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: Everyman Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
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.
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…
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.
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.
“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…
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.
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.
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.
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?
…
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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
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.
Hehehe! This story has always amused me! Funnily enough, I was just thinking that someone ought to ask you for an update! Good move on Fanged Geranium's part! I think you must have sent some sort of signal through the Canatics Hate This shared brain. ;)
I have to re-read this story from the beginning. It has been a while. I hopped in here because it was my favorite chapter and I wanted to remember why. "Orodeth let out a loud snore and upset a bottle of wine." Ha! Perfect. Now I remember, why, despite the annoying difficulties it creates within my canon, I wanted to make Fingon the father of Gil-galad in my story cycle. You can take some of the blame.
Finrod is my favorite golden elf boy, second only to Tyelkormo/Celegorm (who may or may not be blond, but I've always imagined him blond) so it was definitely a treat to read about them in the same story. The little hints you dropped about how their previous interaction with each other (i.e. "humiliating, painful capers of the Feanorians) had me hooked.
It is the details I love most about your stories, regardless of genre. I laughed out loud in the part where Finrod mulls over his oath to Beren's father and Finrod actually keeping a diary.
The character sketches of the two Feanorians were exquisite. I liked how you compared Celegorm's taste in females to a box of chocolates.
I laughed out loud at the childish pranks that Finrod suffered under the Feanorions and Tyelkormo's line: "Always have I suffered as the pretty one" is my all-time favorite.
I enjoyed the glimpse you offered what the Feanorions could have done in Nargothrond other than plot and brood (as I thought the first time I read the Silmarillion). I absolutely loved the "who inspired so much mirth among his people and embraced him regularly and named him favorite of their cousins" part.
Very nice introduction of Celebrimbor, who has given me the impression that he always fades in the background or is disregarded whenever he is with his father or uncles. The last line was priceless and made me think, but what about Orodreth?
Another laugh out loud chapter. If I could draw, I would surely sketch the scene when Orodreth retreated from Minas Tirith. Orodreth's rapid "turn-over" rate in the different lordships in Nargothrond is so fun to read! The last line is worth its weight in gold.
Felt sorry for Celebrimbor that nobody bothered to listen to him, if only they had listened. :^> Though I admit I had to read it a few times before I finally got it. He reminds me of a professor of mine who could put a whole classroom to sleep just by opening his mouth.
I just love the images in this chapter: Celegorm looking with vague interest at the head healer, then picking at his nails, Finrod fidgeting with his necklace. Wonder what Curvo would have reacted to his son's speech.
Laughed out loud at the sentence referring to Celebrimbor (?): "...the stack of data sheets delivered earlier that day by a featureless Elf whose name they could not remember..."
Orcs... hehehe. This has a high monthy python feeling that I quite like. Secondly, this story has been on my want to read list for so long, so my apologies for the delay. :)
Hehehe, those two behave like to noble Roman lords as they lounge and scheme on their sofa's, trying to get the sympathy of a cousin. Lovely imagery with the golden lion aka Celegorm *grin* Yum!
You wrote these chapters more than two years ago, and I've only just noticed them! World's least observant person strikes again! Anyway, I'm glad I have found them now, because they're absolutely hilarious. I particularly like the guard elves being so terrified of Beren - the blades of grass bending! - and Beren suffering from cognitive dissonance. Thanks Dawn!
Thanks, Aerlinn! I don't do humor often, being a gloomy gus when it comes to writing (and art. ;) This story is so old, I'm glad it's still being enjoyed! :)
Comments on The Election Farce of Nargothrond: Of Dumbness, Treachery, and Brotherly Love
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.