Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I own Lord of the Rings.
Harry talking through his mind
'Thoughts'
Harry woke up only to smile in amusement. Four small bodies pressed against his own. Only they would decide to nap and use him like a giant teddy bear. He wiggled out of their hold and out of bed. He watched in amusement as they all rolled into the spot Harry had previously been. They snuggled in and cuddled with each other.
"Now that is adorable." He snorted.
He grabbed a book and began to read. He figured that if they didn't leave the room then he wouldn't and therefore he could continue to avoid the elves. He felt that he shouldn't be near them and no one would convince them otherwise. They say that he shouldn't feel guilty but they weren't there. He should have listened to Dobby but he couldn't and he and the others were dead because of it. He was unworthy.
(With Lord Elrond, Strider, and Gandalf)
Gandalf informed the elven lord of what the hobbits told him. Strider had added in what he overheard. Normally they wouldn't but they wanted Harry to feel comfortable here and now they knew it would be impossible and they wanted others to know that Harry wasn't insulting them and have a problem.
"He blames himself then." Elrond realized.
"He does." Gandalf confirmed.
"No wonder he refused to look at me and the other elves. He reminds me of someone else I know who blames themselves for what their ancestors did." He looked pointly at a blushing ranger.
"Poor boy."
"I would like for you to go check on him." The elf ordered his son.
"Of course ada." Strider left.
"What is it with these children and taking on the blame that isn't theirs?" Lord Elrond asked in exasperation.
"They have large hearts." The wizard said.
"I will have to agree with you. I just hope they both realize that they aren't responsible." He said.
"There is always hope." He said.
"That is true. But where there is hope there is also doubt." He pointed out.
"Let's just pray to valor that they see the truth." He said.
"I agree."
(With Strider)
Strider knocked lightly at the door. Someone inside told him to enter so he did. He came upon the sight of the bed and its occupants. The hobbit pile was a new source of amusement to him and he smiled.
He looked around and found Harry curled up in a chair reading or was until Strider entered the room. Now he was looking at Strider and waiting for him to speak.
"Cute." He commented on the hobbit pile.
"Isn't it?" He agreed.
"I came here to inform you that there is a secret council meeting and you are invited to attend." He said.
"Why?" He asked.
"You helped Frodo and could be a voice of reason. Plus Lord Elrond asked you to be there." He said.
"I guess." He shrugged.
"I will see you then." He said.
"See you then."
Strider left the room. He stood outside the door for a bit. He felt for the young istari. Harry was sad and anyone could see he was in pain. He was startled when he heard his birth name.
"Aragorn?" He jumped to find the man who raised him.
"Ada?" He walked over to Elrond.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"He agreed but he just looked so sad and in so much pain." He told the elf who took care of him.
"His story is a sad one." He said.
"Yes, yes it is." He agreed.
"Only time can heal old wounds." He told him.
"True." Aragorn knew that all too well. After all, his own wounds were still healing.
"Let's give him some peace." He suggested.
"Alright." The two left.
(Time skip- Secret Council Meeting)
Many stared at the black wolf. He was laying down in front of Frodo. They didn't know why either were there. Hobbits were creatures who kept to themselves and a wolf was just an animal. It confused many of them.
Shadow on the hand was highly amused. Even though they weren't invited the other hobbits were hiding out of sight but within earshot. If it wasn't for the wolf senses he wouldn't have known they were out there.
'I knew it.' He thought fondly.
"Hello everyone." Gandalf said as he sat down next to Frodo. "Oh, hello Shadow."
Shadow gave a nod. He could smell that Lord Elrond was coming. He closed his eyes to listen to the elven lord talk but not having to look at him or the other elves.
"Good Day everyone." The elves and humans greeted him while the dwarfs scowled and looked like they would rather be elsewhere.
"I know why you are all wondering why you are here." Men and dwarfs began to whisper.
Shadow growled at them all. His green eyes glowed with power. They all went silent and looked at the enraged wolf. Shadow looked at lord Elrond and nodded before he closed his eyes once more.
"Thank you, Shadow. The one ring has been found." He informed them.
This time the elves joined in when the others began to talk. They wondered and tried to figure out who had the ring. Only a few realized that it was the hobbit. It would be the reason why the hobbit was here and not in the shire unless he was like Bilbo Baggins but they doubted that.
"SILENCE!" Gandalf yelled this time.
They all fell silent. Some glared at the wolf when they saw it laugh at them. Frodo on the other hand gripped Shadow tightly. He knew that soon they would all look at him. Shadow could tell how nervous poor Frodo was so he turned and licked his face to reassure him.
"Frodo, bring forth the ring." As soon as the words left the elven lord as one they all looked at the hobbit.
Murmurs broke out as soon as they caught sight of the ring. Shadow could hear a voice in his head and immediately strengthened his mind shields. He then did the same to both Frodo and the other hobbits.
It's okay Frodo. I am blocking it for now. He told the hobbit.
T-thank you. He didn't like the voice.
Not a problem. He said.
What about the others? He asked,
Which ones? Harry snorted. These jerks here or the three hobbits hiding?
