In My End Is My Beginning by Lilith

The Rocket

Prompt: Whistler’s Nocturne in Black and Gold

Bilbo and Arwen watch the celebrations in Rivendell after the destruction of the Ring.

 

Bilbo watched as the small rocket lifted and then exploded into the night sky. Brilliant golden sparks descended past the balconies of Rivendell down to the the river below. These had hardly fallen before another blossomed into the sky and began its slow, lazy fall to the earth. These were not as elaborate as those Gandalf had brought to his infamous birthday party; they had, of course, been made in a very impromptu manner from the ordinance, both based upon designs from the Elven Smiths of Hollin and, perhaps Bilbo thought, with advice from a renegade Maia come to lend aid and take everything in return.

“You should be happy, lady,” he said softly to his companion, tall and more beautiful than the fireworks in the night sky. He thought he saw but did not want to draw attention to the tear that might be falling down her face.

“I am,” Arwen said. “I am. It is that for which I have hoped and dreamed despite the growing dark. But I cannot help but grieve, if only for a little while, for all the beauty that must pass too