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 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] 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] 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] 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.
[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
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
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 Orodreth
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.
Little Galadriel. by hennethgalad
Finarfin and his family make a garden for Galadriel's seventh begetting day present.
25: 'start' (photo prompt, sign painted on a gate by a child)
All Hues and Honeys by Dawn Felagund
This is my latest collection of pieces too small to stand alone, often written for events on the SWG Discord.
The Latest:
"Fly." Fingon's faith in his friendship with Maedhros leads him to the decision to rescue him.
"Salt." Uinen discovers the kinslaying.
"Sunship." Nerdanel places the final cog in the sunship as an act of resistance.
"No One Heard That." The histories withheld some details of Fëanor's muster of the Noldor.
"Cracked." Námo explains death to a young Fëanor.
"Sunship, Reprise." The sunship's launching, from the perspective of the other side of the sea.
"Shadows beyond a Campfire." The sons of Fëanor build a campfire after the Nirnaeth.
"The Neologist." Pengolodh on language and history at three points in Gondolin's history.
Holidays Gone By by StraightOuttaHimring
Vignettes of four elves celebrating holidays over the years, and one holiday spent togeather. For The Silmarillion Writer's Guild 'Seasons Greetings' challenge.
Glorfindel: Tarnin Austa in Gondolin
Gildor: Begetting Day in Nargothrond
Erestor: Turuhalmë on Amon Ereb
Lindor: Coming of Age in Lindon
Yestarë in Imladris
Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble by Raiyana
Nargothrond, Midwinter:
Curufin attempts to recreate a warming cordial from Aman with Beleriand ingredients. ->
Celegorm tests it. ->
Shenanigans.
Aka the accidental invention of miruvor
A Gift Like No Other by Raiyana
In the aftermath of Curufin's exile, Celebrimbor receives a package.
It changes... everything.
The River. by hennethgalad
Gwindor comes to Tol Sirion to propose to Finduilas.
Failure by Lingwiloke
After the events that ended with his father's exile from Nargothrond, Celebrimbor struggles to find a sense of normalcy.
Three Sentence Fics 2018: Tolkien by Zdenka
A collection of Tolkien-based fills written for rthstewart's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2018.
Shifting Landscapes by HannaGoldworthy
An account of how, through many sorrows, a small-town painter and hiking enthusiast becomes the unlikely Lady of Minas Tirith and Queen of Nargothrond. Utilizes many prompts, typically as chapter titles.
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 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.
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)
The Light Wraps You by Narya
A moment between Celebrimbor and Orodreth after the news of Finrod's death. Written as a birthday gift for Gabriel.
This Mortal Coil by hennethgalad
The reflections of Bëor as he is welcomed to Nargothrond.
Helcaraxë by hennethgalad
Fingolfin, his family and friends, confront the ice and the unknown, and are drawn closer together by their feat of endurance. But Fingolfin suffers bitter loneliness and only the great valour of the other Elves gives him the strength to keep moving.
The Kite. by hennethgalad
Amarië considers love, and Finrod.
The Council of Finrod by hennethgalad
More of Laurëlot.
Glorfindel attends his first council meeting.
'the hidden paths' by hennethgalad
Orodreth and Curufin in Nargothrond.
A Different Kind Of Peace by Tyelca
During various moments in his life, Celebrimbor is forced to reconsider the meaning of peace.
Writ in Water by Zdenka
A series of seven drabbles about Nargothrond and those who became involved with its fate, based on a set of river-related prompts from Tolkien Weekly.
Drinks in the Dark by Lingwiloke
Orodreth has been crowned king of Nargothrond. He's not taking it particularly well.
the heart's filthy lesson by Agelast
Celebrimbor learns a painful lesson in love.
Written for Smut Swap 2016.
Anathema by Harnatano - Lithenna
From their flight from Himlad to their flight from Nargothrond, Celegorm and Curufin have to face the abyss of their defeat, the bitterness of their broken pride, and the tempting shadows of greed. Through envy, frustration, pain and resentment, they have to choose which path to follow, not yet aware that their choices will affect all the people of Beleriand.
Curufin's pov.
Canon based, more like a personal combination between the different versions given in HoME and the Silmarillion.
Orodreth: the hollow crown by Encaitariel
Orodreth and the crown of Nargothrond.