Frodo internally laughed. The hobbits.
They're good. He assured him.
Good. He sighed in relief.
Yup!
They were brought out of their mental chat when a red haired man stood up. He had been ranting about using the ring instead of destroying that. He was obviously listening to the voice in his head. The ring was very manipulating. Shadow was just about to snap when Strider interrupted the other man.
"You cannot wield it. None of us can." The red haired man turned and looked at the ranger. "The one ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" No attempt was made to hide the disgust in his voice or on his face.
Well this just got interesting. Shadow said.
Shut up Shadow. Frodo rolled his eyes.
One of the blond elves stood up. "This is no mere ranger." He defended. "He is Aragorn son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Everyone looked at Strider now Aragorn. The disgust was now joined by contempt. Shadow wished that he was more nosier because then he could figure out why but he respected others' privacy so he was forced to stay curious.
"Aragorn? This… is Isildur's heir?" He asked in disbelief.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." The elf continued.
"Havo dad, Legolas." Aragorn said in elvish. (Sit down, Legolas.)
There's why. Shadow thought smugly.
Huh? Frodo looked at the wolf in confusion.
Oh nothing.
Okay.
"Gondor has no king." The man sneered as he looked from Legolas to Aragorn. "Gondor needs no king." He sat back down.
"Aragorn is correct." Gandalf spoke. "We cannot use it."
Lord Elrond stood once more. "You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed."
Shadow looked around. He looked into each of their faces. Some didn't like this idea while some looked thoughtful or determined. He caught Frodo looking at the ring in confusion and fear. The ring must be getting through his magic.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Someone asked.
They watched as a red haired dwarf picked up his axe. Shadow threw up a shield. He ran and swung his axe at the ring. The axe shattered as it hit while the ring remained untouched. The dwarf was thrown back.
No comment on that.
Shush! Frodo groaned.
Are you okay? Shadow asked when he heard the pain in his voice.
I..I don't know. It hurt my head when the axe hit the ring and I saw a glowing red-orange eye. He explained.
Damn. Shadow realized what that meant.
What? He asked.
The ring..I believe it chose you. He told him.
Choose me? His confusion grew.
To use it to return its master. He said.
Uh-oh. He didn't like hearing that.
Exactly. He wasn't too happy about it either.
What do I do? He asked.
I don't know. We will talk about it later with Gandalf and Lord Elrond after the meeting. They know more than me. For now let's pay attention. He said.
Okay.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Glorin." Elrond told him. "By any craft we possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. It can only be destroyed there." He told them all.
No offense but Mount Doom doesn't sound scary. Shadow commented.
No more commentary from you. Frodo thought in amusement.
"It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." He said.
He's a drama queen, huh?
Shut up! His brother was such a pain.
No~
"One of you… must do this." Everyone fell silent, even Shadow.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor." The man from before stated. "It's dark gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep."
Neither does your mouth. Surprisingly it was from Frodo.
So true.
"And a great eye… is ever-watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could do this. It is folly." The man continued.
Well aren't you the life of the party. The wolf said.
Shadow! Frodo snapped.
Legolas stood up angrily. "Did you not hear nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it!" The dwarf from earlier screamed at the elf.
Do their species hate each other? Shadow asked.
Yeah.
Got it.
"And if we fail, then what?" The rude red haired man from earlier stood. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Soon after a fight broke out. Shadow watched as each person besides Frodo, Lord Elrond and himself get pulled in. Even Gandalf entered as he began yelling. His focus went to Frodo as he felt his magic fail and soon Frodo stood.
"I will take it." It was at this moment that Shadow knew that the world was placed on his shoulders. "I will take it!" He said louder and finally gained their attention. "I will take the ring to Mordor." They looked at the hobbit. "Though…. I do not know the way."
"I will help you bear the burden, Frodo Baggins,... as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf said as he moved behind the hobbit.
"By my life or death I can protect you… I will." Aragon vowed before he walked over and knelt down in front of him. "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." Legolas walked over to him.
"And my axe." Gimli followed. He wasn't going to let an elf upstage him and Legolas wasn't pleased.
"You carry the fate of us all little one." Shadow could see that he was actually worried about Frodo. "If this is indeed the will of the council… then Gondor will see it done."
"Hey!" Sam called out. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me." He said standing next to his friend.
"No, indeed it's hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Elrond said in amusement.
Shadow snickered at that. They were attached at the hip and nothing could change that.
Shut up! Both hobbits yelled.
"Hey, we're coming to!" Merry said as both he and Pippin came from their hiding spots. "You'll have to send us home tied in a sack to stop us."
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of… mission, quest, thing." Many were looking at the hobbits in shock. Some looked around to see if anymore would come out.
"Well, that rules you out, Pip." Shadow snorted as Pippin glared at Merry.
"Shadow?" They all looked at the wolf.
He pounced on Frodo and licked his face. You needn't ask.
"Ew get off." Laughter rang out.
"Ten companions. So be it." Elrond said as he stood. "You shall be the fellowship of the ring."
"Great!" Pip exclaimed. "Where are we going?" Merry looked at him in disbelief.