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
Season of Change
Create a fanwork about seasons in Tolkien's 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 Mature Themes
"Zimraphel" and "I who loved her" by Noliel, Dawn Felagund
Tar-Miriel faces the wave that will drown Númenor while, in the midst of the forbidden realm of Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn is granted sudden awareness of her fate.
Bedtime Tales of the Sun by Dawn Felagund
A young daughter in the House of Anárion asks how the world came to be rounded.
Finrod’s Rematch by Cirdan
Finrod shows up and challenges Sauron to a very different kind of rematch at the end of the Second Age.
Everlasting Darkness by Cirdan
A depressing tale. Celebrimbor ponders his life just before Sauron begins his attack on Eregion.
Rescuing Celebrimbor by Cirdan
If Celebrimbor repudiated the deeds of his father and stayed in Nargothrond, how did he survive the fall of Nargothrond? In this story, Curufin goes in search of Celebrimbor and finds Daeron.
Child of Dawn by Cirdan
Maedhros hears that Aredhel is being held against her will by Eol and goes to rescue her. Maeglin watches as Maedhros and Eol fight it out.
At the Edge of the Precipice by Cirdan
Maedhros is tormented in Angband by Sauron and frees himself from Sauron by submitting to Morgoth.
War Children by Fireworks
While the Númenóreans live in the height of their pride and folly, they leave darkness and ruin in their wake. A young woman in Middle-earth struggles with this legacy. [The full text was not showing, but it has been fixed now.]
Sacrifice by SurgicalSteel
Not everyone involved with the sacrifices at Armenelos were believers.
A Struggle with Darkness by Fireworks
Construction has begun on Sauron's temple in Armenelos, but strange, dark afflictions are plaguing those who go near ...
No Justice to Yourself by oshun
Erestor sails to Valinor and finds himself involved with someone he was infatuated with as a youth. Based upon the request by Darth Fingon, in the 2009 Ardor in August fic swap, for Finarfin/Erestor, set in the Fourth Age in Aman, including secrecy and moral doubt. Did not want a fluffy, happy romance and if Earwen is part of the story and/or finds out about the affair, she should not be soppily happy for them. Huge thank yous to: IgnobleBard, Lilithlessfair, and Aearwen, for reading and providing corrections and suggestions.
2010 Middle-earth Fanfiction Awards -- First Place in Races: Elves: Noldorin Elves
Falling Stars by Independence1776
Mestië and Alagos suffer the consequences of breaking Ar-Gimilzôr’s laws. Dark.
Brothers by Dawn Felagund
Two brothers face their father's death and the differences that have arisen between them, for one is of the King's Men and the other of the Elf-friends.
Into This Wild Abyss by pandemonium_213
A series of contributions for Akallabêth in August 2009 in response to the following prompts: 1) Sauron fortifies Mordor; 2) Sauron begins to afflict Númenórean settlements to the south; 3) Sauron convinces Ar-Pharazôn to break the Ban of the Valar; 4) storms from the West strike Númenor; and 5) Sauron returns to Middle-earth.
MEFA 2010. Winner, First Place; Genres: Character Study: The Silmarillion.
How the East Was Won by pandemonium_213
During the earliest years of the Second Age, Melkor’s great lieutenant puts the destruction of Beleriand behind him and travels to the East...with a plan.
MEFA 2010 Winner. First Place; Races: Villains: General.
Mourning Glory by minuiloss
The morning after Tarnin Austa at the end of the first age, Glorfindel awakens to find himself somewhere wholly unfamiliar. Glorfindel/Erestor, multi-chapter WIP
The Piggolantë by whitewave
Another unusual take on my favorite Noldor elves.
Without a Past by wind rider
He lost the one dearest to him by his mere existance. He lost his childhood in a childish hope of gaining his prize back. And he lost his remaining, other prize for a stranger.
A peak into Fëanáro's early childhood. What inspired me: Why did Fëanar resent the Valar so deeply?
Swan Song by Ithilwen
A terribly wounded Maglor finally makes his way back to Valinor, where he finds things have changed greatly during his long absence. Will he be able to come to terms with his injuries and find new meaning in his life? Warnings for psychiatric violence and medical squick, dubiously consensual (and somewhat graphic) sex, plus general weirdness.
Comes the Dawn by Ithilwen
Maedhros enters the Halls of Mandos, and his final fate is revealed. Adult themes.
Do Not Go Gentle by Elleth
The death of Fëanor and its immediate aftermath as narrated by Maedhros, and how the story took its shape as we know it. MEFA Nominee 2009. Thank you, Lyra! Won: Second Place in Times: First Age and Prior: Featuring Maedhros or Maglor. Thank you to all who reviewed.
My Heart Lies Where My Eyes Alight by wind rider
In nearly every home, its dwellers have rooms, items or nooks special for themselves. It is no different even with the greatest of the Valar, Manwë and Varda. These are five features of their home most beloved by the couple with their various reasons.
The Unforgettable Fire by Ithilwen
The relationship between Caranthir and Haleth. Adult themes
Ceremonies of Innocence by Ithilwen
Sequel to "Nightfall". After the death of Finwë, Fëanor and his sons return to Tirion, and Maedhros makes a fateful decision.
The Thrall by Ithilwen
A young Elf joins Maedhros's personal staff, and in the course of his duties discovers some disturbing facts about his childhood hero. Graphic violence, disturbing themes.
