New Challenge: Allusive
Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
Cultus Dispatches: Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey
Ten years of demographic data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey show consistencies in who reads and writes fanfiction, as well as a few key demographic shifts.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] House of Finwë by softmoonlightmelody
One drabble per Finwëan. Currently on first and second generations.
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[Writing] Into the West by Grundy
Dawn does not call sailing off into the unknown with a guy they've only known a few days a great plan.
[Writing] Explain This by Elrond's Library
Melkor demands an account of Mairon’s failures.
[Writing] Message in a Bottle by StarSpray
Over the course of his very long life he had found a handful of messages in bottles, but it had been a very long time. So when he found the glass bottle on his little stretch of pebbly beach, he picked it up with the intention of tossing it into his recycling. But it wasn’t, he found, just…
Current Challenge
Random Challenge
New Year's Resolution
Our annual amnesty challenge allows you to complete and receive stamps for challenges you missed in the past year. Read more ...
New in References
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows demographic changes in participant gender, age, and education and new revelations about neurodiversity.
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] A Memento of Faery by Grundy
TRSB26 art 144 - an artifact brought back from Faerie by a Starbearer.
[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…
Around the World and Web
Sindar Week 2026
A Tolkien event week for the Sindar, the Grey-Elves, from the Years of the Trees to the Third Age.
Finwean Sibblings Prompt Fest 2026
A prompt-based fandom event aiming to focus on celebrating Finwë's children: Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Lalwen, & Finarfin - ships, gen relationships, or character-centric
Tolkien Sapphic September
Tolkien Sapphic September is a month long event focusing on Sapphic relationships and characters in Tolkien and adjacent materials.
Gigolas Week 2026
Gigolas Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Legolas and Gimli
Innumerable Stars 2026
A character-based Tolkien fandom gift exchange is returning for another year of gifting.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Ungoliant's Bane by polutropos
A spooky story has instilled a fear of spiders in young Elrond and Elros. Fortunately, Eärendil has returned from his latest sea voyage with a tale that will put their fears to rest.
Later, the boys tell Maglor of their father's exploits.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil & Elrond & Elros, Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 227 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (26) |
For the Love of Beleriand by Varda delle Stelle
The men were found by the avarin elf Nuin and after this the avari decided to adopt pretty much the atani and this change a lot of things in the history of Beleriand, all thanks to a curious elf
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Avari, Men, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Ficlet | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 816 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Atandil by Eilinel's Ghost
An ongoing series (estimated to ultimately include around 20-25 works) about Finrod & Bëor, their relationship, and how Finrod copes in the face of that loss. Basically, if you ever wanted a longer than necessary slow burn of these two trailblazing the elf-mortal love tragedy, I've got you covered.
I’m sorry for not having a more consistent schedule on getting these finished, edited, and posted. I’m juggling full-time work and in a busy season there, so I’ve been slipping this in wherever I can, but that does mean I’m a bit unpredictable when it comes to a posting schedule. Currently I'm managing approximately 1 piece every 2 weeks or thereabouts. Thanks for bearing with the slow burn!
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aegnor, Andreth, Balan, Baran, Belen, Bëor, Edain, Elves, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Part 07: A Heady Fragrance of Honey by Eilinel's Ghost
That it was returned, he did not question. He could look back now and see everything arranged in its full image, he could trace the careful dance they both wound through this past year; every word, every silence, every touch ringing through with that steady truth. How had he been so blind?
Springtime has come to Estolad. Finrod is struck with a realization he has been avoiding and faces the decisions that lie in its wake.
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 745 |
| 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) |
Vicious Inhumanity by Independence1776
Maglor and the other Elves underestimated the Human Preservation Organization.
Written for Narya in the 2023 GoreSwap exchange.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 062 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Horns of Ylmir by cuarthol
The sea-longing returns to Tuor, and he hopes he might be allowed to sail West, for the miseries of Middle-earth only grow and no place feels safe enough.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor, Tuor & Voronwë, Tuor/Voronwë |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 536 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Telling Tales by StarSpray
Earendil's stories of his voyages are passed down through the years.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Eärendil, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 462 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Remember no grievance by firstamazon
And when the tidings came to Balar of the fall of Gondolin and the death of Turgon, Ereinion Gil-galad son of Fingon was named High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.
~Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
When the War of Wrath breaks, Gil-galad must deal with a heavy contingent of refugees from all the fallen realms of Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Gil-galad & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Classism, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 412 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Ingwë Ingweron by heget
Of the history of the Elves at Cuiviénen and the development of the the three tribes, of the family of Elwë and the discovery of Oromë, of how Indis received her name and Ingwë earned his, and of the honor duel between Imin and Ingwë to decide the leadership of the Minyar and the future of the Eldar.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elu Thingol, Elves, Finwë, Imin, Indis, Ingwë, Oromë, Valar, Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 33, 575 |
| 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) |
Celebrían by Grundy
Celebrían is one of the legion of women in the legendarium whose status suggests she should play a more prominent role in the narrative than she does. This month's biography sifts through the many mentions of Celebrían in various sources to provide a picture of this important—if canonically neglected—woman.
Salmar-Noldorin by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Salmar appeared early in the legendarium in a muddled variety of roles only to disappear swiftly, known in the published text as the artificer of the horns of Ulmo, the Ulumúri.
Guileless Son by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Carphadril, Queen of the Evair, moves against the King and Queen of Doriath, a threat to her rule. She raises a son who - she hopes - will wed Luthien and claim the throne of the other great forest realm for her.
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Maedhros's portrait by Varda delle Stelle
Here is a portrait of the Eldest son of Feanor, with his swords ready to try to protect his people and fufill his Oath
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Fates of Man by AdmirableMonster
Two natural philosophers struggle to warn the Faithful that the end of Númenor is approaching. But can sworn enemies find a way forward in the midst of the final tumult?
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 451 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Written and Unwritten by Grundy
Young Feanor learns a lesson.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 482 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by reindeer_pizza
Tyelkormo is the beloved daughter of Nerdanel and Fëanor. But what if she doesn't want to be a daughter?
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Nerdanel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 601 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Before the Storm by polutropos
As Elwing navigates uncertainties about identity, rulership, and her impending motherhood, a chance meeting with a reclusive woman of the Haladin leads to a relationship that will give her strength facing the challenges to come. [WiP. Rating based on chapter 1 but will change to Adult.]
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Evranin |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elwing/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Het | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 926 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of The Fate of Eluréd and Elurín by cuarthol
The cruel servants of Celegorm seized [Dior's] young sons and left them to starve in the forest... and of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Eluréd, Elurín, Ents |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 963 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Ulmo, Lord of Waters, Part 1 by Anérea
From the earliest version of the legendarium, Ulmo existed as the Lord of the Waters, although over the decades his character would evolve to fit the changing tone of the "Silmarillion." Part One of his biography considers his domain, his relationships with the other Ainur, and the symbolic significance of the watery element in Tolkien's work.
Rise before sunset by firstamazon
A disabled young man is approached by a mysterious stranger. A triple drabble.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character, Sauron & Witch-king of Angmar |
| Genres: Drama, Suspense | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 602 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Part 06: Here in Our Frailty by Eilinel's Ghost
“Let us not perish here in the long darkness,” Balan said softly, crossing back to take one of the waiting wreaths and set it upon his own brow, “these creatures you chose to form. Remember us, here in our frailty.”
It is Yuletide. The Atani and Finrod celebrate throughout the night as they stay awake to greet the dawn after the Longest Night. Balan's people settle into Estolad, Atani traditions abound, and Finrod faces some memories.
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 672 |
| 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) |
Drabbles and one-shots by firstamazon
Drabbles and one-shots written for instadrabbling sessions on the SWG Discord server.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Fëanor, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Morwen, Orcs, Rúmil (Lothlórien), Sauron, Túrin, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
What the Water Gave Me by Rocky41_7
Finduilas had never thought she had been saved for a reason, until she found the woman in the river.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Drama, Femslash, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 27, 390 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Awesome Ladies by daughterofshadows
4 women, 4 story cycles, 400 words each.
Snapshots from the lives of four incredible women in Tolkien.
| Major Characters: Belladonna Took Baggins, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 641 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
Cry the color of love by firstamazon
Míriel Þerindë was one of a kind.
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 208 |
| 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) |
