Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] House of Finwë by softmoonlightmelody
One drabble per Finwëan. Currently finished, ending with Eärendil but excluding Elwing, Elrond, and Elros.
[Artwork] Shadow's Scribbles 2026 by daughterofshadows
This is the collection of my art submissions for Scribbles & Drabbles 2026, featuring four art works.
[Writing] In Those Days by Dagstjarna
Young Nerdanel and Fëanor’s friendship blossoms.
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
An elven prince stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother of Galadriel, Aegnor is as beautiful as he is deadly. A fierce warrior with a reputation to match, who commands the respect of all the Noldorin princes and all who look upon him. However, beneath his iron shell, lies a…
[Writing] The Heart Finds its Morning by StarSpray
Then the door opened. Celebrimbor sat up—and blinked. Whoever he had expected, it was not his cousin Finduilas, who closed the door gently behind her and turned to him with a smile. “Hello, Cousin. Am I intruding?”
“No, of course not.” Celebrimbor rose to take her hand. “I’m always glad…
[Writing] A falling star by Novenoe
Eärendil and Elwing have some trouble with a shooting star in the sky
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
B-Movie
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are loosely inspired by the predictable plot arcs of hilariously abominable, eye-rollingly corny, so-bad-they're-actually-kinda-good horror films. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and…
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Organum by mairoff
When Melkor approaches him it is not necessarily out of ill intents - he thinks. As Aulë’s second he enjoys a certain reputation - one that gives him the moniker Admirable.
No, Mairon does not start evil at all.
Though, perhaps it is in his nature to ever evolve, ever iterate, he is fond of empirical processes and his surroundings feel small and smothering sometimes. But Mairon laughs, Mairon cares, Mairon even loves.
And that is his own doom.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: Cheesy Corn Chips, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 513 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Twice He Answered by Adoraincerta
After the War of Wrath they were taken again.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron, Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 132 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Miriel Hath My Love by Rocky41_7
Indis knows that Miriel is the only one who understands their connection. This is why it should be Indis who looks after Miriel's body.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: Indis/Míriel, Finwë/Indis |
| Genres: Femslash, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 589 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Blood and Light by SonOfMandos
Mother, let me live to see the day go by
Save me from myself, for I will sacrifice
Anything and Everything, to feel Him one more time
--Sacrifice, Aleah.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Sauron |
| Genres: Mystery, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 035 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Shards Of Memory by LadySternchen
Written for Understory-challenge, inspired by StarSpray's story 'Rising as if Weightless'.
While his court is still enjoying the feast he gave in honour of the Princes of Doriath That Was, Olwë stands alone before the mosaic depicting him and his brothers.
| Major Characters: Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 656 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In These Altered States, Rejoice by sallysavestheday
Fingon and Maedhros shape new lives after Mandos. One chapter from Fingon's point of view and one from Maedhros'.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 376 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Long Was the Way that Fate Them Bore by sallysavestheday
Elrond makes sense of his complicated family, and his complicated self.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Glorfindel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 583 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When the Hurly-Burly's Done by sallysavestheday
Elrond and Gil-galad and Celebrimbor picnic on the edge of the world.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 878 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Caused Fire to be Set by Narya
Maglor, on Losgar, and what might have been.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Experimental, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 282 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Mind Your Back and Don’t Look Behind by Adoraincerta
Middle Earth, as a new land was no safer than the old Beleriand. There were people he shouldn't meet on his way of exploration, but Elrond catched the chance.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 430 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Where No Moonlight Shines by Adoraincerta
Elrond made a choice and needed someone to fullfill it.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Maglor |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Incest, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 456 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Interview with Artist Mirra Kan by Anérea
Blue Wizards, Faithful Haradrim, Black Númenóreans; I chatted with Mirra about her evocative—and somtimes provocative—art drawing attention to some of Middle-earth's Oriental cultures and the Western perception of them.
Children of Aulë by cuarthol, Zdenka
A moment between those known by others as Petty Dwarves. Their name for themselves is unknown.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Turgon's Rock Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 833 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
The Marsh Where the Dead Sleep by Narya
“They lie in all the pools, pale faces, deep deep under the dark water. I saw them: grim faces and evil, and noble faces and sad. Many faces proud and fair, and weeds in their silver hair. But all foul, all rotting, all dead...”
