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
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
By Dawn's Early Light by Grundy
Buffy wasn't the only one who thought something wasn't quite right when Dawn appeared.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Celeborn, Celebrían, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover | crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 33 | Word Count: 49, 521 |
| 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) |
the light that you keep burning there by EchoBleu
The Havens of Sirion burn, and it is not the Sons of Fëanor’s doing.
Maedhros, Maglor and Fingon, in the years between the fall of the Havens and the arrival of the Host of the Valar.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 061 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Interview with Artist Ismene by Anérea, Ismene
Ismene is a self-taught artist known for her striking illustrations, most recently the artwork depicting Varda that is featured on the cover of Tolkien and Diversity.
Annael by Silver Trails
Annael was the foster-father of Tuor and a Sindarin Elf who played a minor but important role in his life.
White Stars on a Deep Blue Field by grey_gazania
Gil-galad's best friend weaves a banner for her. Part of my Woman King AU.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 763 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Willingness for the Fire by sallysavestheday
Tirion thinks Curufin is Fëanor's favorite son. Tirion is wrong.
| 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: 780 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Betrayed by LadySternchen
Lúthien thinks she can trust her best friend- until she is proven wrong.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Daeron & Lúthien |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Secret Gate |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 449 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Maps by grey_gazania
Fingon, Caranthir, and the aftermath of Maedhros' capture by Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Caranthir & Maedhros, Fingolfin & Maedhros, Caranthir & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 16, 176 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
Under Strange Stars by Idrils Scribe
Barely a long-year after the Last Alliance all is not well in Imladris. Elrond's household has been dealt a crippling blow: a very young Elrohir has disappeared. After decades of false leads he is found in the Far South of Middle-Earth. Can Glorfindel rescue the House of Earendil once more? His task is not an easy one: Elrohir has no memory of who he was, and little interest in leaving his people's fight against the Black Nùmenoreans of Umbar ...
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Elusive by Himring
Elrond picks up a hint of Maglor's whereabouts and follows it... (Set a long time after the end of the First Age, perhaps in the Third Age.)
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Sandbox Love by Rocky41_7
Galadriel felt she had a well-matched friend in Princess Luthien, and she did not expect that ever to change.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Galadriel/Lúthien |
| Genres: Drama, Femslash, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 559 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nature Teaches Beasts to Know Their Friends by BloodwingBlackbird
Tar-Miriel, last queen of Numenor, reigns in name only. Isolated and hopeless, she seeks little more than survival. As the doom of Numenor draws near, she finds herself facing unexpected temptations and strange alliances.
Written for TRSB summer 2023 for art by elvencloud_a_plotting
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Ar-Pharazôn/Tar-Míriel |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 13, 608 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fault Lines by Lferion
A Dwarf tries to come to terms with the cataclysm that was the end of the First Age. A four-drabble sequence.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 410 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
for time runs more swiftly than justice by Arveldis
“And yet is it not the greater folly to imagine that such love could never grow between our kinds? Was it not folly for us to be made thus and yet driven to dwell together and take up arms together?” She cupped his face in her hand, beseeching him. “Would not the One, who your people say commands the Music of the world—though my people hear it not—have surely foreseen such a grief? And if he did foresee such grief and did nothing, allowing it to pass, what difference is there between his allowance and his will? And if he did will such a grief, then how can your people say that he is good?”
Andreth shares with Aegnor what the Wise say of Men's original nature, and of the wound dealt to them by Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 630 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
and I will love with urgency, but not with haste by Arveldis
“I would honor the customs of thy people, Andreth, and marry thee in the manner of thy people,” he said at last.
“And if I did not want to?” she asked, so soft she barely heard her own voice. “If I wished to marry thee in the manner of thy people?” Her voice trembled, but she held his gaze.
Aegnor drew in an uneven breath, swift and sharp. His gaze roved her face, tracing her features. When he spoke, his voice was rough but tender. “I would take thee away, to the south or east, and marry thee under the light of the stars. And there none would speak against our union. And I would be thine and thou would be mine in every way that there is.”
A summer evening spent in a glade near the shores of the Aeluin.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 143 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Fëanorians in Seventeen Kisses by sallysavestheday
The rise and fall of the House of Fëanor, told in 17 kisses. Each is a perfect drabble.
| 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: 1, 828 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Return Is Not a Homecoming by grey_gazania
Gil-galad is released from the Halls of Mandos in the Fourth Age, but settling into Tirion is not as easy as she would hope.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Anairë, Círdan, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Círdan & Gil-galad, Gil-galad & Unnamed Canon Character, Anairë & Gil-galad |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 4, 706 |
| 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 (2) |
When the Sixth Day Comes by sallysavestheday
Fëanor takes a momentary interest in a youthful Fingolfin.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingolfin |
| Genres: | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 616 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
Tar-Míriel by Grundy
A tragic figure of the Second Age, Tar-Míriel should have been the ruling queen but was usurped and forced into marriage by her cousin, leaving her to witness Númenor's fall.
Don't Lose Your Head by daughterofshadows
After his death, Fingolfin does not go to the Halls of Mandos.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Rochallor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: General | 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 (16) |
longing by Harp_of_Gold
In Numenor, Mairon contemplates a sacrifice.
| Major Characters: Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron, Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Dip the Ladle |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 646 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Notes on Small Matters by Narya
Fingon records a selection of details about his life from the Fourth Age onwards.
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 658 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Cîr Imladris Archive by Lferion
The library and archives of Cîr Imladris contain many stories.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Artifacts in Archive by Lferion
In Valinor, Cîr Imladris built, Elrond takes the opportunity to properly catalogue, categorize, and annotate one of the slowly diminishing collection of uncatalogued, uncategorized "miscellaneous objects with words attached" that had been part of the library and archive at Imladris from the beginning.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Original Nonbinary Character(s), Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Mystery, Poetry | Challenges: Pride, Secret Gate |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 224 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Choice by LadySternchen
The Grinding Ice proves a deadly trap for Elenwë and her daughter. Turukáno is willing to give his own life to save that of his wife and child, and almost succeeds.
| Major Characters: Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 268 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
