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 ...
Random Challenge
Love Conquers All
Show how one character helps another to overcome a difficulty in his or her life through love. 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.
I love this, Oshun. I do absolutely revel in these times and conversations between Maedhros and Fingon; they are so insightful and so deep. Fingon's spirit is seen so very strongly in this : light tone relating to deadly serious matters. Yet I understand that; sometimes matters are so weighted with potential disaster, (and this *matter* falls so heavily on Maedhros' shoulders) that to give them that one sometimes has to banter.
Fingon always feels as if he is trying to lift Maedhros, to keep his spirit up, and it comes across as empathic and deeply loving.
Thank you so much! I always think of you when I write them, because I you follow my story cycle and I was afraid you might not see the serious side under the fluffy surface. In my verse, Fingon is definitely always Maedhros's light.
I love the conversations between your Fingon and Maedhros. Bold and bright Fingon may speak in what appears to be a flippant manner, but he so often carries weight in his words. For example...
"Obviously, I would not change any of those," Fingon answered, his voice exploding with passion. "I have struggled through some miserable valleys, but the views from the mountaintops have been stupendous. Wait! I can think of one thing I'd do differently. I should have taken your advice at dinner tonight and had the ale you recommended and left the red wine alone. After all this is over, we will have look into ways to provide you with better wine in this Valar-forsaken location."
Fingon is such a passionate appealing character. Indeed you have crafted him as Maedhros' light, one that I find satisfyingly illuminating.
Oh! Thank you! I could not resist those lines from that poem.
I read a fic once where Maedhros is strong-arming/brow-beating Fingon against his will and better judgment to participate in the N.A. I'm not saying it couldn't be written convincingly, but I have never seen anything in the texts that made me want to write Fingon that way. I guess I am repeating what I often say that most of my fanfiction is either a polemic against the original canon sources or fic I have read.
As always, your Maedhros and (especially) your Fingon are delightful. And Fingon is right; they did do the best with what they'd been given, after the Oath and the Kinslaying. Too bad that it simply wasn't enough to overcome the Doom.
I thought I'd leave my MEFA review of this fic here.
There have been many fanfic characterizations of Maedhros and Fingon, but, for me, Oshun's depiction of their passionate relationship amidst the politics of their extended families, is, by far, my favorite. I'm always happy to see more of them and so this little morsel was a treat. In addition, Oshun often begins a story with a wonderfully poetic quote and this one by Rupert Brooke fit the scene beautifully. The scene takes place the night before the lovers separate to fight the terrible Battle of Unnumbered Tears and it's a quiet moment of reflection before the storm in which Maedhros asks Fingon if he would change anything about their lives. It attains poignancy through gentle humor as well as a certain acceptance of what has been and what will be, which made it very satisfying for this fan.
Comments on Unrepentant Lovers
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.