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: Title Track Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
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.
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
“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…
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
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 ...
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.
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.
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
“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.
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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.
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.
You wrote two people I love and did so beautifully. I really like how you've seen their story and can hear their voices --- Gil feels just the way I know him and Elrond has that trace of sweetness in him that I always look for.
Gil-galad's idea that Sauron wouldn't think the ring might be with Elrond is clever and makes sense. And of course he knew he wouldn't survive, just wasn't going to say so.
Really enjoyed your view of what must have been a difficult relationship, at least for the first year or so.
Thank you so much for your kind words! This is my first time writing from Gil-galad's POV so it was a bit of a struggle but I'm glad you think I succeeded. And the thing with the ring was what took me the longest, because I knew Elrond wouldn't believe a BS excuse, nor would Gil-galad want to give him one! So yeah, thank you, I'm really glad you like it :)
Gil galad is a favorite of mine. So when I saw this I pounced on it.
I can fully understand Gil galad's reticence and suspicion with the twins appearance, when he thought them dead. I would probably do the same if I was in his shoes. I mean no-one trusts the Feanorions especially when it comes to the Oath. So Gil is within his rights to treat the boys as suspect until they earn his trust.
I'm so glad you liked this first part - I must admit, it made me more nervous than the others, because I didn't know if I was correct about the suspicion thing, and then in balancing it out so it doesn't make him look bad. Your comment encouraged me about the idea, so thank you :)
This was sweet. Now see, this is why I like Gil galad. He is such a great and noble example of how a king should be. Always willing to admit when he is wrong, both with the Feanorions and the twins, even if it made good sense to be cautious in the onset.
And this is the humble beginnings of a relationship that would span ages.
I appreciate your comments about Gil-galad - I have begun to appreciate him as well, and although most of my muse centers around the Feanorians, I have enjoyed getting to know him through this fic. I do like the idea of him being willing to admit when he's wrong, but I also like that he can do something wrong, because sometimes I feel like portrayals of him are 100% perfect and it was fun to delve into something other than that. Thanks for writing in! :)
I like your take on how Elrond comes by Vilya. It seems fitting.Yet a little sad knowing this is Gil galad's last battle and one of the last times he and Elrond will see each other.
I have to say I love the idea of Gil galad seeing the spirit's of Maedhros and Maglor charging beside Elrond into battle. I've had the same idea myself, but haven't quite gotten around to writing it.
Thank you for sharing, Eris. This was quite enjoyable.
I'm glad you liked the Vilya thing (which was a surprise from my muse, considering it hadn't been part of the original fic request), and I am thrilled you liked the spirits thing! I was nervous about posting that considering the whole Feanorians thing, but I am happy to hear some positive feedback about it. I love the Feanorians and I definitely headcanon that although Elrond and Gil-galad have an extremely tight bond, Elrond still remembers the Feanorians and loves them as the ones who raised him. And Vilya, crafted by Celebrimbor, was my way of showing Gil-galad's acceptance for that love and also showing his own. :)
I really enjoyed this story. I love Gil-galad and Elrond and I love to think about the relationship to him and the rest of their long-sundered people when they finally return. Then tension and mistrust is not surprising. I love Elrond's strength and vulnerability and also Gil-galad native skepticism based in what he thinks he knows and his ability to reassess his assumptions. Very moving characterizations.
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed my portrayals of Gil-galad and Elrond. I've been working on my characterizations for them and I hope to do more soon :)
I read that earlier story, Fourth Father, and although I liked it a lot, it feels much more rounded now you've given us Gil-galad's side of things as well and a clearer view of the development on their relationship, especially with that final scene, explaining how Elrond manages to carry on, as he does.
Thank you so much! I'm really glad you liked the added perspective. THe final scene was an afterthought but I'm really glad you liked that too! I think it's my favorite part of the story.
Comments on Enemies to Sons
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.