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
Block Party
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we offered a menu of daily prompts designed to help people connect, show kindness to others, and refocus on their own creativity during this uncertain moment in history. 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
The Small and Secret Things by Dawn Felagund
An attempt at writing a drabble or other short fiction every day, based on the Dictionary.com Word of the Day. Please see the story notes for more information. ETA: This project is on indefinite hiatus. I am working on my second degree as well as working full-time and so have had to tell the muses to take a hike. Hopefully, once my classes end, I'll be able to get back into writing.
Vengeance's Folly by Rhapsody
Celegorm observes his brother's when all lick their wounds after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
~MEFA 2008 Third place in Races: Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length Ficlets~
Written in the Starlight by Rhapsody
Thus ended Beleg Strongbow, truest of friends, greatest in skill of all that harboured in the woods of Beleriand in the Elder Days, at the hand of him whom he most loved.
Or did he not? What would have happened if, by a slight change of fate, Beleg Strongbow survived?
This story ends here and is not going to be ever continued because my co-author Rhapsody is no longer with us. She died on October the 22nd 2020 and it is when my heart shattered.
Droplets by Dawn Felagund
The life of Elrond, First Age through Fourth Age, told in double drabbles. 2007 MEFA winner: 2nd Place, Multi-Age Fixed-Length Ficlet.
A New Day by oshun
(New: see illustration by Robinka, added as Chapter 12.) This is a sequel to my first tale, (Maitimo and Findekáno), in my cycle of stories recounting the life-long relationship between Fingon and Maedhros. It occurs after the definitive fracture between the Houses of Feanor and Fingolfin and the flight of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Beginning immediately after Fingon’s rescue of Maedhros from the cliffs of Thangorodrim, it tells of how Fingon and Maedhros reunite and together resolve to heal the divisions among the Noldor. (Slash.)
MEFA 2008 First Place, Longer Works: General
MEFA 2007 2nd Place, Elves: Incomplete
Return to Me by Dawn Felagund
Finarfin assists with the re-embodiment of his son Finrod.
Pictures at an Exhibition by Robinka
A series of drabbles, some humorous, other not so much, centered on the Sindar (because they deserve all the praise).
Brand new one, written for the challenge Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song!
The Illgotten Son by Gadira
Aredhel, princess of the Noldor, gets lost in the forest of Nan Elmoth and is forced to marry Eöl, the Dark Elf. Bound by an oath of revenge, she lives on to bear his son, and tries to make him hate his father. My oldest fic... or the oldest fic I´m ready to show anyway.
The Last Queen by Gadira
The cliché setting for the Downfall of Númenor... or maybe not so much? Dark themes.
The Last Temptation by Gadira
Why didn´t Melian use her power? Why did she leave her kin to die? As Doriath falls to ruin, a Maia must come to a painful and controversial decision. Nominated for the MEFAs.
The Nightingale by Gadira
Melian the Fire Dragon? Thingol the Nightingale? Dior´s teenage wisdom cannot make sense of it at all.
Closing the Circle by Gadira
Of Fëanor´s death and the final fate of the Broideress. Warning for extremely archaic notions of thought. Part IV of the Broideress Arc.
The Last Work Of Her Hands by Gadira
Could an Elf live without a fëa? Part II of the Broideress arc.
Facing the Darkness by Gadira
They had always been two, the Broideress and the Healer. Rumours said that they had awoken side by side under the stars, but now the Broideress must face the darkness alone. Part I of the Broideress Arc.
The Wandering Queen by Gadira
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Wood Elves stumble upon a distraught mortal lady.
(Another one of my old fics)
The Accursed by Gadira
Who can tell what was in the betrayer´s mind as he performed his deed? Silmarillion-based, featuring a Very Shafted Character. (One of my old fics)
Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty by Gadira
The History of the Downfall, from Ar Sakalthôr's accession to Ar Pharazôn's Armada. EPILOGUE: In Middle-earth, life begins anew, and hope lies hidden in the most unlikely places. Story now complete.
The Blue Book of Bilbo Baggins, or, Tales of the Forbidden Silmarillion by Gandalfs apprentice
As readers know from Tyellas's Lost in the Translation, Bilbo made another book--one with a blue cover. This story tells of the fate of this mysterious volume, and, even better, has extracts from some of the tales....you know you want to read it. Seriously AU. Illustrations by greywing.
Thanks to Tyellas for allowing me to borrow the idea of the Blue Book from her superb story and to oshun for her thoughtful criticism and for being a good friend. Special thanks to Maeve Riannon and to greywing for their unique contributions, and to all the writers at the Garden of Ithilien.
Tales of Thanksgiving: A Drabble Collection by Dawn Felagund
Series of fixed-length ficlets written as holiday gifts for friends in 2006. Content varies for each drabble, so please heed the warnings posted at the top of each. Adult-rated ficlets are marked with an asterisk (*). MEFA 2007 winner: 3rd Place, First Age and Prior.
The Hunter's Song by Rhapsody
Two brothers in a family with nine members and seven sins. Follow Maglor and Celegorm through one's lifetime.
Oaths Foresworn by Rhapsody
On the docks of the Mouth of Sirion, Maglor finds his brother Amrod injured. What transpired between them before Amrod passed away?
~ Mithril Awards 2005 finalist for 'Best Best Vignette or Short Story' and ' Best Silmarillion' ~
~ MEFA 2006 1st place in First Age and Prior: general. Thanks to Minuialeth for nominating it!~
Evening exercises by Rhapsody
Tuilinn watches Beleg Cúthalion while she is supposed to deliver a message.
Capturing the moonlight by Rhapsody
For years Beleg asked himself how one can capture the moonlight.
The Inner Light by Rhapsody
A Noldor elf has all the reasons not to sail to Valinor after the Ringbearers left Middle Earth. Wrapped in grief and bound by loyalty, he starts his own journey of redemption by reliving the past and struggling to remain.
