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Red clouds framing a starry nightsky

Preferred Name: Shadow

Preferred Pronouns: they/them

Member since .

About Me

Loves Tolkien, Physics and the stars.

 

Blanket permission on all of my works here, but please contact me once you post stuff! I'd love to listen to/read/look at what you do with my works!

If anything is ever exempted from the blanket permission, it will be explicitly stated here.


Fanworks by daughterofshadows

This is a Writing fanworkThe Most Important Ingredient is Love by daughterofshadows

A story about stew and how many people cook the same dish across the years. Spanning all the way from the Adanel and her family to the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.
Across millennia, people come together to share food and good company.

Major Characters: Adanel, Andreth, Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Dior, Isildur, Anárion, Elendil, Elros, Dúnedain, Belemir
Major Relationships:
Genres: Family, Fluff Challenges:
Rating: Teens Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings
Chapters: 3 Word Count: 5, 945
Posted on Updated on
This fanwork is a work in progress.
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This is a Reference fanworkThe 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.

Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Boromir (Fellowship), Aredhel
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Rating: Warnings:
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This is a Writing fanworkLight of the World by daughterofshadows

Across the ages of the world, darkness was always overcome by Light.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Ficlet, General Challenges:
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 210
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Writing fanworkArisen by daughterofshadows

Ereinion becomes Gil-galad, the king, but never disappears. Three episodes from the life of a king.

Major Characters: Gil-galad
Major Relationships:
Genres: Ficlet, General Challenges:
Rating: Teens Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild)
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 315
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Writing fanworkHistory has its eyes on you by daughterofshadows

Gil-galad, Hamilton lyrics and three poignant events in his life.

Major Characters: Gil-galad
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges: Musicals
Rating: Teens Warnings: Character Death
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 203
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This is a Audio fanworkTwinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril - Podfic by daughterofshadows

A reworking of Twinkle, twinkle, little star, featuring Eärendil. Originally written by Anérea.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Music , Podfic Challenges: Dark Matter
Rating: General Warnings:
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This is a Writing fanworkReturn to the Sea by daughterofshadows

Cúrandil knows the stories, knows how their people first awoke in the water. How they came to walk the land and how the sea has called them back ever since.
It is their turn to follow the call now.

Major Characters: Original Nonbinary Character(s)
Major Relationships:
Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe Challenges: Birthday Bash
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 3 Word Count: 1, 194
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This is a Series fanworkTolkien through an Aromantic Lens by daughterofshadows

A collection of my Meta on Tolkien and aromanticism

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Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Rating: Warnings:
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This is a Multimedia fanworkThe Stewards of Gondor & their heirs by daughterofshadows

A meta work that looks into trends and correlations about the ages the Ruling Stewards of Gondor had their heirs.

Initially started to see whether the maths supports aromantic Boromir readings for my Mereth Aderthad presentation, but it got out of hand XD

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Nonfiction/Meta Challenges:
Rating: General Warnings:
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This is a Writing fanworkTolkien through an Aromantic Lens by daughterofshadows

Let's look at some aromantic headcanons for Meta week!

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Nonfiction/Meta Challenges: Tolkien Meta Week
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 979
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Shadow by Himring by daughterofshadows, Himring

Aromanticism is a topic not often covered in Tolkien scholarship, but many Tolkien characters can be read as aromantic. In this interview, Himring talks with Shadow about their upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "The Aromantic in Tolkien."

Major Characters:
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Genres: Challenges:
Rating: Warnings:
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This is a Writing fanworkSounds of War by daughterofshadows

An army marches to the War of Wrath.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges: Dark Matter
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 100
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This is a Writing fanworkCall to the West by daughterofshadows

A drabble about sea longing without ever using the word sea. Or longing.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges: Dark Matter
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 101
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Writing fanworkShadow's Instadrabbles by daughterofshadows

The home of my insta-drabbling pieces!

