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
Let the Games Begin!
Create a fanwork centered around games and contests. 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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Eight
“It was Aulë,” Fingon dropped casually to Maedhros as they sat side by side on horseback, “but Yavanna had a hand in it too apparently.”
“Irmo again?” Maedhros kept his eyes fixed firmly on the pass Nutunto’s travelling party was expected to emerge from shortly.
“Yes. You’ll never guess what they expect me to name the child.”
Fingon shivered in the frigid air. Why did Himring have to be so damnably cold. He wished Nutunto would hurry up. The clouds looked positively laden with snow. Maedhros unclasped his cloak and settled it onto Fingon’s shoulders, who hummed appreciatively.
“It can’t be any worse than third Finwë can it?” Maedhros asked, quite naively.
Fingon shot him an evil grin, “Do you want to wager on that?”
“Oh no, it is worse, isn’t it? Spit it out then.”
“Finwain Ereinion.”
For a second Fingon feared his cousin might fall off his horse.
“Well. That is certainly something.”
“Isn’t it just?”
“You’re not actually going to do it are you?” Maedhros shot Fingon a questioning look. He was known for being rather ostentatious after all.
“Do you think they’ll Doom me to the everlasting dark if I refuse?”
“Perhaps it’s best not to test their patience. Even if they are idiots,” Maedhros counselled, returning his gaze to the pass once more. “Finwain Ereinion…” he muttered under his breath.
Fingon couldn’t help but grin.
“The sooner we’re out of this cold, the better!” Nutunto announced when she arrived, “I’m freezing my arse off!”
“Násië to that!” Fingon leaned over to kiss her politely on the cheek before spurring his horse on toward the fortress.
“Are you actually wearing his cloak? As well as your own? And still shivering?” Nutunto asked teasingly when they pulled up outside of the stables.
“The cold doesn’t agree with me,” Fingon sniffed.
“Poor cousin Maedhros. Did you not think he may be suffering too?” she winked at Maedhros, who to all accounts appeared perfectly content despite his lack.
He rewarded her with a hearty laugh, “Ah Nutunto, how I have missed your sparkling wit. I am very glad you could join us.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Have Maglor and Etsenima arrived yet?” she enquired eagerly. Nutunto frequently felt starved for company too. There were plenty of ellith living near Barad Eithel, it was true, but few were very good conversationalists. Certainly, none matching Etsenima’s talents. None were as fierce nor as intelligent as she would have liked, and their senses of humour were entirely lacking.
“About that….” Fingon looked very sheepish.
“Uh-oh, I smell deceit,” she flicked her eyes toward Maedhros, correctly interpreting the source of said fibbery.
“It will be a pleasure to fill you in once we’ve thawed out your husband,” he promised, wrapping an arm around Fingon, who had already caught Nutunto’s hand, and leading them both inside.
Nutunto did not stop laughing for a full 5 minutes. Fingon timed her. Each time she managed to catch her breath, Maedhros would catch her eye and the giggles would start up all over again. Fingon glared at him. He was starting to feel a tad upset.
“It really is not so funny for me as it apparently is for you,” he complained mildly to his wife, tears beginning to gather in his eyes. This had been happening with alarming regularity for the past week. He did not understand this sudden proclivity for tears. It was rather hard to live up to the name of Valiant when your eyes leaked so frequently.
Nutunto finally managed to compose herself. There was pity in her eyes, “Oh, I am sorry, my love. Aulë really has done a number on you, hasn’t he?”
Fingon began to sob quite uncontrollably at this point. It was not an enjoyable experience. But as it had the pleasant side-effect of causing him to be swiftly and soundly embraced by his two favourite people in all of Arda, he found he could not be too mad about it.
“It’s not that I’m ungrateful,” he mumbled into his wife’s damp shoulder, “I just thought you’d be the one to carry our children.”
“That is the usual way of things,” she agreed mildly, “but we never have been a completely usual family, have we?”
Fingon shook his head.
“I believe that’s understating the matter considerably,” Maedhros added.
“Could I feel the little one, do you think?” Nutunto asked.
Fingon guided her hand onto his belly and heard her sharp intake of breath as the baby prodded at it.
“May I?” Maedhros asked.
Fingon nodded, and he laid his large, pale hand next to Nutunto’s small, tawny one. Fingon placed one of his own over them both. The little scrap of fëa reached out inquiringly. What is this? it wanted to know.
Family, Fingon showed it, this is family.
