
Ode to Findaráto by Flora-lass
In praise of a painting of a young Finrod in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 91 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
The Lost Poems of Beren by Archivist
The Lost Poems of Beren is a rare and mystical collection of long-forgotten poems, believed to be written by Beren himself during his timeless love affair with Lúthien Tinúviel. Discovered deep within the ruins of Eregion and painstakingly translated from the ancient Elvish tongue, these ethereal verses speak of longing, love, and the enchanted realms beneath the stars.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 1, 214 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Elegy for Númenor - Volume 1: Journey to Umbar by elfscribe
The Númenórean King Ar-Pharazôn thinks he has won an easy victory when Sauron surrenders to him and becomes his prisoner. But the march back to Umbar with the conniving Dark Lord turns out to have many unanticipated twists and turns through a nest of politics and intrigue, including Sauron's attempted seduction of Ar-Pharazôn's favorite male courtesan.
This is volume I of a planned trilogy. An epic tale of political intrigue, the desire for immortality and love, sorcery, hubris, loyalty, lust, and catastropic amounts of water.
MEFA 2009 First Place winner in Genres: Longer Works: Incomplete (Vol. I is now complete)
This fic was recommended in USA Today, May 20, 2015! (They have a fanfiction section. Who knew?) Thank you to Uvatha the Horseman for the rec!
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Númenóreans, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 32 | Word Count: 197, 820 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (133) |
Wind and Fire by elfscribe
Manwe discovers both the delights and the dangers of assuming corporeal form as he is drawn into a relationship with the brilliant, prideful Feanor. In trying to dissuade Feanor from leaving the Undying Lands, he learns more than he would like about why Feanor created the Silmarils and why they hold him enthralled. An elemental clash of titans.
This story won first place in the MEFA 2008 awards for First Age and Prior: General
and 2nd place in the 2007 My Precious Awards for LOTR fanfic in the “Best Minor Character” category.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 206 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
And With Him Was Elrond by elfscribe
Elrond’s efforts to heal Gil-galad from a vicious attack bring feelings to the surface that can no longer be ignored.
A Gil-galad/Elrond first time fic.
Written for the 2024 My Slashy Valentine.
Prequel to Under the Ragged Thorn.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 15, 219 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Legacy by silmalope
When Doriath fell, Elwing was too young to remember the family she lost. When she wears the Nauglamir, the Silmaril, and the Ring of Barahir for the first time, she feels the burden of their legacy.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Death, Grief, and the Other in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The narrator of the Quenta Silmarillion uses death, grief, and mourning rituals to generate sympathy for or dehumanize groups of characters considered the Other.
Like his Father in Valour by chrissystriped
Eärnur fights the Witch-king and is offered a choice.
| Major Characters: Eärnur, Witch-king of Angmar, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 593 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Our son and king by daughterofshadows
Three perspectives on Ereinion Gil-Galad.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 126 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
I Will Hold Your Hand Forever by LadySternchen
A course through time with my most beloved king and queen.
| Major Characters: Melian, Elu Thingol |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 952 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