(and the odd drabble of undetermined origin)

Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amarië, Anairë, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, Celeborn, Celebrían, Eärwen, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elu Thingol, Finarfin, Gil-galad, Mahtan, Melian, Nerdanel, Thranduil, Rog, Eärendil, Celebrimbor, Ilmarë
Major Relationships:
Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet Challenges: Festival of Lights Fest, Holiday Party, It Comes in Threes, Jubilee, Middle-earth Olympics, Orctober, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding, Strength and Beauty, Taboo, Teen Spirit, Vintage, Zingers
Rating: General Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings
Chapters: 41 Word Count: 4, 145
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This fanwork is a work in progress.
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This is a Writing fanworkIn the deep dark forest by daughterofshadows

Escape attempt from Nan Elmoth

Major Characters: Maeglin, Aredhel
Major Relationships:
Genres: Experimental Challenges: Bestiary of Arda, Jubilee, Vintage
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 178
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Writing fanworkTomber dans les pommes by daughterofshadows

Celebrimbor fainted. Narvi worries about her friend.

Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi
Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Narvi
Genres: Challenges: Idiomatic, Jubilee
Rating: Teens Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 187
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Writing fanworkA bit of mischief by daughterofshadows

Elrond and Celebrían sneak out one evening. Set pre-relationship in Lindon.

Major Characters: Elrond, Celebrían
Major Relationships:
Genres: Ficlet Challenges: Jubilee
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 666
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This is a Writing fanworkFreed by daughterofshadows

Fingon rescued Maedhros from Thangorodrim. In the dungeons of Angband, a flicker of hope is lit. If they can escape, perhaps so can others. If nothing else, they must try. 

Major Characters: Original Female Character(s)
Major Relationships:
Genres: Adventure Challenges: Orctober
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 801
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This is a Writing fanworkWinter on Tol Himling by daughterofshadows

Winter has come to Tol Himling.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges: Orctober
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 66
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This is a Writing fanworkOur son and king by daughterofshadows

Three perspectives on Ereinion Gil-Galad.

Major Characters: Círdan, Elrond, Original Female Character(s)
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges: Kings & Queens
Rating: General Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 126
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Co-Created Fanworks

This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Kai Janik by Shadow by Kai Janik, daughterofshadows

Kai is the featured artist for Maglor's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the last High King of the Noldor." Shadow spoke with Kai about his wide range of interests and inspirations in the legendarium and why Maglor's presentation so intrigued him that he finished the art for it the first night.

Major Characters: Gil-galad
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
Posted on Updated on
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with fish by Shadow by fish, daughterofshadows

Fish is the featured artist for Stella's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation "Cherished antagonist, despised protagonist - a defence of Elu Thingol." Shadow spoke with fish about his creative process, the importance of both tragedy and eucatastrophe to Tolkien's works, and the appeal of "greyness" in Silmarillion characters like Elu Thingol.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Idrils Scribe by Shadow by Idrils Scribe, daughterofshadows

Idrils Scribe is the featured author for Stella Getreuer-Kostrouch's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "Cherished antagonist, despised protagonist - a defence of Elu Thingol." Shadow spoke with Idril about her story for the event, about the disproportionate criticism Thingol tends to receive in the fandom, the endless layers of the legendarium, and the arc of fandom history that makes inclusive communities essential for creators to thrive.

Major Characters: Elu Thingol
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Anérea and Shadow by Anérea, daughterofshadows

Anérea and Shadow are the respective featured artist and featured author for Zhie's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation, "How To Make a Star From a Tree: The Science of Telperion and Laurelin," and they are both interviewers for Mereth Aderthad as well. They spoke to each other about their projects for Zhie's presentation, the symbolism and physics of light, and the magic of Tolkien and fandom.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Varda delle Stelle by Shadow by Varda delle Stelle, daughterofshadows

As the featured artist for cloudyhymn's Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," Varda delle Stelle describes her idea for this presentation as springing fully formed as Athena from Zeus's head. Varda chatted with Shadow about what drew her to this presentation, her approach to painting, and her hopes for her Mereth Aderthad work.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Grundy by Shadow by Grundy, daughterofshadows

Long fascinated with the Manhattan Project, Grundy was naturally drawn to Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation" and is making a work of glass art to accompany it. Shadow spoke to Grundy about her inspiration on the project and long love of Tolkien.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Azh, Admirable Monster by Shadow by AdmirableMonster, daughterofshadows

