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
Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth
Sneak a peek into notebooks of the scholars and explorers of Middle-earth, with prompts that are images from historical naturalist publication. 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
The leaving of Hithlum by clotho123
Hithlum is lost and Fingon is dead. In the aftermath an aunt and nephew have a last meeting and parting.
| Major Characters: Amras, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 321 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Back in Time by Lyra
What if, instead of taking Marty and Jennifer to 2015, Doc accidentally took them to Years-of-the-Trees Valinor?
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Illustration |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Back to the Future | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
Lover of All Things That Grow by StarSpray
"[Yavanna] is the lover of all things that grow in the earth, and all their countless forms she holds in her mind..." - The Valaquenta
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (24) |
A Partial Smoothing by Himring
The news of the Second Kinslaying arrives on Balar among the Falathrim. They are all shocked and horrified, but for one of them, it poses a specific problem.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Círdan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The Light and the Sea Cover Art by AdmirableMonster
Cover page for my Steampunk Númenor series, The Light and the Sea. Nimruzimir gazes out at Númenor from Andúnië.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Landscape, Manip/Photomontage |
| Genres: Science Fiction | 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 (1) |
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
The Point of the Needle by Rocky41_7
Maglor assists Maedhros with pain therapy, but his bedside manner is lacking.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Domestic and Partner Violence, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 387 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
To Call You Home by Rocky41_7
Indis yearns to stir the sleeping queen of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Indis/Míriel, Finwë/Indis/Míriel, Finwë/Míriel, Finwë/Indis |
| Genres: Femslash, Het, Poly, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 718 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Undimmed by Cloud or Shade of Night by Marta
"They are old swords, very old swords of the High Elves of the West, my kin. They were made in Gondolin for the Goblin-wars. They must have come from a dragon's hoard or goblin plunder, for dragons and goblins destroyed that city many ages ago. This, Thorin, the runes name Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin; it was a famous blade. This, Gandalf, was Glamdring, Foe-hammer that the king of Gondolin once wore. Keep them well!"
"Whence did the trolls get them, I wonder?" said Thorin looking at his sword with new interest.
"I could not say," said Elrond, "but one may guess that your trolls had plundered other plunderers, or come on the remnants of old robberies in some hold in the mountains of the North. I have heard that there are still forgotten treasures of old to be found in the deserted caverns of the mines of Moria, since the dwarf and goblin war."
Thorin pondered these words. "I will keep this sword in honour," he said. "May it soon cleave goblins once again!"
From "A Short Rest," The Hobbit
| Major Characters: Elrond, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 388 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Let’s make the most of this beautiful day by Quente
A very great man dies, and asks if he can be of more help to the universe because it has been so good to him.
...Eru Illúvatar takes him up on the offer.
| Major Characters: Real Person(s), Lórien, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Míriel & Other Fictional Character |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Mr. Roger's Neighborhood | Challenges: Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 791 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
One-handed Anonymous by Lyra
Imagine a self-help group for fictional characters who have lost one or several hands. That's it. That's the idea.
A very rough sketch to get in just under the wire to respond to three challenges at once:
- Tengwar (ampa - hook; technically Noldo)
- Crossroads of the Fallen King (Crossover with Star Wars, Peter Pan, the MCU, the Aubreiad, real world history, Mad Max and the Queen's Thief series)
- Funky 70s (Star Wars; some of the fancy drinks)
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Comic/Cartoon |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | crossed with Aubrey-Maturin Series | crossed with History (English) | crossed with Mad Max | crossed with Marvel Cinematic Universe | crossed with Peter Pan | crossed with Queen's Thief | crossed with Star Wars | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Funky 70s, Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (11) |
Changing of the Guard by Grundy
Thranduil names an unexpected successor.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Lorax | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Funky 70s, Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Driftwood by StarSpray
Music was Maglor’s first love, but when he had decided to learn to make his own instruments, he had begun with wood—and had fallen in love with that, too.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Finwë & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 640 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Monty Python and the Athrabeth by cuarthol
Bëor: Halt! Who goes there?
Finrod: It is I, Felagund, son of Finarfin of Valinor. King of Nargothrond, builder of Minas Tirith, sovereign of all Dorthonion!
Bëor: Pull the other one!
Finrod: I am! And this is my trusty servant, Edrahil.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund, Morwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Crossover | crossed with Monty Python | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 600 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
The Wave Warbled Under by Himring
Aerandir, a mariner who accompanied Earendil on his voyages, finds himself at loose ends when he arrives in Valinor after the War of Wrath.
He is haunted by an encounter during one of their earlier voyages and comes to a decision..
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Aerandir, Erellont |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 336 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Hua Cheng and Xie Lian Save Nargothrond by UnicornsInSpace
Xie Lian and Hua Cheng accidentally visit Nargothrond during its fall and help out.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Finduilas, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Túrin |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Crossover | crossed with Heaven Official's Blessing | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 691 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sunset, sunrise by Independence1776
Maglor, a Jedi in hiding, is a mechanic for the Rebellion during A New Hope.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Fixed-Length Ficlet | crossed with Star Wars | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Funky 70s, Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 961 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Tengwar Acrostics by Himring
Responses to the Tengwar Challenge in which first letters spell out the name of a tengwa: 1) Early Encounter (Nerdanel, Indis); 2) Numenorean Lullaby (Almarian, Aldarion); 3) Tink-Tink (Telchar); 4) Such lamps as once shone in Khazad-dum (Celebrimbor).
| Major Characters: Almarian, Celebrimbor, Indis, Nerdanel, Tar-Aldarion, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 334 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Pumuckl and the Staff by chrissystriped
Meister Eder is comissioned to repair a staff. Pumuckl does not seem to like the customer.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Aulë, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Meister Eder und sein Pumuckl | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 908 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Esse Nuquerna by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir's father interrupts him while he is reading the most recent novel in his favorite series.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Other Fictional Character(s), Unnamed Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Science Fiction | crossed with Star Trek | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Funky 70s, Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 961 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Siren Song by polutropos
Maglor's westward odyssey nearly fails when he is led astray by an enthralling light and song in the depths of the sea.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, Ficlet | crossed with Mythology (Greek/Classical) | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 363 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
God, I Pity the Violins by StarSpray
On a walk down the beach in the early hours of the morning, Maglor stumbles upon a body. And then the body comes back to life. Things sort of spiral from there.
A crossover with The Old Guard (2020 film).
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover, General, Hurt/Comfort | crossed with Old Guard | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 17 | Word Count: 58, 435 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Aloft in Splendor by StarSpray
One such evening gathering, however, brought a new acquaintance to the Elliots’ attention. He was known to Lady Dalrymple, and had connections to the De Bourgh family, and to the Darcys of Pemberly, and happened to have come to Bath on business that week. “He is a most marvelous musician, however, “Lady Dalrymple told Miss Elliot. “Perfection at the pianoforte!"
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General | crossed with Persuasion | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 262 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 751 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
After Tirion by clotho123
These are stories set in the Undying Lands begining at the end of the Second Age
| 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) |
