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
Turning Point
The Silmarillion has many moments when a character stands upon a crossroad: He or she will have to make a decision. At such a turning point in your story, create a fanwork about that moment that will define or alter the life of your character. 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.
Hotiti's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
A Gift for a King by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
Just after Fingolfin's birth, Fëanor makes a gift for his father. For Oloriel.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
All Else Lost by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
In a changed world there was one thing that remained untouched by time or distance.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Bits of Elven Glass by Himring
Fanwork Information
This is an attempt to weave the different accounts of the making and the history of the Elessar into a coherent narrative.
Now added: intervening chapter on Gil-galad.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Celebrimbor, Enerdhil, Eärendil, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gandalf, Gil-galad, Idril, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2015 |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Labadal and Túrin by Dreamflower
Fanwork Information
A series of drabbles about the child Túrin, and his friend the lame woodwright, Sador Labadal. I have long been fascinated by their friendship. Why would a noble child's best friend be a crippled servant?
| Major Characters: Sador Labadal, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Ossë's Gift by elfscribe
Fanwork Information
On a sea voyage from Umbar to Lindon, Erestor becomes enmeshed in intrigue while fighting his secret feelings for his irritating and compelling companion, Glorfindel.
May, 2021. Improved version. Enjoy!
This story won a first place in the 2007 My Precious Awards for LOTR fanfic in the misc. stories category: "Best where does this story go"
MEFA 2009 Third Place winner in Genres: Adventure: Elvish Lands
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel, Ossë |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Glorfindel, Glorfindel/Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Stones of Seeing 1. Vardamir Nólimon by clotho123
Fanwork Information
At the end of his reign Elros receives a visitor. How the palantíri came into Númenor.
| Major Characters: Elros, Nerdanel, Vardamir |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Taming the Wildflower by Sulriel
Fanwork Information
A Lady of Doriath, the cherished young Wildflower of that court, is swept up in the flame of Fëanor's heir.
“… Maedros the eldest appears to have been unwedded”
The Peoples of Middle-earth, History of Middle-earth Vol XII
2nd place in the Silmarillion-Romance Category in the 2004 MEFA
many many thanks to the gang at the Garden for their help with this long-overdue rewrite. (now complete!)
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Art of Speech Through Smithcraft by Idrils Scribe
Fanwork Information
Whenever Celebrimbor dared to dwell on what awaited in the Halls of Mandos, he expected punishment. He was no Kinslayer, but some of his deeds in life might be considered grave crimes in their own right.
He had been wrong. When the Doomsman summoned the fëa that once was the son of Curufin to his grim presence, all he asked was a simple question.
"Tell me a story."
Celebrimbor could not help but obey.
The tale, in his own words, of how a young Celebrimbor rode to war for the first time, and began the slow disintegration of his relationship with his father.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Chief in a Village by Himring
Fanwork Information
Fingon wanders in Eastern Beleriand and comes across a long-lost relative.
Main story followed by extras:
Interlude - Evening, featuring Erien (OFC) thinking about Fingon and Gil-galad.
A Dog Called Mellon, recounting a small incident at Gil-galad's court in Lindon.
The small rain down can rain, featuring Fingon and a very young Gil-galad. (new)
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Angrod, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Gil-galad, Lalwen, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Humor, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2012 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
