Proof that the remaining 10% is worth defying Morgoth for here.
These are recommendations made by Tropers for The Silmarillion fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.
You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.
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Authors and Websites
- Recommended by: KitsuneChan
- Synopsis: A very large number of absolutely amazing Silmarillion fics, ranging from short to ridiculously long. Many of their stories are focused on the House of Feanor, though a large number turn to other characters. Their works include the epic length (350k+ words) Another Man's Cage and the series The Fall of the House of Feanor. Dawn writes one of the best Feanor's this Troper has ever seen. They've won numerous and various rewards for their fics
Add Review- Recommended by: Nickpalaz0123
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: This is an immersive learning experience, meant to bring people to The Silmarillion and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien in a thoughtful and creative way. It is comprised of two primary parts: A biweekly audio podcast that is recorded and posted here and on iTunes; and the discussion board on this site. The podcast hosts will tee up issues and questions for listener feedback and then make decisions about strategy and approach. The discussion board is for discussion about any aspect of the adaptation by the listener communication as well as for alternate adaptation strategies.
- Comments: The discussion forums (where most of the work gets done) can be found at [1]
, and you can find the script outline discussions on YouTube at [2]
- Recommended by: Glass Spires
- Synopsis: A prolific author who updates regularly, focusing on Elrond's family and Imladris in the early to mid-Third Age.
General Fics
Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.
Prometheus by EvilFuzzy9
- Recommended by: Nickpalaz0123 Anomaly
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Fëanáro was not the only one of his race to have been parted from one dear, one who should have been there beside him, but he was the only one to have experienced such a loss amid the bliss of these Undying Lands.
The Music of the Ainur by Loki's Symphony
- Recommended by: Codafett
- Status: Dormant, possibly dead (Last update: 08-02-2018)
- Synopsis: Five-and-a-half millennia after leaving their home galaxy, the crew of the city-sized seeding ship Iluvátar reach their goal - a sunless primordial planet, waiting to be turned into a new homeworld. But Chief Engineer Melkor has his own designs for "Arda Project", and his megalomania threatens to doom them all...
- Comments: It's a gripping retelling of the first 3 chapters of the Silmarillion as a Sci-fi Dramedy, told from the perspective of the Valar, chief science officers on the Iluvátar in this incarnation. The author is very on the ball with the lore, deviations of course happen but they fit the story and tailored narrative. At worst there's few spelling and grammar errors and very rarely a inconsistent description, but what fic is perfect, right? Highly recommend.
A Boy, a Girl and a Dog: The Leithian Script by the Philosopher at Large
- Recommended by: Battle Hamster, SRW Fan
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Exactly What It Says on the Tin - a script version of "The Lay of Leithian." The first act is Beren and Lúthien dealing with her parents in Menegroth; the second is Beren in Nargothrond; the third is Lúthien in Nargothrond; and the fourth is everyone - and I mean everyone - in the Halls of Mandos.
- Comments: This manages be hilarious and moving at the same time. The writer shows her work in the Tolkienverse and elsewhere, and the result in amazing. The characters and everything are very well developed. The one problem is that it's sadly unfinished and hard to find.
Cities in Dust by ncfan
- Recommended by: Gamma Cavy
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The world changes around him. The last of the Feanorians wanders forever.
and one man, in his time, plays many parts by lintamande
- Recommended by: Snuffles
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Lake Mithrim, in five parts. Maglor centric.
- Comments: This looks at Maglor's rule at Lake Mithrim between Maedhros' capture and the arrival of Fingolfin's host, with a focus on the personal, political and logisitical implications of life at Mithrim from a Feanorian perspective.
Bee-Elves by Darth Fingon
- Recommended by: Pryderi
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: At the end of the First Age, Finarfin travels far into the backwoods of Middle Earth, hoping to bring the lost tribes of the Moriquendi back to Valinor. Oropher may take some convincing …
- Comments: A charming comic romp with melancholy undertones at certain points. The use of Finarfin – pompous, clueless and yet still sympathetic – as a narrator is a delight, particularly with the unorthodox Oropher running rings around him at every opportunity. We also get a probably AU but entirely credible origin story for Oropher’s dynasty. Still trying to get the freckle song out of my head!
Beyond the Dawn by Olga Chigirinskaya
- Recommended by: Hoffmann
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The work is very expanded version of Beren&Lúthien story.
- Comments: unfortunately, one has to know Russian to read it. Or Czech. Only few chapters are translated to English.
