New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
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.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Famous Last Words
For our March challenge, our moderators will assign you a famous last line to use as a prompt.
[Writing] a life freely given, a favor returned by skywardstruck
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…
[Writing] dye me, nocturne by skywardstruck
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.
[Writing] Til We're on the Other Side by StarSpray
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.
In the dark…
[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] Hill and Water Under Sky by StarSpray
a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
[Writing] The Long Arm of the Law by Elrond's Library
Turgon cannot be above the law.
[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Many Meetings
Create a fanwork centered on a nonviolent conflict. 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.
[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.
[Writing] Why did Éowyn ask Faramir if he'd rather have a "woman of the race of Númenor"? by Quente
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?
…
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
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
April Challenge Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge around the theme of "fools," "foolishness," or "being fooled."
It's good that he managed to open those letters and is starting to question some of those strongly entrenched beliefs.
I would have thought that the best way to deal with the distorted memories of Nerdanel would just be to go and see her, but if he continues to find it so difficult, maybe he really does need Lorien first. (I was never sure whether he had not just misinterpreted that incident because he was in such a bad way, and whether what he saw wasn't really Nerdanel watching him in the Palantir.)
Maybe all the less difficult reunions he is continuing to have will help steady him further and he might be doing things in the right order.
And perhaps his brothers may manage to sort themselves out a little further in the meantime...
(Whether or no Huan is being "just a dog" here, I think what he did was very deliberate.)
Maglor being handed down the family of cats like some strange family heirloom is excellent. I really like how that took me immediately into the cats' strange point of view and it just made sense. Also... Huan!! (I am very excited he has made an appearance) I am curious about what he's actually going to do now that he's found Maglor, except for delight everyone by licking them all over (can you imagine the size of tongue he would have?).
It's feeling so sad that Maglor has such big hang ups over seeing his brothers when they clearly care about him. I get the feeling there is a lot that Maglor isn't letting on about yet, and I hope he gets the chance to unpack it in good time. I don't think he is anywhere near as "okay" as he's telling himself right now. The suspense you're creating with the letter's he won't open.... I am hanging in there to find out what Caranthir and Curufin want to say. And that letter from Nerdanel was like a warm hug.
Aaargh, Maglor and Maedhros..... someone is going to have to drag those two idiots together and lock them in the same room until they realise they aren't going to break each other just from being in each other's presence. It might cause a tidal wave of grief, potentially. But they both need each other. They're going to reconcile with each other eventually, right?
All of the brother and family relationships continue to be such lovely warm hugs. Your writing is so easy to read. Lovely poetic descriptions and realistic dialogue. I am really enjoying reading this. 😊
Oh! Have we reached that point where Maglor is about to reunite with his brothers? I look forward with such anticipation to what comes next!
I absolutely adore the dynamics between Maglor and Daeron as you write them. It seems they are very good for each other and I am very glad that Maglor is not facing his family alone. Daeron may be better for this even than Elrond, I think. Thank you for writing such sweetness between them, the little encouragements and the playful moments where they warmly tease one another and sing together.
Maglor's little troop of therapy animals is also a delight. I wonder if he will eventually acquire enough to send each one of his brother's a little companion as Huan has been sent to him? I can just imagine it: a little hedgehog or other forest creature waddling after Maedhros, trying to keep up with his long strides with it's short legs. When it starts to lag, Maedhros quietly slows down so that it may catch up. He manages to look dignified even with a tiny forest creature trailing him or riding on his shoulder.
The dynamic that's developing between Celegorm and Maedhros is very heartwarming, and Celegorm is quite good at being caring. I really like the way you're writing him. Maedhros having someone "big brother" him for once has been especially lovely. Actually Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir all seem to be taking turns at this. All the brothers actually seem to be growing into the best versions of themselves. You're doing a wonderful job of slowly unfolding character development.
Also, this truth bomb from Nienna was beautifully done (well really all of their interaction was):
“You are not a broken thing. You are wounded and weary, and for those things there is healing.”
As always, reading this, like the other chapters of High in the Clean Blue Air feels like a warm hug. I've really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hooray, Maedhros and Maglor are making progress even if it is only outwardly small (I think internally it probably is huge). The moment where Maedhros shows Maglor his sketching, and they can touch a little with out flinching away made me very glad. I'm so hopeful that they can slowly find the solace that they both need in each other. Also very good that Maglor is ready to go and see Nerdanel. I'm curious to see what moves Fëanor is going to make once his sons are back in closer proximity. He's trying so hard to give everyone the space that they need, but it goes against his nature yes? And I imagine there's a limit to his own ability to hold back? And I'm wondering if he himself is a lot more hurting and in need of comfort & healing than we've yet seen in the story?
Thank you for continuing to share your story. I am enjoying it very much and always glad to see it when another chapter appears 💜
Thank you so much!
There's definitely a lot going on with Feanor. He is Trying His Best, and I think a lot of the conversations he's been having in private with Fingolfin--and with Celebrimbor--have been about his kids. What we get to see is limited, though, because there's only so much he's going to reveal to Elrond, who's still a stranger even if he is one of the people who know and love Maglor best at this point.
At last!
Not in any spirit of complaint, of course, just that I am so relieved to see that reunion.
It is a lovely one.
Elessúre was a nice surprise! I enjoyed how you could explore Maglor's absence and acts from a different perspective through his eyes. As someone who was young when the exiles left, his view of things would have been very different from someone like Nerdanel & Mahtan's. I wonder if he will appear again? It would be interesting to see Maglor reforge a relationship with this cousin of his. Maybe teaching him (and others) the harp would give Maglor a purpose that might help him settle in to Valinor & help him on his way to becoming well again.
I'm sitting with a nice cup of tea & toast reading this on a slow morning and it's delightful. This has become such a nice comfort read, and the last few chapters especially couldn't have come at a better time (a very busy school term finished last week & relaxing has been just what I needed).
These last few chapters have been really heart warming to read.
So, I know you said you find letters tricky to write... I am really glad you gave it a go. The letters from Feanor to Maglor and Maedhros were really beautiful. I am quite glad they both were able to bring themselves to read them... mostly for their own closure... but also because those are messages that I really hope were able to sink into their hearts. What Feanor says about Maedhros's name especially!
So, so good to see Maedhros and Maglor overcome the fear & pain that was keeping them apart, and for Nerdanel to have all her boys back together in harmony for a few days before they take then next step in their healing journey.
I feel that you deserve a clap & pat on the back, and hope you are looking back on this feeling not just relief to have it finished & to be able to move on the TRSB writing, but also proud. :)
Thank you so much! <33
I am very proud of this fic--it and Clear Pebbles of the Rain feel genuinely like the best writing I've ever done.
So, I know you said you find letters tricky to write... I am really glad you gave it a go. The letters from Feanor to Maglor and Maedhros were really beautiful. I am quite glad they both were able to bring themselves to read them... mostly for their own closure... but also because those are messages that I really hope were able to sink into their hearts. What Feanor says about Maedhros's name especially!
Thank you! I thought a lot about the whole name thing especially because I really didn't want Maedhros to be right about what it meant but also it took me a while to articulate what it might mean instead.
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Comments on High in the Clean Blue Air
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