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 ...
Major Arcana
Select a Tarot card and use any aspect of the card or its description to inspire your fanwork. 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.
What a meaty (meet-y?) chapter!
So many reunions - both pleasant and less so. (Elwing clearly isn't that happy to see him, much less learn where he's going!)
Make him regret it - oh, Celegorm, you really think you needed to tell him that?
Can't wait to see what will become of those little charms, and how the encounter with Cirdan goes.
And as I could have sworn I had commented here before - I agree with Himring, it's an intriguing beginning! (Subscribed!)
Ooh, I'm really intrigued by this new story! I love the setting of this canon divergence AU, and that it's from Maedhros' POV. Most of the Elves re-embodied fics I've read are about the Fourth Age, after the events of LotR, so this is a fantastic fresh take. Knowing that Curufin is still in Mandos where Celebrimbor is still healing makes my heart ache.
Olórin is such a prominent character, and really himself, eager to go to Middle Earth, but also testing Maedhros to learn more about him... sneaky! And the family reunion was touching, especially as all the brothers (who were there) were napping in Maedhros' bed. Closeness! Touching! The detail that Maedhros' body was like before, but his eyes felt still his, was a great one. Can't wait to read more of this fic!
I lose track of where I've commented, but maybe the last one was on AO3. I was very curious to know what Maedhros' reception would be in the Havens, and I really enjoyed Círdan (and love that he's so sympathetic about Maglor as well as Maedhros' desire to find him) and Gildor being so easy going ("I think I rather like you"), and Erestor (bless his distrusting socks, being protective on behalf of Elrond methinks.)
I so enjoyed your descriptions of Cirdan's house, and the land along their journey, familiar yet so different to the fellowship's one later, with all the towers and places still in use and thriving — it feels very alive.
And I love little details like Tol Galen still being above the sea, even if its not quite an island.
And the heartwrenching bit about Maedhros completely forgetting about Maglor, not only when he touched the Silmaril, but even in Mandos. Oh, very ouchie!
"Finding Maglor came first in his heart, but it could not come first in his actions." This is expressed so well!
Ooh, no one's quite sure what to make of him - and most of Elrond's family is away, so there's less buffer than there might have been.
(Also, the update emails taunted me cruelly - I got more than one this morning and so hoped for more than one chapter.)
Another great chapter!
I like Elrond's pragmatism: people must get used to the idea, and yes, one can get used to anything.
I love the way Elrond can not only sense people in his domain, but also senses a shadow over Maedhros. I enjoyed your description of their first meeting and also "a long pause in which Maglor's name hung between them, both a barrier and a bridge".
As Elrond so rightly knows, forgiveness is not done for another but for oneself. And although he may think Forgiveness was easier when he thought he'd never see him again, I'm sure he'll discover it's even easier now he's here, and genuinely sorry.
Aww, Elrond not wanting to burst into tears in front of Gildor was such a sweet moment, I just wanted to give him a hug! (Which he probably would have hated because then he would definitely have burst into tears!) But the whole Pengelodh revenge thing is hilarious!!
Also, "what do they know in the West that we do not?" Is something I've wondered about — or rather, how did they know? I guess Manwë and Ulmo at the very least are still keeping tabs on things in Middle-earth.
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Comments on The Fire of Life
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