Now Comes The Night by Ashwinder
- Recommended by: apassingthought
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The tale of Túrin Turambar and the aftermath of his death as seen through the eyes of a minor character. The author brings a new perspective to the story through utilizing the perspective of the unnamed woman that appears briefly in the Narn i hîn Húrin — and s/he does it brilliantly.
- Comments: Impressive, creative, and well-crafted. The author did a brilliant job developing a character given only one line of dialogue in the original tale and giving her a voice.
Rise Again From Ashes by Independence 1776
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After spending millennia wandering Middle-earth, Maglor returns to Valinor, where he attempts to adjust to both his Valar-imposed restrictions and living once more with the Eldar.
- Comments: One of the best "Maglor goes home" stories I've come across.
The Monster by thegreatpumpkin
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: one-shot
- Synopsis: "Children do not laugh when Maedhros Fëanorion draws near. But when he turns—slowly, idly, as if he is only observing the horizon—that is what he hears: the delighted, disembodied laughter of children."
- Comments: An absolute emotional gut-punch of a story.
- Lessons from the Mountain by MithLuin
- Recommended by: Tron 80
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: What happened to the spirit of Maedhros when he died?
- Tags: Drama, Family
New Beginnings by Morgenstern's rider
- Recommended by: Tron 80
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Lindon, first years of Second Age. Politics, family feuds and misunderstandings among Noldor from Valinor, Exiles, Sindar, Teleri, Edain, the Peredhil and a nonplussed vanyarin heir.
- Tags: Drama
Conditional Release by Anna_Wing
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: complete, at 26 chapters
- Synopsis: The Valar release Melkor after the agreed three Ages... as a cat.
- Comments: Cat!Melkor, significant roles for the oft-neglected Nessa and Vana, a technologically advanced, Asian-inspired Valinor... there's so much to love in this imaginative fix fic. The author has the amazing ability to make everything better without making it boring.
The Splintered Light series by arrogantemu
- Recommended by: GothicProphet, Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: Contains five stories, all complete, though the series itself is marked incomplete.
- Last updated September 2017.
- Synopsis: Concerns the House of Finwë, in Middle-earth and Valinor. The first story is about Findis, the second about Celebrimbor and Sauron, the third about Finrod and Curufin, the fourth about Maedhros and Thingol, and the fifth about the effect Hobbits have on Valinor.
- Pairings: Mostly gen, but contains some light Celebrimbor/Sauron and Maedhros/Fingon.
- Comments: This series is amazing, heartbreaking and hilarious.
A Haunting by Live Oak With Moss
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: one-shot
- Synopsis: "There is one night a year, where this world and the next are not so far apart."
- Comments: A Halloween fic that will send a chill down your spine.
Your Homeless Souls by Min Daae
- Recommended By: Silver Wizard
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The last two survivors of the House of Finwë meet briefly just outside Lothlórien.
- Tags: Family
The Ransom of the House of Fëanor by Eirian Erisdar
- Recommended by: eeveelutionlover
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Maglor goes to war for a final time, the eternal darkness looms, and Elrond bargains with the Valar for the ransom of the House of Fëanor. In which fathers give up everything for their sons, and their sons offer everything in return; title, name, and fëa. Or, the one where Maglor believes he is destined for eternal darkness, and Elrond politely says otherwise.
To Catch A Falling Star by Dragonstorm
- Recommended by: eeveelutionlover2000
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A star falls from the sky, Belladonna Took finds a pretty mathom that will make a lovely souvenir, and Elrond gets some extremely unexpected guests. These are not unrelated events.
Under Strange Stars by Idril's_Scribe
- Recommended by: Glass Spires
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Even after victory in the Last Alliance, Elrond's household is not at peace. Elrohir, still a child, has vanished. After many years' searching, he's found in the Harad, and Glorfindel has the task of his life: convince Elrohir to return home, and keep him safe in the violence engulfing the desert.
- Comments: Has a trope page here.
Alternate Universe Fics
"Less Evil Shall We Do" by ElegantBookworm
" by ElegantBookworm- Recommended by: Ariachus
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: What if Maedhros and Maglor had returned to Valinor to face the Valar's judgement instead of stealing the Silmarils?
- Tags: AU, Drama.
"The Dawn from on High" by Arriviste
- Recommended by: Ariachus
- Status: One-shot
- Synopsis: "I have an errand to attend to, but I will join your party at the Havens in good time," said Gandalf before the great convoy set out from Imladris.
