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.
My own idea is about fathers and sons, but I couldn't resist reading yours first and chancing to spoil my own idea! :D I find Maedhros's relationship with Feanor endlessly fascinating. (Well, all of the sons, but I have a soft spot for Mae, as you know.) I like how you illustrate his transition across the years here; we see things much the same in this regard. I wonder what comes after the last? Do you see that as the final stage for Maedhros? (No, I'm not asking you to turn it into a double drabble. Just curious. ;)
No. It is not the end for me. I simply made it to the immediate prelude to the swearing of the Oath. I would see Losgar as cauysing a further shift, not mention the years he spent in M-e. (Not surpised it seems much like your concept, since those early years for me were so influenced by AMC.)
This gave me a good look "behind-the-scenes" for Maitimo and what he thinks about his formidable Atar. Amazing to see how his perception changed through the years but the strong love is still there.
My favorite line is "I decided that I did not want to make the same arrogant mistakes that you had made."
I think you were able to "explain" in very few words the motivation behind Maitimo's decisions in Beleriand. Thanks for sharing.
You say you don't do drabbles well, or write to prompts well, but this is beautifully done and gives a lot of insight into the father/son relationship between Maedhros and Feanor.
I already squeed about this at your LJ, but I do love the form and execution of this form. It has a unique feel to it, especially the pacing is well done. Through this drabble you can just sense how Maedhros grows to an elf who is about to become a role model himself, making up his own mind as his view on his father changes. This is a fine character piece Oshun!
You've captured a timelessness -- a universal quality -- in this ficlet that speaks not only to Maedhros' relationship with Fëanor, but to many children who discover that their mothers and fathers are only too human yet defend them all the same. Very nice!
Hey, thanks! You are the only person who saw or mentioned the generalization on the transformation that takes place in one's perception of parents and early role models in general. (Of course, having Feanor as a father would rank as a somewhat unique experience.)
Comments on To My Father
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.