New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Zingers
Prompts for this challenge include zingers and insults from literature and pop culture. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
Fanworks Tagged with Sexual Content (Mild)
A Song for My Beloved by Cheeky
Erestor has a crush, Maglor has a harp and Fingon's singing is really, really bad. Just who is the song for? That's what we all want to know. The beginning of Maglor and Erestor's story.
And So Say The Laws by The Wavesinger
Indis and Nerdanel wait for the return of the host of the Valar after the War of the Jewels, but when the people they hope for do not arrive, they turn to each other for comfort.
Written for silmladylove's 2015 Tolkien Femslash Week on tumblr.
Flowers in Amber by IgnobleBard
Elrond travels to Ost-in-Edhil to warn Celebrimbor to be wary of strangers bearing gifts.
Face The Wind Alone by Elwin Fortuna
Finrod, Reborn, goes to visit Amarie, but isn't expecting the reaction he receives.
In Flame Of Swords by Elwin Fortuna
Ninnachel fights, dies, returns to life.
In The Planting Season by Elwin Fortuna
Fingon asks Ninnachel to take a letter to his son, and grants Ninnachel an unasked-for favour.
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.
The Secret Life Of The Forest by Agelast
A fairy tale beginning.
Emotions-- A series of vignettes by MisbehavingMaiar
A study in sentiments over time; a collection of moments surrounding Melkor and Sauron, from the Spring of Arda to the fall of the Third Age.
SA 1856 (ii): Something Like Being a Consort by Ilye
Glorfindel, Gil-galad and a reflective moment on the beach. Irrepressibly fluffy, and slightly damp.
Go Upon Your Knee by Agelast
“Heaven-gates are not so highly arched / As princes' palaces; they that enter there /
Must go upon their knees.”
Porn Battle fill for the prompt - Curufin/Eöl, hate!sex, sordid.
The Seduction by Erulisse
A commissioned statue of Indis turns into much more in Nerdanel's studio. A story written to try a genre I've never written before - in this case, femmeslash.
SA 1856 (i): Something Like Being a King by Ilye
A contrast of constants and motion. Glorfindel reflects on his homes, his lives and his king - oh, and on sex in unusual places.
Halcyon Days by Himring
Fingon and Maedhros en route on their way to visit Hurin in Dor-lomin.
Winterlights by Elleth
A series of femslash drabbles based around the daily prompts of the 2013 Femslash Yuletide project. Some ficlets for the 2014 run have been added.
Revisionist History by Elleth
Indis takes on a new servant, leading her to reminisce about life before Aman.
Fell Meats by pandemonium_213
Sauron recounts his discovery of the fell beasts to Finrod, who visits the former Dark Lord during his imprisonment in the Halls of Mandos, in a tale of adventure and a bit of the macabre.
Pandë!verse-centric. A little gory, some coarse language, mild sexual references.
Chapter 2 added: Over tankards of ale, served in the replica of a familiar inn, Sauron continues his tale to Finrod: his instructions to the Lord of the Nazgûl (who receives a disagreeable task); his uncertainties concerning the wisdom of leaving Mordor; and his journey to Layla’s homeland, where the Forbidden Valley lies.
A Woodcarver from Brithombar by Himring
Oderen, a traveling woodcarver, one of Cirdan's people, and Emlinn, his musician wife, happen to arrive in Maglor's Gap just a short time before the outbreak of the Battle of Sudden Flame. Maglor encounters Emlinn and takes her on as his student.
The Archer's Triangle by Tehta
Wherever Túrin goes, emotional turmoil is sure to follow. The marches of Doriath are no exception.
Of Beechen Green and Shadows Numberless by Elleth
One night in Doriath, Melian seeks to teach Galadriel something of her magic.
Trinkets by Independence1776
A collection of unrelated drabbles and ficlets too short to post on their own. Each story has a separate rating and all are under a thousand words.
Newest story: Chapter 48: Aulë, Finarfin, and Maglor's ignored return to Aman. Crackfic. Rated General. Ficlet.
The Present Circumstance by LadyBrooke
Indis has been friends and sometimes lovers with Míriel and Finwë for a long time, from the forests of Middle-earth to the palaces of Valinor and in spite of deaths and family members.
Eventual Finwë/Indis/Míriel threesome, in the course of the story every combination of two of those possible.
Written as a late birthday gift for Indy, posted here with her kind permission.
A Poet's Curse by Elisif
A piece of somewhat AU Maglor insanity; dark.
A Kiss Is Never Just a Kiss by oshun
This is pure and simple crack!fic written for Chaotic Binky’s Valinor Slash Awards. It received the award for Best Kiss. Seriously, every participant receives an award--best award program ever! (I know I belong in kindergarten. I cry when I lose.) Thanks to Binky for the opportunity to have fun and for her brilliant setting for this silly story.
Oops! Just realized that I disgracefully forgot to credit my beta; IgnobleBard went through this one for me (it was a while ago, months I think! that is my excuse anyway for being so late with this thank you).
