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 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] 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] 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] 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.
[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
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
First Meetings
Create a fanwork about the first meeting between a character from Valinor and someone just arriving from Middle-earth. 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 Celebrimbor
Chances taken by chrissystriped
Mairon is leaving Celebrimbor to forge the One Ring. Or is he?
Found by chrissystriped
A reborn Celebrimbor has come to Middle-earth to search for Maglor.
He finds someone else.
Lost by chrissystriped
Celebrimbor realises the truth about Annatar. He will keep the Three save at all cost.
Sauron vs Finrod in Eregion by elennalore
The Gwaith-i-Mírdain turn a famous duel into a stage play.
An Adventure by chrissystriped
“Feeling adventurous, sweet Tyelpe?”, Annatar asked in a teasing tone, his eyes glinting.
“Maybe?”, he answered lightly. He knew Annatar well enough to not say yes without hearing more, even with his mind fogged by pleasure.
“Well”, he said, lowering himself so their cheeks touched and he could whisper seductively into his ear. “I’m thinking, naughty elves need to be punished. No?” Annatar’s cock was digging into his hip and Celebrimbor could feel it twitch at the words.
Naive and Brilliant by chrissystriped
Annatar questions Celebrimbor's philosophy while seducing him.
Calls from the other end of the galaxy by daughterofshadows
Sometimes you just need a little help with a code from the author, even if you've been working with it for decades. If only they would answer their dang phone!
So, instead Maeglin calls an old friend, hears an amusing anecdote and passes on a message.
It's all in a day's work.
Except for the autopilot. That took a lot longer.
Not Too Far by grey_gazania
Celebrimbor has a conversation with his cousin and ponders the future of his estranged father and uncles.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: family). Part of my Woman King AU.
A long ripple of notes by Himring
Before the Fall of Eregion, a minstrel who once was taught by Maglor is asked to revive a performance of his songs in the Hall of the Jewel-smiths in the presence of Celebrimbor.
Touch The Stars by cuarthol
Sacrifices must be made, but there seems to be some lingering disagreement on exactly who it is that is going to be making them.
Too Late, Cried the Gulls by grey_gazania
“Too late the ships of Círdan and Gil-galad the High King came hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion; and Elwing was gone, and her sons.” - The Silmarillion
The Kids Are All Right Outtakes by grey_gazania
Scenes that didn't make it into "The Kids Are All Right", whether because I couldn't make them fit or because they were from the wrong POV.
The Kids Are All Right by grey_gazania
As the survivors from Nargothrond come to Balar and the Fell Winter sets in, the girl who will become Gil-galad struggles alongside her friends to find a ray of hope in a darkness that seems unending.
Go On As Three by Elwin Fortuna
Beren falls down a ravine and breaks his leg, but that's just the start of his good fortune.
The Last Heir of Fëanor by Astrance
This is the tale of the surviving child of Celebrimbor of Eregion and how she fared through the Ages of the world. From the Fall of Ost-in-Edhil to Imladris and the vastness of Second Age Eriador, the fight against Sauron seems never ending.
Warning for slightly adjusted timeline according to the story needs, but not too noticeable as the structure stays intact. Also, poetry.
Shadow's Instadrabbles by daughterofshadows
The home of my insta-drabbling pieces!
(and the odd drabble of undetermined origin)
The Precious Baby Phenomenon Unpacked: A Treatise on Obstetric Care in The Returned by I.L. Finwiel and the Istar Institute by herenortherenearnorfar
He didn't marry Sauron the Deceiver for the peace and quiet. A baby before noon still feels like a step too far.
The Mírdain New Year's Eve Party by elennalore
Happy New Year 1230 S.A.! At the New Year’s party, Celebrimbor and Annatar are intoxicated with each other, among other things.
Written for SWG Challenge Holiday Party. Prompt: A Long-Expected Party.
First Date by ohboromir
Annatar sets up a meeting with Telperinquar and it goes much better than he expected.
For Sally_the_Sunflower.
Maeglin's Choice by chrissystriped
After his release from Angband, Maeglin confides in Rog and events take a better turn.
I've Fallen in Love just a Little by chrissystriped
Mairon lies awake and contemplates his feelings for Celebrimbor that threaten to disturb his plans.
From Tirion to the West-Gate by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Write about something wrong that turns out to be right. (for day 3 of Nancy Stohlman's November 2021 challenge)
'The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.' -L.P. Hartley, 'The Go-Between'
Lalwen Finwiel reflects on market-days throughout her life, and how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or do they?
The Edges of His Fingers by chrissystriped
Celebrimbor and Narvi share their first morning together in bed.
Sweet Violets and Golden Cowslip by StarSpray
Lalwen has dug too many graves. After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, she digs another.
Alive at the Wake by herenortherenearnorfar
"Now Celebrimbor was not corrupted in heart or faith, but had accepted Sauron as what he posed to be; and when at length he discovered the existence of the One Ring he revolted against Sauron, and went to Lórinand to take counsel once more with Galadriel. They should have destroyed all the Rings of Power at this time, "but they failed to find the strength.""
They find the strength.
