Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
New Challenge: Stars Create a fanwork using star-themed prompts presented in a bingo board format.
Character of the Month: Marach There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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Stars
Construct a fanwork using star-themed prompts in a bingo card format. Read more ...
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Understory
For this remix challenge, develop a minor character, plot point, or other detail from a fanwork into a new fanwork. Read more ...
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
A dissenting voice in Marach's alliance with the Elves of Beleriand, Amlach experiences a change of mind after a mysterious twist in the story reorients his priorities toward enmity with Morgoth.
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…
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The gem he had returned to the Valar was poor recompense for his family’s sacrifice.
Oh, this line in particular was interesting. I liked this new perspective of Earendil as a father and husband first and a "chosen one"/emissary second. That's obviously not something we see in the Silm.
One thing, though, "thine brow" should be "thy brow". :)
I appreciate your words and your approval of my focus on Earendil, a character who often gets maligned a bit for his "desertion" of home and family.
I was uncertain about the Old English, but actually did look up the usage and thy/thine are interchangeable and dependent upon preference of the writer. I chose to use thine in this particular usage.
Well, I have the knowledge of the telescope already present. I had Helyanwe making one for Idril a few months ago in a story. So it seemed likely that it was something she learned when she was apprenticing with Lord Aule and that he could give such an item to Earendil. After all, if you were flying above lands that you used to know, wouldn't you want to take a closer look? LOL. Thanks for your comments, they are appreciated as always!
Perhaps. I doubt he will be able to see them every night. There will be clouds, the pathway he may take may need to be varied, and Maedhros and Maglor probably move often to avoid being discovered. But I do think that he feels more relief at having his sons in their care, with a dash of common sense. The two kinslayers probably are fairly conversant with how to take care of young boys having had so many younger brothers that they undoubtedly helped care for while they were growing up in Tirion
I love the contrast you have here: the first paragraph is so gentle and lyrical, with beautiful descriptions that make us feel like we're watching the stars. And then, the second is so much darker, with sinister atmosphere of the approaching war. So well done!
Thanks, Ellynn, I am quite fond of the stars (as are you, if I recall correctly) and can just imagine learning all about them as a young child. Then, having the opportunity to sail among them would be marvelous. But Morgoth lurks in the North and he was responsible for the death of his mother and his city. It was Earendil's coming to the Valar that started the machines of war in Aman and, indeed, they will bring war to the gates of Angband. Thank you so much for your words :-)
Comments on A Light from Afar
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.