- Tags: AU, Drama.
"Gorthauro Estel by Sauron Gorthaur (Tough_Girl)
- Recommended by: Lord Maaar
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: What if Sauron had not fled? In which Sauron takes Eonwe's advice and returns to Valinor to face judgment for his deeds.
- Comments: If you think that Sauron is an Evil Overlord in the purest sense of the trope, then you would be absolutely correct... by the end of the Third Age. Because that is what he became after his obsession with control and order morphed into hatred and tyranny. However, Sauron is not as simple as he seems: he was not one of the original followers of the song of discord and only joined Melkor after he grew convinced that the mightiest of the Ainur could provide him the power to bring order to the world. As we all know, he turned into the right hand of Morgoth and did terrible things before the latter departed the world and that departure, for the briefest of times, caused Sauron to repent at the feet of Eonwe. Of course he did not follow through with that out of pride but... what if he actually did? Would the Valar have provided the fallen Maia with the tools and the space necessary for him to observe the consequences of his actions and to heal from Morgoth's poisonous influence? This fic explores that possibility while not making Sauron a good guy from the get go (in fact, his motives for repenting were selfish and his thoughts are, as of writing this review, still very spiteful, ungrateful and paranoid) and showing us in full the objectively terrible actions he committed under Morgoth. But more than that, despite being AU, it serves as a very fleshed-out exploration of Sauron's mind. If you are a Tolkien fan and find yourself intrigued by this mysterious and deceptively complicated character, then I can't recommend it enough.
Humour/Crack Fics
Many Happy Returns (Or: One Flew Over Over The Halls Of Mandos) by Tehta
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: one-shot
- Synopsis: Amarië isn't taking Finrod's death lying down. (Or rather, lying down is only the first step...)
- Comments: Had your fill of Silm doom and gloom? Want a happy ending for once? This is the fic for you.
The Condensed Silmarillion by cheekybeak
- Recommended by: GothicProphet
- Status: Dormant (last updated July 2017)
- Synopsis: An Abridged version of the Silmarillion. Includes dragons as the psychotherapists of Middle-earth, meddlesome Valar, Beren and Lúthien as annoying loves, a snarky Maglor, and the Man Effect that doomed Elven cities.
- Pairings: Fingon/Maedhros and Finrod/Turgon
- Comments: The writing isn't always the best, but the fic itself is hilarious.
A Practical Guide for the Courtship of Elves, by Beren son of Barahir by Nerdy Nell
- Recommended by: GothicProphet
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The discovery of fanfiction causes havoc among the Elves, and Beren gets dragged into writing advice on Elven-mortal relationships.
- Comments: One of the funniest fics in the fandom, with many references to the rest of the Legendarium. Especially recommended for anyone sick of Self-Insert stories.
Strange Alliances by Erestor
- Recommended by: A_Loaf_of_Bread
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: A battle to save the history of Middle Earth results in the formation of several strange alliances: fangirls aid Morgoth, Sauron aids the Valar [or does he?], and certain Elves and humans must choose to serve the winning side. But which side would that be?
- References to the Lord of the Rings and the arrival of Mary Sues in Arda.
Alizarin by simaetha
- Recommended by: Sasha Honeypalm
- Status: one-shot
- Synopsis: Feanor commits SCIENCE!!!, starts a fashion trend, and causes an economic crisis.
- Comments: Pure, sheer comedy genius.
look to the western sky by starlightwalking
- Recommended by: fruitstripegum
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: From her ancestors Elwing has inherited not only the Silmaril but also great-grandma Melian's ability to enchant elves. When Maedhros comes to her with sword in hand, she hypnotizes him, determined to take revenge for everything the Feanorians have done and to protect the Havens, her family and the Silmaril.
the name of the king by starlightwalking
- Recommended by: fruitstripegum
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Finwë bestows his name upon his sons, but tension inevitably rises from such a decision.
Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.
Down Like Rain by Anais Lacquestar
- Recommended by: Ged's Apprentice
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A non-canon story, though it fits into the canon, about how Lúthien really stole the Silmaril from Morgoth. Only makes any sense if you've read the Silmarillion. It explores the character of Morgoth, who the author calls Tolkien's 'fallen angel', and the character of Lúthien.
