# Sun-beam — The Roots of the Mountains character guide > Sun-beam in The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sun - beam, the Sun - beam **First appearance:** 0001-the-roots-of-the-mountains ## Snapshot A woman of Shadowy Vale, noble and once a chieftain among her folk, whose beauty and inward majesty have long overawed the heart of Face-of-god. ## Who they are Sun-beam comes from Shadowy Vale, of lineage that once wielded power, and she has spent years striving toward a dream now fulfilled in the fair life of Silverdale. Leaving that Dale wrings her, yet she resolves to take up again the life of a stirring woman and swayer of the Folk in Burgdale, her sorrow tempered by hope and foresight. Her bond with Face-of-god and her hard-won calm make her a center of gravity in the story's middle movement, where love, grief, and leadership meet. ## In the story ### [Of Burgstead and Its Folk and Its Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/i-of-burgstead-and-its-folk-and-its-neighbours) Mentioned in passing as part of the folk. ### [Face-of-God Falls in with Menfolk on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/v-face-of-god-falls-in-with-menfolk-on-the-mountain) A tall woman who strikes her brother to save Face-of-god, then invites him to be a guest. ### [Of Face-of-God and Those Mountain-Dwellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vi-of-face-of-god-and-those-mountain-dwellers) The Friend is the fair woman who welcomes Face-of-god; she is later called the Friend. ### [VII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-on-the-mountain) Revealed as the Friend; she is left alone, dressed in splendid attire, and discloses her past disguise as a dark-skinned queen at Burgstead market. ### [XVII: The Token Cometh from the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xvii-the-token-cometh-from-the-mountain) Implied as the sender of the token; the Woman of the Mountain who arranged the message. ### [XVIII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xviii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-in-shadowy-vale) The Friend, who welcomes Face-of-god, shows him the Wolf-carving, and tests his spear-throwing skill. ### [XIX: The Fair Woman Telleth Face-of-God of Her Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xix-the-fair-woman-telleth-face-of-god-of-her-kindred) The Friend tells the history of her kindred, including her childhood, the invasion of Silverdale, and the flight to Shadowy Vale. ### [XX: Those Two Together Hold the Ring of the Earth-God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xx-those-two-together-hold-the-ring-of-the-earth-god) Engages in a deep emotional exchange with Face-of-god, revealing her conflicted feelings and her commitment to her people. ### [Face-of-God Looketh on the Dusky Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxi-face-of-god-looketh-on-the-dusky-men) Brings milk to Face-of-god, walks with him through the outgate, speaks of peaceful times, and is forced to the ground during the ambush. ### [XXIV: Face-of-God Giveth That Token to the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiv-face-of-god-giveth-that-token-to-the-bride) Mentioned as the Mountain-Woman who sent the ring and message; Face-of-god longs to see her again at the spring market. ### [XXXII: The Men of Shadowy Vale Come to the Spring Market at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxii-the-men-of-shadowy-vale-come-to-the-spring-market-at-burgstead) Arrives with the strangers from Shadowy Vale, noted as one of the guests welcomed by the Alderman. ### [The Alderman Gives Gifts to Them of Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-alderman-gives-gifts-to-them-of-shadowy-vale) Sits at the left hand of the Alderman, receives a golden girdle and speaks gently to Iron-face about her love for Face-of-god. ### [XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-chieftains-take-counsel-in-the-hall-of-the-face) Wise woman of the Wolf; advises leaving no able men behind and keeping all blades for the main stroke; praised by Iron-face for her hard thinking. ### [Face-of-God Talketh with the Sun-Beam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxv-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-sun-beam) Walks barefoot in the meadow with Face-of-god, expresses her love and fear for him, and reflects on her past wisdom and present joy. ### [Folk-Might Speaketh with the Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvi-folk-might-speaketh-with-the-bride) Mentioned as having blessed footprints with Face-of-god. ### [Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-the-folk-mote-of-the-dalesmen-the-shepherd-folk-and-the-woodland-carles-the-banner-of-the-wolf-displayed) Led by Folk-might, she flushes, weeps with passion at the banner's unveiling. ### [Of the Hosting in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xl-of-the-hosting-in-shadowy-vale) Welcomes the Woodlanders with kindness, leads them to the tents, and serves at the feast. ### [The Host Departeth from Shadowy Vale: The First Day’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xli-the-host-departeth-from-shadowy-vale-the-first-day-s-journey) Follows her brother Folk-might and Face-of-god among the Warriors of the Wolf. ### [The Host Cometh to the Edges of Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlii-the-host-cometh-to-the-edges-of-silverdale) Wears a hauberk and sword, her heart high and speech merry; she takes Face-of-god's hand and asks if he sees the distant mountains. ### [XLIII: Face-of-God Looketh on Silverdale: The Bowmen’s Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliii-face-of-god-looketh-on-silverdale-the-bowmen-s-battle) Remains awake and anxious, watches for Face-of-god's return, and shares a tender moment with him. ### [XLV: Of Face-of-God’s Onslaught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlv-of-face-of-god-s-onslaught) Mentioned as having been sent away with Folk-might for safety from the most perilous part of the battle. ### [XLVII: The Kindreds Win the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlvii-the-kindreds-win-the-mote-house) Led into the Hall by Stone-face and Bow-may, pale but with gleaming eyes after the battle's climax. ### [Men Sing in the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlviii-men-sing-in-the-mote-house) Held by Folk-might's hand; speaks tenderly with Face-of-god about their love and the future. ### [Of the Word Which Hall-Ward of the Steer Had for Folk-Might](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liii-of-the-word-which-hall-ward-of-the-steer-had-for-folk-might) Given as a bride to the House of the Steer; requests Bow-may and the sons of Wood-father as her companions. ### [LV: Departure from Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lv-departure-from-silverdale) Struggles with leaving Silverdale but finds calm and hope, reflecting on her role in the new peace and her future in Burgdale. ### [Talk Upon the Wildwood Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lvi-talk-upon-the-wildwood-way) Talks with Face-of-god about the long road and the many troubles that will hinder their return to Silverdale. ### [How the Host Came Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lvii-how-the-host-came-home-again) Returns with the Host and parts with Face-of-god at the door of the House of the Face, going to the House of the Steer. ### [How the Maiden Ward Was Held in Burgdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lviii-how-the-maiden-ward-was-held-in-burgdale) Participates in the Maiden Ward as a bride, remains calm and quiet throughout the day, and is claimed by Face-of-god at dusk. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters/sun_beam - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/characters