The Silent Thaw/Chapter 11

"I don't expect any cat to believe it. Why would they? And the dead cat's not even dead. He's alive. But I'm still seeing his ghost."

— Rootpaw in The Silent Thaw, page 149

The Silent Thaw
Chapter number:	11 (of 24)
Page numbers:	143-158
Point of View:	Bristlefrost
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter eleven of The Silent Thaw. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 11 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 143-158

Chapter description

As Bristlefrost, Molewhisker, and Finleap escort Rootpaw to ThunderClan's camp, Bristlefrost worries that her Clanmates will think she is responsible for the SkyClan apprentice's appearance. She thinks Rootpaw is nice, but she could never have feelings for him, and she is concerned about how Bramblestar will react to him breaking the code by intruding on ThunderClan territory. As they enter camp, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight stand to attention, and the leader demands to know what is going on.

Bristlefrost explains that she found him on their territory, but doesn't know why he's there. Bramblestar is upset at him breaking the warrior code, and Rootpaw is silent as he seems to be looking and listening for something Bristlefrost can't see. Finally, he turns to stare at Bramblestar and explains that he scented rogues near their territory and wanted to warn ThunderClan after their recent trouble with rogues. He pretends not to remember the name of the group, and Bramblestar doesn't seem to remember, either, to Squirrelflight and Bristlefrost's surprise. Bristlefrost finally reminds him the group was called the Sisters, and Bramblestar glares at Rootpaw, questioning why he needed to intrude on ThunderClan territory to deliver such a message. Molewhisker suggests that Rootpaw is only giving an excuse, and is really there to see Bristlefrost. She denies it, but Rootpaw reluctantly agrees to the accusation. Bristlefrost feels angry and humiliated, and questions why Rootpaw would do such a thing. Squirrelflight encourages her mate to go easy on the young cats for being foolish, and Bristlefrost continues to deny having any involvement with Rootpaw. Bramblestar is still furious, and orders Molewhisker and Finleap to go tell Leafstar to send a patrol to fetch their wayward apprentice. He tells Bristlefrost to watch Rootpaw before storming off.

Bristlefrost questions why Rootpaw came to visit her, and Rootpaw admits he lied, both about coming to visit her and scenting the Sisters. Bristlefrost tries to ignore her disappointment, thinking that it had been nice to think someone liked her after Stemleaf's rejection, even if she didn't share his feelings. Rootpaw seems to apologize to thin air, and Bristlefrost demands to know what's going on. Rootpaw explains he can see dead cats, like his father, and that Bramblestar's ghost had brought him there, though he doesn't expect her to believe it. Bristlefrost is incredulous, but Rootpaw tells her that he trusts her more than any other ThunderClan cat, and he doesn't want the imposter to put ThunderClan in danger. He relays the message that Bramblestar wanted to give to Squirrelflight, hoping that Bristlefrost will pass it on, but she refuses. She's angry, and accuses Rootpaw of trying to ruin her reputation, still not believing his claim. She decides not to listen to him as they settle down to awkwardly wait for a patrol to arrive. Dewspring and Plumwillow come to fetch Rootpaw, and Bramblestar lectures them on how SkyClan ought to control their apprentices, to the warriors' anger and embarrassment. Bristlefrost feels sorry for him, but wishes he would have told her the truth about why he came there.

As evening falls, the Clan begin to eat and talk together, and Squirrelflight speaks with her Clanmates as Bramblestar sleeps. Stemleaf looks reassuringly at Spotfur as she sits alone, and he intercepts Bristlefrost as she goes to eat with her Clanmates, taking her aside. He tells her not to encourage Rootpaw's interest in her, and Bristlefrost protests that she hasn't. She admits that Rootpaw lied about coming to see her, but doesn't want to explain Rootpaw's strange story, so she storms away from Stemleaf when he asks for an explanation. She eats a mouse beside Thriftear and Lilyheart as she wonders if Rootpaw's story would make more sense to Squirrelflight. She decides to tell her deputy about what she heard, and waits from Bramblestar to leave through the dirtplace tunnel before going to speak with Squirrelflight. When Bristlefrost begins to bring up Rootpaw, Squirrelflight tells Bristlefrost to forget about any ideas of a dangerous Cross-Clan relationship, but Bristlefrost explains that Rootpaw wanted her to pass on a message. The gray warrior worries that she sounds crazy as she relays Bramblestar's message. Squirrelflight stares at her for a moment, frozen, before declaring that it's nonsense. She tells Bristlefrost she's glad she told her about it, as it's good to know what is happening in other Clans, but it is clearly a crazy story. She thinks Rootpaw might have believed it, or simply used it as an excuse to speak with Bristlefrost. Bristlefrost feels relieved as she decides not to think about ghosts or Rootpaw any more, and to focus on serving Bramblestar and Squirrelflight to the best of her ability.

Characters

Major

• Bristlefrost
• Rootpaw
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)
• Squirrelflight

Minor

• Molewhisker
• Finleap
• Cloudtail
• Brackenfur
• Fernsong
• Spotfur
• Dewspring
• Plumwillow
• Thornclaw
• Alderheart
• Sparkpelt
• Finchpaw
• Stemleaf
• Thriftear
• Lilyheart
• Flamepaw

Mentioned

• Leafstar
• Moonlight
• Lionblaze
• Tree
• Bramblestar