Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
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!
Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Stars
Create a fanwork using star-themed prompts presented in a bingo board format.
Cultus Dispatches: Trends in Fandom Entry Year
The films inspired a lot of fanfiction, yes, but exactly how fanfiction authors interacted with them predicts who remains in the fandom for long durations.
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.
[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] As Fire and Tempest by Zdenka
Gwindor and Celebrimbor share their fears, after a council meeting in which Túrin got his way.
[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] incessantly softly wash again, and ever again by Zdenka
A lament for Nargothrond, in the aftermath of the Battle of Tumhalad. (Prose poem, also an exact drabble according to MS Word.)
[Artwork] Lindórië looks to the future by Anérea
silhouette portrait of Lindórië, grandmother of Tar-Palantir
[Writing] An Alluring Offer by octopus_fool
Tata is offered a solution to a grave problem, at a very low price...
[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…
Stars
Construct a fanwork using star-themed prompts in a bingo card format. Read more ...
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. Read more ...
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
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.
[Writing] Under Agate Skies by Isilme_among_the_stars
Erestor finds himself thrust into adventure when Elrond requests his company escorting Arwen to Minas Tirith after the War of the Ring is won. All too aware of the chronic illness that has bound his friend to Rivendell for the past several centuries, Glorfindel has some concerns. Erestor, aware…
[Artwork] A Memento of Faery by Grundy
TRSB26 art 144 - an artifact brought back from Faerie by a Starbearer.
Erestober 2026
An event running throughout October, to show appreciation for Erestor!
Silm Smut Week 2026
Silm Smut Week is a Tumblr event celebrating sexually explicit fanworks.
LotR Week 2026
A week-long event for The Lord of the Rings
Finwëan Ladies Week 2026
Finwëan Ladies Week will run from September 21-27, 2026!
Fingon x Finrod x Maedhros Day 2026
A day to celebrate the relationship of the three eldest princes.
Oooh, awesome, awesome, awesome, Wesley! This chapter moves along at a very good pace with a nice balance of description and dialog. Love the imagery of the Temple of Silver and the contentitious audience, especially the discussion around the comparison of Dwarvish lenses vs. those from Aman and the thermodynamic unliklihood of transmutation. Aulendil is in his element here, and I loved how he fields the questions and challenges. Spot on. I also deeply appreciate the fact that you give sutble, outward signs of age to the Elves (and the Wolf in Half-Maia/Half-Vanya Clothing) here. Very believable in my book.
The emissary continued, "…Curumo, the Cunning, begat me upon a noblewoman of Ingwë’s house. It was no happy union as Thingol and Melian’s was… after strife between them, my birth was a gift that brought no joy to either.
The Dark Muse™ is running around in a tight circle, alternately screaming with glee and horror. :^D
"He knows more than god, then! There is going to be a king’s ransom of diamonds lost through the floorboards if so much as sneezes! His beard has probably swept up more wealth than—" There was a clank of metal and a flood of blue cursing. “Oh mother of spiders! That hurt!
This was a hilarious scene, esp. the subsequent ribbing on Tyelpo's (sorry force of habit :^D) Tyelpë's part. "Disorganized." Heh. "Mother of spiders!" Love it! Might I poach it?
But this...this is my very favorite bit from this chapter:
So when, in the pursuit of a new method he miscalculated the necessary heat for the coals, it took him by surprise that his error elicited no biting remark on his intelligence or moral fiber.
“Ah!” Aulendil put his hand over Tyelpe’s in guidance. “Close. A few degrees more, it’s a whiter heat for mithril. There you have it. Perfect. Now, hold it there.”
“I’m sorry, I should have—“
“Eh?” the Vanya smith blinked in confusion. “No need for an apology, Tyelpe. Goodness, this is your forge after all. You’re doing fine.” He laughed, and returned to work.
