El Cid, The Legend

Ben Yusuf invades the Muslim Taifa of Zaragoza, triggering a larger campaign across Iberia. The invasion marks the start of Yusuf's bid to conquer the peninsula and threatens Castile. Al-Mu'tamin flees to Castile to warn King Ferdinand.

Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar joins a border scouting mission with Sancho, Ordoñez, and Gormaz near Zaragoza. Gormaz is ambushed by Al-Mu'tamin's warriors, and Rodrigo intervenes to defend his companions. Sancho allows Al-Mu'tamin to accompany them back to Castile, recognizing Rodrigo's value.

After Ferdinand's death, Urraca schemes to have Sancho killed so Alfonso can be crowned. Gormaz challenges Rodrigo to a duel, and Rodrigo reluctantly fights. During the events, Sancho is stabbed by a dagger used by Urraca's accomplice, and Rodrigo accidentally kills Gormaz; Jimena witnesses.

With Alfonso crowned, Rodrigo refuses to kneel and denies involvement in Gormaz's death. Feeling dishonored and isolated, Alfonso banishes Rodrigo without honor.

Rodrigo flees Castile and reunites with Álvar Fáñez, Garcés, and Al-Mu'tamin in Zaragoza. The group resolves to reclaim Emir Al-Muqtadir's castle, hoping to restore Rodrigo's honor.

The team infiltrates the fortress and frees Emir Al-Muqtadir alongside other enslaved Muslims. Rodrigo is appointed commander of Al-Muqtadir's forces and earns the title El Cid among the Muslims.

Rodrigo receives a letter from King Alfonso asking for help against Yusuf, but he declines, fearing Yusuf's true aim is to seize Valencia. For his defiance, Alfonso imprisons him.

In prison, Urraca visits Rodrigo, tries to seduce him, and then frees him on the condition that he kills Alfonso. She hopes to remove Alfonso from power and pave the way for her own ambitions.

Rodrigo confronts Alfonso with Urraca's plot, displaying the dagger she used. He escapes Castile, but Jimena rejects him, still grieving her father Gormaz's death.

Alfonso arrests Urraca and contemplates joining Rodrigo's forces. Don Diego is questioned about freeing Rodrigo; he denies involvement, claiming he met with Alfonso earlier.

Jimena follows Rodrigo to Valencia as Ordoñez pursues them, but the pair are captured by emir Al-Qadir, Yusuf's ally.

Rodrigo and friends infiltrate Yusuf's castle, hoping to open gates for a siege. The plan goes awry; Rodrigo is captured when Yusuf threatens Jimena, but they escape as Garcés opens the gates. Yusuf's siege is broken by Al-Mu'tamin's forces until Alfonso and his army arrive. Rodrigo faces Yusuf in a final duel; Jimena retrieves Yusuf's dagger, allowing Rodrigo to disarm and defeat him.

After Yusuf's defeat, Alfonso pardons Rodrigo and grants him permission to marry Jimena, while Ordoñez accepts. The couple heads toward Valencia, and Rodrigo is granted dominion over the city.