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
Ankle Biters
Create a fanwork featuring a character as a child or characters as children. 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.
Lordnelson100's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
As Little Might Be Thought by Deborah Judge
Fanwork Information
The development of the relationship between Maglor and his foster-sons Elrond and Elros, from the sack of Sirion to the loss of the Silmarils.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Awakening by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
Shortly after the Elves awaken at Cuiviénen, the young Þerindë begins to learn about love and Elven nature. This story seeks to explore the origins of the Elven mores concerning sexuality that are discussed in Laws and Customs and Quendi and Eldar.
| Major Characters: Finwë, Míriel Serindë, Original Character(s), Tata |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: International Day of Femslash 2008 |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Bee-Elves by darthfingon
Fanwork Information
At the end of the First Age, Finarfin, political missionary, travels across Middle-earth and finds his way to Oropher's court. Much to his dismay.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Finarfin, Original Character(s), Oropher |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Blood, Song, & Silver by MisbehavingMaiar
There is something so elegant about this version of the tragedy of Annatar and Celebrimbor.
Fanwork Information
Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion recieves an emissary from the West claiming to be a Vanya smith. The teachings he comes bearing are controversial; how to imprint thoughts and wills into matter using Song, and words of power. As the emissary gains support with king and court, their relationship becomes entangled with secrets and the weight of the past.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Círdan, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Driftwood by pandemonium_213
Fanwork Information
When mortal fishermen rescue a half-drowned elf-man from the northern sea, Elrond's help is requested. Elrond travels to the village of Mousehole, hard against Lindon's northern border, to find the recovering survivor who tells Elrond of his background and his mission, which promises to bring the innovations and wonders of Aman to Lindon. Elrond is intrigued as he attempts to discover just who this mysterious fellow is.
MEFA 2011 Winner. First Place, Second Age and Early Third Age, General
| Major Characters: Elrond, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Emotions-- A series of vignettes by MisbehavingMaiar
Fanwork Information
A study in sentiments over time; a collection of moments surrounding Melkor and Sauron, from the Spring of Arda to the fall of the Third Age.
| Major Characters: Ainur, Aulë, Celebrimbor, Fëanor, Finwë, Gil-galad, Idril, Maeglin, Melkor, Númenóreans, Saruman, Sauron, Tar-Míriel, Ungoliant |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, General, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Sexual Content (Mild), Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Book of Short Tales by Lyra
Fanwork Information
A place to store short stories, ficlets and challenge responses that don't really warrant being archived on their own.
Newly Added: "The Good and the Bad". Young Aragorn discusses Noldorin history with Erestor.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Aragorn, Aredhel, Aulë, Azaghâl, Beren, Caranthir, Celeborn, Curufin, Daeron, Durin I, Dwarves, Elwing, Erestor, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Haleth, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor, Melian, Melkor, Nerdanel, Olwë, Original Character(s), Sons of Fëanor, Ungoliant, Vairë, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Crossover, Drama, Experimental, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2010, B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2012, B2MeM 2013, B2MeM 2016, B2MeM 2019, With a Bit of Fairy Dust |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
