Álfröðull is a term and common kenning in Norse mythology

Norse mythology

Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...

. It is ambiguous, referring both to the rider (the sun herself) and to the sun-chariot of the sun goddess Sól. Álfröðull is pulled by two horses, Árvakr and Alsviðr. The chariot is pursued by the wolf Sköll

Skoll

In Norse mythology, Sköll is a wolf that chases the horses Árvakr and Alsviðr, that drag the chariot which contains the sun through the sky every day, trying to eat her. Sköll has a brother, Hati, who chases Máni, the moon...

. According to Norse mythology, prior to Ragnarök

Ragnarök

In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures , the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water...

, Álfröðull will give birth to a daughter and then be eaten by the wolf, but the daughter will take her place.

Vafþrúðnismál

According to the poem Vafþrúðnismál

Vafþrúðnismál

In Norse mythology, Vafþrúðnismál is the third poem in the Poetic Edda. It is a conversation in verse form conducted initially between the Æsir Odin and Frigg, and subsequently between Odin and the giant Vafþrúðnir...

:

Óðinn kvað:

"Hvaðan kemur sól

á hinn slétta himin,

þá er þessa hefur Fenrir farið?"

Vafþrúðnir kvað:

"Eina dóttur

ber Álfröðull,

áður hana Fenrir fari.

Sú skal ríða,

þá er regin deyja,

móður brautir mær."

Modern poetic English translation:

Odin spoke:

"From whence will come the sun

To span the skies,

When Fenrir has destroyed the girl?"

Vafþrúðnir spoke:

"A daughter born to Alfrodull,

Before the Fenris wolf destroys her.

The girl will ride her mother's paths

When the gods are slain."