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
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.
ziggy's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
A Fragile Chalice by pandemonium_213
This is a smashing bit of writing. Love the way you weave the future and the past, and curvë as science/technology together and somehow it's not magic at all. Just what I have always thought. And the wit and humour of your writing always shines through the heavier themes- masterful as always.
Fanwork Information
In spite of weariness and stress, Tyelperinquar (a.k.a. Celebrimbor) hosts a gathering in his home: a supper followed by what we might call a salon for the elite of Ost-in-Edhil. Musicians, rival poets, and lively conversation among the guests, which includes Erestor, the visiting emissary from Gil-galad's realm, provide the evening's entertainment. An elven poetry slam causes Tyelpo to become immersed in deep memories -- some poignant, some painful, and one dark and strange yet vaguely familiar.
MEFA 2011 Winner: First Place, Elves, General
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Erestor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Another Man's Cage by Dawn Felagund
My all time favourite
Fanwork Information
In the Time of the Trees, during the Bliss of Valinor, the young family of Fëanor experience the everyday triumphs and tragedies of life in paradise. But as Fëanor's genius blossoms and his sons grow into their roles in Tirion society, tensions build that will sunder the House of Finwë and drive the House of Fëanor to open rebellion.
Completed!
| Major Characters: Anairë, Caranthir, Celegorm, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| 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. |
Discrete Elements by pandemonium_213
As always, wonderful- a real sense of Himing as a busy place where people actually live. Looking forward to more.
Fanwork Information
A catch-all for short ficlets, largely centering on yet another OFC in the Pandë!verse, namely Culinen (referenced in various fics, including The Elendilmir and The Writhen Pool), who eventually becomes the master of the Guild of the Heart (healers' guild) in Ost-in-Edhil, and who contributes to the "eldritch alleles" of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Hypatia of Alexandria, and Hedy Lamarr (among others!) in the alternative history of the Pandë!verse.
Ratings will be given per chapter.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Maps by grey_gazania
I am so pleased to see updates for this! I have stopped checking SWG and this will bring me back. That moment of Fingon wakening and his fear is SO palpable, and convincing. I have a very vivid image in my head from just those few lines and I love Caranthir in this- that connection he has, the sacrifice he i smaking, his impateince with the superficial - so very very well written. I seriously hope you are going to be regularly updating this please! The closeness and intimacy of it is so well written- all within Maitimo's room which emphaises secrets, intimacy and intensity.
Fanwork Information
Fingon, Caranthir, and the aftermath of Maedhros' capture by Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros, Caranthir & Maedhros, Fingolfin & Maedhros, Caranthir & Fingon |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
The Departure by Keiliss
Wonderfully sinister without being at all heavy.
Fanwork Information
Departure, to be followed by a return.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Stars over Aglon by Himring
longing and lust.
Fanwork Information
Fingon on his way to Himring--and in Himring--and on his way back.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
To Build a House from the Ground Up by Nibeneth
THe most wonderful content Maedhros/Fingon story ever- so lovely to see an uncompromising but happy ending. The details in this are fabulously written and compeltely textured, visual and sensual. The sexual details are loving and erotic. Fingon delightful and strong and Maedhros pentitent but not abject or depressed. A really great story.
Fanwork Information
After six thousand years in Mandos, Fingon and Maedhros rejoin the world. Nothing will ever be the same as it was, but a remote plot of land, a cabin, a garden, and a few animals are all they need.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