- 'The Passage of the Marshes' from The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 465 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sunwarmed by StarSpray
The more he thought about it the more he realized he was not quite missing the Tirion of his childhood, but Nargothrond at its height. His own city, that he’d planned and helped to build with his own two hands, where his friends among the dwarves had visited so often, and where he had earned his favorite epessë. No one in Valinor called him Felagund.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Fluff, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 954 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Penumbra by Rocky41_7
Maedhros presents himself as a...diplomatic guest to Doriath, certain he can convince the king to do as Maedhros wishes him to if he only had the chance. It is possible Maedhros is less than prepared for Doriath than he expected.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Thingol |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 18, 238 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Many Meetings by Gwanath Dagnir
Years after the Great War and the sinking of Beleriand, Elrond arrives in Lindon and meets Gil-Galad the High King, along with many other important figureheads in his company.
Chapter 1:
Elrond is greeted at the Gray Havens with a case of mistaken identity, and a delicate fact of his heritage arises in the king's hall. Later, Gil-galad learns the fate of the Silmarils and the unexpected motivation for Elrond's absence since the War.
Chapter 2:
Círdan returns to Mithlond with special guests at the king's behest. But Elrond's arrival is not a surprise to everyone, and one detail of his introduction to Gil-galad's court is of particular interest to Celeborn.
Chapter 3:
Galadriel steals some alone time with Elrond and learns more about his strange fate, while Elrond learns some Elvish history that isn't in the printed copy. Later, a guest with a surprising relationship inadvertently brings ghosts of the past to a dinner party, because Trauma.
Chapter 4:
Gil-galad summons a totally not secret council to formalize Elrond's placement in his court. No one could possibly have other machinations in mind, unless of course they always had.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 16, 019 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Namesake by Gwanath Dagnir
One winter night, Maedhros has his work interrupted by an uninvited visitor and an unwelcome guessing game.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 082 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
HC Nandoran Family Tree by UnicornsInSpace
Here is a family tree of the Nandoran nobles and some Sindarin nobles that I filled out with HCs. I gave names to lots of textual ghosts (including Celeborn and Amdir's moms) and connected them to Denethor so it makes sense they are in charge of the Silvan elves in the 2nd and 3rd ages. Also so they are not in charge because they are Sindarin. I did not like that. I used FamilyEcho to make the family tree after someone in the Tolkien OCs discord mentioned using it.
| Major Characters: Amdir, Amroth, Celeborn, Celebrían, Denethor (Nandor), Galadhon, Galadriel, Galathil, Lenwë, Nandor, Nimloth, Nimrodel |
| 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 (2) |
Like a Morning of Pale Spring by Idrils Scribe
Ardil of Doriath and Glorfindel Of Gondolin have much in common, and yet they have always kept each other at a frosty arm’s length.
Elrohir does not know it, but his return heralds an unexpected thaw.A missing scene from Northern Stars as a Christmas present for Grundy, who wanted to know what Ardil thought of it all. Thank you so much for all your hard beta work! Without your sage advice and encouragement this entire series wouldn’t be half as good.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Glorfindel & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 794 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Leafless Winter by StarSpray
Though Elwing did not speak, Nienna seemed to know her thoughts. "Few of the Eldar come to stay long in my halls," she said, "but they are open to all. Will you come there?"
| Major Characters: Elwing, Fingon, Gandalf, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Suicide |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 410 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Blood Ties by AdmirableMonster
A close friend of Lómion's has gone missing, and a dark creature stalks the forests of his home. When he is summoned by Nan Elmoth itself, Lómion will have to draw upon all the powers he possesses to get himself and his friend home again.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Anguirel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Anguirel & Maeglin, Maeglin & Original Character |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Your Face in the Water by Himring
At the Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reunion, plenty is always going on: so many people, so many encounters and interactions, tensions and forging of friendships .
That night, in this moment, in this little corner of Mereth Aderthad, nothing happens. Almost nothing. But it fails to happen with some intensity.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 104 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Duel of Surveys: Comparing Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW Survey Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A (rough!) comparison of the Tolkien Fanfiction and OTW 16th Anniversary Surveys, looking at time active in fandom, attendance at fan conventions, and platform use.
