I remember when I had been reading this the first time, I really liked the introduction of the characters of the small polar bears (I really love the idea of "making night" by throwing the black ink into the fire!).
It also occured to me here - and I am surprised that I haven't thought of it earlier - don't you think Tolkien was really obsessed with fireworks? I mean, from Gandalf, and through all this stuff in FC, I am wondering, why are fireworks such an important theme in all his books? I think the frequency really points to some firework-obsession
Not that it would be anything bad.
But perhaps somebody knows more about it? (Like, if he had ever said that he loves fireworks, or something?)