New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Words of Wit and Wisdom
J.R.R. Tolkien wasn’t just the creator of Middle-earth. He was also a scholar of philology. One of his first jobs was with the Oxford English Dictionary, where he was assigned a welter of words beginning with W. In this month’s challenge, we’re presenting you a bingo card with Prof. Tolkien’s W words we hope will inspire a wealth of wonder, wit, worldbuilding, and general whimsy. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
Fanworks Tagged with Melian
Midwinter 2020 Image Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the SWG Discord server sessions on 9 January 2021.
Untidy Souls by StarSpray
As the Fourth Age begins, Elu Thingol at last returns from the Halls of Mandos.
Midwinter 2020 Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 27 December 2020.
"She walks in beauty, like the night" by heget
Melian's first steps in her new life.
Revelator by Lilith
The War of the Ring has ended and nothing has turned out exactly as anyone expected. Sauron, who is in this version female and known originally as Mairen and now as Thû, has survived, remained corporeal and been captured. As such, she will be sent to Valinor to stand trial.
Posted in a very different form. Heavily revised. Completed and being posted gradually as final revisions are made.
Come Back Broken by StarSpray
In one of her meadows, towering over all the other trees, her arms as branches reaching skyward, Yavanna stirred, and reached out to the little shadow as it made its way west, catching it as she caught baby birds who fell out of their nests, and cradling it in leafy arms. Her thoughts reached out to Estë's with the feeling of a sudden frost, shocked into stillness. The wounded shadow was one of their own—it was Melian.
Melian by oshun
One of the Maiar, Melian is to credit for the safety and subsequent ascendancy of Doriath under her guardianship. Although often depicted as otherworldly and distant, Melian's role in The Silmarillion is heavily defined by her roles as a mother, mentor, and advocate for various characters.
Lockdown Instadrabbling by Nienna
A collection of ficlets (not true drabbles) written for Lockdown Instadrabbling on Discord.
Threads of Song by StarSpray
Lúthien loved to watch her mother at work.
Lockdown Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 25 March, 29 March, and 12 April 2020.
A Hopeless Dawn by hennethgalad
Melian becomes aware of the fall of the Trees. Thingol struggles to comprehend.
on my watch you'll be able to fly by kimaracretak
Galadriel and Melian, joy and magic lessons across the seasons in Doriath.
Sister, Lover, Priestess, Wise-Woman, Queen by oshun
Elrond meets a long-lost family member for the first time. Written in response to the Start to Finish Challenge.
The Carriage held but just Ourselves by StarSpray
Melian cannot know death. Of her daughters, one embraces it, one rejects it, one accepts it, and one does not understand.
Knife-sharp by heget
Gamil Zarik, master of Telchar, close friend of the elven royal family, goes to Menegroth one last time.
T’was many years ago we fell in love by Nienna
(Sonnet) After Thingol’s death, Melian reflects on their life together and what happens next.
Written for B2MeM 2019 and SWG Challenge Love Actually.
nightshade morrowless by kimaracretak
Melian and Galadriel share a moment alone.
Lovely, Dark and Deep by StarSpray
Elwë gets sidetracked on his way to visit Finwë.
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?
Utopia by FactorialRabbits
Definition: An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
The Sorceress’ Apprentice by oshun
Lúthien encourages Galadriel to approach Melian for tutoring.
leave me restless, leave me hung by kimaracretak
Light dies, and the web endures.
New Vintage. by hennethgalad
Being the fourth part of the 30 day character study.
In which Dior meets Nimloth.
Last Days in the Magic Kingdom by Lordnelson100
It was never the right moment to leave Doriath.
One of the first big leaks happened in the Hall of Ages, once used for the spectacular Autumn Moon dances. Formerly a favorite room of the Queen. A section of gilded woodwork, encrusted with carven grapes and flowers, gave way and fell to the floor. Water streamed in, ruining a delicate mural of the Great Journey. The polished parquet floor swelled and warped beyond repair.
No one was thinking about dancing, so soon after the King’s death and the Sack. They shut up the room and left it be.
