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
Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth
Sneak a peek into notebooks of the scholars and explorers of Middle-earth, with prompts that are images from historical naturalist publication. 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.
Rhapsody's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
Five Fires by Elleth
Fanwork Information
Ambarussa is afraid of fire to this day. There were four instances in life that made him fear.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
House of the Setting Sun by Robinka
This story is haunting and has a fairy tale feel over it.
Fanwork Information
No hope, no regrets. An AU take on Mablung's coming to terms with the passing of Melian and the consequences thereof.
| Major Characters: Mablung, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Het, Romance | Challenges: Anniversary Contest, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Lúthien's Tale by clotho123
Too hilarious for words!
Fanwork Information
So what made Lúthien go overboard for an unwashed mortal? The world's only half-Elf half-Maia gives her side of the story.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Curufin, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Of Mithrellas by Urloth
Aamzing background story of Mithrellas
Fanwork Information
There is not much said of the Elf Maiden Mithrellas, servant of Nimrodel. That does not mean there is nothing to tell of her. A Sultry in September fic written for Rhapsody.
| Major Characters: Amroth, Gilmith, Imrazor, Mithrellas, Nimrodel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Erotica, Humor, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Our Share of Night to Bear by Elleth
Fanwork Information
Aman lies in Darkness and the Noldor have been banished. The Rebellion has torn families apart and left children to fend for themselves in a darkened world with no one to rely on, while the leaders of the Noldor struggle to overcome their grief and rebuild order out of turmoil.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Indis, Nerdanel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General, Slash/Femslash, Suspense | Challenges: Arda Underground |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Season of Hope by Keiliss
A gem of a story!
Fanwork Information
Midwinter in Sirion, a young king and a traumatized child: Gil-galad offers Elwing a new way of looking at Yule.
MEFA 2011: Second Place: Character study, House of Finwe
| Major Characters: Elwing, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Silver Blossoms Blown by IgnobleBard
This story gives us a wonderful insight about Varda and how she immediately loved the Eldar.
The Dark Foe Wears Feanaro by whitewave
Brilliant, full of humour, a bit of satire and brilliant parody. Comes with a beverage alert with side affects of very nice dreams about the collections!
Fanwork Information
Timeline of major events in the trend-setting House of Fëanaro, the undisputed leader in the Eldarin fashion industry.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Huan, Indis, Ingwë, Melkor, Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Sons of Fëanor, Turgon, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: All Good Beasts |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Elendilmir by pandemonium_213
This story was my first intoduction to Sálmaril and oh, I love him!
Fanwork Information
A young child of Men befriends Sámaril, the troubled master smith of Imladris. The Noldorin craftsman experiences the joy and pain born of friendships between the Eldar and mortal Men and comes to question his people’s values as his life becomes entwined with Isildur’s youngest son and two powerful women of the Dúnedain. A sequel to The Apprentice.
Chapter 38 - The Crow's Nest: While Elerina establishes her informal seat of power in Gaillond, thus revealing to Sámaril her former role as Isildur's queen, the elven-smith quickly becomes bored with trade negotiations and resolution of disputes among the local nobility. The reminders of Isildur continue to exert a negative effect on Sámaril, causing frustration between the couple. But Sámaril also begins to dream of the Sea, which sparks a desire to take ship out on to the open waters, ostensibly to learn more about the working men of the Númenórean exiles. He finds the ship on which he wishes to sail and meets its captain.
| Major Characters: Elendil, Elrond, Glorfindel, Original Character(s), Sauron, Valandil (Arnor) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
The Last Queen by Gadira
This is a chilling and haunting read with an excellent build up in a story.
Fanwork Information
The cliché setting for the Downfall of Númenor... or maybe not so much? Dark themes.
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Het, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Scented Pleasure Garden by whitewave
This story is delightfully written, full of quips and well found ideas. Whitewave is an immensely creative author with a gift for satire and parody.
Fanwork Information
A very irreverent and heretical look at the Silmarillion Elves in terms of their "horticultural" potential. Has very strong sexual innuendo and adult language. You have been warned. *Complete!
***Some varieties were updated on Jan 1, 2009 to include my LJ friends' names in their particular muse's entry.
Chibis generated from this site: http://www.tektek.org/dream/
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Angrod, Aredhel, Argon, Beleg, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Círdan, Daeron, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Egalmoth, Elenwë, Elu Thingol, Eärwen, Eöl, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Galdor of the Tree, Glorfindel, Idril, Indis, Ingwë, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Maeglin, Míriel Serindë, Nerdanel, Orodreth, Oropher, Rog, Rúmil (Valinor), Saeros, Salgant, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor, Thranduil, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Well by Independence1776
Maglor redeemed, wonderfully written in a graceful manner.
Fanwork Information
Post Fourth Age. Maglor meets someone unexpected. Nominated in the 2009 MEFAs.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| 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. |
Where the Heart Is by Noliel
A magnificent portrayal of a might have been for Maglor.