As a physicist themself, Azh confronts the issues around the ethical use of science in both the professional and creative realms. Shadow spoke with Azh about their story "Lightborn," written to accompany Cindy Gates' Mereth Aderthad 2025 presentation “Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation,” its real-life inspirations, and the importance of fallibility in Tolkien's world.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Dawn Felagund by Shadow by Dawn Felagund, daughterofshadows

In our series of interviews of creators for Mereth Aderthad, Shadow spoke with Dawn about her story, written for Savannah Horrell's "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf" presentation, the balance of planning an event and creating for it at the same time, and the intersection of Tolkien and Beowulf.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with bunn by Shadow by bunn, daughterofshadows

Bunn is the featured author for for cloudyhymn's presentation "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of Dwarves" and the featured artist for Savannah Horrell's presentation "By Guile Committed: Comparing Tolkien’s Thieves to Beowulf." Shadow spoke with bunn about the mystery of dragons, the appeal of Dwarves, and the many ways Tolkien's work connects to Beowulf.

Major Characters:
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Zhie by Shadow by SWG Newsletter Staff, daughterofshadows

There are rewards in considering the scientific roots of aspects of the legendarium typically considered mythic or folkloric. Shadow spoke with Zhie about the challenges of investigating such a topic as a non-scientist for Zhie's upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper "How to Make a Star from a Tree: The Science of Telperion and Laurelin."

Major Characters: Laurelin, Telperion
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows

Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.

Major Characters: Dwarves
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Maglor by Shadow by maglor-my-beloved, daughterofshadows

Maglor spoke with Shadow about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor," and what makes Gil-galad such an intriguing—and mysterious—character.

Major Characters: Gil-galad
Major Relationships:
Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Reference fanworkInterview with Acha Rezak (Quente) by Shadow by Quente, daughterofshadows

Shadow spoke to Acha Rezak about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, which reads Tolkien less as a Catholic Christian work and more as a world inclusive of many religions, especially in its focus on nature and landscapes

Major Characters:
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Genres: Challenges:
Warnings:
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This is a Writing fanworkMight As Well Dance by Grundy, polutropos, daughterofshadows, Anérea

Beren, Lúthien, and Huan circling each other, love, and doom.

Major Characters: Beren, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel
Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien, Beren & Huan, Huan & Lúthien
Genres: Ficlet Challenges: Arda on Ice
General Warnings:
Chapters: 4 Word Count: 610
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This fanwork is complete.
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daughterofshadows's Gallery

A collage about Nimrodel, Amroth (and Mithrellas) and their flight to Edhellond.

Art for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang

Major Characters: Nimrodel, Amroth, Mithrellas
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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Four art pieces for Scribbles & Drabbles 2025.

Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Círdan, Rog
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.

Major Characters: No major characters listed
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Bollywood, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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My collection of Scribbles & Drabbles Arts for 2024!

Major Characters: Círdan, Belladonna Took Baggins, Fëanor, Celegorm, Lúthien Tinúviel, Nerdanel, Rog, Penlod
Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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A moodboard for a Celegorm/Lúthien Modern AU inspired by the song You better you bet by The Who.

Major Characters: Celegorm, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel
Major Relationships: Celegorm/Lúthien
Challenge: Turgon's Rock Opera
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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Artwork for Scribbles & Drabbles 2022

Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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The gallery for my Lord of the Rings and Hobbit inspired Scribbles & Drabbles 2023 art.

Some cracky, some serious, mostly dwarves and hobbits.

Major Characters: No major characters listed
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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The gallery of my Silmarillion themed arts for Scribbles & Drabbles 2023. Featuring a myriad of characters and art types.

Major Characters: No major characters listed
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed

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Stamp Collection 2026

daughterofshadows's 2026 Stamp Collection

Stamp Collection 2025

daughterofshadows's 2020 Stamp Collection

daughterofshadows's 2019 Stamp Collection

daughterofshadows's 2018 Stamp Collection

daughterofshadows's 2017 Stamp Collection