- Pairing: Lúthien and Morgoth (not as weird as it sounds)
- Comments: The writing is marvelous, far, far about normal fanfic standards, and it's just one chapter. There is sexual content, but nothing explicit. I recommend it as a piece that gives a different view of the villain, as well as being delicately and elegantly done. Very sad; i cried, though perhaps I'm just sentimental.
- YMMV here: The writing is good, if occasionally maudlin, but I'm not sure if I'd call it marvelous. The...foreplay, I suppose it could be called, is rather detailed. I'm not entirely sure if I would call it "delicate," although "elegant" might fit, and it seemed like the writer was fitting out Morgoth for leather pants.
Loyalty Unyielding by Zlu and Luff
- Recommended by: Taylor17387
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: This story follows Melkor and Sauron through the events of the Silmarillion and beyond, covering times good and bad, victories and falls from grace. Serious at times and entertaining at others.
- Pairing: Sauron/Morgoth
- Comments: Surprisingly funny and touching, with great characterization and descriptions. A retelling of the history of Arda from the big bads' point of view, presents them under a more humane light.
Once in a Fair Green Country by Space Weavil
- Recommended by: Pryderi
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Gandalf shares a few glasses of wine (and more) with Elrond, and remembers the life he left behind in Aman.
- Pairings: Gandalf/Olórin and OFC
- Comments: Yes, you did read that pairing correctly. From such an unlikely source, the author weaves a haunting and bittersweet love story. We get to see Gandalf long before he became the cantankerous wizard we know, and the characterisation of the youthful Olórin – naïve, curious and compassionate – is one of the triumphs of the story.
Spiders in the Mist: An Arachnid Love Story by Maggiehoneybite
- Recommended by: KitsuneChan
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: On a mission to the Valley of Dreadful Death, two giant spiders encounter adventure, tackle moral issues and find love. AU, humour, spider slash.
- Pairings: OMC/ OMC
- Comments: Hilarious and oddly heartwarming story of blooming love between two giant spiders in the First Age. Also a great look at spider society (especially of their warriors) and on how they view themselves.
The Burnt God by Love Missile
- Recommended by: Taylor17387
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Melkor has been imprisoned in the halls of Mandos for all too long. The day of the trial is approaching, and now he's willing to do almost anything to convince his jailer of his change of heart. From then onwards, everything seems to go downhill for him, and upon returning to Angband, his relationship with Sauron will turn rather tense.
- Pairings: Mandos/Morgoth, Sauron/Morgoth
- Comments: A great psychological study for the two dark lords and their motives, with an original and non-predictable story. Blends humour and drama skillfully.
- Readers may find the unconventional punctuation and formatting style distracting, however.
The Song of Sunset AU by JDE/Eldritcher
- Recommended by: oldone
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The Doom of Mandos lies heavy upon the house of Finwe. Now the scions of the house will embark on a dangerous game across centuries to save their family.
- Tags: Dark
- Comments: A complete interpretation encompassing most of Tolkien's work, from the Ainulindale to the Hobbit, it is a stand-alone universe in itself, requiring no canon context most of the time. Made of nearly 80 stories, of which seven are novels, this is a story for your summer vacation. Reading it is not easy because so much of the Silmarillion is angsty, but the author has such a knack for beautiful storytelling that will linger in your mind long after you have finished the stories. Underlining everything is the love that the scions of Finwe have for their family.
The Starless Road by emilyenrose
- Recommended by: Snuffles
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In the Fourth Age, a meeting between the Hobbits in Valinor and the House of Finwe leads Fingon on a spirit quest to the Void.
- Pairings: Fingon/Maedhros
- Comments: This is a Maedhros redemption piece that forces Fingon to see Maedhros for all his flaws, while he traverses through the Void. Without spoiling too much, there are spiders, a dragon, and a few surprise appearances that delighted this troper. While the story is about Fingon and Maedhros, the romance is well written and delivered tactfully for those who prefer only minor doses of M/M.
In Cavern's Shade by Castile 181
- Recommended by: PF_Fan
- Status: Complete (Part 1)
- Synopsis: "He has dwelt in the west since the days of dawn, and I have dwelt with him years uncounted; for ere the fall of Nargothrond or Gondolin I passed over the mountains, and together through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat." This is the real story behind Middle-earth's longest and most enduring marriage, that of the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim.
- Pairings: Galadriel/Celeborn, with others such as Lúthien/Beren sprinkled in.
