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
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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 ...
Crossroads of the Fallen King
Create a fanwork that crosses with a second text or fandom. 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.
The idea that the Elves initially thought the Petty Dwarves were creatures of Morgoth is very plausible, and certainly more palatable. (no pun intended!)
I've always wondered: if the Elves assumed they were animals, did the Petty Dwarves go naked, or did the Elves assume clothing was part of their cunning animal nature? But if they were assumed to be Morgoth's creatures, that would explain a lot more.
I've also wondered whether the idea came from South African history (since he had a connection with the country) where the boers used to hunt the the Khoi and San bushmen for sport.
This is an iinterestiing account,well thought out and presented. You've also handled the sensitive subject matter well.
Thank you for reading and commenting; I'm delighted you enjoyed the analysis! I have also wondered how the Elves could dismiss clothing, if the Petty-dwarves wore any, and assume that they were animals, though you are right that if they saw them as creatures of Morgoth, they would be able to explain it. With the text not really providing many clues, other than they appear to be clothed by the time Mîm is living a while later, I suppose one could headcanon either way. That said, I presume the first Petty-dwarves were clothed, since they were the Dwarves exiled from Nogrod and Belegost. But when those clothes wore out, it seems they would likely have to rely upon animal pelts or potentially woven plants, if they had the skill and knowledge to do the latter, at least until they had a well-established home.
Oh, that is a fascinating connection! Hmm, though I suppose there's little way to know unless he stated so somewhere in his notes.
I enjoyed reading this meta about the Petty Dwarves, as their treatment by elves was rather awful. Interesting subject, and I guess we'll never really know for sure.
I came over from AO3 to see whether the weird paragraphs show up on SWG as well, but the text is fine on here.
" 'Food' for thought"; that's hilarious XD And I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed this analysis!
Hmm, I'll have to go and take a look; thank you for letting me know.
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