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
First Lines
Choose a famous first line to start your own story or inspire a non-written fanwork. 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 Turgon
Carved in Bone by Maggie Honeybite
Elenwë tries to protect her daughter. A story about the connection between mothers and daughters which neither time nor distance (or death) can erase.
The Crow and the Swan by SonOfMandos
Tuor came to the Hidden City with a message from the Lord of the Seas. He urges the King to flee, but to avail. Confined, he despairs. He crosses paths with Maeglin, the prince who wishes to elope from these immaculate walls. A story of the inevitable battle against fate, and of freedom. Maeglin/Tuor
Same Shade of Gold by Maggie Honeybite
Turgon loves Elenwë. Finrod loves Turgon. Elenwë is pushed to the brink by the strain of the Helcaraxë. There are strange things done in the land of no sun by the Elves with hair of gold… A love story with a ghostly twist.
Gravity Is a Harsh Mistress by Grundy
Three drabbles on a theme for Arda On Ice.
The Pastry Shop by oshun
In the Golden Age of Valinor, Maedhros tries to court an appropriate young woman. Meanwhile, Fingon smitten with his older cousin doesn’t intend to make it easy for him. In fact, he will do whatever he can to interfere.
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Written for LaSamtyr for 2022 Slashy Valentine. Requested pairing: Elf/elf, Fingon/Maedhros
Story elements: slice of life "weirdness", a lost item is found or rediscovered, Silm-oriented (House of Finwë preferred but not required.) Any Age is fine.
Thank you, Ignoble Bard, for the Beta and encouragement.
The king perishes with his city by elennalore
Turgon watches Gondolin burn. Someone watches Turgon.
Maeglin's Choice by chrissystriped
After his release from Angband, Maeglin confides in Rog and events take a better turn.
Olympics 2021 Instadrabbling by Lindariel
Instadrabbles from the SWG Discord server sessions on 31 July-1 August 2021, with Olympics-flavored prompts.
Unsummoned and unlooked for by chrissystriped
Rog has heard about the Union of Maedhros and confronts Turgon about not telling them.
Complete by Melesta
Turukáno has come of age and discovers a bond deeper than friendship between his brother Findekáno and their cousin Maitimo. How does this impact his own life?
How does Turgon come to see the bond between Fingon and Maedhros? What does it have to do with his decisions in Beleriand, in Gondolin, and later back in Valinor? Can he cope with and forgive everything that has happened?
An attempt to explore the complex psychology of Turgon through the ages, from his own POV.
The Seven Gates by Laerthel
The impossible happened: a Silmaril has been stolen from Morgoth’s crown. Maedhros decides to reunite the People of Beleriand against the Enemy and attack him while he is still unprepared, which is by no means less impossible. Meanwhile, in the hidden city of Gondolin, Lord Glorfindel of the Golden Flower pursues the meaning of his recurring dreams – only to realize that he is not the only one to see them...
|| A novel-length canon gapfiller on the Union of Maedhros, the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and the downfall of the Sons of Feanor; plus my take on what could have been going on in Gondolin between the Bragollach and the Nirnaeth. ||
Cosmological Poems of Arda by AaronAzrael
I would like to share my revelations of Tolkien's Universe in the form of narrative and emotional poems.
The book of lost things by Dilly
Drabbles and ficlets compilation, english and french.
Recueil de courts textes sur le Silmarillion. Beren/Luthien, Maedhros/Fingon, fils de Fëanor, Sauron, etc.
Classés dans l\'ordre chronologique.
Bloody Silmarils - Series by Dilly
In Gondolin, Turgon is depressed...
Our little song by Leithriel
Just a collection of stories about my favorite characters/ships in Silmarillion
Tales of the Hidden City by Kenaz
Stories of Gondolin. This series began as a response to the Fanfic100 challenge on Livejournal, but 100 stories remains quite an ambitious number! These are very short stories-- ficlets, if you will-- about Gondolin and its denizens. Content runs the gamut from All Ages-rated genfic to explicit slash. Content warnings will be provided for each story.
Maitimo and Findekáno by oshun
Stories written within the same universe and story arc. The featured characters are Fingon and Maedhros but also includes at various points most of the Finweans and their descendants. (Many, but far from all, of these stories include mature themes. Please see individual stories for ratings.)
To Give in Return by Dawn Felagund
Many times a day I realize how much my own life is built on the labors of my fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.
Albert Einstein
This series will serve as a home for the stories that I have written for friends and peers between American Thanksgiving and the end of the year 2007.
Every year, I like to write something for the friends and people who have helped me as an author that year. I love writing these stories. As a writer, I look forward to December more than any other time of the year. It is otherwise impossible for me to put into words the joy and gratitude that these people bring into my life every day. The only way I have found is to wile away an afternoon with no thought but crafting a story where they will love each and every word ...
And this series is the fruits of that.
That said, I\'ve asked for requests on LJ, and am always happy to take more. Check out this entry here for more information. Also, all of my stories--including non-Silmarillion pieces--can be read here.
Many, many thanks for another fantastic year.
My Preciousssss Mary Sues by whitewave
The main theme of the Non-Canon stories here will be Humor/Parody, bordering on the "Heretic". Please do not read if you are easily offended by these contents.
All stories will contain much adult language, innuendo, nudity, suggestive/compromising positions, and many embarassing situations for the characters, especially the Fëanorions and Mary Sue.
Tales of the Years of the Sun by Fadesintothewest
A series of stories exploring the exploits of the House of Fingolfin during the first years of the Years of the Sun.
Upon the Branching Years by IgnobleBard
Legolas is tasked by Ulmo to travel to Gondolin to make sure history does not again deviate from Eru's plan.
This is a time travel AU wherein Legolas Greenleaf and Legolas of Gondolin are the same person.
Written for the My Slashy Valentine Swap 2021.
Cliffhanging by Grundy
Turukano gets a surprise visit. Written for the Soap Opera challenge.
Stranger in the Forest by chrissystriped
While Turukáno is grieving for his dead wife he meets a foreign elf in the woods who wants to fight Morgoth alongside the Noldor.
Rog is wary of this prince who doesn't seem prejudiced against former thralls, but he is willing to risk it for an opportunity to fight and for the safety of his people.
It turns out Rog can also help Turukáno to deal with his grief.
Laughter as light as a feather by firstamazon
Every summer, Macalaurë’s entire family takes a trip to the woods and sets up camp for a few days, enjoying the nice weather and each other’s companies.
