Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I own Lord of the Rings.

Harry talking through his mind

'Thoughts'

The others in the meeting wished the ten good luck before they left. The red haired man sneered at the wolf. He opened his mouth to speak when Shadow shifted to his human form once more. Those who didn't know gaped at the raven haired man.

"I'll go pack. You four come to my room after you are done." He told the hobbits.

"Sure thing Harry." Frodo said.

"Alright." Merry smiled at him.

"Not a problem Harry." Sam said.

"Yup!" Pippin said.

He changed back and left. Three stared at the wolf in shock. Never before had they seen anything like this and they had seen a lot. Legolas looked at Aragon. He didn't look surprised so he knew what had just happened.

"What was that?" He asked.

"An istari with the ability to change into a wolf." The ranger answered.

"We call that Shadow." Pip told them.

"Only when he is in wolf form." Merry continued.

"When he is in human form then he is Harry." Sam commented before the four left.

"I've never seen anything like it before. No istari I know can do that nor have I heard of one doing it." He said in wonder at the new information he had seen.

"That is because he isn't from this world." Gandalf told them. "Just don't mention it to him. He gets depressed and anyone can see the pain he is in whenever it is brought up."

"Can we trust him?" The red haired man asked.

"Yes we can." Surprisingly this came from Gimli. "I can see that he is very loyal and protective of those hobbits."

"We can Boromir." Gandalf agreed.

"I suggest that you all pack. Introductions can take place later." Lord Elrond told them before leaving.

They all agreed and they too left. All but Frodo returned to their rooms. They all began to pack their things. Frodo on the other hand knew that his uncle was here. They had talked earlier but that had been brief. He wanted to see him once more before he left. He informed his uncle what had transpired at the meeting. He included Shadow's comments. His uncle found them amusing. Bilbo then gave his nephew a few things.

"Here's my old sword." He handed it to Frodo. "Take it, take it."

Frodo unsheathed it and inspected it. "It's so light."

"Yes, yeah. Made by the Elves, you know. It glows blue when orcs are close." He informed Frodo. "And it's times like that, my lad, when you have to be extra careful."

Bilbo grabbed the next item. He handed it over to Frodo.

"This pretty thing is mithril. It's as light as a feather and as hard as dragon scales. Let me see you put it on. Come on."

Frodo nodded and began to unbutton his shirt. After a few buttons the ring was revealed. As soon as he caught sight of the ring Bilbo changed.

"Oh. My...my old ring." Frodo looked down then back at his uncle in worry. Frodo heard the change in his uncle's voice. "I-i, I s-should, very much like to hold… it again, one last time."

Frodo began to get worried. He buttoned up his shirt. Unfortunately the hold of the ring over the hobbit was strong and he got angry. His appearance changed.

It looked like his eyes were outlined in black and were very wide. His mouth was opened wide as an unholy scream left it. His tongue was black and his teeth were pointed and rotted. It frightened Frodo and he took a few steps back as he went to grab the ring.

Seeing the fear in his nephew broke the hold the ring had over him and he changed back. He was so ashamed of himself. He covered his face with his hand. He didn't want Frodo to look at him. He groaned as he turned away.

"I'm sorry I brought this upon you, my boy. I'm sorry that you must carry this burden." Regret was heavy in his voice.

Bilbo sat on the bed. He had his back to Frodo.

"I'm sorry for everything." He sobbed.

Frodo walked over to him. He put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Bilbo grabbed his hand quickly, drawing reassurance and comfort. He was happy that he didn't fear him.

"It's alright. I know you didn't mean it."

Bilbo hugged him. "Thank you, my boy. Go pack and get some rest. You need energy for your adventure."

"I will, thanks." He picked up the sword and mithril before leaving.

He packed his things and went to Harry. The others were already there but they were asleep. Harry could see the pain, fear, worry, and distress on his face. He hugged him.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing." The hobbit was quick to answer.

"Frodo?" He could tell it wasn't.

"Really it's nothing." He tried again.

"It's not nothing if it's bothering you." He said.

"I guess. It's just uncle Bilbo turned scary when he saw the ring and then tried to hide it." He finally said.

"I see."

"I thought… I thought…" Frodo began to sob.

Harry brought him into his arms once more. He rubbed soothing circles into his back. Harry whispered soothing words into his ear until he calmed down.

"It wasn't really him. It's the ring's influence. Despite it not being in his possession it still poisons him." The wizard explained.

"I thought so." He said.

"It wasn't him." Harry reassured.

"I know."

"I know you do."

"It still...well…"

"You feel hurt and betrayed." The green eyed wizard answered for him.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"I'm sorry." He looked at his brother sadly.

"I know."

"Are you packed?" He asked.

"Yeah." He confirmed.

"Then let me spell it to be weightless before we go to bed." He said.

"Okay."

"Good."

Frodo gave his backpack to Harry. He spelled it to be both weightless and bottomless. He knew that they might add things later. He put it with the rest of the backpacks. Frodo and him went to bed.

Frodo cuddled into Harry. He had truly become an older brother to him. Harry smiled before they both fell asleep.

(Morning)

Harry woke first. He shrunk his bag before he shifted. He internally laughed as he lunged onto the bed. He startled the four hobbits awake.

