#teitho

There are so many ways to approach this challenge—will you use a first chapter from one of Tolkien’s works for inspiration? Or will you choose a story’s beginning and take it in a different direction, choose a new perspective, a fresh viewpoint, alter one small detail and see how that changes the story?

Or perhaps back to the start will mean traveling back in the history of Middle-earth?

Or starting a familiar story in a different place.

Back to the start could also be revisiting a friendship, returning to a familiar place, tracing one’s steps back while on a journey, or even running into a time loop that keeps circling back!

As we start the new year we can’t wait to see where you start your story for this challenge!

Please submit by February 28, 2026 to [email protected]

Your teitho mods,

Sian22, Lotrfan, and Cassie

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types, The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: OMC, OFC, Elboron, Tom Bombadil, Círdan, Eldarion (Tolkien), Mystery Character, Maglor Summary:

Is there forgiveness in the world? So we all hold and hope, journeying shadowed, unfamiliar paths. But sometimes, just sometimes, new doors open once again.

A little mystery about a precious stone... -------------------- The world that was is myth. Cathedrals are the new religion. Or internet. Or tv. The small island has lost a part of its deep mystery long after cathedrals of trees began to sprout through the once great hall’s foundation, and puppets, rulers vastly more modest than the Steward’s line now sit on short chairs and pretend they wield honour as of old.

A name comes back. Annuminas.

Summary: A young rider of the Mark shows his quality.

She did not know what she'd asked of me. Not fully. And I have no intention of telling her.

She is the sister of the marshal I serve, a man I also consider a friend, and either point puts her strictly off limits. As I have reminded myself every time I have seen her for the last four years, since I first saw that the girl I had played with in Aldburg had become a beautiful young woman.

Even putting aside my friendship with Éomer, she is a lady, sister-daughter to the king himself. And I know well what I am; the youngest son of a simple rider, with nothing but my sword to my name. Even that sword is a hand-me-down from my grandfather.

It is impossible.

My latest fic, written for the Teitho prompt Songs.

Beren comes to Nargothrond and Finrod's Oath is awakened. Finrod accompanies Beren to retrieve a Silmaril and is captured, along with his companions. His encounter with Sauron in Tol-in-Gaurhoth leads to an epic battle of will and skill in Songs of Power.

Will you go back to the very beginning with the heartbreak of Melkor’s discord during the creation?

Or will you take us to the time of Miriel and Finwë? Fëanor’s heartbreak at the loss of his mother?And later his father’s death? Or the loss of the Silmarils themselves, that led to so much heartbreak for so many?

The kinslaying. The ship burning. The Helcaraxë. Battle after battle. Betrayal. The heartbreak of The Oath itself.

The death of Fingolfin. Fingon. Finrod. The sons of Fëanor, one after another. The heartbreak of those left behind: Maglor, Galadriel, Elrond.

The tragedy of the House of Hurin.

Or will you come to the time of Celebrimbor—the glory of Eregion and Khazad-Dûm and the devastation that followed? The Last Alliance?

The travails of Frodo. The lonely travels of Aragorn. The heavy weight of duty straining the hearts of both Boromir and Faramir. Eowyn’s heartbreak in Edoras.

The doomed love stories that are woven into Tolkien’s books—Turin, Finduilas, Gwindor, to name a few.

Heartbreak can be so many things—with love, with loss, with changes that shift our entire world. But heartbreak can also be in the small moments—for a child, a parent, a friend, a comrade. It can be momentary or span years. Or even lifetimes.

Will you break our hearts with your stories and art this time? Or will you find a way to heal the heartbreak and find the hope that can endure and persist?

We can’t wait to see what you do with this prompt!

Submissions are due May 31, 2026. Please send them to [email protected]

Your teitho mods

Sian22, Lotrfan, and Cassie.

That brings us to our November/December prompt: FEAST

Feasts feature greatly in Middle-earth—from Hobbit harvest feasts, to feasts under the stars in the Woodland Realm. Feasts on the eve of battle in Rohan or feasts of welcome in Rivendell. A feast to celebrate Fingolfin’s ascension in Beleriand or feasts under the light of the Two Trees in Valinor. Even stewed rabbit can be a feast under the right circumstances!

Food and drink. Celebration and good cheer. Solemn gatherings and councils.

You can write about the celebrations in the Shire, Mirkwood, Rivendell, or Minas Tirith (and we’re sure even the Rangers found some reasons to celebrate in the wild as well). Or take us back to Beleriand for feasts with Azaghâl and Maedhros, Beor and Finrod, the hidden realm of Melianand Thingol. Or further back—to Finwë and Fëanor in Tirion.

Feasts bring people together—family, friends, acquaintances, allies, and even adversaries. We wish you happy writing, and merry celebrations in these holiday months. We can’t wait to feast our eyes on your submissions for this challenge!

Please submit your art or story to [email protected] by December 31st 2025

Cheers!

Your teitho mods

Sian22, Lotrfan, and Cassie

Rain figures in many of Tolkien’s narratives. It can slow down an adventure, bring an unexpected need for shelter, or lead to challenges finding shelter.

Rain can nourish crops, provide needed water, alter terrain and visibility. It can put out fires.

Rain can physically wash things away but metaphorically as well.

Rain can be a backdrop to a cozy afternoon at home. It can be a joyous reprieve in the midst of drought.

And rain can also have meanings that have nothing to do with water—a rain of arrows, for example.

How will you weave rain into your stories or art? We can’t wait to see!

Please submit to [email protected] by April 30th 2026

Your teitho mods

Sian22, Lotrfan and Cassie