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] 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.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
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
Queens of the Quill
In the spirit of poetry month and Legendarium Ladies April, create a fanwork using a poem by a woman poet as your inspiration. 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 Celeborn
Olympics 2021 Instadrabbling by Lindariel
Instadrabbles from the SWG Discord server sessions on 31 July-1 August 2021, with Olympics-flavored prompts.
The Sandglass Runs by Dawn Felagund, NelyafinweFeanorion
In Fifth Age Tirion, Caranthir has been reembodied into a changed world: his uncle has unkinged himself and turned Tirion into a republic, Elves live in suburbs and seek psychotherapy, and the Noldor born after his exile have invented all kinds of wondrous things. One day, Caranthir receives a letter that he is being entrusted to mentor his newly reembodied cousin Orodreth. They must not only resolve their old enmity but achieve a tenuous friendship--maybe even more?--as both seek the peace and acceptance they never found in their prior lives. Written for TRSB 2019, based on the artwork by NelyafinweFeanorion.
Sylvan. by hennethgalad
Maglor writes to Thranduil and Celeborn in their castle in Transylvania, asking for help when an early archaeologist tries to dig up The Shire.
(Thranduil and Celeborn canonically 'meet up' in the middle of Mirkwood after Sauron is defeated.)
Refracted Light by StarSpray
Celebrimbor gives young Celebrían a gift.
Sweet Mead in Lofty Halls by Himring
Celeborn arrives in Valinor and finds himself in Varda's halls as a guest for the first time.
Ribbon-Cutting Instadrabbling by Lindariel
Instadrabbles from the ribbon-cutting event on the SWG Discord server, 24-25 April 2021, on the theme of renewal
Series: Beyond Doubt by Keiliss
Everything that belongs in the Even Quicker than Doubt \'verse.
Sleeping Amber through Darkened Doorways by Urloth
The AU I am writing, primarily surrounding Celegorm and Finrod/ Tyelkormo and Findarato, starting with a tentative truce between the pair and carryig on past their deaths into the life of Gildor Inglorion, the bastard son in body of Finrod and in spirit of Celegorm.
This is otherwise known to me and my friends as that AU where I am completely awful to Celegorm.
Burning Bright by Keiliss
About the war between Sauron and the elves, the hiding of the rings of power, and the appeal to Númenor for aid. And wherever else it decides to to go next.
On Secret Looms Entwined by Lindariel
Episodes from the life Galadriel wove for herself in Middle-Earth.
In my end is my beginning. by Lilith
A collection of stories, ficlets, drabbles and other works related to Back to Middle-Earth Month 2020
To Give in Return by Dawn Felagund
Many times a day I realize how much my own life is built on the labors of my fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.
Albert Einstein
This series will serve as a home for the stories that I have written for friends and peers between American Thanksgiving and the end of the year 2007.
Every year, I like to write something for the friends and people who have helped me as an author that year. I love writing these stories. As a writer, I look forward to December more than any other time of the year. It is otherwise impossible for me to put into words the joy and gratitude that these people bring into my life every day. The only way I have found is to wile away an afternoon with no thought but crafting a story where they will love each and every word ...
And this series is the fruits of that.
That said, I\'ve asked for requests on LJ, and am always happy to take more. Check out this entry here for more information. Also, all of my stories--including non-Silmarillion pieces--can be read here.
Many, many thanks for another fantastic year.
My Preciousssss Mary Sues by whitewave
The main theme of the Non-Canon stories here will be Humor/Parody, bordering on the "Heretic". Please do not read if you are easily offended by these contents.
All stories will contain much adult language, innuendo, nudity, suggestive/compromising positions, and many embarassing situations for the characters, especially the Fëanorions and Mary Sue.
Stories of the Sindar by oshun
I write mainly about the Noldor. And even writing about them, write mainly about the Feanorians and those who love them. This is my collection of stories featuring the Sindar and those who love them.
Thranduil's Shadow by Mimi Lind
Young Thranduil rushes into a relationship that divides his family, and a series of tragic events turns him cold and reserved. To find happiness and love he must deal with his shadows, but how can he ever become free of his father?
This is a story of how Thranduil met Legolas’ mother, and also a recount of parts of the Silmarillion from his perspective.
Here, Where We Are by Lilith
A series of short pieces designed to respond to the Utopia challenge and surrounding the building of Eregion.
It responds to this prompt:
"We have to build the Republic of Heaven where we are, because for us there is no elsewhere."
- Philip Pullman, The Amber Spyglass
But it also carries this quote in mind:
"There is no Zion, save where you are."
-- Tony Kushner, Angels in America
Midwinter 2020 Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 27 December 2020.
To Build The Bonds That Tie by ThatFeanorian
A modern AU centering around the house of finwë: who they are how they grow, and in the end, how they love. Mostly Russingon centric, but definitely involving other characters pretty liberally, especially the other feanorians.
Owling by lightofthetrees
One night in early spring, a young Celebrían hears a scream outside. She and her father go looking for its source.
Revelator by Lilith
The War of the Ring has ended and nothing has turned out exactly as anyone expected. Sauron, who is in this version female and known originally as Mairen and now as Thû, has survived, remained corporeal and been captured. As such, she will be sent to Valinor to stand trial.
Posted in a very different form. Heavily revised. Completed and being posted gradually as final revisions are made.
Turning by Tethys Resort
King Thingol sets the doom of Doriath into motion. And Galadriel and Celeborn argue.
ShinyStarShip has Invited You to Join a Zoom Conference! by JazTheBard
Elrond is a few weeks away from sailing to Valinor, and he's had a tough time of it lately.
Luckily, his dads are willing to put aside their differences to help him.
Lockdown Image Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server session on 10 May 2020.
Lockdown Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 25 March, 29 March, and 12 April 2020.
