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
Companies, Clubs, and Cliques
Create a fanwork that explores a group of characters--formal or informal--that Tolkien didn't identify or describe in his own writings. 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 Anairë
Cradle of Stars by Dawn Felagund, Elleth
After the Darkening of Valinor, Anairë is sent to Alqualondë to offer aid and allegiance after the horror of the kinslaying. There, she finds Eärwen, her lover of old and beloved friend, left to care for her people amid her own inconsolable grief. Anairë and Eärwen will care for each other as they mourn the myriad ways their lives have changed forever with the Darkening and the exile of Anairë's family. It may be the rekindling of their ancient love that is the only force with strength enough to save them--and their people. Anairë/Eärwen; written for the 2018 Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang.
memories we bury or live by by Astris
Forgiveness takes time. Healing takes longer.
Forced Perspective by Grundy
Findis has to re-evaluate a friendship in light of fresh information.
A Scandal in Pants by LadyBrooke
After Nimloth's rebirth, she plots to scandalize the elves of Valinor with clothes.
Anairë has worn this outfit before, and she knows it will not go over any better now than it did then.
The Final Destination by just_jenni
I've often thought about Nerdanel's life after her husband and sons departed for Arda, leaving her behind in Aman. This story (written for Slashy Santa's recent Valentine exchange) imagines the beginnings of her separation from Feanor - in her mind at least, after doubts about the marriage being successful were sown - and before her special relationship with Anaire had begun. I have imagined the relationship to be a romantic one, although in the beginning there was a definite physical bond between the two women.
Sisters Such As Us by Elleth
Anairë travels to Alqualondë for research. Little did she expect to be swept off her feet by its princess, nor what follows.
And the Wave Above Me by Elleth
The Valar call the Elves of Aman to prepare for the War of Wrath. Amid fraught Telerin politics, Anairë is conflicted.
The Longest Journey I Have Known by grey_gazania
When Celebrían sails to Valinor following her attack and injury, she is accompanied by her friend Ianneth, wife of Fingon and mother of Gil-galad. Together, the two women seek to find a place in an unfamiliar land.
'in the morning of the world' by hennethgalad
Anairë visits the house of Mahtan to see the sights of Tirion. Nerdanel is enchanted.
The Longest Day by Lyra
During the Midsummer festivities of 472 F.A., Anairë is struck by a wrenching sense of dread. Nerdanel helps her to make sense of it.
Exile. by hennethgalad
Nerdanel looks back on her marriage as she watches the return of Finarfin with Anairë and Eärwen.
This is as grim as you would expect.
Her Father's Daughter by Grundy
Findis was the only one who stayed.
Pride by just_jenni
Immediately after the darkening of Valinor, Anaire and Fingolfin have a conversation about Feanor.
A Garden of Plots by LadyBrooke
Nimloth is reborn, builds her own house, and starts a garden.
Detour by Dawn Felagund
It is the Fifth Age of Arda. Finarfin has unkinged himself and declared Tirion a democracy, and the Noldorin people are alive with the possibilities to be found in their new existence. Yet Maedhros, more than ten years after his release from the halls of Mandos, has retreated to a life of apathy and loneliness, until one day, Anairë comes to deliver him news that he never hoped to receive: His cousin Fingon has been released from Mandos. (Maedhros/Fingon)
The Missing by Elleth
Far into the Third Age, Eärwen is plagued by ominous dreams, leading her and Anairë on a journey outside the bounds of Aman.
Not by Sea by IdleLeaves
Hope gives way to truth.
Édebar by Urloth
Édebar was a tidal island. It had been a resting place of the Lady Uinen who had gifted it to a group of those who had pledged devotion to her to create a sanctuary for those who were mentally distressed or unhappy to find peace again. It was a far more discrete option than the long trip to Lorien, and Lorien was usually reserved for extreme cases.
Girls crying about their marriage prospects was not considered extreme.
Bouquet, for Femslash Bingo 2016 by Urloth
Femslash Bingo Fills for the Flowers and Their Meanings Card for Femslash Week 2016
Morning Mist and Silver Sun by StarSpray
A place to store drabbles and ficlets, mostly written for various prompts.
Turn at Last to Home by StarSpray
Idril returns to Tirion.
Where the Ocean Meets the Sky and the Land by StarSpray
Eärendil has gone sailing again--this time through the skies--and Elwing is left to find a place for herself in Valinor, while the Valar prepare for war.
The Family We Choose by Ilye
As the Exiles return to Valinor after the War of Wrath, Anairë discovers that you can choose your family as well as your friends.
Amid Varda's Halls by Scribe of Mirrormere
A glimpse into Aredhel's childhood, when she beheld the stars in their true splendor for the first time.
The Sharpest and Sweetest of Recollections by Dawn Felagund
On the night of her betrothal party to Fingolfin, Anairë summons her dearest friend Eärwen to Tirion. Overwhelmed by the sense that she is losing control over her life and her longing for the love she once shared with Eärwen, Anairë wonders if she has made the right choice. A sequel to The Sailing Forth, written for Elleth. Anairë/Eärwen, Anairë/Fingolfin
