New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
SWG News
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.
New & Updated Fanworks
[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.
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Follow the Leader
Create a fanwork about a leader from "The Silmarillion" that shows why that character is a leader. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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?
…
Around the World and Web
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."
Whatever You Say, Ace by Isilme_among_the_stars
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Nine
It turned out to be quite difficult to hide a pregnancy, even in a place so cold and remote as Himring. At least no one considered it unusual that Fingon insisted on wearing his cloak absolutely everywhere, even in front of the roaring fire in the dining hall. However, even with this helpful piece of nicely concealing garb, the shape of his growing abdomen was becoming harder to conceal.
“Why are there so many blasted men here?” Fingon demanded of Maedhros as the sixth month of his unfortunate condition wore on. “It’s really rather rude you know. I came out here to hide and I’m beset with people that I must constantly dodge.”
“We are running a front line defence here,” Maedhros replied mildly. “That requires a certain amount of manpower. I could arrange a little cottage for you in the woods… Nice and quiet, and far from the garrison?”
“Out in the cold, all by myself? No thank you!”
Maedhros chuckled, “Well stop your complaining then. Why are you in such a mood today?”
“A letter came from father. He wants to know how much longer my survey of the Eastern defences is likely to require and laments my absence at Barad Eithel.”
“Ah, I see, which is a very Fingolfin way of saying ‘get your arse back here right now’. Shall I write to him for you? Pretend there is some sort of trouble in Thargellion that requires your attention?”
“What, and risk Caranthir working it out?”
That would be practically begging for extortion and they both knew it.
“The Gap then?”
Fingon gave him a withering look. Maedhros already knew his opinions on Maglor’s ability to keep a secret, which was about as effectively as a thunderstorm could imitate silence.
“Why not here?” Fingon suggested.
“Because your father knows I run a tight ship. It would only raise more suspicion.”
Fingon could not argue with that.
“Your opinion of Maglor may not be high.” Maedhros’s voice became quiet and serious all of a sudden. “And you have just cause not to trust him, terrible gossip and rumour monger that he was in Aman, but he has kept my confidence for many years.”
Fingon’s withering look softened to one that was merely suspicious.
“Truly,” Maedhros went on. “It appears he can keep quiet about a thing if he so chooses, and as no one believes that he is able to, it makes him remarkably effective at it.”
“I confess myself surprised.”
Maedhros leaned in very close. “He is the only one, apart from yourself, who knows quite how desperately hopeless I became in Angband. You know to what I refer, I will not speak it aloud.”
“Everyone knows you went a little bit mad there. Who wouldn’t after hanging from a blasted cliff for years?” Fingon whispered back.
“Ah, but almost no-one knows just how much. Only you and Maglor, and neither of you have told another soul.”
Fingon was silent for a moment. It was not a memory either of them enjoyed re-living. Mandos was not a place any elf was supposed to long for, and the fact that Maedhros had asked Fingon to send him there, twice, no less, was an eloquent enough indication of how desperate his cousin’s situation had been. “What manner of difficulties is your brother experiencing at the Gap? Pray tell! I shall be only too glad to help him resolve them.”
Maedhros smiled. “I do believe you should see them for yourself my prince. I expect you shall want to depart for my brother’s lands shortly?”
“Have you gone insane?” It was hard enough to stay low key at Himring, with a borderline antisocial host who actively avoided large gatherings. How much harder would it be when prevailing upon the hospitality of a socialite like Maglor?
“Once perhaps, but I assure you I am perfectly sane now. A change of scenery will do us both good. And I believe Nutunto shall be pleased.”
It was all over once Maedhros mentioned her name. Fingon knew when he was beaten, but whoever said he should be gracious in defeat?
“Maedhros?”
“Yes?”
“If Maglor blabs to Finrod I will personally cut off your other hand and see how much you like holding your sword between your toes.”
Irmo tiptoed up to Yavanna as she coaxed fruit from a vine in her garden.
“Manwë wants to know: do you have plans for the birth?”
“Sorry, what?” Yavanna glared at Irmo.
“Birth. It is the process of pregnancy ending and the child becoming separate. Plans for the process by which this will occur are required by Manwë immediately,” Irmo informed her with some hesitation.
“I know what birth is! Will it not just drop off of him like a fruit, or a discarded branch? That is how entings become separate.”
“No. Eldar do not function in quite the same way as ents.”
“Of course.” Yavanna lowered her voice. “Do not breathe a word to Manwë. As far as he is concerned, I am suitably aware of Eldarin anatomical processes. He will have his plans tomorrow.”
Irmo did not look convinced. He was, however, rather soundly intimidated. “…if you say so.”
It was a rather long night for Yavanna. Aulë had nothing useful to share, so she was obliged to consult with Ulmo and Oromë. Neither were afraid to laugh in her face. Yavanna supposed she deserved such ridicule, but it was not an enjoyable experience. Her fellow valar were not entirely cruel: many were the creatures in their respective domains and they at least pitied her enough to come up with a workable solution that could be presented to Manwë the next day.
