Commander Root

The LEP commander who balances military duty with the reality of a changing universe.

Commander Julius Root is the commanding officer of the Lower Elements Police (LEP), the primary law enforcement agency for the fairy civilization residing in Haven City. He serves as the direct superior to reconnaissance officer Holly Short, whom he dispatches to retrieve the Book from Fowl Manor only after Artemis Fowl II contacts the LEP and demands a ransom. Root is a central figure in the conflict over the Book, a sacred text that contains the fairy's magical secrets. His leadership is tested when rogue elements within his own ranks, specifically Lieutenant Briar Cudgeon, attempt to seize command by releasing a captured troll into Fowl Manor to create chaos, while Root fights to protect both the LEP's integrity and the safety of the surface world from threats like Opal Koboi.

Lore & Background

Root commands the LEPrecon force from Haven City, an underground civilization located deep within the Earth's core. His tenure is marked by high-stakes operations involving the recovery of stolen artifacts and the containment of magical threats. In the specific events detailed in the source, Root sends Holly Short to retrieve the Book from Fowl Manor only after Artemis Fowl II contacts the LEP and demands a ransom, not immediately upon learning of the theft. When an unauthorized creature reaches the surface, Root assigns Holly Short to investigate as a routine assignment; her father's death in a cave-in is not a factor in this decision. During the operation, the captured troll is released into Fowl Manor by Lieutenant Briar Cudgeon as part of his mutiny plan to create chaos and seize command, not by Root. Cudgeon's mutiny is directly related to the troll incident. Magic interference during the conflict is caused by Artemis Fowl II's jamming technology, not by the Book or Cudgeon's command seizure.

Reader's Guide

Commander Root operates under strict fairy rules, which he invokes when Artemis forbids fairies from entering his home while he is alive; this binding forces Root to negotiate rather than storm the manor. He utilizes Mulch Diggums as an infiltrator due to Mulch's ability to tunnel, demonstrating a pragmatic approach to problem-solving that overrides standard protocol. His leadership style shifts from rigid command to strategic delegation when Cudgeon usurps his position, requiring him to work alongside former adversaries like Artemis and Holly. Root's role culminates in the restoration of order within Haven City, where he accepts the Aculos back and tasks Holly with dismantling Koboi's network, proving that while he values protocol, he prioritizes the survival of fairy society above all else.

Did You Know?

Commander Julius Root is portrayed by Judi Dench in the 2020 film adaptation, though the character is female in that version.
To infiltrate Fowl Manor, Mulch Diggums is recruited by Holly Short and Foaly; Root is initially unaware of the plan and does not arrange Mulch's involvement.
After regaining command, Root directs Holly to investigate every name on a list of Opal Koboi's accomplices provided by Artemis Fowl II.