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
Start to Finish
Choose one of the famous first lines from the list below and use it to start your story. If you are creating a fanwork other than writing, you may use one of the first lines to inspire your fanwork. 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
Description of a Frieze in the Temple of Melkor at Armenelos by Sarbanes Oxley
A translation of a description of a frieze in the antechamber of the Temple of Melkor at Armenelos by Lindir of Rivendell.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Celebrimbor, Elrond, Lindir, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 758 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Motley Crew by Himring
Maglor survives the tsunami that hit the coast of Middle-earth during the Fall of Numenor, in the company of a somewhat unexpected group of fellow survivors.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Block Party, Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 305 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Jubilee Instadrabbling by elennalore
1. Ar-Pharazôn muses on progress and opportunity.
2. Curvo gives Tyelko a begetting day present.
3. Turgon misses Elenwë.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Celegorm, Curufin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë/Turgon |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 316 |
| 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) |
My Tent Is Always Open To You by Grundy
A snippet of life in early Numenor, in which Elros tries once again to persuade his brother to come see his new place.
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 642 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Chase the Wind by StarSpray
Then he heard movement in the bushes. He tensed, hand going to the hilt of his knife, but the next sound to emerge was a small whimper. “Eluréd?” called Elurín from across the camp.
“One moment,” said Eluréd. He crept closer to the sound, and parted a few branches to find a bundle of blankets, tightly wrapped, and something squirming and crying inside them.
“What is it?” Elurín asked from behind him.
“A child.”
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, General | Challenges: Jubilee, X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 130 |
| 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 (10) |
Silmarils by Narya
A lanterne poem, in response to January's formal challenge at the Tolkien Short Fanworks community on Dreamwidth.
| 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: 10 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
All the More Did He Seek Their Friendship by StarSpray
Silver light poured through the windows, catching and refracting on the crystals hung about the room, twinkling like tiny stars. The court of Tirion was particularly splendid that evening, Indis thought as she sat upon the dais beside Finwë, watching the dancing. A rare event: all of their children and grandchildren were present, and even Fëanáro seemed to be in good spirits as he twirled about the floor with Ëarwen.
But still Indis felt uneasy.
| Major Characters: Indis, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Jubilee, Major Arcana |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 698 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Lumpy Dumplings by Rocky41_7
Elwing lets the twins help her in the kitchen.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 257 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Journeying Together by chrissystriped
Celebrían takes Elrond to meet her friend the Riverdaughter, who has news for him about someone he thought lost.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Goldberry, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond, Elrond & Maglor |
| Genres: Adventure, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 213 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
"Fëanor" Is A Dactyl… and Other Poems by sabcatt
A repository of extremely silly poetry, about our favorite extremely silly elves. (And other beings, on occasion.)
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 58 |
| 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 Strength and Truth of Men by Raiyana
Boromir lives!
...but then what? What might one additional man desperate to return to the defense of his homeland accomplish after cheating death?
A jaunty (I lie, we go Angst, here) romp through canon-adjacency
| Major Characters: Boromir (Fellowship), Imrahil, Merry |
| Major Relationships: Boromir & Imrahil, Boromir & Merry, Boromir/Théodred |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 8, 842 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Haunting of Faramir by Raiyana
The line of Dol Amroth have often given birth to dreamers, people who see things invisible to others - some claim it a curse, some a blessing carried by their ancient Elven blood.
Imrahil, fresh from the battle of the Pelennor, names it loss.
Or hope?
| Major Characters: Imrahil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 001 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
In Song Unsung by sabcatt
Fragmentary sections of two poems, dealing with the friendship of Fingon and Maedhros, and a brief scholarly introduction thereto. (AKA: a media fic of the most pretentious flavor.)
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon & Maedhros |
| Genres: Experimental, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 442 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Sound of Lightning by sabcatt
Ñolofinwë’s eldest has always been flighty. Early in the First Age, Findekáno disappears three ways.
Written for the fan_flashworks challenge “storm”.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 015 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Light (Verse) In The Dark by sabcatt
A collection of comedic poetry about The Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Very Silmarillion Alphabet by sabcatt
A is for Aegnor who burned with his land.
B is for Barahir, robbed of his hand…
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic, Humor, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 220 |
| 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) |
Who Told Me Time Would Ease Me by sabcatt
Maedhros cuts his hair off for the first time after Losgar, and never quite shakes the habit.
Or: Five hundred years of haircuts, give or take.
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon+Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 257 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Find Your Way Home by sabcatt
Idril loves Maeglin. He knows this is true, because she tells him it is. He loves her, too.
| Major Characters: Idril, Maeglin, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Maeglin/Sauron, Idril/Maeglin |
| Genres: Drama, Horror, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 827 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To See Our Enemy Coming by Himring
Edhellos has escaped, with a handful of others, from the battle in which her husband Angrod died. She has a request to make.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 305 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Listen to the sky by Anérea
Arvedui decides to sail, despite warnings to wait. (As told by a woman of the Lossoth.)
(The fate of Fíriel, wife of Arvedui, was never recorded; I like to think she was a tough cookie and had fought and fled with him to the Ice-bay of Forochel.)
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Arvedui, Fíriel (Gondor), Lossoth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 331 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Matters of Choice by kimikocha
There are many who wander in the lands of Middle-Earth. Some of them are lost, sojourners searching without knowing what they seek; some of them are only a little lost, knowing what they search for but not knowing how to find it. A few of them are very fortunate, not being lost at all. Many more are those who search in vain: not understanding the nature of the mirage on the horizon, they lose themselves in its pursuit.
One of many wanderers encounters Death upon a precipice.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| 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) |
White Horn Tower by Himring
After the fall of Dorthonion, Edhellos (originally named in Quenya Eldalote), Angrod's wife, has chosen to move to Barad Nimras, the tower that Finrod built in the Falas on a headland west of Eglarest.
| Major Characters: Eldalótë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 121 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
All That Is Gold by cuarthol
Túrin struggles to protect Níniel and slay Glaurung, but which has he done?
Alternate Universe - Canon Divergent based on The Children of Húrin
| Major Characters: Glaurung, Gurthang, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Niënor/Túrin |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 824 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
land of bow and helm by skywardstruck
Beleg and Túrin at Dor-Cúarthol, protecting the land together. Drawn in the style of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Beleg/Túrin |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
Duty, Gossip, Wine, and Buoys by Gwanath Dagnir
Newly arrived in Lindon but fast to the High King's confidence, Elrond is officially announced to Gil-Galad's court. He learns what these formal affairs are really all about. Content warning for consensual hair-braiding and maybe one drunken kiss or two.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Gil-galad |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 804 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
