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.
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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.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
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[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
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…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“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…
[Writing] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track 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 ...
Caprice and Chance
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are loosely based on the plot arcs and tropes of romance novels. Read more ...
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
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.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
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.
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“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.
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.
“-Macalaurë still out there searching-“
Voices. Loud, angry voices sounded from somewhere close by.
“-your own son lying senseless and where is it that Tyelkormo finds you?!”
A hand stroked his forehead and idly smoothed his hair. Celebrimbor opened his eyes and saw the tired face of his uncle Amras, red-rimmed eyes frowning at something his nephew could not see.
Very vivid - the little details tell the story, rather than being told to the reader. A sympathetic approach to the sons of Feanor, as elves with the same capacity for grief as anyone else, is all too rare.
I was a bit confused by the shifts through time and Celebrimbor's memories, but it all made sense in the end, and I think it's always difficult to manage time and scene transitions. I particularly liked this bit from Feanor's death and Celebrimbor's return to consciousness, however - the words leap right into the imagination of the reader.
Thank you very much! That bit was satisfying to write- I'd wondered how to show the dynamics between the brothers after Feanor's death without ending up with terrible, longwinded writing. And I completely agree with you; it's strange for me that there are so many people who see the Sons of Feanor as mindless murdering machines (yay alliteration), particularly the "three Cs" and out of those three, Curufin.
Also, thank you for alerting me to the ambiguity of the time-switches! *winces* I will try to remedy that using italics to show the transitions- here's hoping it works.
aw! so vivid and moving. Many people see the feanorions as murderers who were incapable of love and other emotions, but we see that Celebrimbor still yearns for his father, as his father yearned for his, through the salvaging of the ring.
I go a little confused by the time shifts, but got it after re-reading it, skim reading is not good for storys- you get so confused. I need to learn not to skim read. XD
Deffo an 'add to favourites' simply for how good it is and the fact you make them seem human. also because i'm a suckedr for the feanorions and beautiful fics about them :)
Lindale
I loved the way you portrayed Celebrimbor's changing perception of his father - it changed my perception of Curufin, too. The human side of Curufin (so to speak) is very believable, and flawed (as it should be).
The third last line is heartbreaking (sorry - there's no other way I can describe it).
Curufin is a character I hadn't given much thought to before I read your fic. Reading your story made me see another side of him.
Mistrali
This is the most heartbreaking piece on the Feanorians I have ever read. It was touching to see another, more flawed and vulnerable side to the so-called "fell" elves.
The departure from Doriath of Celegorm and Curufin drew me in and from there I couldn't stop reading (though I should be sleeping). I've always speculated how Curufin reacted when his son refused to join him and I think your version is both plausible and very, very sad.
The last scene between Curufin and his son was the most heartbreaking of all, especially when the ring dropped from Curvo's hands. Thanks for sharing this.
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Comments on Thicker Than Water
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