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
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
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
Elwing and the Silmaril by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elwing carries the Silmaril to Vingilot.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Losing Something (or Someone) Precious by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Morgoth lost the Silmaril. Elrond lost his parents because of the Silmaril (and that was just to start with). Sauron lost the One Ring. All have lost something, or someone precious to them.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elrond, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Lord of the Rings | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
A blip on the radar by daughterofshadows
Humanity took to the skies. Eärendil and Ilmarë adjust.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Ilmarë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Star Trek | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Tengwar |
| 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 (19) |
Where's Osse? by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The adventures of Wally the Walrus...or Osse the Maia, in walrus form?
| Major Characters: Ossë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No type listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Darkened paths by daughterofshadows
Aredhel walks a dark path.
| Major Characters: Aredhel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 64 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Finarfin and Eärwen on the Beach by UnicornsInSpace
A poem Finarfin writes about Eärwen after a walk on the beach together.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Finarfin |
| Genres: Poetry, Romance | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 23 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Like a vast shadow moved by Quente
Nimloth drags her feet about a certain decision; Melian has no time for that.
| Major Characters: Melian, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 319 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
A Silent Echo by Rocky41_7
Hithlum reckons with the departure of the future Gondolindrim.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 928 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Weaver of Gloom by Flora-lass
Ungoliant gets a chance to have her say.
Written for the Tengwar challenge, with the prompts silmë nuquerna (starlight reversed) and ungwë (spider's web).
| Major Characters: Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 230 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
On a night of stars, a bird by Quente
Nimloth and Dior meet, and he is naked.
Alternatively,
Melian travels south to visit her daughter, and meets a familiar looking bird.
Written for the Tengwar prompt, Quessë (feather).
| Major Characters: Dior, Melian, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: Dior & Melian, Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 548 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Apprentice by Quente
Dior is in Menegroth learning to be his grandfather's heir -- but his grandmother decides to take him as apprentice too.
Written for the Tengwar Challenge, May 15: Súlë (spirit).
| Major Characters: Dior, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Dior & Melian |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 447 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Tengwar: To The Letter by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge.
All 36 prompts plus bonus chapter
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aegnor, Andreth, Angrod, Avari, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Círdan, Curufin, Daeron, Eagles, Edain, Eldalótë, Elwing, Ents, Fëanor, Finduilas, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Gil-galad, Gwindor, Húrin, Ilwen, Indis, Mahtan, Mîm, Nellas, Nerdanel, Nuin, Telchar, Thorondor, Tilion, Zimrahin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, In-Universe Artifact, Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 37 | Word Count: 4, 142 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (142) |
History abandons us by AdmirableMonster
During his incarceration in Roderick Burgess' basement, Dream receives a strange, ancient visitor.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Lórien, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Lórien & Thranduil |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Sandman | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 980 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
If i get home before daylight by BloodwingBlackbird
a traveler meets a stranger at a crossroads.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Folklore | Challenges: Crossroads of the Fallen King |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 293 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
| Major Characters: Egalmoth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
Words of Wisdom by AdmirableMonster
One or more drabbles about Pengolodh and his babysitter Salgant.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: Pengolodh & Salgant |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 418 |
| 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 (6) |
Les Mots de Sagesse by AdmirableMonster
Plusieurs petites histoires qui parle de Pengolodh et Salgant pendant des moments differents.
| Major Characters: Pengolodh, Salgant |
| Major Relationships: Pengolodh & Salgant |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 334 |
| 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 (5) |
Upon Cirith Thoronath by StarSpray
A horrid cacophony of cries erupts ahead of them, as orcs appear—up the cliff on hidden ledges, on the path, with bows and swords. And behind them rises a figure of darkness and flame. The heat rolls down the path over them, bringing the smell of burning flesh and bitter fear with it. Someone screams.
| Major Characters: Balrogs, Glorfindel, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 927 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Utumno by Himring
One of the earliest elven captives in Utumno, one of the Quendi finds speech slipping away.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 20 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Fire in Four Quarters by sallysavestheday
For the Tengwar challenge, four poems in which Beleriand and Middle-Earth are threatened by flames (once from each cardinal direction).
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Tengwar |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 339 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
| Major Characters: Daeron, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Daeron/Fingon |
| Genres: Ficlet, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 755 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Analysis of "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth" by Rocky41_7
Examining the relationship between Andreth and Finrod as shown in the Athrabeth.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 599 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Perspective by Rocky41_7
Grandfather brings a treat back from Valmar.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finwë & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| 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 (0) |
