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] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
As beautiful as he is dangerous, Aegnor, an elven prince, stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother to Galadriel, he commands the siege with a fierce intensity, a duty that exacts a heavy toll on him. Beneath the iron walls he has built lies a broken soul, haunted by a devastating…
[Series] Instadrabbling, 2026-Present by SWG Moderators
We get together from time to time on the SWG Discord and produce spontaneous fanworks based on randomly chosen prompts. This collection includes drabbles, ficlets, and other flash fanworks produced as part of our instadrabbling sessions beginning in 2026.
[Writing] A meeting at the Trees by ethanray
Nerdanel goes to the Two Trees after Fëanor is banished and meets Indis there
For March 2026 Instadrabbling
[Writing] Grief is not the only geography I know by Himring
Indis explains how she took to wandering around Valinor.
[Writing] The Tale of Tar-Ciryatan's Daughter by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Ailinel, orphan of Numenor, is one of the poor girls dowered by Tar-Ciryatan and titled a "King's Daughter", encouraged to sail East to his colonies and find herself a husband.
It doesn't take her that long.
But even after she and Shipman Gaerondur find love, life in the colony isn…
[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…
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
Bestiary of Arda
Choose a prompt from our "bestiary" of music and images of animals found in Arda. 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
Shadow's Scribbles 2022 by daughterofshadows
Artwork for Scribbles & Drabbles 2022
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Adventures of Pixel Tuor by emma_racandil
Pixel-style artwork of Tuor's journey.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elemmakil, Idril, Maeglin, Tuor, Turgon, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Illustration |
| 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 (1) |
Maia of Manwë by emma_racandil
A pixel artwork of a Maia of Manwë.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Eönwë |
| 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 complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
Interview with Artist Ylieke by firstamazon
Firstamazon caught up with the Tolkien fan artist Ylieke to discover more about her emotionally rich character portraits.
Ill News by grey_gazania
Early in the Second Age, a follower of the Sons of Fëanor brings Elrond some ill news.
Written from a prompt by Himring for Tolkien OC Week (background characters).
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 194 |
| 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 (3) |
A Bridge in the City of Rivers by grey_gazania
Stories about Ianneth of Mithrim, daughter of Annael and wife of Fingon.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Woman King by grey_gazania
A Gil-galad genderswap AU.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Círdan, Fingon, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Chaperone by grey_gazania
Fingon and Maedhros go camping, taking Fingon's young daughter along with them. Once she falls asleep, they discuss their complicated feelings.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon/Unnamed Canon Character, Fingon & Gil-galad |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 492 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Home Is Behind by grey_gazania
In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, newly-crowned High King Fingon sends his wife and child to Eglarest for safety. The parting is bitter, as his wife has discovered a betrayal that Fingon has long concealed from her.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Círdan, Fingon, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Unnamed Canon Character, Fingon & Gil-galad, Gil-galad & Unnamed Canon Character, Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 9, 426 |
| 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 (0) |
Reckoning by sallysavestheday
Turgon confronts Maeglin in Mandos.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Elenwë, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 614 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Kids Are All Right by grey_gazania
As the survivors from Nargothrond come to Balar and the Fell Winter sets in, the girl who will become Gil-galad struggles alongside her friends to find a ray of hope in a darkness that seems unending.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Vintage |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 19, 199 |
| 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) |
Mist Haunting by polutropos
“Fëanáro, please, listen to me. She does not wish to return, not ever."
Fëanor refuses to let hatred consume him at Finwë's news. Written for the challenge 'Dip the Ladle'.
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Finwë |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 320 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Haunted, Hunted by Rocky41_7
Elwing must pass through the abandoned forest of Doriath to reach her aunt's house. As long as she stays on the path and keeps her magic jewel close, she should be safe...
| Major Characters: Elwing, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Maedhros |
| Genres: Horror, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 9, 527 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Murmuration by Himring
In Nevrast, Idril and her aunt Aredhel explore a reported natural phenomenon at Lake Linaewen together.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 510 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Fingon's rescue of Maedhros in Old English by Himring
Extracts from the Annals of Beleriand, including the Old English version, that deal with the capture and rescue of Maedhros.
With a very brief discussion.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Analysing Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 793 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Shadow's Scribbles 2023 - Silmarillion Edition by daughterofshadows
The gallery of my Silmarillion themed arts for Scribbles & Drabbles 2023. Featuring a myriad of characters and art types.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Fiber/Textile Art, Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
So We Rise by sallysavestheday
Elenwë dances, in Valinor and on the Ice. A prequel to Come Round Right.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 351 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beautiful Gift by ohboromir
It's a beautiful evening in Eregion, and Celebrimbor has an even lovelier sight before him.
-
For Day 3 of Silvergifting Week 2023 (and a blatant misuse of the prompt...)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 984 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bringing News by StarSpray
Celebrimbor's mother comes to visit him, bringing important news.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 690 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
On the Starlit Sea by Idrils Scribe
An alternate universe for the Under Strange Stars series, in which Elrohir goes with Glorfindel instead of running away from him after the events of Under Strange Stars. Together, they journey from Harad's Great Desert into the heart of the Umbarian Empire, to the coast where Galdor’s swan-ship awaits to carry them home.
But danger lurks even on the high seas …
Many thanks to Grundy for all of her excellent beta-reading and brainstorming.
| Major Characters: Elrohir, Galdor of the Havens, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Elrohir & Glorfindel |
| Genres: Adventure, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 41, 635 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
I Sang by sallysavestheday
Caranthir remembers Haleth.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Caranthir/Haleth |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 541 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Húrin Thalion, Part 2 by Melesta
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Húrin's heroic life takes a turn for the tragic and illustrates themes of courage, betrayal, and the promises and perils of vision. Although given one of the most inconclusive endings in the legendarium, Húrin retains a heroic reputation that resonates through the ages to follow.
Red by Melesta
Love. He must love enough, and Maedhros will be granted to him. Fingon can do that easily enough, he thinks to himself. He had returned Maedhros from the dead before, had he not?
-
The world is aging, and Fingon entreats for Maedhros in the Halls of Mandos. It is simpler than he believed, but somehow it makes nothing easier.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingon, Maedhros, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Anairë & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 988 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
And They Looked Up and Saw a Star by grey_gazania
After the Third Kinslaying, Maedhros and Maglor take Elwing's twin sons captive.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 11, 012 |
| 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 (3) |
The Wind Whispers by NiennaWept
A drabble about the fate of Maglor.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
