Rootspring/PR

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This page contains Rootspring's personality and relationships. It contains conjecture due to being based off of general novel themes, and all statements must be sourced.

Personality

«He didn't want to be strange like Tree. It was bad enough being Tree's son and having his Clanmates treat him like the kit of a five-legged squirrel. He just wanted to be like his denmates—a normal warrior, with normal warrior kin.»

—Rootpaw's thoughts after seeing Bramblestar's ghost ^{The Silent Thaw, page 6}

Rootspring is a very sensitive cat; he often feels embarrassed about his past mistakes and wishes he wasn't so easily affected by other cat's opinions of him. Due to his father's unorthodox nature, Rootspring feels he has to prove his place in SkyClan as a true warrior, and is overjoyed whenever earning the respect of his Clan.

Relationships

Bristlefrost

"But you're one of the greatest cats I've ever met. You saved my life when my own Clanmates were too scared even to try […] you'll be one of the warriors who gets your Clan back on its paws. I'm sure of it."

―Rootpaw encouraging Bristlefrost ^{Lost Stars, pages 185-186}

Rootpaw and Bristlefrost first meet when the ThunderClan she-cat, then an apprentice named Bristlepaw, saves him from drowning in the lake. He is nursed back to health in ThunderClan, visited often by Bristlepaw. He admires her bravery, feeling her strength and courage inspiring him to recover. Wishing to repay her, Rootpaw is granted permission from Leafstar to bring Bristlepaw a vole. However, she is embarrassed by his gesture and tries to refuse, ultimately accepting it for the elders. Afterward, Rootpaw fears his Clan has lost respect for him and knows of his feelings for her. When the two meet again, Bristlefrost, now a warrior, apologizes for her negative reaction and asks for his forgiveness. They reconcile, and Rootpaw praises her for being a wonderful warrior, comforting the she-cat after her failed romance with Stemleaf, which Rootpaw remains unaware of.

When Rootpaw begins to show more interest in Bristlefrost and sneaks into ThunderClan to see her, Bristlefrost is annoyed at him for tarnishing her reputation. Unbeknownst to her, Rootpaw was using seeing her as an excuse to deliver a message to Squirrelflight from Bramblestar's ghost. At first, Bristlefrost doesn't believe him that her leader is an impostor, but when she discovers the truth, she decides to help Rootpaw in ousting the impostor and restoring Bramblestar as leader of ThunderClan.

Later, Rootspring reveals that he still has feelings for her, and Bristlefrost replies that she does too. Rootspring is excited when Squirrelflight announces that Bristlefrost will go on the expedition, realizing that they can spend so much time together. The two go on a journey together, and they bond, realizing that they won't see each other as consistently anymore. With influence from Sunrise, Rootspring confesses his love for Bristlefrost. Bristlefrost does the same, but asks how they will ever be [Mates|mates]]. Rootspring states that he could come to ThunderClan, or Bristlefrost could come to SkyClan, but it didn't matter which. Bristlefrost replies that it does matter to him, and that she can't leave ThunderClan. Rootspring concedes that he will think about leaving SkyClan, but ultimately decides not to.

At ShadowClan's camp, Rootspring spots Bristlefrost, hoping that he could tell her that he saw Squirrelflight being kidnapped by Ashfur. After Tigerstar and Lionblaze continue to argue, Rootspring steps up, commanding the Clan cats to listen to him. Spotting the faith in Bristlefrost's eyes, Rootspring is encouraged to tell the Clans about his encounter with Squirrelflight and Ashfur at the Moonpool. He brings a silence to the gathered cats as the SkyClan warrior glances at Bristlefrost, whose gaze shows the warmth in her eyes. Now at the Moonpool, Rootspring confides in Bristlefrost that he has tried to connect with the earth and try to use the Sisters' powers to locate Squirrelflight, although no success has come yet. Rootspring states that he went into the Moonpool when Ashfur had kidnapped Squirrelflight but he had found nothing. Upon getting admiring glances from the other medicine cats, Bristlefrost whispers to him that his actions were brave, and the yellow tom blinks in surprise. Seeing Willowshine about to enter the Dark Forest, Rootspring wonders to Bristlefrost if they should stop her, but Bristlefrost points out that it is too late. Graystripe takes a patrol to SkyClan which includes Bristlefrost. Rootspring notes that everytime he sees Bristlefrost, he is happy, but he is sad in the fact that he knows they could never be together as neither of them could leave their Clan. The SkyClan warrior remembered that he had relished the journey to the Moonpool with Bristlefrost. Sitting beside the pale gray she-cat, Rootspring says that he would be really scared if he had to venture into the Dark Forest alone, acknowledging the fact that if a cat were to become injured in the Place of No Stars, then they become injured in real life. While being dragged into the Moonpool, Rootsprings spots Bristlefrost's wide eyes staring at him in the water.

