New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
SWG News
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The Work of Thy Hands, Heart, and [REDACTED] by gaydhros
Even from a ways away I could descry the tension that simmered between them when they pulled back to regard one another, and the desire in Lord Maedhros’ eyes, the way his touch lingered overlong upon the Crown Prince’s shoulder before at last he let him go. No doubt the fell…
[Writing] The Second Music by Hilya Lórienva
The story diverges from canon at the beginning of the Second Age (SA 600). In this alternate timeline, Sauron does not adopt the guise of Annatar to deceive the Elves of Eregion. Instead, he pursues a different path of dominion - one that threatens the very foundations of Arda itself.
[Writing] Funeral Dirge by Artano
Two Dwarves mourn the loss of their lord after the Ninraeth Arnoediad.
[Writing] Systems in place by daughterofshadows
Tuor arrives in Gondolin and admires the gardens.
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] Add Another Stone by StarSpray
The thing about forgiveness, he thought, was that it was so much easier when the object of it was far away—or dead. It was so much easier to let it all go when those responsible were far away and unable to do any more harm.
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
Current Challenge
Scavenger Hunt
Solves clues to find your prompts for this Matryoshka challenge. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Things We Never Said
In this AU challenge, fix that moment that you always wanted to see handled differently by offering your beloved character that moment of forgiveness or redemption. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
Grundy's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
Go On As Three by Elwin Fortuna
Beren/Celegorm/Luthien and a happy ending, what's not to like?
Fanwork Information
Beren falls down a ravine and breaks his leg, but that's just the start of his good fortune.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Celegorm/Luthien |
| Genres: Adventure, Poly, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Home Alone: Forgotten in Formenos by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
In the rush to depart for a Yule celebration in Taniquetil, Amrod and Amras are accidentally left behind by their family. When two skeevy Maiar vying for Melkor's attention set their sights on Fëanor's treasury, only these two can protect it.
Yes indeed, it is a Silmarillion/Home Alone crossover.
Added Chapter 13 onward--now complete!
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Amras, Amrod, Anairë, Aredhel, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Let’s make the most of this beautiful day by Quente
A beautiful crossover.
Fanwork Information
A very great man dies, and asks if he can be of more help to the universe because it has been so good to him.
...Eru Illúvatar takes him up on the offer.
| Major Characters: Real Person(s), Lórien, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: Míriel & Other Fictional Character |
| Genres: Crossover | Challenges: Funky 70s |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Through a Mirror Darkly by HannaGoldworthy
Fanwork Information
Year 2510 of the Third Age: Celebrian arrives in Valinor during Sovalle, a new (for her) feast of repentance and reconciliation. And, much to her suprise and discomfort, she's not the only new face hanging around...
| Major Characters: Amrod, Celebrían, Lindo, Mandos, Original Female Character(s), Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fluff, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Caprice and Chance, Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution, Season's Greetings, Sirens and Songstresses, Solve a Problem, Start to Finish |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
