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
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 Teens
Once More, For the First Time by Elisif
Maedhros and Fingon’s first attempt at re-establishing a sexual relationship after Thangorodrim and the challenges of that, for both of them.
Like a Shooting Star, Leaping Skywards by Keiliss
In the wake of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Galadriel has sent Amareth, a former friend, to guide Meril and her young son Gil-galad down the coast from Eglarest to Balar.
Prelude to Code Red by Scribe of Mirrormere
A scene which takes place before the events of Code Red. Aredhel, bored during their journey to Dor-lómin, stumbles across a terrifying sight. Written for Legendarium Ladies April 2015.
Code Red by Scribe of Mirrormere
Aredhel runs into trouble after leaving Gondolin. Luckily, she is prepared. The Walking Dead fusion/zombie AU.
Still In The Closet by Elwin Fortuna
In the midst of last plans before battle, Fingon and Maedhros discuss the complexities of gender, avoid the complexities of politics, and embrace the complexities of their dreams for the future.
In The Planting Season by Elwin Fortuna
Fingon asks Ninnachel to take a letter to his son, and grants Ninnachel an unasked-for favour.
In The King's Closet by Elwin Fortuna
Ninnachel has been called in to see Fingon again, and this time it's much less stressful an experience, for them both.
Reprimand And Redress by Elwin Fortuna
Fingon must reprimand the unfortunate poet, but soon realises that the situation is somewhat more complicated.
Tevildo's Lament by Agelast
After his humiliation at the hands (and paws) of Lúthien and Huan, Tevildo decides to strike out for himself and has advice for young cats everywhere. [Poetry.]
The Old Maid's Tale by Elleth
Tar-Míriel takes on a new handmaiden, and tells her part in the history of Númenor.
The Loss of Tol Sirion by Uvatha the Horseman
Sauron battles Luthien the great hound Huan for Tol Sirion and loses everything but the shirt on his back. No, make that everything.
Bloody silmarils, book I by Dilly
In Gondolin, Turgon is depressed... A comedy and parody of the Silmarillion with a lot of characters and chapters. Chapter 20: Fear.
Where Our Hearts are not so Frail by StarSpray
Nellas returns to the Withywindle valley after seeking news in Lindon.
As Through a Lit Window by Elleth
The story of Galadriel, Nimrodel, and the land that would become Lothlórien.
What You Mean To Me by The Wavesinger
Four seasons, four times Fingon loves Maedhros, and three times the rest of the Noldor love them.
AU-ish. Drabble.
a thousand years above her by Agelast
Írimë lives again.
This was written for International Fanworks Day 2015, for the prompts: The Circle of Life, New Beginnings, and Traditions.
By the Iris Mere by Elleth
Escaping her death in the rapids of Teiglin, Niënor has followed Nellas to the Havens of Sirion to begin a new life, but fate still has more in store for them.
Moonlit Dance by Elwin Fortuna
Luthien, daughter of Thingol and Melian, teaches Artanis of the Noldor a new dance.
A Silver Night by Elwin Fortuna
Galadriel remembers a long-ago night and an old lost love.
Point of No Return by Agelast
Maedhros opened his eyes and saw a sky full of stars.
[An AU ending to The Noon-tide Night.]
Time to Uproot by StarSpray
"...and the cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons and left them to starve in the forest. Of this Maedhros indeed repented, and sought for them long in the woods of Doriath; but his search was unavailing, and of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.”
Mythmoot Mathoms by Dawn Felagund
I hid a prize in my Mythmoot III presentation, and these ficlets were written for those who discovered it and sent me their request.
Updated! Answered Swiftly: Fingon's prayer and the rescue of Maedhros, told from Throndor's perspective. Slightly experimental and weirdish.
Older: Love There Too: Olórin comes upon a young Finwë and Míriel at Cuivíenen.
The Mystery of the Missing Medallion: Maglor's begetting day gift for his father has gone missing. A tale involving a mad music master, missing jewelry, and a very odd hostage.
