New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Communities Do Comment
Comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Instadrabbling Sessions for July, August, and September
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Inhalation by gaydhros
But how could they ever think to sleep on a night such as this? Their hours together are already so short, and in these days of encroaching darkness they only grow shorter. Tonight Fingon’s bed is warm, and Fingon is also, and Maedhros is loath to close his eyes even long enough to blink.
…[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[Artwork] A private audience by skywardstruck
After wandering through the forests of Oromë, Maitimo and Makalaurë discover a quiet clearing, stopping to rest. With lyre in hand, the private audience begins— for this song, Makalaurë will only allow his brother to hear.
[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.
[Writing] Is it raining with you? by AdmirableMonster
In the last days of Númenor, two very different men meet in Umbar and fall in love.
(Please note that while this work is heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, no knowledge of the game is necessary to read the fic!)
[Writing] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
[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…
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Let the Games Begin!
Create a fanwork centered around games and contests. Read more ...
New in References
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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…
[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.
Around the World and Web
Tolkien Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
Tolkien Disability Pride 2026
This Tumblr event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Fanworks Tagged with Maglor
Falling to a Low Place by Ithilwen
The surviving sons of Fëanor attempt to regain the Silmaril from Elwing. Warnings for violence and disturbing themes.
Easy is the Descent by Ithilwen
The sons of Fëanor attempt to regain the Silmarils from Dior. Warnings for violence and disturbing themes.
Learning to make a fire by Lyra
Young Maedhros learns more than just one lesson on a soggy camping trip - and remembers these lessons much later.
Written for the B2MeM 2009 prompt, "learning to make a fire".
The Dark Beneath the Stars by Ithilwen
Maglor reflect on the events between the Kinslaying at Alqualondë through the Battle under Stars. Violence, disturbing themes.
My Brother's Keeper by Ithilwen
Following the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Maglor makes a terrible mistake. Disturbing themes.
All Hang Together by Ithilwen
Fingon rides to Himring to hear a proposal from Maedhros. Warning: Adult sexual themes.
The Cold Hill of Himring by Ithilwen
Maedhros is disturbed by a visit with his cousin Fingon. Warning: Adult themes.
Necessary Sacrifices by Ithilwen
After his rescue, Maedhros has a decision to make. Which will he sacrifice in the end: his pride, or his vengeance?
Renewing The Song by Naltariel
Two guilt ridden wanderers met and tried to atone for their past.
Hide and Seek by Ithilwen
Young Amrod and Amras have gone missing, and the reason for their disappearance can be traced to a family tragedy. Warning: Adult sexual themes.
The Glitter of Metal by Ithilwen
Wounded in body and spirit by Morgoth, a now-crippled Maedhros struggles to redefine his sense of identity. Warning: Mildly disturbing themes.
Taking the Sword by Ithilwen
Maedhros learns the art of swordfighting, and discovers his true talent.
If Wishes Were Horses by Ithilwen
Maedhros and Fingon meet for the first time.
Tale and Truth by Naltariel
Silmarillion adaptation of the folktale The Little Mermaid. A Maia found out that falling in love with Maglor isn't the wisest thing to do.
Beyond Hope by clotho123
Of the sack of Sirion and the power of the Oath of Fëanor
A Ponderous Tome by oshun
A short character study of a youthful Elrond and a reflection on an aspect of his relationship with Maedhros and Maglor; in response to Day 26 of the B2MeM challenge. The prompt is: “a teacher who played a key role . . . . write a character who educated his people in some way.”
MEFA 2009, Third Place - First Age and Prior:
Featuring Maedhros or Maglor
Tree and Flower Awards 2013, First Place
Favorite Characerization of Elrond
That's Not Funny! by oshun
In their youth in Valinor, Maedhros has a secret crush on Fingon, his younger half-cousin, and Maglor loves to tease him about it.
A ficlet of 550 words in response to the SWG Back to Middle-earth Month challenge, day 11, humor misunderstood. (R-rated for language and implication only.) Also, translation of Quenya names at the bottom for those who want them.
As Little Might Be Thought by Marta
"For Maglor took pity upon Elros and Elrond, and he cherished them, and love grew after between them, as little might be thought; but Maglor's heart was sick and weary with the burden of the dreadful oath."
Breath of Forgiveness by IgnobleBard
Maglor thinks over old regrets.
The Well by Independence1776
Post Fourth Age. Maglor meets someone unexpected. Nominated in the 2009 MEFAs.
Tales of Middle-Earth by tinni
A set of stories that retell Greek, Indian, Chinese and Japanese myths and legends, not to mention Brother's Grimm fairy tales, in Middle-earth with Tolkien's characters. Current selection include Iadel, The Mighty Singer, Living Stone, Minstrels, The Woe of a Maiden who loved Legolas, The day the sun didn't rise and Gemini.
Lack of Privacy by oshun
(Maedhros/Fingon) This was written in response to teasing by IgnobleBard that I had cut out the love scene from the story I wrote him for his birthday and Halloween, Do You Believe in Ghosts? So, here it is, only a slightly belated Christmas present. (Warning: it is not really, unlike the Ghosts story that prompted it, a comic piece.)
The Downfall by clotho123
A short story addressing one of The Silmarillion's most famous open ends: What happened to Maglor?
The Last Word by Alassante
Boys will be boys and the middle Feanorian brothers take it a step too far.
2nd place winner of ALEC's (A Long Awaited Contest) September challenge - 'Don't Tell Me, I Don't Want To Know'
