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
Exchange Student
Send a character as a student to an unfamiliar culture and create a fanwork about his, her, or their experience. 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
With Daisies in Her Hair by StarSpray
Sam has just settled himself on Tol Eressea when Galadriel comes to call.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 897 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"The House of a Friend" & other drabbles by Himring
The friendship of Narvi and Celebrimbor: Narvi and Celebrimbor work on the Doors of Moria and other scenes.
Now added: Exploring Upwards (extra double drabble)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 953 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Answering Light by Anérea
Inspired by Surfacing, Into Light by Maggie Honeybite featuring Keiliss' Erestor and Gil-galad from Answers in the Dark, the sequel to Burning Bright: The Road.
- - -
Music: Come Back to Us · Thomas Newman
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Gil-galad |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (20) |
“The Burnt Hand Teaches Most About Fire”: Applying Trauma Exposure and Ecological Frameworks to Narratives of Displacement and Resettlement Across Elven Cultures in Tolkien’s Middle-earth by UnnamedElement
This two-part paper discusses different elven responses to trauma exposure and forced displacement in Beleriand and Middle-earth (absolutely not exhaustive!). The first half of the paper focuses on Elrond's response to traumatic stress, while the second half compares the impact of Galadriel and Oropher's migration into formerly Silvan realms. First given at the Tolkien Society's Diversity & Tolkien seminar in 2021.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Galadriel, J.R.R. Tolkien, Nandor, Oropher, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 961 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
After The Fall by Grundy
A moodboard showing the path of the survivors of Gondolin.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Wealth of Yavanna's Imagining by Grundy
A Yavanna moodboard featuring her creation of birds and other flying creatures.
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Helcaraxë by Anérea
The followers of Fingolfin Nolofinwë spent years (or decades, depending on which version of Tolkien's maths you subscribe to) on the treacherous crossing of the grinding ice between Aman and Middle-Earth.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Elves, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Noldor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Illustration, Landscape |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
For Godhood is Wrought of Blood by vaecordia
The swelling influence of the Elven kindgoms caught thus the notice of one who named himself Annatar, and to Eregion he arrived with little flourish yet with much to give. He came before Celebrimbor, and bowed deep in respect, which impressed the Lord for the humility of one so great as him, as a Maia, as one of the Ainur.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 584 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Angrod - Lord of Dorthonion by Gabriel
This artwork is a depiction of Angrod, son of Finarfin, and all that represents his life in Dorthonion. It is also a companion piece to a story I recently uploaded, 'Star In The Darkness.'
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s), Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Storm Season by Independence1776
My first artwork for TRSB 2022. Huan washes ashore in Fourth Age Harad, where Maglor has been living for decades.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Huan, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Plaything by chrissystriped
Sauron wants to try a new invention on his subordinate. Mormirion is not amused.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Maiar, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Sauron/Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 127 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Falcon-golden Eyes by chrissystriped
Eonwe and Reviahûn spend some free time together.
Two falcons race across the sky to fight out who gets to be on top.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Eönwë, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 050 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Finding Lost Family by chrissystriped
After Sharû and his soldiers help the slaves of Angband regain their freedom, they are prisoners of war. Future is an uncertain thing for both the orcs and the freed elves. Ecthelion intends to make life better for all of them.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Ecthelion of the Fountain, Elves, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Ecthelion/Original Character |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 69, 819 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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"You are so beautiful when you scream, Maitimo." by chrissystriped
Melkor is very pleased to have Maedhros as his prisoner.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Maedhros/Melkor |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 735 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Surfacing, Into Light by Maggie Honeybite
On the night before he sails to Númenor on his mission, Erestor has a dream that sends him to Gil-galad's room in search of some sexual healing. Inspired by Keiliss' Answers in the Dark series, fits in right after Tea and History (or chapter 7 of Answers in the Dark). Alternatively, could be read as just a hot PWP. A gift for Keiliss.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Gil-galad |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 700 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Surfacing Light by Anérea, Maggie Honeybite
A "missing scene", and a painting, inspired by Answers in the Dark by Keiliss.
On the night before he sails to Númenor on his mission, Erestor has a dream that sends him to Gil-galad's room in search of some sexual healing. Fits in right after chapter 7: Tea and History of Answers in the Dark. Alternatively, could be read as just a hot PWP. A gift for Keiliss.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
A special boy by chrissystriped
A batch of new slaves is brought to the mines, one of them is going to make an impression on both Mormirion and Sharû.
| Major Characters: Elves, Maiar, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Child Abuse, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 10, 493 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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After the Storm Waves by Himring
The Downfall of Numenor has also inflicted considerable damage on settlements in Lindon.
When Elendil's ships arrive, Cirdan considers how to put up those Numenoreans who escaped the Downfall.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Elendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
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| This fanwork is complete. |
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Kintsugi in Andunie by Himring
An elvish visitor from Tol Eressea to Andunie in Numenor mends an old pot.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 365 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Who will pity the candle and the moth? by Himring
A very brief encounter between Andreth and Aegnor after death.
Maybe Nienna had her hand in it, allowing Andreth to linger for a short while among dead Elves. Or maybe not?
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 196 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Chances taken by chrissystriped
Mairon is leaving Celebrimbor to forge the One Ring. Or is he?
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 355 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Found by chrissystriped
A reborn Celebrimbor has come to Middle-earth to search for Maglor.
He finds someone else.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 401 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Lost by chrissystriped
Celebrimbor realises the truth about Annatar. He will keep the Three save at all cost.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Torture |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 703 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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An Adventure by chrissystriped
“Feeling adventurous, sweet Tyelpe?”, Annatar asked in a teasing tone, his eyes glinting.
“Maybe?”, he answered lightly. He knew Annatar well enough to not say yes without hearing more, even with his mind fogged by pleasure.
“Well”, he said, lowering himself so their cheeks touched and he could whisper seductively into his ear. “I’m thinking, naughty elves need to be punished. No?” Annatar’s cock was digging into his hip and Celebrimbor could feel it twitch at the words.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 399 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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Naive and Brilliant by chrissystriped
Annatar questions Celebrimbor's philosophy while seducing him.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 553 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
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