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
Hero's Journey
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are based on the stages of the hero's journey archetype. 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.
Katnor's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
A Plain, Simple Love Story by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
The king and the archivist. Respect, friendship, misunderstanding, making up - all the good things that build a forever kind of love.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Before Strife Was Born by oshun
Fanwork Information
Not your typical romance, this is a story about two people who know one another all too well and understand one another not at all and share an almost love/hate relationship replete with passionate conflict and caring. It’s a Years of the Trees story of Fëanor and Fingolfin as very young men, written for Encairion, Ardor in August 2012, to satisfy this particular prompt:
“Pairing: Fëanor/Fingolfin. I prefer dark, angsty stories, but can appreciate humor on the side. Whether you give me a pre-darkening of Valinor or a re-born life in Valinor or something from the First Age, it doesn't matter, but I love seeing elves with flaws, so please no utopian, unrealistic worlds."
I want to extend the warmest thanks to my super skillful and perceptive Betas Ignoblebard and Lilith Lessfair who so generously combed through it at least a couple of times each.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Family Matters, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Incest |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Even Quicker Than Doubt by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Set in the weeks before Elros departs for Númenor, Doubt explores the reason the twins chose different paths, Elrond’s emotional coming of age, the evolving relationship between Gil-galad and Glorfindel, and the reborn Elf’s adjustment to his new life in Second Age Lindon.
MEFA nominee 2007, my thanks to Oshun
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, All Good Beasts |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
From The Wrack And Ruin by Elwin Fortuna
Fanwork Information
Fingon falls head over heels in love for the second time in his life.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Let me ease thy sorrow by Sleepless_Malice
Fanwork Information
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and Fingon's death Maedhros' depression gets worse over the following months until Maglor deems unusual measures necessary.
(Based on the following plotbunny dialogue that hit me hard one night. "What did Findekáno do to lull you into slumber?" 'Nothing that is of your concern' [..] 'Pleasured me, with his mouth.' "Would you allow me to do the same?")
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Pilgrim Through This Barren Land by Narya
Fanwork Information
Gandalf stays behind after Thorin's funeral to speak to an unexpected guest.
| Major Characters: Gandalf, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
To Whom It May Concern by Anne Wolfe
Fanwork Information
This law-abiding Oklahoman isn't sure whether she's the best kind of person to find a Silmaril or the worst, but she does know one thing: she doesn't want to die. Featuring Mt. St. Helens and Tupperware.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Original Character |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Your tongue upon my scars by Sleepless_Malice
Fanwork Information
Fingolfin wants to make Fëanor pay for the burning of the ships in his very own way. Canon divergence AU for Fëanor being still alive when Fingolfin and his followers reach Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
