New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
SWG News
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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.
New & Updated Fanworks
[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…
[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] Otornassë by vulpeculi4r
In the aftermath of the third kinslaying and the death of Amrod and Amras, Maglor needs to reassure himself that Maedhros is still there with him.
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
[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] My Hands Long for Far Shores by Elrond's Library
Ereinion Gil-galad wants desperately to sail. Being king gets in the way.
[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…
Current Challenge
Scavenger Hunt
Solves clues to find your prompts for this Matryoshka challenge. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Funky 70s
Choose a prompt from books, movies, quotes, headlines, style, and more from the 1970s. 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
[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
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2026
Silmarillion Epistolary Week is a Tumblr challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
Fanworks Tagged with Narvi
show me the limits of your deceit by skywardstruck
In an effort to worm his way into the ranks of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, Annatar makes moves to seduce Celebrimbor and his partner Narvi, hopefully without the other's knowledge. Things don't go according to plan... or do they?
Blue Light by Zdenka
Celebrimbor tests a new idea, sets Narvi a challenge, and makes a confession.
True-silver by Zdenka
Narvi adorns Celebrimbor with jewelry while telling him a story about the creation of mithril.
Kheled-zâram by Zdenka
Narvi shows Celebrimbor the Crown of Durin in the Mirrormere and tells him the story of how it came there.
Warmth and Light by Zdenka
Celebrimbor and Narvi have a good day where only nice things happen! No plot, just an Elf and a Dwarf being happy and making shiny things. Written for the All The Nice Things flash exchange.
Missing them by Aprilertuile
Celebrimbor broke the tools his father gave him.
It was the last thing he had of his family.
For B2MEM, day 1 : The prompt was: Coming home / Reunion / Missing somebody.
Tomber dans les pommes by daughterofshadows
Celebrimbor fainted. Narvi worries about her friend.
Bedtime Stories by Anérea
Just a few of my favourite podfics that I've found soothing for bedtime (or middle of the night, or any time really) listening.
"Tengwar" ficlets by chrissystriped
Fics written for the "Tengwar" challenge.
Meet & Greet by cuarthol
Matryoshka inspired art for the Meet & Greet Challenge
Calls from the other end of the galaxy by daughterofshadows
Sometimes you just need a little help with a code from the author, even if you've been working with it for decades. If only they would answer their dang phone!
So, instead Maeglin calls an old friend, hears an amusing anecdote and passes on a message.
It's all in a day's work.
Except for the autopilot. That took a lot longer.
The hammer and the star by Chiara Cadrich
A voluble dwarf delights the inn with a legend adulterated by his drunken elucubrations. It's up to you to disentangle the true from the false...
The Edges of His Fingers by chrissystriped
Celebrimbor and Narvi share their first morning together in bed.
Olympics 2021 Instadrabbling by Lindariel
Instadrabbles from the SWG Discord server sessions on 31 July-1 August 2021, with Olympics-flavored prompts.
[podfic] Three times, the forge by Chestnut_pod
Celebrimbor kisses Narvi. Narvi kisses Celebrimbor. Somehow, Celebrimbor is still perplexed.
Here, Where We Are by Lilith
A series of short pieces designed to respond to the Utopia challenge and surrounding the building of Eregion.
It responds to this prompt:
"We have to build the Republic of Heaven where we are, because for us there is no elsewhere."
- Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass
But it also carries this quote in mind:
"There is no Zion, save where you are."
-- Tony Kushner, Angels in America
Starting Over by Himring
We know Celebrimbor canonically worked together with Narvi; whether he ever watched his grandmother's father Mahtan at work, Tolkien does not tell us.
It was my idea that Mahtan and Narvi might have something in common, in his eyes...
Simple Pleasures, And All That by Fernstrike
A collection of ficlets written for the 2019 Solstice instradrabbling challenge on Discord.
Stars by curufinweatarinke
Celebrimbor is his father’s son.
(snapshots from the life of a more Fëanorian Celebrimbor)
Upon the Hearth by Narya
Narvi is intrigued and a little unnerved by Celebrimbor's companion. Celebrimbor is soppy about his scaly, fire-breathing friend. Fluffy short one-shot. Slightly AU.
His Royal Highness, Prince Celebrimbor of Doriath by elvntari
Celebrimbor was first imagined as the descendant of Daeron. I decided to run with it.
Celebrimbor was the heir to the kingdom of Doriath before his father decided to vanish into thin air, leaving naught but a hastily scribbled note for a messenger to hand to him. In a difficult position as the black sheep of the royal family, Celebrimbor decides to leave for Nargothrond hoping not only to find a place where he fits in, but perhaps even word on the mysterious figure that was his mother.
We Know Some Things (But Not All) by LadyBrooke
Celebrimbor is seeking something, though Maeglin does not know what.
Celebrimbor sees too much of his family's mistakes in Maeglin.
Together, they dig a tunnel.
Silver and Stone by Zdenka
Three moments between Narvi and Celebrimbor: first meeting, under the mountain, the Doors of Durin. (Drabble sequence.)
Both Alike In Dignity by Grundy
Great minds think alike in Second Age Eregion.
