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] An Alluring Offer by octopus_fool
Tata is offered a solution to a grave problem, at a very low price...
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
[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.
Allusive
Choose from our list of allusions to history, literature, mythology, and art to create a fanwork. Read more ...
Understory
For this remix challenge, develop a minor character, plot point, or other detail from a fanwork into a new fanwork. 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…
LotR Week 2026
A week-long event for The Lord of the Rings
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.
I think this is the first story based on CoH that I've ever seen, which is a little sad when you think about it. You do a good job with the archaic feel in the piece and Melkor is a most villainous villain! :)
I'm surprised that this hasn't got many reviews. This is a wonderful piece of work! Your style is very similar to Tolkien's himself, which is something that always catches my attention. I love how you portrayed Hurin's defiance earlier on, and the interactions between Morgoth and his servants. I found it very interesting that Morgoth actually enjoyed instructing Hurin, because it shows that it was in his nature to want to teach others, even though now he has become twisted with evil. I have nothing but the highest praise for this and it's definitely going on my favourites! :)
This has been on my 'to read' list for a wee bit. The title and summary intrigued me and the opening chapter did not disappoint. The imagery is rather epic, particularly Melkor ascending the mountain with the chair and Húrin in hand. There were a lot of enjoyable details about Melkor's thought process and his interactions with his foes and--I use the term as loosely as possible--friends.
I'm hoping to be able to read more of this over the holidays. Compelling concept!
-Huin
I had almost forgotten about this story, it being my first crack at anything like this and certainly the first time I'd ever dared to post something for public consumption; I am pleased that the first chapter didn't disappoint. I am worried now looking at it again that Melkor comes across as a bit of a Pantomime/Disney villian, but of course this has not been the feedback I've recieved from anyone else so mayhap I'm being a bit hard on myself - a failing that I readily acknowledge!
Anyway, thanks for reviewing and I hope that I have not put you off enjoying the rest of this...
Happy Hols, CiH
Yes, I do continue to find this story enjoyable. Re: your response to my Ch 1 review--Melkor is indeed of an angrier and less subtle sort than I sometimes see him portrayed, especially in the first chapter, but it did seem he had good enough reason to be pissed off. And he becomes more complex as we learn about his schemes in the ensuing chapters.
I quite liked this chapter in particular. I'm not sure I've seen a story before that actually has Melkor interacting with one of the dragons. Their dynamic is very interesting. I want my own dragon pal who gives me advice and consolation when I'm glum... *trying to hug Glaurung*
I knew that Glaurung had to come into play at some point before his encounter with Turin and a dialogue with Melkor seemed the obvious choice, I am glad that is little interlude worked ok...
Thanks, CiH!
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 The Eyes and Ears of Melkor
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.