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
Heroes
Create a fanwork about a hero, whether the typical saves-the-world type or the unlikely, unsung, and accidental, those who have been forgotten or perhaps were never noticed at all, who made their worlds a better place. 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
Queen of Fire and Water by Himring
Tar-Miriel, still plagued by foresight when nothing can be prevented anymore.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Queen's Gambit by Grundy
A chance find while tidying up Indis' rooms leads to revelations no one was expecting.
| Major Characters: Indis, Findis, Finarfin, Elemmírë, Eärwen, Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Finwë/Indis/Míriel |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 919 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Spiral Staircase by Simon J. Cook
The Anglo-Saxon poet looks on the sea from the highest point of the tower and then, without saying all that was seen, begins a descent. The way of the poem traces a spiral staircase. Ultimately, the plan of this staircase follows an Elvish design. The staircase is a picture of the descent of mortal generations in history, drawn from the perspective of those who do not die.
Meetings, Farewells, and Parting Gifts by Erdariel
Morgoth has been defeated and the War of Wrath is over. Eärendil has to return to his task of sailing the Void beyond the world, but first he wants to see his sons again. Hugs and talking happen
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil & Elrond & Elros |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 428 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Son Still Shines by cuarthol
The War brings Finarfin close to the ruins of Nargothrond where Finrod once ruled.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Gil-galad |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 252 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
It is dark one inch ahead of you by TexasDreamer01
They needed to move on, to settle - to weather this tentative peace. Looking upon this valley, he thought that perhaps it could be done.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 156 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Above the Clouds by Himring
Berion, a captain of Fingon's guard, survives the defeat of his king in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and ends up in Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Idril, Noldor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 218 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Celegorm - Treelight in his eyes by Gabriel
Character portrait of Celegorm Feanorian
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
TRSB24: Until the Stars Are All Alight by Lathalea
This is my second art entry for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on Thorin Oakenshield surviving BOTFA and darker themes of pyrrhic victory, dragon sickness, longevity/eternity, angst/love.
| Major Characters: Thorin Oakenshield, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Thorin Oakenshield/Original Character |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Question of Succession by elennalore
After hearing the Doom of Mandos, Arafinwë returns to Valinor where the remaining Noldor need a new ruler. It appears that the Valar have already made their choice.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Findis, Eärwen, Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin, Eönwë/Finarfin, Finarfin & Findis |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 795 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Kingsword by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the young King Thranduil steals away for an evening of solace at The Mysterious Deer, hoping none will disturb him. He listens to a minstrel singing a legend that strikes rather close to home.
| Major Characters: Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 942 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
TRSB24: Dwarf Women of the East by Lathalea
This is one of my art entries for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on the Dwarves living in the East, specifically Dwarf-women.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Berion's Song by Himring
Berion, captain of Barad Eithel under King Fingon, laments Fingon's death and the loss of his home.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Poetry | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 149 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Where have you gone, my friend? by elennalore
Eönwë in Almaren after Mairon went missing.
| Major Characters: Eönwë |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë & Sauron |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
Much Sorrow and Many Lives of Men by sallysavestheday
Arvedui in Forochel.
| Major Characters: Arvedui |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 584 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
All Unquiet by mouse
Idril disagrees with the king’s decision to execute Eol. Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens.
| Major Characters: Turgon, Idril |
| Major Relationships: Idril & Turgon |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 766 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Shards of a Line Unbroken by polutropos
At the gates of Edoras, Aragorn tells the guard that Narsil was forged by Telchar, the great dwarven smith of the First Age. How did this ancient heirloom come into the hands of Elendil, king of the Realms in Exile?
Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens (as well as Akallabeth in August), and part of my Weapons series, the rest of which is on AO3.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elendil |
| Major Relationships: Elendil & Elrond |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 020 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
A Tree Named Celeborn by Himring
After the War of Wrath, what was originally planned as a temporary stay (a kind of moral quarantine) on Tol Eressea turns into a permanent settlement. And so we also get another chapter in the history of the White Tree(s).
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 129 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Come Back To the Valley by Himring
On some days, maybe, we just get homesick for that Last Homely House?
An invitation to return to Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Hobbit | crossed with Lord of the Rings | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 122 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Far is the high gods' song and low by AdmirableMonster
As Númenor convulses in its death throws, Tar-Míriel converses with a friendly soul before she climbs the Meneltarma to her fate.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel & Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 185 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Summer Celebration by between_thepages
Amarië and Finrod are dancing together during a celebration of summer.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Amarië |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Bollywood |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (18) |
Noldolantë by Grundy
Maglor and his wife throughout the Ages.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Bollywood, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 555 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Meeting the In-Laws by awwyeah107
Caranthir is nervous about meeting Haleth’s father and brother for the first time. Haleth is sure everything will go well.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth, Haldad, Haldar |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 315 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Straight Road by Simon J. Cook
The Fall of Númenor offers the evidence used to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to Beowulf.
Morgoth's prisoner by elennalore
Maedhros in Angband
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
