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] 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…
[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
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
Idiomatic
Raining cats and dogs. A short fuse. Up a creek without a paddle. A piece of cake. Sometimes colorful, sometimes puzzling without backstory or explanation, these delightful turns of phrase enrich our language—whichever one it happens to be. Prompts this month are idioms from languages around the world.
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 Romance
Sleepless in Lórien by elennalore
Elwë is one of the three Elven ambassadors in Valinor. Melyanna is a Maia, and their guardian. Their story did not begin in Nan Elmoth. It first began here, in the gardens of Lórien, when Elwë could not sleep.
firelight by hanneswrites
Mairon & Melkor get married and have an overall fluffy time.
Featuring Wedding Fluff & Wedding Night Shenanigans.
Methed e-Lúthad "Enchantment's End" by Anérea
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
Lúthad "Enchantment" by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they stood enchanted, staring at each other for two hundred years. Why could no one find them in all those years? And what actually happened between them during that time?
Go On As Three by Elwin Fortuna
Beren falls down a ravine and breaks his leg, but that's just the start of his good fortune.
A Difference of Interpretation, A Similarity of Intent by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel is certain she and Prince Fëanáro are not courting; Fëanáro has another perspective.
In the Glittering Halls of King Felagund by Rocky41_7
In his youth, Thranduil went on a diplomatic mission to Nargothrond on behalf of Elu Thingol. His report on the trip was remarkably brief.
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.
Land Ahoy! by Raiyana
A Day on the Water
Starlit Waves by Raiyana
“Congratulations, my love, you have made a plank. Yet again.” Dry tones teased his ears softly, the silent footsteps of his beloved Ngilith giving him no warning of her approach.
Círdan smiled, running the pad of his thumb over the smooth surface of the wide board. “Not a plank, this, dearest,” he mused, leaning back against her chest for a moment when she drew near. Lifting the waiting pot, he watched a thin stream of oil catch the light of the torches someone had lit while he was busy smoothing the wood. “A board.” He spread the pool of oil with his fingers, feeling the smooth glide of skin against wood with a joyful satisfaction. “I wish to travel as the waves do, bare and unfettered as we rush towards shore.” He could see it so clearly, feel the rush and song of waves racing with him, Ossë’s laughter bright as noonlight on water.
She laughed, a sound he had missed more than he knew in her absence, pressing herself against his back, her chin resting lightly against his shoulder.
Fitting, In A Way by Anérea
Helevorn stirs from her repose.
A Web of Stars by Idrils Scribe
Thranduil never forgave Elrond for Oropher's death at the Last Alliance, and a thousand years of diplomacy have failed to repair the rift between Rivendell and the Greenwood.
For his final, desperate attempt to seal the breach, Celeborn brings an unlikely ambassador: Arwen Undómiel.
Tauriel doesn't care for this foreign lady. Legolas begs to differ, and Arwen ... Arwen just wants an Adventure.
Flowers After Spring by ohboromir
This was why he hated riding; most of the time it was dull and soggy and messy. Though he did have a nice view of Glorfindel’s hair, the waves of Valinorean gold tumbling down his back. Glorfindel almost never wore it up - at most, Erestor had seen the front sections adorned and braided for special occasions. Erestor didn’t know how he coped; his own hair constantly got in his way.
Erestor’s mind drifted. Glorfindel’s hair was like silk over his skin, brushing against him when he leaned over Erestor, smooth and soft and…
For platinum_firebird for My Slashy Valentine 2022
The Mírdain New Year's Eve Party by elennalore
Happy New Year 1230 S.A.! At the New Year’s party, Celebrimbor and Annatar are intoxicated with each other, among other things.
Written for SWG Challenge Holiday Party. Prompt: A Long-Expected Party.
Entwined by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains—west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets man in four 100-word drabbles.
(The first in my Hildórien to Beleriand series exploring the ancestors of Adanel and her brother Magor, from whom came many of the Edain heroes of the first age, as well as the Peredhil.)
First Date by ohboromir
Annatar sets up a meeting with Telperinquar and it goes much better than he expected.
For Sally_the_Sunflower.
The wee small hours by firstamazon
Rosie Cotton enjoys the little things.
Based on this moodboard made by Narya.
Lay My Curses Out to Rest by ohboromir
They would all suffer for this. But at least the elf was gone.
If only that had been true.
(Beleg and Andróg deal with feelings. Badly.)
From Crystal Fountains Unfailing by Lindariel
Alatáriel and Teleporno encounter the Falls of Ivrin.
The Sea Within Me by chrissystriped
Legolas feels aimless, the sea-longing still tugging at his heart, after reaching Aman. Finrod, asked by Galadriel to keep him company, has an answer for him -- and more.
Death of the Last-King by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Arvedui Last-King found second love in the frozen lands of the North. Now, though, he has determined to go home, despite his lover's misgivings. Is braving the Ice Bay worth the risk when Angmar's sorcerer King is on the move?
Of Peredhil and Seagulls by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Adolescent Earendil and Elwing have a conversation by the sea-wall, interrupted by a rather adorable friend.
Swear Me No Oaths But One by lushthemagicdragon
On their last day in Aman, Findekáno and Maitimo disappear into the Garden of Lorien for a moment of private devotion before the trials ahead. A handfasting is had, in private.
Song by Melesta
When Fingon rescues Maedhros he sings a song of Valinor the Noldor made of old. How did that song come to be?
As a young minstrel, Makalaurë performs a Song of Power for the first time. His music changes irrevocably the destiny of his older brother Maitimo and his cousin Findekáno.
How do Maglor and Fingon use Songs of Power in Beleriand?
The Captive by Glorified
This is a story about love's redemptive power, the restoration of hope and belief, it is a slow burn and deals with the the outcasts of society who don't fit in. When two lost and lonely people meet and fall in love they have to navigate an Elvish society that is not quite as fair minded and open as one would think, in fact its down right xenophobic and judgmental and prejudiced.
