Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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!
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
[Writing] Blessed are the Leave-takers by Isilme_among_the_stars
As prince Curufinwë Fëanáro makes an historical speech from the high court of the King upon Túna, those at the back of the crowd strain to hear.
A silly little scene inspired by Monty Python's "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" scene from The Life of Brian, written for …
[Writing] After the Kinslaying by Deborah Judge
A Teleri fishing boat captain turns to farming on abandoned Noldor lands after her ship is stolen. A Noldor farmer returns with Finarfin to find that his land belongs to the Teleri now.
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
[Writing] Until the Stars are All Alight by Dagstjarna
Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
[Writing] a riot of shadow and shine by Elrond's Library
These were simply flashes, a hint of a wider, greater world. A tantalizing glimpse of more, always at the edge of awareness, never within reach. Míriel would grasp it, if something as intangible as the concept of color could overflow in bounteous wonder over her hands.
But…
[Writing] The Exchange by Elrond's Library
An exchange is made during the Great Journey
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Middle-earth Is Multitudes
Use our daily prompt calendar to populate your fanworks with a more diverse array of characters. Read more ...
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
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.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
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.
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.
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
Beautiful!
So many emotions!!
Elwing's thoughts at the beginning - the "grievous fault in her nature" - it's so relatable, even if not that exact thing, but we all have these things about ourselves that we think are just so much worse than someone else's.
Her thoughts on the scent of Evranin’s hair!
I adored the visual of the house at the river, the jars floating in the water to stay cool (what a neat little detail!)
Her roots, which she had believed were mighty and deep, now seemed brittle and famished
😭
Strange to think that Elwing was as closely akin to Melian the Maia as to Emeldir of the House of Bëor
Aahhh but I love that!!
Once again, relating hard to Elwing's ungenerous thoughts of herself being selfish for showing up at the observance.
being neither human nor elf nor god but lacking parts of all three.
Oof. Talk about 'half-empty' thoughts... 😔
I suppose I did say I disliked idle conversation.
LOL! Yes she did, but I'll wager even she did not expect such a direct question!
I really felt that whole speech about hope and the lack thereof. It really rings true these days
(a habit that Eärendil claimed was endearing, but which Gereth did not hesitate to inform her was annoying, and that her husband probably thought so, too)
😂
Aaah it was all so good!! I loved all the conflicting emotions and self-talk thoughts! I can't wait to see where this goes. 💖
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, especially so swiftly! It's the first time I've written Elwing (well, other than that outrageous comedic version...) and it turns out she had a whole lot of thoughts and feelings to share.
It's quite mind-boggling going through all the people Elwing is related to. I've always liked Emeldir -- her very briefly-treated story and epithet Manhearted stood out for me on my very first read of the Silmarillion -- and I was glad to have an opportunity to bring in her legacy and memories of her. (Also this has me thinking: what is it about Brethil that draws women who kick ass? Proximity to Melian? 😁).
Elwing is certainly at a bit of a glass-half-empty place right now but I plan to bring her out of it.
(a habit that Eärendil claimed was endearing, but which Gereth did not hesitate to inform her was annoying, and that her husband probably thought so, too)
I won't say that this is not a case of the author shamelessly inserting herself.
A great start! I love your characterization here for Elwing and she has SUCH a crush XD It makes total sense that she's feeling unusually emotional and vulnerable having just found out she's pregnant, particularly with the violence in her past :( It WOULD be terrifying to bring a child into this world! It's nice to see her still in touch with Evranin though, and I enjoyed the touches of Sirion worldbuilding here. The more real and layered you make it, the more tragic it is to think of what happens later :( At least for now things are going well though!
Being the only one of her kind must feel particularly lonely for Elwing with Earendil away :( But I love seeing how much she's loved and respected by the residents of the Havens <3 Can't wait to see where this goes!
Thanks so much for reading! She does have a big crush. I'm going for kinda 1/2 fluff, 1/4 worldbuilding, 1/4 angst and foreshadowing.
Oh, man... your portrayal of Elwing truly is fabulous. It's not only because of the nature of her condition, but I related to her in so many ways - how human she is, and how complex! Everything you created about her character makes her... touchable. Reachable, if you know what I mean. By the way she feels about children's cries, her reaction to Evranin's figure and to Himeth's presence, and, of course, how she thinks of Eärendil - so close and so far. He, too, manages to shine like a distant star, even if you just mentioned him, I have the feeling I already know him, and I can't wait to see more of him on screen.
The worldbuilding is also fantastic! I just loved how many details you wove so effortlessly into the story, all the character's backgrounds, Elwing learning the history of the Houses like one actually would - it's always a joy to read your stuff and know exactly what you're talking about lol.
I don't know if I have one single favorite moment because I loved it all and can't copy paste the whole thing here lol but that very last sentence is packed with so many emotions! Not only because she's pregnant and feeling way too many things, but the nature of her conflict is so believable and organically constructed.
An amazing start! Can't wait to see what else you've got for these characters <3
Wow thanks so much! It means a lot to me that you related to her. I don't think I often go this deep with character introspection but she had a LOT to say and I, at least, found it interesting what she had to say so it's good to know you did, too!
I am so glad a little of Earendil comes through in his absence. He has also taken shape in my imagination with a lot more complexity than I used to give him (in my head). I have enjoyed fleshing him out, so I hope you will enjoy when he enters in the next chapter.
So lovely to receive this comment, thank you.
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Comments on Before the Storm
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polutropos has requested the following types of constructive criticism on this fanwork: Organization/Structure, Pacing, Plot, Point of View, Research, Sensitivity Read, Setting, Spelling, Grammar, and Mechanics, Worldbuilding. All constructive criticism must follow our diplomacy guidelines.