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
Laws and Customs
Place the a law, custom, or tradition of Middle-earth as the focus 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 Tar-Míriel
Our little song by Leithriel
Just a collection of stories about my favorite characters/ships in Silmarillion
Endure by Anne Wolfe
The stench of fresh blood reached even to the queen's chambers.
A snapshot of Númenor, in the earliest days of sacrifice. Written for Tolkien Gen Week.
All it takes by Lyra
Uínen has saved Tar-Míriel from drowning, but that does not mean that all is well.
Discussion of death and cataclysm.
Course Correction by Raaf
After the not so untimely death of Ar-Pharazôn the kingdom of Númenor is now officially under the sole rule of Tar-Míriel. In practice, the position of the Faithful remains precarious and unpopular. She doesn't have the support to outright reverse her subjects’ misguided course, but now at least she has an opportunity to start fixing that.
Sauron’s powerbase is entrenched in Númenórean society, but it was based on the favour and support of the king. Openly acting against his nominal sovereign would endanger it. It was time to adjust his strategy.
Plotting ensues.
memento mori by Fernstrike
In which the winds of change are sweeping through Númenor, and Míriel does her best to stand steady in the storm.
infin che 'l mar fu sovra noi richiuso by Feanoriel
Tales and rumours arose along the shores of the sea concerning mariners and men forlorn upon the water who, by some fate or grace or favour of the Valar, had entered in upon the Straight Way and seen the face of the world sink below them, and so had come to the lamplit quays of Avallónë, or verily to the last beaches on the margin of Aman, and there had looked upon the White Mountain, dreadful and beautiful, before they died. --- J.R.R.Tolkien, The Silmarillion
A collection of stories about the Fall of Númenor.
Notes of a Song by LadyBrooke
Sauron is now Ar-Pharazôn's greatest adviser.
Tar-Míriel has a letter with notes concerning a song of power and a kinslayer to comabt this.
A Game of Chess by Lilith
A series of outtakes from an AU about Sauron’s sojourn in Númenor in which Sauron is a lady (of sorts).
Fairer Than Ivory or Pearls by Zdenka
Míriel has a mysterious encounter after a Festival of Uinen at Rómenna. Much later, facing death for herself and her people, she makes a bargain with the Lady of the Seas.
Little Comfort to be Found by Independence1776
During one of Númenor’s last years, Tar-Míriel makes a decision.
Song to the Evening Star by Zdenka
As evening falls, Tar-Míriel's faithful handmaiden awaits her return in her chambers. (Sapphic verse. Tar-Míriel/OFC.)
The Queen Comes To The Mountain by Lyra
In the last hour of Númenor, Tar-Míriel attempts to gain ground with a final prayer.
where ebb and flow meet by kimaracretak
Three gifts Miriel gives the Lady of the Seas over the years, and one the Lady gives to her in return.
White Wings by Zdenka
As Sauron’s influence grows in Númenor, Míriel and a scholar of the Faithful discuss the translation of Elvish poetry.
A Witchy Queen by feanorusrex
Tar-Míriel gains power for herself, finally.
Flowers of Vardarianna by Zdenka
Míriel finds a source of loyalty in dark times. (Míriel/Original Female Character)
And Last of All by Elleth
Tar-Míriel's handmaiden on the final day of Númenor.
Add Salt to the Sea by Zdenka
Míriel has always loved the Sea. After the Downfall of Númenor, the Lady of the Seas offers her refuge and comfort. (Tar-Míriel/Uinen)
Three Sentence Fics: Tolkien by Zdenka
A collection of fills written for rthstewart's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2013 and 2015, for Tolkien-based prompts. (Mostly Silmarillion, with one for Farmer Giles of Ham and Sir Orfeo, and one non-Tolkien crossover.)
Chapters 2 & 3: More Tolkien-based fills written for caramelsilver's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2016 and 2017.
Midsummer Prayer by Zdenka
Míriel keeps Erulaitalë as best she can. (Fixed-length ficlet.)
Drabbles: The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales by Zdenka
Drabbles set during the First and Second Ages of Middle-earth. (Exactly 100 words as counted by MS Word.) Please see table of contents for individual summaries and warnings.
In the Last Hour by Zdenka
What the Queen does and leaves undone, the day before the Downfall of Númenor. The Armada sets sail, and Míriel waits for the shape of their doom to reveal itself.
Foe and Friend by Zdenka
In Ar-Pharazôn's palace on Númenor, Isildur's wife encounters peril, temptation, and unlooked-for help. (Written in 2011.)
In An Hour Unlooked For by Kaylee Arafinwiel
She had always loved the Sea. She never knew how much the Sea loved her back…
