H:H status report 2

I believe the interview with Moody has been successfully handled, though of course my beta readers may beg to differ. I've sent them the latest bit for Moody-checking; I read what I could of his stuff in OotP last night. Still don't know where my copy of Goblet of Fire is.

Up next: Snape's turn to interrogate John. woo!

Cor blimey, not another one.

Ecthelion watched the warrior go from his halls, then glanced sidelong at the Citadel guardsman beside his chair. "What think you of this 'Thorongil', hmm?"
Eradan, who was a more suspicious man by nature than the Steward, said nothing. His eyes were fixed instead on the great black doors, and his lips moved silently. Ecthelion arched an eyebrow, fingers drumming lightly on the marble arm-rest.
At last, Eradan's voice became audible. "... fourteen... fifteen." With that, he turned to face Ecthelion full-on. "Frankly, sir? Wouldn't trust the bas- the fellow farther than I could throw him. He's hiding more secrets than the cats of Queen Beruthiel ever hunted out, or I'm not a Vimes."
Ecthelion nodded. "A pawn, then, do you think?"
Eradan shrugged. "Maybe," he said. "Maybe not. Maybe just playing his own game- I've only just met the man."
"I see." The Steward's eyes went to the doors again. "He comes at a fortuitous time, but oft help unlooked-for is more dangerous than no help at all. . ."
Eradan said nothing, but fell to fiddling with the silver edging on one black sleeve.
"He may stay," Ecthelion decided at last. "Under your watchful eye, of course."
"Naturally," Eradan agreed, and though his face showed none of it there was a hint of something pleased in his voice.

*sigh*