Character of the Month: Marach
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
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!
Character of the Month: Marach
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
New Challenge: Allusive
Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.
Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] most days I don't recognize me by annarobots
Of course, she knew that in the Blessed Land, true harm was unlikely to come to him. The Valar watched over them all, and the lesser spirits were everywhere. It was a great hound of Oromë who had found him happily splashing in the creek, in fact. But anyone could drown in mere…
[Series] Eat, Pray, Love by AdmirableMonster
The Darkest Timeline AU for my Steampunk Númenor series.
In which the Mouth of Sauron is originally a Númenorean chemister rescued from Ar-Pharazôn's intimate attentions by Sauron himself.
[Writing] Rise from the Ashes by AdmirableMonster
In the wake of Sauron's death, his Mouth remembers Númenor.
[Reference] Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
[Writing] Crossing the Great Sea by elennalore
He has perhaps made a great mistake, but it's too late now.
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
Allusive
Choose from our list of allusions to history, literature, mythology, and art to create a fanwork. Read more ...
Meet & Greet
For our annual Matryoshka challenge, we add an interactive component. Receive your first prompt and track down the rest by interacting with other SWG members or finding prompts posted online. Read more ...
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.
[Artwork] A Memento of Faery by Grundy
TRSB26 art 144 - an artifact brought back from Faerie by a Starbearer.
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
Finwëan Ladies Week 2026
Finwëan Ladies Week will run from September 21-27, 2026!
Fingon x Finrod x Maedhros Day 2026
A day to celebrate the relationship of the three eldest princes.
Forgotten Ground Regained Features Tolkien-Inspired Alliterative Poetry
The quarterly journal "Forgotten Ground Regained" publishes alliterative poetry and, in Issue 11, turns to focus on poems written about Tolkien's world, including several pieces by SWG poets.
Sindar Week 2026
A Tolkien event week for the Sindar, the Grey-Elves, from the Years of the Trees to the Third Age.
Finwean Sibblings Prompt Fest 2026
A prompt-based fandom event aiming to focus on celebrating Finwë's children: Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Lalwen, & Finarfin - ships, gen relationships, or character-centric
Your version makes that betrayal particularly bitter!
For Caranthir and Uldor to share such a conversation and Caranthir having opened up so far towards him!
I think you are hinting that memories of Haleth are partly at play in his trusting Uldor too far.
I suppose the theme of bones are ominous and a foreshadowing, although I believe the custom of bone fires is quite a genuine one.
And stabbing in the back can be a metaphor for betrayal, but here it is also very literal!
That's exactly what I had in mind with Haleth!
I read somewhere that etymologically, the word bonfire consists of bone + fire, because actual bones were burned and that inspired this story... I made up the part that bones of dangerous animals give extra luck.
It's curious to me that Maglor slays Uldor and Bor's sons kill Uldor's brothers which probably means that they were close by when they realized the betrayal. So, where's Caranthir, whose ally Uldor is supposed to be?! – I thought literal backstabbing along with the metaphorical one would be quick and detrimental enough for his health to keep him from fighting Uldor himself.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ouch! The way this starts off with such warm feelings and deep personal trust shared between them, but then with the revelation that it's Uldor, his words seem to have been a veiled threat. His final action of literally stabbing him in the back reveal that his words were actually promise. This was powerfulky written!
(FYI, the SWG has a beta directory as well a beta-finder channel on the Discord server. There's also a fair few German speakers in the group.)
Ouch!
Just what I intended and I'm not sorry! 😋
I don't know if all of his words were a veiled threat, maybe Uldor really remembers a nice tradition. – But they're definitely thinking of different foes to burn and drinking to different sides winning.
Thanks a lot for the comment and for pointing me to the resources!
Love this idea and the punch to the gut in the end of the first 'scene' when we find it's Uldur! Bastard. This is really atmospheric. Great idea as well for a two scene piece that is so textured and visceral. Really enjoyed reading this. Much kudos for writing in your second (or maybe even third! ) language- I am in awe!!
Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely comment! 🫶
I think "Bastard" sums him up quite well!!
Oh and btw, today's midsummer day, just saying!🔥
Site © Dawn Felagund
Logo © Bunn
All copyrights for creative work hosted on this site are retained by their creators.
This site is built using Drupal and the theme W3CSS.
Characters and stories associated with J.R.R. Tolkien's works remain the property of his estate. Creative work using this material has been written solely for the enjoyment and enlightenment of its creator and their associates. No profit is made on the materials shared on this site.
Comments on Bon(e)fire
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
Fuin has requested the following types of constructive criticism on this fanwork: Characterization, Conflict, Description/Imagery, Fulfilled Intent, Mood/Tone, Organization/Structure, Pacing, Plot, Point of View, Research, Sensitivity Read, Setting, Spelling, Grammar, and Mechanics, Style, Worldbuilding. All constructive criticism must follow our diplomacy guidelines.