Still trapped in the Dark Forest, Rootspring, thinking he is about to die, thinks about Bristlefrost, how she had saved him from drowning in the lake, and he is overcome with grief, knowing that he will never be able to see her again. The SkyClan warrior spots a pale gray pelt he identifies as Bristlefrost's, and he first thinks he is hallucinating, but the images don't fade as Bristlefrost charges towards him. Rootspring realizes that she is real, and he notes that neither him nor Bristlefrost are going to die there. Spotting the ThunderClan warrior in trouble, Rootspring hurries over to her aid as a mottled tom claws her ear. Shadowsight manages to loosen Ashfur's concentration over his spirit cats, meaning the trio is able to escape. Rootspring shakes out his pelt as he sniffs Bristlefrost, hoping to not find a wound. As they are found by Ashfur and his allies, Shadowsight acts as a decoy, allowing Rootspring and Bristlefrost to escape into the shadows together.

Bristlefrost, Rootspring, and Shadowsight reconvene as they discuss plans to get out of the situation they are in. On the journey to the barrier between the Dark Forest and StarClan, Rootspring confides in Bristlefrost that he thought he was going to die, telling her that all he could think of was her and not being able to see her again. Bristlefrost acknowledges that she got there just in time, and asks about the SkyClan warrior's scratches, but the yellow tom says that they are fine. The pair talk to Stemleaf about their relationship, stating that although they love each other, they had chosen their Clans above each other. Surprised, Stemleaf states that he would've given up his Clan to be with Spotfur if the latter was from a different Clan, citing that although Clans have an abundant amount of warriors, one only loves one cat.

Tree

"This is why you should be your own cat. Like it or not, you have a different ancestry from most other young cats in SkyClan. The way of the warrior is not the only way, and you should be grateful for the chance to see that. There's more to life than fighting and showing yourself off as a strong cat. It's not always about who is the biggest and bravest."

―Tree giving advice to Rootpaw ^{Lost Stars, page 60}

Tree is Rootpaw's father. He is often embarrassed by his father's foreignness to Clan customs and feels Tree is content not to belong. Tree wishes his son would be his own cat and not be too obedient towards his mentor, leading Rootpaw to wonder why, with his strong opinions on Clan life, Tree had stayed with the Clans for so long. Though Rootpaw feels guilty about it, he sometimes wishes he had a different cat for a father. He worries that other cats think he'll turn out strange like his father; however, he is impressed by his father's strange method of pretending to be a bush to catch prey.

When Rootpaw begins to be visited by Bramblestar's ghost, he seeks help from Tree, and is very touched when his father believes and comforts him. Tree helps Rootpaw by pretending to be the one talking to and summoning the ghost so that Rootpaw does not have to reveal that he can see it, and Rootpaw gains a better understanding of his father. Later, Rootspring thanks Tree for helping him by telling the other cats that he could see Bramblestar's ghost instead of Rootspring. Tree replies that any father would do that. When Tree finds out that Rootspring is going on a patrol to show Graystripe what had happened at the Moonpool, the mediator decides to tag along with him.

Brambleclaw

Bramblestar: "Speak up! Say something! You can't let this happen! Whoever's in my body up there, this is just the start. He’s going to destroy the Clans! He'll turn the Clans against one another, and then he'll turn each Clan against itself. Some cat has to speak out!"

Rootpaw: "Shut up!"

^{The Silent Thaw, page 183}

Since Rootpaw is the only one who can see Bramblestar's ghost, Bramblestar often begs Rootpaw to help him get back to his body. Rootpaw is frightened by the ghost, and tries to avoid it. However, when he does not go away, Rootpaw realizes that he has to do something to help it. He agrees to take a message to Squirrelflight, and is helped by Tree in revealing the ghost to Tigerstar and ShadowClan. Rootpaw and Tree are now trying to reinstate Bramblestar as ThunderClan's leader and oust the impostor.

When the leaders discuss what to do when they learn about Rootspring and Tree's encounter with Cheddar, Tigerstar suggests killing Ashfur. After some arguing back and forth, Rootspring pleads the leaders to not give up on him, as Bramblestar did not give up on Rootspring until he admitted that he could see the ghost. This convinces the leaders to send a patrol to find the Sisters for advice.

