El Cid, The Legend

Rodrigo was banished after King Alfonso was crowned. Rodrigo refused to kneel before the new king and forced Alfonso to swear he had no involvement in Sancho's murder. This confrontation dishonored Alfonso, who responded by banishing Rodrigo without honor. Additionally, Rodrigo was blamed for accidentally killing Gormaz during a duel, which further darkened his reputation at court.

The seeds of conflict were planted earlier when Gormaz refused Rodrigo's request to marry Jimena and challenged him to a duel.

After being banished from Castile, Rodrigo fled to Zaragoza where he reunited with Al-Mu'tamin, Álvar Fáñez, and Garcés. Together they infiltrated Emir Al-Muqtadir's castle using Garcés' adopted badger named Ruidoso to help them sneak in. They freed the enslaved Emir and other prisoners. For his leadership in this operation, Al-Muqtadir appointed Rodrigo as commander of his forces, and the Muslims began calling him El Cid, meaning 'the Lord' or 'the Champion'.

Al-Mu'tamin had previously shown respect for Rodrigo after witnessing his bravery during the border ambush.

Prince Sancho was assassinated on a balcony while Rodrigo was engaged in a duel with Gormaz. The killing was orchestrated by Princess Urraca, who used her lover and servant to stab Sancho in the back. Urraca's plot was designed to eliminate Sancho so that her brother Alfonso could become king, clearing the path for her own political ambitions.

Urraca's scheme to crown Alfonso was hinted at when she moved to eliminate Sancho after King Ferdinand's death.

Jimena witnessed Rodrigo strike the fatal blow that killed her father Gormaz during their duel. Even though Rodrigo killed Gormaz accidentally during the chaos of the moment, Jimena was grief-stricken and blamed Rodrigo for her father's death. When Rodrigo later visited her room seeking reconciliation, a woman who believed Rodrigo had murdered her father turned him away, deepening Rodrigo's exile and sense of loss.

Gormaz had opposed Jimena's romance with Rodrigo and pressured her to marry Count Ordoñez instead, creating family tension.

Princess Urraca orchestrated multiple plots throughout the story. She first arranged for Sancho's assassination so Alfonso could become king. Later, when Rodrigo was imprisoned for refusing to join Alfonso's campaign against Yusuf, Urraca visited him in his cell, attempted to seduce him, and offered to free him on the condition that he kill Alfonso. When Rodrigo refused, she released him anyway hoping he would carry out the deed, but Rodrigo instead exposed her dagger to Alfonso, revealing her role in Sancho's murder and leading to her arrest.

Urraca's hunger for power was established early when she schemed to eliminate Sancho after King Ferdinand's death.

During the final confrontation in Zaragoza, Rodrigo faced Yusuf in single combat. Yusuf disarmed Rodrigo and gained the upper hand, but in the chaos, Ordoñez and Jimena managed to escape. When Yusuf moved in for the killing blow, Jimena retrieved Yusuf's own sword and threw it to Rodrigo. This allowed Rodrigo to disarm Yusuf and defeat him, turning the tide of the battle.

The final showdown mirrored earlier battles where Rodrigo's honor and skill were tested against Muslim warriors.

After being banished from Castile with no honor or support, Rodrigo needed to rebuild his reputation and find purpose. In Zaragoza, he reunited with Al-Mu'tamin, who had become a friend and ally. Al-Mu'tamin proposed they reclaim the castle of Emir Al-Muqtadir, who was enslaved. Rodrigo agreed to this mission not only to restore his honor but also to free the enslaved people, earning respect from both Muslims and Christians despite his exile.

Al-Mu'tamin had accompanied Rodrigo back to Castile earlier, suggesting a bond formed during the border ambush.

Count Ordoñez began the story as Rodrigo's rival for Jimena's affection, as Jimena's father Gormaz favored Ordoñez over Rodrigo. Throughout the story, Ordoñez pursued Jimena and Rodrigo, even capturing them alongside emir Al-Qadir. However, in the final battle, Ordoñez fought alongside Rodrigo against Yusuf's forces. After Yusuf's defeat, Ordozón accepted the turn of events and joined Rodrigo and Jimena on their journey to Valencia, reconciling with his former rival.

Ordoñez's rivalry with Rodrigo was established early through Gormaz's preference for him as a son-in-law.

Rodrigo and Alfonso had a complicated relationship marked by conflict and eventual reconciliation. Initially, Rodrigo refused to kneel before the newly crowned Alfonso and forced him to swear he had no involvement in Sancho's death. This confrontation led to Rodrigo's banishment. Later, when Rodrigo was imprisoned, Alfonso released him after Rodrigo exposed Urraca's conspiracy. In the final battle, Alfonso arrived with his forces to help defeat Yusuf, and afterward granted Rodrigo his full pardon and blessing to marry Jimena, restoring his honor.

Rodrigo had grown up alongside Prince Sancho, Alfonso's brother, suggesting a shared history with the royal family.

Jimena plays a crucial role in the final battle by retrieving Yusuf's own sword during the single combat between Rodrigo and Yusuf. When Yusuf disarmed Rodrigo and was about to deliver the killing blow, Jimena grabbed Yusuf's sword and threw it to Rodrigo. This allowed Rodrigo to regain his weapon, disarm Yusuf, and defeat him. Without Jimena's quick thinking, Rodrigo would have been killed.

Jimena had followed Rodrigo throughout his exile, demonstrating her continued loyalty despite her grief over her father's death.