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…
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.
Haven't read this for a while and it holds up with the passage of time. Very funny account of a large dysfunctional family overpopulated by males (and the accompanying testerone overdose). Love the vision of that bad girl Aredhel and her cronies Crufin and Celegorm.The phallic symbol on the cake, placed there by none other than Turgon is hilarious as is the wide-smile from Fingon. who would be considered a dear friend under better circumstances, preceding yet one more indignity to be endured. As you know, I am confirmed by this in my opinion that the Finweans got the lion's share of vivid, irrepressible personalities in the Silmarillion. Hey thanks again--it was a great birthday fic.
Terribly late response, but thanks for reviewing again, Oshun! This was a slightly rushed piece, but I do admit I like reading it on occasion just to get a few chuckles. :P I'm really glad the humour wasn't too far out or flat and of course really happy that you enjoyed it! There needs to be more stories about the Finweans as crazy, dysfunctional and hilariously loveable, IMO. There's just so much to work with.
BTW - Celegorm and Curufin as Aredhel's "cronies" - love that description! Rather oddly, it makes me want to get up and read all the chapters of A New Day that I've missed out on these past few months. :)
This is a perfect example of what I consider the best entertainment for a somewhat gloomy, and not to mention chilly and windy, afternoon. Thank you tons for a good dose of laughter :D
Thanks so much, Binka! You're making me wish for a gloomy afternoon that I'm free to spend reading fanfiction with - but this was a great and wonderful surprise to get in my inbox midst my studying for exams lately. I'm so glad it made you laugh, and thank you very much for taking the time to review! :D
This is truly a great vinyette! I was chuckling throughout trying to envision these elves celebrating like Hobbits. lol I'm not one of those purists who think elves are all serious and noble so I enjoy anything that shows their less than perfect side. And who better to portray a drunken birthday party than the original dysfunctional family - the Feanorians. :) Loved it! Five stars!
Bwahaha! I love the tone the whole way through. And the image of such "embarrassing relatives" in a high Elven family. I literally sporfled out loud (several times) as I was reading. :D
Maitimo Nelyafinwë, also known as Russandol to his family and You Bloody Bastard! to the fathers of various young females all across Tirion
*giggles* I am having fun imagining reading a new entry in the Silmarillion index now:
Maedhros: Eldest son of Feanor, also called You Bloody Bastard!; has younger brothers who smell totally nasty and several dirty-minded cousins; celebrated a begetting day in the Blessed Realm where his mother's cake was served, and afterwards was never able to eat cake again without escaping comments about his... anatomy.
;)
I'm not sure whether to say I'd be glad not to go to a Feanorean begetting day party, or if I'd go just for the laughs, now. ;)
Thanks so much - I'm so happy that my rendition of embarassing family functions wasn't too wacky! And I'm so glad it makes other people laugh, too (I admit, Ambarussa shoving the punch bowl off the table makes me giggle - just that mental image of their mischief midst all thet chaos!)
Someone (you? :D) needs to write that revised index, stat! "afterwards was never able to eat cake again without escaping comments about his... anatomy." - DEAD. That just killed me DEAD. :D!
It's really great to see you here, Lady MSM - and thank you for reading & reviewing! As always, I'm glad to find that my 'humour' isn't too far out and that other people find it funny, too! :D
Here is a copy of the MEFA review I did for this story =)
This is a cute little fiction about Maedhros' Begetting Day Celebration. Considering the Feanorian family, you can only imagine how this disfunctional group could have an eventful and hilarious celebration or event. This is the type of people that you would want to go and be a part of their celebration however you probably would not want to be related to them. And I'm sure that alot of people can relate to that. *ahem* I loved the way Klose had little tidbits that made you laugh outloud such as saying Maedhros was referred to as 'You bloody bastard' by the fathers of the local ladies! haha Overall this is a great story and makes you realize that despite all the kinslaying and whatnot they weren't always all bad, just similar to a family off the Jerry Springer show. After all they were the first family to put the Fun in Dysfunctional!
Alassante, thank you so much for taking the time to write a review for the MEFAs (a new one, at that!). You've really hit on all the point about why I'm rather fond of this little story, and I love that other people have enjoyed my portrayal of crazy family times. Also, I've lately been wondering if that 'you bloody bastard' line was the best I could've used, so I'm glad it worked for you. :D! *glomps*
I've read this before and have just read it again and I enjoyed it both times. But before I start I must tell you that I am quite partial to the Feanorians, especially for Maitimo.
I thought that the "you bloody bastard" line was most promising the first time I read it and I wasn't disappointed. I also like the unique POV and the banter and interaction between the Feanorions--the pile-up was priceless! I have so many favorite lines but the topmost is: "If ever there was an elf of greater vanity than yourself, it would be Tyelkormo. Even if it was you who inherited the superior good looks of the family." The best take-away "image" is the one where Feanor is singing the Begetting Day song the loudest.
Wow, I can't tell you how awesome it is that you found this story enjoyable in your re-read - and thank you for an equally awesome review. :) I admit, I do giggle a lot when I read this piece, but I wonder how many of my favourite lines are enjoyed by other people as well... you've mentioned some of them here (Feanor singing the Begetting Day song the loudest, for example!), and that makes me bouncy and happy.
Once again, thank you for reading and reviewing! :D
Comments on And Then There Was Cake, or Begetting Day Horrors
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.