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.
Around the World and Web
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.
This was such a moving & elegantly read and I think you gave the prompt an immense romantic spin, yet so fitting! Fingon as a character, his growth and confidence just jumps at me. Its in his words and movements, equal partners yet unique alone. Then there is another thing, even though both know that their love for each other is endless, the third fear to me is the risk of growing apart, especially if both live so far apart for that greater cause. Why I suddenly have to think of 'Never tear us apart ' by INXS, but it suits them.
What a terrific comment, Rhapsody. I love the lyrics and think they fit perfectly with this story. (You are the second person who has given me lyrics for these guys! Pandemonium gave me lyrics for A New Day.) I think I will not be able to restrain myself from posting them and bagging about you finding them on my LJ. I am also excited that you see Fingon growing—still the same guy, but his experiences are sobering him (just a bit!).
Ooooh, the opening lines are wonderful. I especially like "in deep winter, the cold could reach bone deep." Exactly how I imagine the stronghold at Himring. The detailed description of the suite is noteworthy, too. Easy for me to imagine the constrast of the cold winter without and the warmth within.
you half expect to find me wallowing in melancholy, if not barking mad.
Fingon wrapped his arms around him and squeezed him until Maedhros let out an unlordly squeak
These made me smile. A lot. I love their interactions and banter. And nice fade to black.
A nicely drawn sketch of these fellows that fits snugly in their story arc.
I am so glad that it worked for you, since you know my story arc about as well as anyone could. I was wondering how it would be during the period when they do not get to spend very much time together, both involved with everything they need to be doing apart. It seemed to me that Fingon would still be worrying about Maedhros and not having Fingon around might make Maedhros worry they could grow apart. Yet in my version they do not. I guess you already figured that, despite his vulnerability, my Maedhros does not do emo, but deep down inside . . .
I didn't think it possible to make this prompt romantic, but I've underestimated you! :) This is such a lovely scene, however poignant their separation. Beautifully done!
This glimpse at older Mairtimo and Findekano burdened by the routine and reponsibilities of running their lands but still perfectly in love is lovely. And, as it was said, to turn this prompt into a sweet, romantic addition to the story arc is quite a feat. It makes perfect sense that at this point their greatest fear should be themselves and their relation rather than dragons and orcish raids. I loved the story.
Thanks, Angelica, for reading and commenting. So happy the ficlet worked for you. You are right that I am thinking of this period as a relatively quiet as far as outright hostilities against the Enemy, but also one when they are forced to be very productive. (I suppose I think of Maedhros as handling what we would call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder very well in light of his past experiences, but that Fingon would remain concerned for him.)
Contrary to the previous ficlet I just read, this has a serious touch to it, but is no less enjoyable. I admire how you portrayed them with the burden of their years and experiences, but they still have a joyful, youthful note to their attitude. Well done again :)
I love the way you show these two expressing their fears: honest (and what very realistic fears for both of them to have!) and yet not soppy or emo in the least. Your Maedhros and Fingon make a lovely pair!
Thank you so much. I am so happy it worked for you. I often feel a little uneasy about giving a positive spin on their lives when so many writers love to milk the tragedy. But real life has taught me that one could not be as effective as either of them if their focus had been entirely on those aspects. And yet...the fears are there, of course. (By the way, I just read your most recent Maedhros story, which I liked very much. Still intend to comment on it, but there is so much to say I have been stalling. Will do it properly soon.)
Comments on My Greatest Fear
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.