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 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] 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] The Endless Years by Elrond's Library
Elwing reckons with the passage of time.
[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] 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.
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
End Is the Beginning
Take the ending of a story from "The Silmarillion" and use it as the beginning of a fanwork. 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."
Fanworks Tagged with Fingolfin
Home Alone: Forgotten in Formenos by Dawn Felagund
In the rush to depart for a Yule celebration in Taniquetil, Amrod and Amras are accidentally left behind by their family. When two skeevy Maiar vying for Melkor's attention set their sights on Fëanor's treasury, only these two can protect it.
Yes indeed, it is a Silmarillion/Home Alone crossover.
Added Chapter 13 onward--now complete!
The Singer by MaglorTheMinstrel
He thinks that he's going insane, that only his now ruined music stays. His memories are fleeing, abandoning him. But some remain.
The Curious Case of the Paternity of Ereinion Gil-galad by elvntari
Many theories circulate around Middle-earth about the parentage of the High King, and Gil-galad has heard them all. As he senses the end of an era with his reign (and his life) coming to a close he ponders on where it all began. What is the truth? Only one man knows, and it isn't him.
A Love Like Darkness, Like Light by Sleepless_Malice
In the Halls of Awaiting, Fëanor and Fingolfin meet again in exceptional circumstances.
Orcs. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin questions prisoners.
Aware. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin reads the thoughts of two prisoners to see who is telling the truth.
(reading 'Orcs' first would enrich this)
for the 'Sitcom' challenge "Sophisticated as hell."
A Trail of Things Lost by Nitheliniel
Betrayed by Feanor and his sons, Fingolfin's host must brave the Helcaraxë to travel from Valinor to Middle Earth. The Grinding Ice takes freely without anything being offered. It takes bodies and souls, smiles and warm feelings, it takes the last of their innocence, and their ability to forgive.
Ajar. by hennethgalad
Even on the night of his wedding, Hador turns to Fingolfin.
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 3. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin, chosen to stand at the side of Hador, whom he loves, reflects on the wedding after the feast.
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 2. by hennethgalad
Hador writes in his journal before his wedding.
The Wedding of Hador and Gildis. 1. by hennethgalad
Not the wedding speeches.
The darkening of hearts by Nuredhel
When Fëanor realize the truth about his son's realtionship with his cousin he tries to break the two apart by forcing Maedhros into a marriage. What he fails to realize is that he by doing this is introducing an innocent third person into the family, a young nis who does firmly believe that this will be the end of everything. How can she survive when hearts turn dark and cold and the light itself is stolen from them. Can she ever find true love? And will the truth about her unusual life ever be revealed?
Eglairaith. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin sends Hador away before Nargothrond lest he fall in love with Finrod.
(Assumes that Finrod loves Glorfindel. See 'Eithel Ivrin' if you like, though it’s not necessary)
Strangeness and Charm by elvntari
The Mereth Aderthad. Daeron is sent as one of the two reptresentatives of Doriath, expecting to be bored and offended by those he encounters there, instead he is amazed by the talent and charm of a certain Maglor Feanorion, a bloodstained mystery with a brilliant ear.
Maurn. by hennethgalad
Crossing the plain of East Beleriand, they meet some wood-elves.
Horses. by hennethgalad
They leave the House of Angrod and cross Ard-galen, where they are met by Aegnor, and Fingolfin meets Rochallor for the first time.
"when all other lights go out" by hennethgalad
Fingolfin tries to persuade Maedhros to join in attacking Morgoth before Dagor Bragollach.
Ard-galen. by hennethgalad
Part two of 'Children of Ilúvatar'.
The expedition of Fingolfin crosses the plain to the Halls of Angrod.
Children of Ilúvatar. by hennethgalad
Fingolfin meets Hador Lórindol, and Gildis.
I Will Share Your Road by Lotrfan
The road from Tirion is harsh and difficult but Nolofinwë finds his arrival in Beleriand far different than he expected.
Written for the Teitho contest prompt "Expectation."
The Words You Left Me by eris_of_imladris
Ten words that influenced Fëanor and Fingolfin’s relationship and drove them down their paths to doom. Inspired by the concept and lyrics of Milim from Eurovision 2010 as part of SWG’s “Competition” prompt.
People of the Ice by Fadesintothewest
The Fëanorians find that their kin who crossed the Ice have been utterly changed. Fingon is utterly changed. All of them are.
This Fingon-centric story is an exploration of Fingolfin's host and the impact of the Grinding Ice on who they became as a people once they arrived to MIddle Earth. They are often portrayed as not being changed much by the Helcaraxë. This story presents a different interpretation, exploring the darker edges of elven psyche. In attempt to reconcile some gaps between canon and the length of time it takes Fingon to go out and rescue Maedhros this story explores why that time elapsed. Get ready for a not so nice Fingon, hardened by the many losses of his People and the betrayal Maedhros.
Axis Mundi by just_jenni
This story is a completely AU fabrication, loosely based upon some of the events taking place at the time of the trees in Valinor. However, none of the outcomes follow the ones in the actual Silmarillion but take a wild turn of their own. In this fic Feanaro and Nolofinwe become inseparable lovers, with Feanaro helping his half-brother to become a strong person in his own right, having been ignored most of his life by his father Finwe, who prefers his oldest son. It's only when Feanaro finally convinces Finwe that Nolofinwe is worthy of his respect that the universe rights itself and all is as it should be.
My sincere apologies to JRR Tolkien for altering his story concerning these characters.
Belated by Dawn Felagund
On two occasions, Finwë was late for Fëanor's departure into the North. This story explores the complexity and evolution of the relationship between Finwë and Fëanor.
Chess by grey_gazania
Fingolfin enjoys what will be his last moment of peace with his family.
