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Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
SWG News
New Challenge: Tengwar
Each day for thirty-six days, we feature a randomly chosen letter from the Tengwar as a prompt.
A Sense of History: Crossroads
In the ongoing series on towers in Tolkien's work, a thread runs through "The Lord of the Rings," revealing the divine assistance of Varda in the travails of the Fellowship.
Cultus Dispatches: Canon Deviations, Multifandoms, and Original Content
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data gives some insight into what connections, if any, exist between fanfiction and original fiction.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Tengwar (working title) by cuarthol
For the Tengwar prompt challenge. To be updated as new prompts are completed.
Current up through 'Anca'
[Writing] I Stood Aside by Flora-lass
Maedhros' horror at the burning of the ships. Inspired by a painting (see notes).
[Reference] Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
[Writing] Words of Wisdom by AdmirableMonster
One or more drabbles about Pengolodh and his babysitter Salgant.
[Writing] Les Mots de Sagesse by AdmirableMonster
Plusieurs petites histoires qui parle de Pengolodh et Salgant pendant des moments differents.
[Writing] "Tengwar" ficlets by chrissystriped
Fics written for the "Tengwar" challenge.
[Writing] Upon Cirith Thoronath by StarSpray
A horrid cacophony of cries erupts ahead of them, as orcs appear—up the cliff on hidden ledges, on the path, with bows and swords. And behind them rises a figure of darkness and flame. The heat rolls down the path over them, bringing the smell of burning flesh and bitter fear with it. Someone…
Current Challenge
Tengwar
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Solve a Problem
Create a fanwork that solves a canon problem using your own favorite (or most frustrating!) canon problem to solve or by choosing one of the member-submitted canon problems. Read more ...
New in References
Thálatta! Thálatta! by Simon J. Cook
[]While he never climbs the stairs of this Elf-tower, in Lothlórien Frodo Baggins descends a flight of steps to look into Galadriel’s Mirror, wherein he first sees the sea. This post examines the view.
[]
With Gildor Inglorion we finally climb the stairs of Elostirion and look on the view, and what we see appears to reveal a hidden thread in the story of Frodo Baggins. This post reads two annotated translations of two Elvish songs to step through a crossroads in the narrative to arrive at the tower on the margin of the story, wherein is a stone that is a window onto Valinor.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Waybread (The Waybredlik) by Himring
[]Lembas speaks out.
[Series] Apr 1st Stories by Uvatha the Horseman
[]Once a year on April 1st, a canon character from LOTR or the Silmarillion gets pranked.
[Writing] Crossing Forest River by Dawn Felagund
[]Bilbo recounts, in verse, the attempt of Gandalf, Beorn, and him to cross the Forest River after the Battle of Five Armies. Written for the Hungarian Tolkien Society's 2024 Mailing Competition.
Around the World and Web
Monstrous May 2024
Monstrous May is a Tumblr event where, for each day of the month of May, there is a prompt involving and invoking the monstrous.
Fellowship of the Fics: Modern AU May
During May, Fellowship of the Fics offers modern AU prompt lists for setting, character occupation, and dialogue on Tumblr.
May challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The May challenge has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic challenge: name; formal challenge: acrostic. As usual, these can be filled independently and freely combined with other prompts such as the SWG challenges. New participants welcome!
May 2024 Calls for Papers
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers in May 2024.
Angbang Week 2024
All new, unpublished fanworks about the Angbang (Melron) ship are welcome during this Tumblr event, running 6-12 May 2024.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Fawlty Towers by Simon J. Cook
The tower analogy in "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics" wasn't simply a poignant extended metaphor about the poem but addressed specific scholars about academic debates around Beowulf. The lack of addressing this historical context has led to misreadings of Tolkien's meaning.
The Hope of Love: Eärendil and Elwing as Symbols of Romance in Popular Culture by Rocky41_7
Earendil and Elwing's story has captivated Middle-earth for centuries. An examination of various pop culture adaptations of the story.
KEY WORDS: Earendil, Elwing, Pop culture, Third Kinslaying, Sirion, Theater, Art, War of Wrath
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 622 |
| Posted on 6 December 2023 | Updated on 6 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
By Love Annealed by sallysavestheday
Celebrimbor reconciles himself to and rejoices in an imperfect world, for a little while.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 978 |
| Posted on 5 December 2023 | Updated on 5 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Mapping Arda, Part II: Travels through Beleriand by Anérea, Dawn Felagund
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part II explores various aspects of Beleriand.
Meet me in the Woods by daughterofshadows
Melian meets Thingol for the first time.
| Major Characters: Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 146 |
| Posted on 2 December 2023 | Updated on 2 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
They Can Nearly Talk by Chestnut_pod
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
Eru Ilúvatar made them all.For an Age of the world, Valinorean readers have devoured Doctor Heriel's bestselling tales of animal leeching in the beautiful environs of the Elf-city of Alqualondë. This new translation into Westron will introduce a generation of readers in the Eastern Lands to the gentleness of spirit, warm humor, and love for the animal world that have secured Doctor Heriel's literary reputation across the Sea.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General, Humor, In-Universe Artifact | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 002 |
| Posted on 2 December 2023 | Updated on 2 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Mapping Arda, Part I: Terraforming by Anérea
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part I looks at diagrams of the shape of Arda as well as maps of the earliest years and the lands of Aman.
