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] The Last of the Old Gods by AdmirableMonster
Two members of the crew of the starship Vérië land on the planet Andúnië, investigating a location of interest called The Sleeping Garden.
(Introducing: a Space Opera Númenor AU. Let's be real, it was only a matter of time.)
[Writing] Amid the Wrack by Isilme_among_the_stars
After Ancalagon is cast down Eärendil seeks out his sons and Elrond grapples with the feelings the meeting brings.
Written for Tolkien Sea Week 2026: Day 5 - family
[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] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
[Writing] A Gift by Elrond's Library
Findekáno sets out to retrieve Maitimo.
[Reference] 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…
[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.
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
Analysing Arda
Create a work of nonfiction. All nonfiction is welcome, from headcanons to essays to multimedia responses. Read more ...
New in References
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.
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.
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
The Hunter's Horse by Himring
Orome's horse Nahar shows interest in a certain descendant of his.
| Major Characters: Nahar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (15) |
The wee small hours by firstamazon
Rosie Cotton enjoys the little things.
Based on this moodboard made by Narya.
| Major Characters: Rosie Cotton |
| Major Relationships: Rosie Cotton/Samwise Gamgee |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 469 |
| 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) |
Five Gil-Galads Walk Into A Bar by herenortherenearnorfar
The Halls of Mandos are known to be strange but there's no precendent for running into other people who claim to be you.
Gil-Galad meets some other Gil-Galads and reflects on the essence of Gil-Galadness.
| Major Characters: Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 581 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
This Tornado Tolerates and Respects You by herenortherenearnorfar
They are alike in warform. Unlike the Balrogs, the orcs did not get to pick their shape.
| Major Characters: Gothmog, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: Gothmog & Orcs |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, In-Universe Intolerance, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 492 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I've Fallen in Love just a Little by chrissystriped
Mairon lies awake and contemplates his feelings for Celebrimbor that threaten to disturb his plans.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 677 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Half and whole by firstamazon
Fingon tries to convince his (half) uncle.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Fingon |
| Genres: Family, General, Humor | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
All Living Things by Keiliss
"I’m only lightly armed and it’s just the two of us.” He had barely thought to bring a sword, the valley felt safe even under siege.
Erestor turned to stare at him from the shadow of an ancient oak, his eyes a-glitter in the low light. “You’ve fought wargs and orcs and all sorts of humans,” he pointed out. “And a balrog. You’re an army all wrapped up in one package. Come on.”
Set in Imladris under siege early in the Third Age. More correctly called Eklach's Story, or An Orc's Tale, because that is what it is.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Glorfindel |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 11, 652 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Water and Blood by Keiliss
Over a cup of wine, Finarfin and Ingwion discuss family, the weather, and their status as figurehead war leaders, then start a little rebellion of their own.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Ingwion |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Ingwion |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 770 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Last Fruits by Ellynn
Telperion wakes up after the passing of Melkor and Ungoliant. Although he is mortally wounded, something extraordinary happens. Sequel to "Arrival of Darkness".
| Major Characters: Telperion |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 772 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Second Wedding by chrissystriped
Ingwe receives the invitation to Finwe and Indis's wedding.
| Major Characters: Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 204 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Beyond the Western Shore by StarSpray
In her wanderings through Aman, Minyelmë comes to the farthest shore.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 481 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
We’ll grow old together by firstamazon
Four cousins have fun by the sea.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Celegorm, Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Aegnor & Angrod & Celegorm & Curufin |
| Genres: Adventure, Family, General | Challenges: Holiday Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 628 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
From Crystal Fountains Unfailing by Lindariel
Alatáriel and Teleporno encounter the Falls of Ivrin.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Erotica, Het, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: Holiday Party, Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 687 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
One Hundred Words About Maedhros by Himring
Drabbles in my 'Doom' series. Not necessarily gloomy!
100 words according to Word.
Last added: Deadlier.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 1, 016 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (24) |
Who would come for you in the end but your best friend? by Himring
Huan finds Celegorm in Mandos.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Huan |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Huan |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 147 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A New Battle by LadyBrooke
Gil-galad found that battles in Valinor were not that different from battles anywhere else, even if they used words instead of swords. It was still a fight against despair and loss, with reminders of the cost of failure lurking behind every corner.
Elrond was no longer by his side to help, but Finarfin and Ingwë were. If there had to be a battle of words to get the rest of their family from the Halls - well, Gil-galad would not shy from planning that battle.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Gil-galad, Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Gnome Tome |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 074 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
A New Leaf on the Tree by chrissystriped
Luiloth has exciting news for Thranduil.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 716 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gnome Tome |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Entwives by hennethgalad
prompt: "Why do the Elves of Lórien live in trees"
the song of the Mallorn
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Fimbrethil, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gnome Tome |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 547 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
KayleeArafinwiel's Nano Flash Fiction Prompts (Nancy Stohlman) 2021 by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Stories written (or begun) for Nancy Stohlman's flash fiction prompts in November 2021, National Novel Writing Month.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
On The Edge of Angobel by Kaylee Arafinwiel
for Day 4 of Nancy Stohlman's November 2021, "On the edge of the mining town..."
Thranduil's friend, Tulusson, is an OC of mine and AfricanDaisy's, originally from a mining family in the mountains of Greenwood/Mirkwood.
Sometime after Thranduil sails to Tol Eressea, becoming a prince of Doriath 'Wain, he visits the nearby mining town of Angobel...
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 217 |
| 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) |
From Tirion to the West-Gate by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Write about something wrong that turns out to be right. (for day 3 of Nancy Stohlman's November 2021 challenge)
'The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.' -L.P. Hartley, 'The Go-Between'
Lalwen Finwiel reflects on market-days throughout her life, and how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or do they?
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 453 |
| 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) |
Beren and the Cats by Kaylee Arafinwiel
So November 2's prompt from Nancy Stohlman was "Write about a man who has at least three cats." I can think of several of my Elves who I headcanon as having cats, but while 'man' could just mean 'male', I took it to mean Man, and weirdly the first one that came into my head as possibly having many cats was...Beren. I don't have any reason for this, except that Huan loves him so it would be funny for him to also be a cat person
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 333 |
| 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) |
Beyond The Doors of Night by Kaylee Arafinwiel
So Nancy Stohlman's first prompt for November was "Write a story that takes place in darkness"... Don't know that it gets much darker than the Void. Post-LOTR, let's see how Morgoth, Sauron, and Saruman are doing...
| Major Characters: Melkor, Saruman, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 211 |
| 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 Roads Not taken by Idrils Scribe
A collection of outtakes and deleted scenes written for the Under Strange Stars series. Are you wondering how Elrohir's long journey came to be, or which alternative universes didn't make the cut? Want to read more about the characters? Take a look over here, at what might have been ...
| Major Characters: Elrohir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 7, 523 |
| 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 (2) |
