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
Arda on Ice
Design your own figure skating program from a collection of prompts. 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
He'll Knock Next Time by Grundy
Turgon interrupted something. Drabble written for the Dear Irmo challenge, inspired by the "Now You've Spoiled the Cheese ..." prompt.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Finwean Ladies Week 2021 by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Loosely connected Finwean Ladies Week snippets written for the prompts.
Chapter One: Indis & Miriel (mostly Indis conflicting with Feanaro, mention of Findis, small Lalwen and Nolofinwe)
Chapter Two: Findis & Lalwen (Findis protesting Lalwen's desire to follow their brothers into Exile.)
Chapter Three: Artanis & Irisse (Galadriel and Aredhel on the Helcaraxe. Fingon being a teasing brother, mention of Finrod)
Chapter Four:
Chapter Five:
Chapter Six:
Chapter Seven:
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elves, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Child Abuse, In-Universe Intolerance, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 914 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Out of Hopeful Green Stuff Woven by StarSpray
Findis waits for Lalwen outside of Mandos
| Major Characters: Findis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Findis & Lalwen |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 850 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thranduil's Shadow by Mimi Lind
Young Thranduil rushes into a relationship that divides his family, and a series of tragic events turns him cold and reserved. To find happiness and love he must deal with his shadows, but how can he ever become free of his father?
This is a story of how Thranduil met Legolas’ mother, and also a recount of parts of the Silmarillion from his perspective.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Amroth, Beleg, Beren, Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Oropher, Thranduil, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 682 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Meeting by Starlight by StarSpray
Miriel comes to see Indis one evening.
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 521 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Quietus by UnnamedElement
Chroniclers will claim--above all else--that Maeglin left Nan Elmoth for desire of lordship alone. While we all know how the story ends, before that there was more: a mother and her son and a dark dark wood; three lives and three deaths, and the dazzling sunlight in between. This story is a portrait of the why behind the flight: family violence and a woman under siege, a child grown to adulthood in lonely darkness, learning to fight with only the tools provided him. It is a tale of childhood nightmares maturing into something more--manipulated by heart-darkened fathers and gently used by desperate mothers--until living becomes surviving and reality is a dream...
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Eöl, Aredhel & Eöl & Maeglin, Aredhel & Maeglin, Eöl & Maeglin |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 15, 583 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
No Fit Place by Independence1776
Instead of dying, Maedhros is captured by Sauron.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eluréd, Elurín, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 150 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty by Gadira
The History of the Downfall, from Ar Sakalthôr's accession to Ar Pharazôn's Armada. EPILOGUE: In Middle-earth, life begins anew, and hope lies hidden in the most unlikely places. Story now complete.
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Horror, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Character Death, Expletive Language, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Incest, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 159 | Word Count: 1, 003, 532 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
This is just to say… by Himring
A letter to the author, by a writer of fan fiction.
That is, to Tolkien.
Written for a prompt of the "Dear Irmo" challenge.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 469 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Swan-ship by heget
Their Falmari companion tells of the arrival of Eärendil's ship, Vingilot, to Alqualondë.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 451 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Uinen by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over the course of Tolkien's development of the legendarium, Uinen evolved from a morally murky nature deity to a protector of Arda's mariners.
Threads of Time by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Young Elwing seeks her Aunt Galadriel's reassurance after a disappointing judgement on her threadwork at the Arvernien Summer Faire.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Galadriel |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 590 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Winds of Wrath by StarSpray
But as Eluréd and Elurín made their way south along the sunny coast of Lindon the heat had settled in, like a heavy blanket over the land that even the sea breezes could not abate. It brought with it scattered rain showers, the occasional rumble of thunder, and an oppressive feeling.e
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 303 |
| 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) |
To Give and Receive by Narya
A prince, his butler, and a pair of unexpected gifts.
A fluffy ficlet written in response to the 'Dear Irmo' challenge at the Silmarillion Writer's Guild.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 682 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Why Steel Points North by Anne Wolfe
Long ago, before any of the elves awoke, there were two great lamps: one silver, named Illuin, and one gold, named Ormal.
The story of how magnets came to be.
| Major Characters: Aulë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 429 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Hidden, Healing, Shaped to Touch by Lferion
During the long, strange years After the Sun, Nerdanel made sculptures. Not statues, not the likenesses she was known for, but abstract pieces intended to be touched as much as seen.
A 5 drabble sequence
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel, Faniel & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Kink |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren & Dior |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 802 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Women of Troy by heget
The story repeats and yet doesn't, over and over with the aftermath of each battle.
Fingon strips Dor-lomin of men for his grand assault on Angband - only the women and children and defenseless are left behind.
| Major Characters: Meril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 274 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
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| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 256 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Loyalty by Melesta
Írissë and Findekáno have always been close and understand each other well, and not only for the love they share for certain Fëanorian cousins.
How does this sibling love evolve between Aredhel and Fingon in Beleriand? What stands behind some crucial decisions for the White Lady of the Noldor?
A few heart-to-heart conversations between these two valiant Nolofinweans. And then some. Aredhel's POV.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon, Aredhel + Celegorm |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 2, 014 |
| 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) |
Complete by Melesta
Turukáno has come of age and discovers a bond deeper than friendship between his brother Findekáno and their cousin Maitimo. How does this impact his own life?
How does Turgon come to see the bond between Fingon and Maedhros? What does it have to do with his decisions in Beleriand, in Gondolin, and later back in Valinor? Can he cope with and forgive everything that has happened?
An attempt to explore the complex psychology of Turgon through the ages, from his own POV.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Fingon & Turgon |
| Genres: Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 2, 857 |
| 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) |
Day of leisure at the riverside by Aprilertuile
As they reach safer ground, Elrond and Maglor find a river, and decide to stop there for the rest of the day.
A day of peace, and of conversations. Also of conversations strategically avoided.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 297 |
| 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) |
Walk and talk under the stars by Aprilertuile
The area being unstable, Maglor and Elrond decide to keep walking during the night.
Conversation happens.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 660 |
| 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) |
Fellow Students by Himring
Galdor has been sponsored by Fingolfin to go and study on Taniquetil.
It is here that he first meets Elenwe and becomes devoted to her.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Galdor of the Tree |
| Major Relationships: Elenwë & Galdor of the Tree |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 466 |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
