New Challenge: Twenty-Five
It's been twenty-five years since the release of the "Fellowship" film transformed Tolkien fandom. This month's challenge looks back on iconic lines and scenes from the film trilogy.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Give A Whistle by Prackspoor
After the sacking of Ost-in-Edhil, the Dark Lord Sauron ordered his prisoners crucified and carried at the head of his army as banners so that their approach would strike fear into the hearts of his enemies. At least that was the idea. No one could have imagined that the last resistance of the…
[Writing] The Many Faces of You by Prackspoor
The universe is still new, its stars and planets have barely settled into their revolutions, and the world has only just cooled off enough to allow the first rain to fall on the dry and cracked planet when you meet the fallen Vala for the first time. You are young and proud and you have always…
[Writing] Duplicity by Prackspoor
duplicity [n];
1. deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter; double-dealing.
2. the state or quality of having two elements or parts; being twofold or double.
…
[Writing] The Road Not Taken by Prackspoor
Mairon looks at Melkor incredulously. “If you did not intend for any of this to happen –,” he makes a wide, sweeping gesture, encompassing Melkor and himself, the fortress, the world, “– if you cannot be anything of what you were before, if you cannot bring about what you intended for this world…
[Writing] And Death Shall Have No Dominion by Prackspoor
“If Morgoth takes away your right hand, you learn to fight with your left. If he takes your left hand, you kick him. And if he takes your legs, you learn to fight with your teeth.”
A story of the end, and everything that comes after.
[Writing] There Is No Story Without a Fall by Deborah Judge
Indis and the fall. Drabble series.
Chapter 1: Miriel makes a dress for Indis.
Chapter 2: Melkor watches Indis dance.
Chapter 3: Melkor and Nienna save Indis from drowning.
[Writing] In the Hour of Dusk by gaydhros
Elrond rolled over and pressed closer to Celebrían, burying his face in her shoulder. He shut his eyes and tried not to think about how quickly their few remaining hours were dwindling.
He would not weep. He had promised himself he would not weep.
Current Challenge
Twenty-Five
It's been twenty-five years since "Fellowship" debuted in theaters, and we commemorate the occasion with daily quotes and scenes from the films. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Pentacles and Rings of Power by Prackspoor
I felt the summons reach me where I dwelt in the Other Place, bonds of magic wrapping themselves about me like a vice. With all the grace and friendliness of a kick to the behind, they flung me into the mortal world and into the confines of a pentacle.
I wasted no time searching for any…
[Writing] The Curious Tale of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins and Her Magic Ring by Prackspoor
It was in March of the 2989th year of the Third Age, 1389 by Shire-reckoning, that Bilbo Baggins went drinking with a few friends and did not return home later that night.
Of course, investigations of more and less seriousness were conducted by people with more and less authority…
[Writing] Fiddler's Green by Prackspoor
After the War of the Ring Goldberry finds a curious guest on the doorstep of Tom's house while doing her autumn cleaning. She and Tom open their doors for the stranger who reveals to be more than meets the eye at first glance - and who has come to them teetering on the edge of his own…
Around the World and Web
Tolkien Siblings Week 2026
A fandom event focused on sibling relationships in the Tolkien legendarium, running November 23rd to 29th, 2026!
Glorthelion Week 2026
A week dedicated to Glorfindel x Ecthelion relationship
Ainur Week 2026
A Tolkien fandom week dedicated to the Ainur!
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Fanworks Tagged with General
Pentacles and Rings of Power by Prackspoor
I felt the summons reach me where I dwelt in the Other Place, bonds of magic wrapping themselves about me like a vice. With all the grace and friendliness of a kick to the behind, they flung me into the mortal world and into the confines of a pentacle.
I wasted no time searching for any mistake, any break in the lines of the summoning circle that would allow me to escape and cut my involuntary stint to the mortal plane short. Alas, this magician had done his homework. Try as I might, I couldn't find fault with his work. I suppressed a sigh. Well, that would have been too easy.
In the interest of getting it over with, I readied myself for whatever stupid demands the magician had no doubt lined up for me and drawled, “I am Mairon the Admirable, o Lord and Master, and your wish is my command. What is it you desire? Should I make that book over there float for you? Paint you a picture of your kindergarten sweetheart? Give a good drubbing to the bad boys who stole your favourite toy?”
The magician looked up at me with a peculiar expression on his face, nose slightly scrunched and eyebrows knitted together.
“You know, you're not at all what I expected you to be like,” he said.
The Curious Tale of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins and Her Magic Ring by Prackspoor
It was in March of the 2989th year of the Third Age, 1389 by Shire-reckoning, that Bilbo Baggins went drinking with a few friends and did not return home later that night.