Man, oh, man, does that ring true at a deeply personal level. Throughout my education and career, I have received plenty of compliments but with qualifications. And even if I didn't say "I'm sorry, I should have" (although I am sure I must have said this literally at times), I know I was thinking it. [As an aside, I told one of my former supervisors, when he asked for feedback from me, that he should praise his direct reports.] So unqualified praise is really uplifting and certainly engenders good will. I can truly get why this means so much to Tyelpë. This - and the combination of authentic knowledge that Aulendil offers - nicely sets up the dynamic between Tyelpë and Aulendil and how the latter knows exactly which chimes to ring in this regard. I'm guessing that Aulendil likely has experienced the same.
And I love the artwork!
OH HO HO you and the DM are absolutely more than welcome to pilfer Annatar's curses! XD he is honored.
Again, nicely paced, very cool world-building and interesting characters. Man, do I love your Dwarves!
"Not bad by half…" he panted. "…for one so elderly."
"And you neither, for a savage, uncouth Fëanorian."
Tyelpe breathed a laugh. "We had brave, fiery dances. You’d never keep up."
That snippet of dialog represents what I liked overall in BS&S - A & T have an engaging banter with what feels like authentic good-natured ribbing. It shows (vs. tells) that these fellows are both colleagues and friends. Also got a kick out-of-the-drunken-dance-scene-making-a-fool-of-oneself-in-front-of-one's-mentor. I've been there. Although I didn't go to bed with him afterwards. Speaking of which...
The erotic scene really worked well! Again, you achieve a good balance of erotic imagery and sensation along with emotion and dialog. Actually reminds me of Oshun's treatments of Fingon and Maedhros (that's high praise, btw. :^)) Full disclaimer: if an erotic scene is too prolonged and with just pokes and prods, I get bored as hell and skip ahead. Yours is not like that at all. There's something to be said about Tyelpë's character here, notably:
The only words that came easy now were short, and filthy, and he could hear them echoed by Aulendil’s stunning voice, rumbling and deep—telling him how good he was, how perfect, how much he was taking— the same voice he’d heard in the lecture hall, in the forge, and the thought of it was so deliciously sinful.
Great tie-in to the previous chapter and Tyelpë's hunger for praise.
Also liked the descriptions and process of the forging of the Three and how Tyelpë's infused them with the essence of his friends...and their revulsion thereof. The use of blood magic in the crafting of the Rings was neat.
And finally the end:
“But I do understand. I know you craved kinship, and affection, as much as I did. You say that Aulendil was not real, but that is also a lie.” Tyelpe choked. “That he was not the whole truth of you does not make him fiction. And whatever you are in your entirety, I will love that part of you that was kind, and earnest, and brilliant, forever. And I am sorry, my friend, that you cannot pull back from this path you have taken, I am sorry that you have chosen the most useless and destructive consolation of all to salve your grief. I cannot bring back what you lost, nor be the downfall you wish to avenge. I am only Tyelpe. And I love you."
Red coals sprayed over the ground as Sauron yanked the hot iron from the forge and drove it upwards through Tyelperinquar's ribs. "Silence! Still your idiot tongue, you disgusting child! I hate you, I hate all your kind, your family, your breed, your species! I will eradicate you from this earth and piss on the wreckage, useless whelp of Eru! Don't you dare speak another word to me!"
Tyelpë drives the hammer home. And the characterization of Sauron here? The raw anger at Tyelpë's strike at the heart of the matter? Oh, yes. Feels right to me.
*Applauds* Very well done, Wes!
I am and continue to be overwhelmed by joy at your commentary. I literally keep a hoard of your responses that I sit atop purring and scratching my scales with. Forgive me if my head swells just a little bit from knowing that my bits of science-magic and erotica have met with your approval. ;) You have also provided me with some wonderfully visual silliness that you know I can't resist. Art will be forthecoming.
This is terrific work. The detail of smithing gives it authenticity but the depth of thinking behind it admirable- it's the story I have wanted to read!!
eloquent indeed, vivid and visceral.
Site © Dawn Felagund
Logo © Bunn
All copyrights for creative work hosted on this site are retained by their creators.
This site is built using Drupal and the theme W3CSS.
Characters and stories associated with J.R.R. Tolkien's works remain the property of his estate. Creative work using this material has been written solely for the enjoyment and enlightenment of its creator and their associates. No profit is made on the materials shared on this site.
Comments on Blood, Song, & Silver
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.