"SHADOW!" They screamed only for Shadow to lick them.

Yes? He asked before shifting.

"Not nice Harry." Frodo pouted.

"But so funny." He told them with a grin.

"No it's not." They all said.

"Is for me." He said as his grin widened.

"Mean." Sam said.

"I know."

They glared as they sat up. Harry shifted to a wolf once more. They grabbed their things and left the room.

"Are you five ready?" Gandalf asked as he saw them.

"Yes." Frodo answered first.

"We are." Sam said two seconds after Frodo as the other two nodded,

Shadow nodded his head as he walked ahead of Frodo. Anyone who saw them could tell he was guarding the hobbits.

"Good morning." Aragorn greeted as he entered the room.

"Morning." They greeted back.

"I'm here." Boromir told them.

Shut up, you arse. Shadow groaned at the arrogant tone.

"SHADOW!" The hobbits suddenly yelled at the wolf.

What? He tilted his head in mock confusion.

"Huh?" The others looked at them in confusion.

"Be nice." Frodo told him.

Sam lectured. "No swearing."

Shadow stuck his tongue out. He ignored the hobbits. The man was an arse.

"Can you understand him?" Aragorn asked. "I mean while he is in his wolf form."

"Yes." Merry answered. "He used his magic to create a telepathic bond between us."

"Really?" He asked in wonder.

"Yes." He confirmed.

"Amazing." He said.

"May I ask why you yelled at him?" Legolas asked.

"Harry called Boromir an arse." Merry told them with a smirk.

"EXCUSE ME!?" The man yelled.

There's an excuse for you? Color me surprised.

"Really Shadow?" Frodo groaned as the other Hobbits chuckled.

What? He asked innocently.

"What?" Boromir growled.

"Nothing." They all replied quickly since they wanted to leave and not witness Shadow killing Boromir.

"You're lying!" He yelled.

"Are we ready?" Merry asked as he ignored the man.

"Yes." The group, minus Boromir, said.

"Put your nose to work, Shadow!" Merry ordered. He wanted to make sure no more wraiths were around.

Really?

"Yes really." He smiled at the wolf.

I love you Merry. Shadow said fondly.

"I love you too. So?" He asked.

There are no wraiths. He confirmed.

"Good."

Shadow changed and hugged Merry. "I know that what happened scared you and I know that you are scared it will happen again. Hopefully I won't get stabbed again."

"Hopefully?" He didn't like that.

"I can't make that promise." He knew there was still a chance.

"Oh."

"Just know that I love you." He said.

"I will." He felt a little better.

"Good."

"How touching." Boromir sneered.

Harry glared. "Oh go fuck yourself." He hissed before sending a stinging hex to his groin.

Boromir gasped in pain. He fell to his knees in tears. He held his crotch in pain. Never before had he felt pain like this. It was horrible.

"Fucking, self-centered, arsehole!" He snarled before shifting.

The hobbits laughed at the scene before them. Anyone who dared to sneer, look down on, or were rude to them, he would swear at the person and curse them. Boromir wasn't someone Shadow liked and his attitude towards Merry didn't help. Boromir better watch himself or else.

"Shadow?"

Yes Frodo?

"Should you make a temporary bond with them? That way they can understand you without us translating." He suggested.

I suppose. That arsehole isn't getting one unless I forgive him. I doubt it. He really didn't like the man and unless his attitude changed he wasn't going to.

"I understand." Frodo grinned. "You would torture Boromir if you did."

Hmm. Shadow looked at Frodo thoughtfully. That is a good idea.

"No! Bad Shadow!" He scolded.

'Woof."

"You are impossible!" He glared.

Thank you.

"Ugh!" He groaned.

The rest of the group were torn. They were amused yet worried. What he did to Boromir was funny and so was the one part of the conversation they could hear. But they were worried about how the group would function with the two in it.

"Sh-shadow?" Boromir asked in pain.

What? Shadow asked in a cold tone.

"He asked what." Sam replied.

"I want to apologize to both you and Merry." He replied. "I shouldn't have been so rude. You were comforting your friend who was worried for you. I'm really sorry for my actions."

"I forgive you." Merry said after a bit.

"Thank you. I'll try to watch myself in the future." The red haired man said.

You better. I forgive you this time and that is it. Shadow still didn't like him.

Merry repeated. "I understand."

Good.

"The bond?" Frodo asked as he broke the glare Shadow pinned on the nervous redhead.

Right.

Shadow shifted once more. "Would it be alright if I create a bond so that you can understand me while I am in my animagus form."

"Why not stay in human form?" Legolas asked in confusion.

Harry focused his attention on the ground. "My senses are better in that form."

"Oh." He was curious as to why the black haired Istari refused to look at him. "Yes it will be alright for you to form a telepathic bond."

"I agree." Gandalf said excitedly.

"Of course." Aragorn replied.

"I don't have a problem." Gimli agreed.

"Sure."

"Great." He used his hands and made a motion as he did the spell. "Now to see if it worked." He shifted.

Can you hear me? He asked.

"I can." Gimli replied in awe.

Legolas spoke up next. "I heard you."

"So did I." Aragorn responded.

"Amazing." Gandalf smiled in wonder and excitement.

"I heard you also." Boromir said.

Good. Let's go then.