Of course, investigations of more and less seriousness were conducted by people with more and less authority to do so; but since nobody had been around to actually see an accident or a vanishing, no solution to the incident could be found, and the hobbits of the Shire had to content themselves with the fact that the Second Disappearance of Bilbo Baggins would remain an unsolved mystery.
When the mayor of Michel-Delving deemed that they had waited long enough to exclude a sudden, unexpected reappearance of Bilbo it was at last decided that it was time that Bilbo's estate and assets should go to the person determined in Bilbo's will...
One day, long before the events of "The Lord of the Rings" take place, Bilbo Baggins (once again) vanishes from the Shire without a trace or a good-bye. This time, though, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins secures Bag End for herself - as well as the mysterious magic ring that Bilbo has left behind.
From there on out, things go quite differently.
Fiddler's Green by Prackspoor
After the War of the Ring Goldberry finds a curious guest on the doorstep of Tom's house while doing her autumn cleaning. She and Tom open their doors for the stranger who reveals to be more than meets the eye at first glance - and who has come to them teetering on the edge of his own destruction, looking for what may be his last chance at finding salvation.
Nine Fingers by Prackspoor
On their way home from Minas Tirith, the Hobbits have a strange encounter on the outskirts of the Barrow-downs...
In the Hour of Dusk by gaydhros
Elrond rolled over and pressed closer to Celebrían, burying his face in her shoulder. He shut his eyes and tried not to think about how quickly their few remaining hours were dwindling.
He would not weep. He had promised himself he would not weep.
Whither Thou Goest by Zdenka
Eärendil and Elwing face the Choice of the Half-elven.
elwing | sacrifice by goldenatreides
a mother's sacrifice. elwing mid-transformation
Like moths to a flame by nelladel
So alike to moths they were, he thought then, lured to light for the peace it promises.
Promises, Broken and Kept by gaydhros
“I love you both.” She pulls back to regard them, fighting hard to keep her voice steady. Elrond’s cheeks are wet. Elros is biting his trembling lip, refusing to let his tears fall. “Go now with Egalmoth. He will keep you safe.”
The Fall of Arnor, Book Two; "Into the Mushroom Fields" by Diane Finnis-Robb
The second of six books covering the fall of the kingdom of Arnor
A Light That Never Goes Out by gaydhros
There is a lamp in Lómion’s bedroom that Aredhel does not allow to go out. It burns day and night, a yellow beacon in the dark that promises, You will be welcome here. There is healing to be found. You need only come.
Heat by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor just after the attack on Sirion
Part of the same Universe as Thangorodrim, Vodka and Unhinged
A Language Deeper than Words by gaydhros
Colour now has returned to him. His cheeks and nose are pink with the early morning chill, his grey eyes are bright, and he is well enough to manage daily walks along the lakeshore with Fingon, a few dawn-quiet moments stolen together before the rest of camp wakes.
Fingolfin‘s Last Stand Monument by Fuin
Fingolfin‘s Last Stand Monument on the Square of the High Kings in Tirion, digital art.
Thangorodrim by Fuin
Night spreads from the peaks of Thangorodrim, digital art.
Annatar by goldenatreides
Annatar looking down fondly at his ring.
Light blots out the Sky by starshadeemily
Eol witnesses the new lights
Leave a Light On (Talk Away the Dark) by AdmirableMonster
At the Darkening, Sauron waits in Aulë's kitchens for his lover.
the unusual (but very well loved) teapot by bleucrow
It certainly was a strange, but very well loved and often used, teapot.
The High Pass to Gondor by octopus_fool
Eorl heard it before he saw it: the sliding of stones as they crossed the high pass into Gondor.
Minhiriath by octopus_fool
Elladan and Elrohir travel through Minhiriath, visiting places they once knew and pondering the choice of the Peredhil.
Come the Second Singing by StarSpray
“Someday,” Elros said as they sat on a high promontory that overlooked the Sea to the west and the new-formed gulf to the south and east, “so far in the future that I suppose it might as well be forever away—”
“In which case it may as well be never,” Elrond said.
On the Coming of the Western Corn to Beleriand by Ermingarden
An excerpt from a Fourth Age Gondorian scholarly text addressing the cultivation of the corn of Valinor in Middle-earth.
Last Scene of All, That Ends This Strange Eventful History by Nighthaunting
In which one Fourth Age historian sets out to chart the complete history of the events and writing of the Lay of Leithian and ends up with an oral history of First Age politics, the Fall of Nargothrond, the Second Kinslaying, the Third Kinslaying, and one elf’s commentary on Second Age repertory theater.
OR “The Lay of Leithian: a Historiographical Approach” by Líwë Ríniel of the University of Tirion