The Labour of My Love by ohboromir
Túrin is taken to Angband, and Beleg makes a choice.
It's not the one he thinks he's making.
-
For @dorcuartholweek
| Major Characters: Beleg, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: Beleg/Túrin |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 152 |
| Posted on 11 September 2023 | Updated on 30 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Iron of Death by ohboromir
No, it is not.” Eöl clearly did not agree. Beleg had never seen him looking so miserable,
The comet-ore was so precious; Thingol knew it, that was why he had named it as his prize.
“It is not ready yet, Cúthalion. Return in a moon’s turn, and I will have it for you.”
-
Beleg, Mablung and Eöl - and Anglachel.
For @sindarweek 2023 - Day 1: Heroes & Villains
| Major Characters: Beleg, Eöl, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Mablung, Beleg & Eöl, Eöl & Mablung |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 944 |
| Posted on 4 September 2023 | Updated on 30 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Andróg, Andvír |
| Major Relationships: Andróg & Andvír |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 906 |
| Posted on 1 September 2023 | Updated on 30 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Bloodied by ohboromir
For the first time in Elvish memory, battle raged.
The clashing of swords and the swift rush of arrows, the cries of the wounded, the silence of the dead - the clamour rose, and above it only Thingol’s booming voice could be heard.
-
The First Battle of Beleriand.
For @sindarweek day 3: legendary deeds
| Major Characters: Beleg, Elu Thingol, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg & Mablung |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 261 |
| Posted on 6 September 2023 | Updated on 30 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
a place where both our hearts may rest by ohboromir
He remembered how they had once desired glory. How they had once wanted to take part in great deeds. And how that battle had ended in nothing but betrayal and bloodshed. No, Mablung did not wish to be a warrior any longer – he longed for his books and journals, for the comfort of song and the company of friends.
Beleg exhaled deeply. “We will not be soldiers again; not captains, not lords, only Beleg and Mablung.”
-
Beleg and Mablung survived the First Age. In search of a better future, they set off on an exploration of Eriador, but peace is not always easy to find.
Inspired by wonderful art from @lycheesodas
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: Beleg/Mablung |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 17, 155 |
| Posted on 19 August 2023 | Updated on 30 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Myth Hanging Heavy Over You by stormfallen
Elrond asks about his mother, in 100-word drabbles.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elwing |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 127 |
| Posted on 29 November 2023 | Updated on 29 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Elegy for Númenor – Volume 2: The Darkening by elfscribe
Ar-Pharazôn, the mighty King of Númenor, thinks he has triumphed when his powerful enemy, Sauron, surrenders, and the King carries him back to his glorious island kingdom. However, Sauron’s greatest power lies not in his armies, but in his capacity for guile and seduction. A drama with many players.
Rating: M overall, although, no doubt, future chapters will have explicit content.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Amandil, Ar-Pharazôn, Elendil, Isildur, Númenóreans, Sauron, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: Ar-Pharazôn & Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn/Tar-Míriel, Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Het, Romance, Slash, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 29, 046 |
| Posted on 31 August 2022 | Updated on 28 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Light is Still There by Aldwen
Do wars start with the first fired arrow and end with the last? Or maybe they start already with the realization that they need to be fought? And never truly end, as long as the memory of them haunts those who took part? Arafinwë’s story of the War of Wrath. Previously posted on other sites.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Finarfin, Ingwion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 31 | Word Count: 51, 100 |
| Posted on 24 October 2023 | Updated on 28 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Kill the flame by stormfallen
Once per year, on the night of a holiday only she still celebrates, Galadriel lights fourteen candles.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 477 |
| Posted on 26 November 2023 | Updated on 26 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Choice Fruits by cuarthol, Dawn Felagund
Terentaulë makes her choice; but in the end, they were both fruit of the same tree.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 341 |
| Posted on 26 November 2023 | Updated on 26 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Today I’ll Kiss You, Tomorrow I’ll Miss You by UnicornsInSpace
Finrod thinks about his and Amarië's relationship while they cuddle in a forest. She is a closeted trans woman.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 562 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Celegorm by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Celegorm emerged early in Tolkien's work on the "Silmarillion," but his evolution into the villain he would become in the published text is complicated, and he filled two surprising roles before coming fully into his own. The first of two parts considers how early work on the "Silmarillion" shaped his final characterization.
Between the Shadow and the Soul by sallysavestheday
It is Fingon -- again -- who leaps the gap that yawns between them.
Maedhros capitulates to Fingon, at last.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 592 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Hyemation by sallysavestheday
Fingon winters in Himring.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 495 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
O, How I Have Missed Our Scholarly Debates by sallysavestheday
Pengolodh and Erestor resolve some differences of opinion, deliciously.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 444 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tender Morsels by sallysavestheday
Fingon and Maedhros and the bittersweet taste of love.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 576 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Long, White Knives by sallysavestheday
Finrod is not the only Arafinwean with very sharp teeth. A little Galadriel for Finwean Ladies Week 2023.
| 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: 428 |
| Posted on 25 November 2023 | Updated on 25 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mercy of the Fallen by AdmirableMonster
Rather than killing him, Dior curses Celegorm with his dying breath. Someone that Celegorm once helped helps him a little in turn.
| Major Characters: Original Nonbinary Character(s), Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Original Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Understory |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 919 |
| Posted on 24 November 2023 | Updated on 24 November 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
