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: Everyman Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Finrod and Bëor stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging Bëor's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, Bëor soon discovers, returning…
Maglor without Maedhros, Daeron without Lúthien. Alone, they are nothing, but together, they can be something more. Where do you turn, when you have no one else left?
Written for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023, featuring artwork by athlai.
It was only the second time Finwë had come out foraging with them, and of course this would happen—of course the Hunter would come, the Dark Rider on his steed with its terrible, heavy footfalls, and the deep-throated laughter that held no mirth, only malice.
“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…
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Storyteller
Storytelling is an interactive art, using words and actions to bring a story to life while encouraging the listener’s imagination. This challenge is all about storytellers in the Silmarillion tapestry. Read more ...
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
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.
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.
For most of my life, when reading Lord of the Rings, I read it through the perspective of Gandalf's words about Éowyn, that she'd spent years trapped as a caregiver, watching the realm she love fall from honor into disgrace.
But what if Éowyn was also a student of history?
…
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Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
Gondor Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the history of the realm of Gondor.
Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026
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.