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.
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.
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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 ...
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. 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.
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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