- Comments: Epic doesn't even begin to describe this vast, novel-length fanfiction. 40 chapters, over 512,000 words, it spans hundreds of years during the First Age and this is only Part 1 of 3. The author intends to complete two more sequels taking the reader all the way up to the end of the Third Age and the War of the Ring. The sheer level of dedication, skill, attention to detail, character building and storytelling ability that has been poured into this work is truly astounding. The story remains completely canonical to the dates and events portrayed by Tolkien in The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and The Lord of the Rings but fills in the many, many gaps that surround Galadriel and Celeborn's courtship and marriage, with a sharp focus on the politics of Elven culture and the coming together of the Noldor and the Sindar.
The Crane Wife by Trebia
- Recommended by: GothicProphet
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Lalwen, on sailing east, had more history to her than most would recall. Or, if you will, why Thranduil was so bent on those gems.
- Pairings: Lalwen/Thranduil
- Comments: Takes two characters about whom very little is known (Lalwen and Thranduil's wife) and combines them. The result is truly amazing.
Only One Moment by Maiden of the Forests
- Recommended By: Silver Wizard
- Pairings: Ulmo/Nienna
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: For one moment, they met on the beach. For one moment, they see into each other's souls. Only one moment. (One-shot)
- Comments:
A True Love of Mine by Talullah
- Recommended by: fruitstripegum
- Pairings: Cirdan/Irimë
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Círdan and Írimë and a lifetime.
Crossover Fics
Evidence by Camwyn
by Camwyn- Recommended by: Phoenix Fire, Ragnar The Semi Green
- Status: Complete
- Crossover with: Discworld (No, Really.)
- Synopsis: One-shot. When Maedhros and Maglor sneak into Eönwë's camp at the end of the War of Wrath, they discover, to their horror, that the Silmarils are missing.
- Comments: Gloriously in-character, all things considered. Also, Vimes arrests Morgoth, which is seriously in the running for Coolest Thing Ever.
To Face the Wolf by Maglor's_finch
- Recommended by: Goodwrench, Pygmalion and Silver Wizard
- Status: Complete
- Crossover with: Harry Potter
- Synopsis: In the Hogwarts dungeons, Snape finds a mysterious, badly wounded stranger. He appears to have been bitten by a werewolf. What happened?
- Comments: Absolutely fantastic crossover with Tolkien's Silmarillion. This one's a tearjerker.
Neon Genesis Silmarillion by John Biles (co-creator of Children of an Elder God)
- Recommended by: edranis, Qussow, Ragnar The Semi Green, & Tron 80
- Status: Last updated December, 2014.
- Crossover with: Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Synopsis: A fusion of the giant bio-mecha action and cast of Neon Genesis Evangelion with the mythos of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. It isn't angels the pilot's fight, but giant Wraiths, servants of the Dark Enemy, Morgoth during the last years before The End of Arda and the birth of something new. Supporting them are a varied cast of cannon Eva and J. R. R. Tolkien characters as well as a host of OCs.
the line where the sky meets the sea by Wannabe Darklord
- Recommended by: Silver Wizard
- Status: Complete
- Crossover with: The Hobbit
- Synopsis: There is no sea-longing within her. Tauriel waits on the shore, trying to find the desire to sail to the West. Instead, she meets someone from an Age long past.
- Recommended by: Silver Wizard
- Status: Complete
- Crossover with: A Song of Ice and Fire
- Synopsis: Wherein we learn the identity of Coldhands (and he's not Benjen Stark). One-shot.
A song of Rings, Tears, and Wrath by Lorithomar
- Recommended by: ArchmarschalVonLowen
- Status: Ongoing
- Crossover with: A Song of Ice and Fire
- Synopsis: When Fëanor and his followers sailed out of Valinor in the pursuit of Morgoth, and Fingolfin and his people crossed the Helcaraxë, both parties emerged onto a much different continent, far to the East, a continent of men, where the heirs of Finwë could forge a new nation. But within this continent, a strange melody, a song, is playing, both of, and not of, Eru's harmony...
The One Who Sings by HaloFin17
- Recommended by: Silver Wizard
- Status: Complete
- Crossover with: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Synopsis: Two lovers of music meet and discover that they have even more in common. Chance encounter between Maglor and a Mermaid. One-shot, not intended as a romance.
- Comments:
Webcomics
- Ainulindale by Evan Palmer
- Recommended by: Ariachus
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Retelling of the first story of The Silmarillion
- Tags: Drama
We also have recommendations for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
