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.
SWG News
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.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[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.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
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
Dear Irmo
Historians trace the first advice column to 1690, and in the three centuries hence, the heartsore, woebegone, and perpetually puzzled have turned to these "agony aunts" (and uncles) to solve their most debilitating dilemmas about family, work, and of course, love. Choose one of our real advice columns, tweaked just slightly, for your prompt. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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.
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.
Whatever You Say, Ace by Isilme_among_the_stars
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Two
“Are you sneaking off again? You’re going to get us all into trouble you know.”
Maehdros had not seen Caranthir sitting in the entrance hall. Formenos had too many shadowy corners.
“It is not sneaking. I’m a grown adult and I can go where I choose.”
“Then why do you go after dark, while father sleeps?” Caranthir accused.
“Because he is too angry with uncle to try to understand and I do not want to hurt him. Neither do I wish for the rest of you to suffer the consequences.”
It was more than a mere difference in phrasing. Maedhros understood this, but he didn’t think Caranthir did. Caranthir rolled his eyes.
“Give Finno my regards then. How long will you be gone?”
“A few days. Cover for me in the morning?”
“Only because I love you so much. Do I get a kiss too?”
His brother’s voice dripped with sarcasm, but his eyes told a different story. All his brothers loved each other, just as they all loved father and worried about him. Maedhros did not rise to the bait.
“I’m not giving Findekáno kisses either. I know you don’t understand, Moryo, but I won’t give up his friendship just because our fathers are at each other’s throats.”
“Say what you want, I don’t see you sneaking off to visit Findaráto, or Turukáno or any of the others.”
“I could make a point of visiting our other cousins while I’m gone, you know, if you wanted me to? We all miss them. I have a letter for Írisse from Tyelko.” Maitimo pulled the corner of it from his pocket to show Caranthir.
“No, just tell Finno to pass on our regards.”
Maehdros stood behind Fingon and ran his fingers through his soft, thick hair. “Oh, I have missed you.”
Fingolfin pursed his lips and buried his face in his teacup, taking a deliberate, long sip.
“And I you. Won’t you stay?” he suggested between bites of bread spread thick with preserve.
“You could, Maitimo. You have family here. Your mother, as you know, abides with mine. We would make space for you.”
Nolofinwë, ever the diplomat, Maitimo thought, and I also can play that game. He began to part Fingon’s hair, twisting it so that all the finest strands were caught up in the braid and stayed out of his eyes, just how he liked.
“With respect, uncle, should my brothers or I have wished to stay, we would have chosen to do so from the beginning.”
“You are all grown. You do not have to follow your father’s path. I do not understand your decision.”
“We love our father, uncle. Not one of us would choose to be parted from him, and it would be wrong for anyone to try to steal us away,” Maedhros looked pointedly at Fingolfin. I see what you are trying to do, his expression said, it won’t work.
Fingolfin doubled down.
“Then why do I continually find you here? Sneaking away right under his nose.”
“It is because I also love my cousins, and you, and it is not sneaking.”
Turgon coughed.
“It is not sneaking, Turukáno. Grandfather knows where I go.”
“Does he know why? Does he know you are in love with one cousin in particular?”
Maedhros could not see Fingon’s glare, but he felt him do it, and knew exactly how it looked from Turgon’s end.
“You are wrong,” Maedros’s voice was quiet and dangerous, “and frankly I am appalled that you still cling to rumours that Makalaurë ignorantly began when we were little more than children. He was clever enough to realise his error many years ago.”
Turgon huffed but said no more.
Maedhros softened his voice, “it is like you and Findaráto. You are particularly close friends, and so it is with us.”
“Even I can see it runs deeper than that, Maitimo,” Fingolfin said quietly, “I know my sons. This is far more committed. Tread carefully.”
“He is not uncle Fëanáro, atya,” Fingon asserted, “he will not hurt me.”
“I am sure Maitimo is intelligent enough not to try such a thing,” Fingolfin remarked mildly, “he would not like the consequences.”
“I am hurt that you are concerned I might.”
The game was abruptly dropped. There was no pretense in Maedhros’s voice now, and from the look in his uncle’s eyes, Fingolfin understood this too. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, then reached over and squeezed his nephew’s shoulder.
“What I would not give for our family to be woven whole at last. Come back as often as you like, Maitimo, and guard that pure heart of yours.”
“Have your father and Turukáno been very angry with me?” Maedhros asked Fingon later, when they were alone.
“Father? Not so very much. He worries, I think. He fears what uncle Fëanáro is becoming and worries that I may be drawn into that danger through you. Just as he does with Írisse and Tyelkormo.”
“He needn’t worry so much. My father’s anger burns hot, but once it has cooled, he will see reason. And it will cool as long as both manage not to provoke one another.”
“I hope you are right,” Fingon said, sounding unsure.
“But Turukáno?”
Fingon sighed and made a face.
“He is only angry because he wants me to have what he has. Elenwë has convinced him that I am missing out on marriage and fatherhood because of you. I am well and truly old enough now that my lack of marriage or even courting has become notable.”
“And are you missing out? Would you like such things?”
Maedhros watched intently as Fingon thought about this quietly for a moment.
“Perhaps, one day. Though I have not felt inclined towards either yet.”
“You could, you know. Begin to court someone, that is. If there was someone special who drew your attention. I would not mind.”
“You wouldn’t?”
“No, of course not. Why would I deny you that joy? It need not change anything between us.”
Maedhros tried to imagine Fingon with a family, with his own little daughter to love just as Turgon had. He felt his heart warm at the idea. It would be wonderful watching his cousin light up just as his own father had when his younger brothers were born. But he could not imagine his bold and adventurous Fingon as a father just yet. He was not so settled in life as Turgon, and still longed yet to stretch his wings.
“I do not want anything to change between us,” Fingon assured him, “I will keep it in mind. But I find my life full enough at present.”