Needleclaw

"You should try not to worry what your Clanmates think. If you're true to yourself, you'll prove them all wrong."

―Needlepaw comforting Rootpaw ^{Lost Stars, pages 64-65}

Needlepaw is Rootpaw's sister, and the two have a positive relationship; he is playful with her during training sessions, but feels shameful when his sister learns quicker than him. She encourages her brother and urges him not to listen to Kitepaw and Turtlepaw's teasing. Needlepaw compels her brother to confide in her when Kitepaw teases him about being Tree's son, reminding him that their father holds a special job as mediator. While Rootpaw knows she is right in saying not to care about what their Clanmates think and to stay true to himself, he doubts his problems will go away that simply. When Rootpaw begins to act weird and seems to be talking to someone who isn't there, Needlepaw tries to get her brother to confide in her, but Rootpaw does not tell her. Later, Needleclaw repetitively berates Rootspring for showing affection to Bristlefrost, but Rootspring holds his ground, to Needleclaw's annoyance.

Dewspring

"I was beginning to think he'd always be disappointed in me."

―Rootpaw about Dewspring ^{Lost Stars, page 96}

Dewspring is appointed as Rootpaw's mentor, though because the apprentice does not start his training on a high note, Rootpaw fears Dewspring will always be disappointed in him. Dewspring believes Rootpaw is smarter than to fall for Kitepaw and Turtlepaw's teasing, and is further frustrated with his apprentice when Rootpaw fails to recite simple aspects of the warrior code. However, he praises his apprentice when he began to excel as a hunter, and watches happily when Rootpaw learns from his past mistakes in battle training.

When Rootpaw's interest in Bristlefrost and his constant distraction by Bramblestar's ghost begins to interfere with his training, Dewspring is confused and disappointed that he has to delay his apprentice’s warrior ceremony because of this. He tries to convince Rootpaw not to be interested in Bristlefrost, and even talks to Leafstar about these recent developments in Rootpaw's training. In the Dark Forest, as Rootspring is trapped by a wall of Ashfur's spirit cats, he remembers Dewspring's advice about finding the weakest part and breaking through. He shoves Dappletuft aside as he takes advantage of the former RiverClan warrior's limp.

Violetshine

«Violetshine was pretty normal, he supposed, always calm and collected — except over Needletail.»

—Rootpaw thinking about his mother ^{Lost Stars, page 276}

Violetshine is Rootpaw's mother. She is proud when her kits are apprenticed and acts lovingly towards her son when he shows skill as a hunter. Rootpaw considers his mother normal, but notes that she refuses to tell them about Needletail. When the codebreakers are being called out, Violetshine warns Rootpaw to stop seeing Bristlefrost, not wanting to him be punished too. Rootpaw agrees, but isn't sure he can keep the promise.

Kitescratch and Turtlecrawl

"You should know better than to attack us. We're older than you, and better fighters. And don't lash out at as just because Kitepaw is right. Maybe you should go be weird somewhere else!"

―Turtlepaw to Rootpaw ^{Lost Stars, page 25}

When Rootpaw is first apprenticed, Kitepaw and Turtlepaw often tease him about his father, and on one occasion, cause the apprentice to fall into the lake. While Bristlepaw insists that he shouldn't listen to their teasing, Rootpaw feels guilty that the two apprentices have been punished, blaming himself in part for the accident. Kitepaw is angry when confronted about by Rootpaw, calling him foolish and comparing him to his father, but Turtlepaw tries to be pleasant. Rootpaw offers to share his catch with them in an attempt to make amends, which they accept. Turtlepaw comforts Rootpaw's fears about disappointing Dewspring, and Kitepaw admits to Rootpaw that he was impressed when Rootpaw stood up to their teasing. Later, Kitescratch and Turtlecrawl eavesdrop on a conversation involving important cats, and they tell Rootspring how they think his abilities are cool, and that they should take action. Rootspring rejects them, telling them that he has to sit vigil, and that they are only a handful of cats against a whole Clan. Kitescratch, Turtlecrawl, and Rootspring are all sitting close together at the Gathering after the battle against Ashfur. Bramblestar announces Rootspring to be a Light in the Mist, and the SkyClan warrior gets admiring glances from both Kitescratch and Turtlecrawl. A few moments later, Kitescratch sympathetically comments that he had no idea that Rootspring had so much love for Bristlefrost.